Hardcore minis is one of the oldest clubs in Central Florida, established back in 1989 and well known throughout the state for its active participation on the show circuit. The 25 members are enthusiastic about their rides and actively attend shows around the Southeast. Their one-day show is dedicated to their former club member, Larry Neal Oliver Jr., who was brutally murdered in 1995 by thieves who stole his truck. The event keeps his memory alive, and the proceeds from the show also support "Baby DJ," Orlando's XL106.7 Radio, a community organization that sponsors needy families in Central Florida. The station provides Christmas trees, toys for kids, dinners for families, and everything else that less-privileged individuals need to enjoy the holiday season.
The show marked a change from the past, as the club stepped up and extended it to a two-day show in the spacious Central Florida Fairgrounds in Orlando. Sponsored by Ultimate Audio, one of Orlando's best-known stereo shops, the event attracted a great turnout of vehicles, with dozens of clubs in the Southeast showing their support, arriving ready to party. The Hardcore staff was also ready, using its years of experience (and months of planning) to ensure all were properly entertained.
Wet and sweet was the theme for the club games. Beginning with a maple-syrup chug and then nosing around for Chicklets at the bottom of a chocolate-cream pie, the club games were not for the calorie-conscious. Thankfully, when the sticky competitors moved to the next event, the water balloon toss cleaned 'em up and cooled 'em off. The cooling process was temporary, however, since the bikini contest raised temperatures all over again. Several of the areas hottest girls competed for a share of the $600 prize, with pretty Shannon Walker becoming the judges' favorite. The cycle continued with the wet T-shirt contest, where the water used to cool off the ladies had the opposite effect on the crowd.
Door prizes kept the excitement going, with lots of great automotive stuff going to the spectators. The awards ceremony sent tons of drivers home with more new stuff, presenting 145 trophies to the 300 competitors at the show. Bobby Hilgeartner's beautiful stereo-equipped S-10 earned a class win and captured Best Paint, while Dave Shulman's radical fullsize Ford took overall Best of Show. The Oliver family chose Rick Hanley's sharp '00 Ford F-150 for the LNO award, and Acrophobia happily accepted the Club Participation Award. If you'd like to be part of a great weekend that also actively helps the community, put Hardcore Minis' show on your calendar now. Check out the Web site, www.hardcoreminis.com, for more information.