19th Annual 2005 Spring Break Nationals - Custom Truck Show

The perfect combination of sun, fun, stereo, trucks, trophies, prizes, entertainment, and more made the "world's most famous sound-off and tuner jam" the place to be during this year's spring break. Entertaining enthusiasts for almost two decades, this legendary event still attracts hundreds of manufacturers, thousands of spectators, and a huge collection of custom vehicles on display indoors and out. Daytona's beautiful Ocean Center was the air-conditioned gathering place for industry reps, internet models, show trucks, audioheads, and hoards of people eager to enjoy the weekend action. It is the largest mobile electronics sound-off show of its type in the world and the favorite place to introduce the latest in new technology. Think of this event as SEMA East.

If you were looking to expand your stereo system, you could find some of the newest, most innovative audio accessories on display to give your ride that cutting edge. New products of every kind were on hand, from the latest in sound-deadening to the coolest in sound-deafening, all designed to ignite passion in any audiophile. Stereo competitors could choose between IASCA and MECA formats, with both groups offering an SPL and sound quality competition. DB drag racing and the newly introduced bass boxing, where audience participation helped to determine the winner, proved to be crowd favorites.

While everyone else was playing hard, two talented teams were working hard, pitting their skills against each other in the installer challenge. The goal was to create two custom rides from a stock Scion in a 48-hour marathon effort. Watch the vehicles as they unfold, then wander over to the tuner jam competition with its collection of high-quality vehicles on display behind the Hilton Hotel, just a short walk to the ocean.

Want more? How about live entertainment throughout the weekend with big names such as Adobe Gilas and the Battle of the Bands, along with DJ Billy E and an appearance by Funkmaster Flex? The Ocean Center afternoon bikini contests and the high-speed lunch provided by the Papa John's pizza-eating contest got the action rolling each day. Hundreds of T-shirts rained down from the balconies, as a sea of hands reached out, hoping to score upgrades for their wardrobe. The party thumped well into the night with the Hawaiian Tropic beauty pageants in Daytona's band shell on the beach. The StreetGlow neon glow-off lit up the warm evening, making old Route A1A look a little like the Fremont Street Experience.

The outrageous fun of the Spring Break Nationals only happens once a year, so make your plans early. If you missed it, check out www.springbreaknationals.com for shots of this year's fun as well as info on all the activities scheduled for next year. We'll see you there.