Moving from the track to the display area, the spectators enjoyed the Big Show's slow cruise. Cruising is often not allowed at other shows, but you get it your way at the Big Show. Drivers circled the huge Virginia Motorsports parking area, enjoying the ride and entertaining the spectators who lined up to see the rolling car show. As an added bonus, the girls riding inside and dancing in the beds got a chance to add to their bead collection.
Evening activity began with teams of body-draggin', spark-throwing trucks, flying down the dragstrip, competing to see who could become the most entertaining chariot of fire. The late-night neon contest also shed new light on the situation, providing a quiet moment before the real spectator adventures began. The bikini contest occurred on the main stage, with some of the South's finest ladies looking to capture the trophy and cash. The wet T-shirt contest followed, with a local fire truck acting as the girls' limousine, a thoughtful precaution in case the rising temps became too much for the crowd. The late-night party at the campgrounds is an event most look forward to all year long, with the no-curfew excitement continuing until dawn.
Sunday's action included mini-bikers storming down the track, entertaining the folks in the stands, and trying to cover the quarter in less than 40 seconds. The burnout contest was an exercise in controlled mayhem, with drivers trying to outdo each other in the art of smoke-screen fabrication. Hydraulic exhibitions and air dancing maintained the nonstop action, followed by 4X4 truck pulls. If you weren't already worn-out from all the excitement, you could head to the afternoon awards ceremony, where hundreds of drivers listened for their names, hoping to take home some gold along with great memories of the Big Show weekend.
In addition to a dozen specialty awards, winners of the four categories (Car, Truck, 4X4, and Bike) received a trophy and $250 in cash. Best Club Participation and Best Representation went to Virginia's Streamline chapters. Kim and Mike Rossi captured Best Truck of Show with their lifted Ford Excursion, while Jackie and Bonnie Christian took Best 4X4 of Show with their immaculate Jeep CJ-7. The overall Best Vehicle in Show award went to a crowd favorite, the supercharged '40 Ford street-rod truck owned by Bruce Suggs of Fayetteville, North Carolina. Bruce drove off with the huge 6-foot-tall trophy stowed carefully in the bed - and the check for $500 stuffed neatly in his pocket.
More than 3,200 spectators and exactly 700 show vehicles made the Second Annual Big Show a resounding success. Check out the Web site (www.dropjawmag.com) for more information on this annual get-together. Get plenty of rest between now and then because show promoters Bryan, Glenn, and Mike promise the next show will be even bigger.