The location alone, with the...
The location alone, with the Gulf Coast waters just across the street, would make this a cool summertime treat, even without the fabulous collection of more than 2,000 custom vehicles. Put them both together however, and you have an absolute weekend winner.
Scrapin' the Coast, the annual automotive happenin' in Biloxi, Mississippi, has become one of those gotta-be-there shows for the southeast trucking community. Loaded with entertainment options from the Friday welcome aboard to the Sunday afternoon send-off, this show continues its upward spiral attracting more vehicles and spectators each year.
The location itself is a tourist attraction even without the fabulous collection of hot rides, but combining the two creates the best of both worlds. Held at the Mississippi Coliseum in Biloxi, the show was just a short walk from the sparkling blue waters and white sand beaches of the Gulf Coast. A record number of 12,000 spectators enjoyed the opportunity to see 2,060 vehicles at this year's event. Air-conditioned indoor and tree-shaded outdoor displays gave everyone a choice.
Want to take a break from seeing the kaleidoscope of automotive colors on display? Walk across Beach Boulevard, throw down your towel, and enjoy a quick swim. Be back in time for the Saturday afternoon window-rattling USACI Triple Points Stereo competition, then grab a seat in the grandstands and watch the tire-shredding, smoky Burnout Contest where diesel drivers showed the crowd how to really fry donuts.
Frank Carralero from Red's...
Frank Carralero from Red's was on hand with his slammed '01 F-350 dualie, a true custom that is also a strong, long-haul tow rig.
Scrapin' the Coast gives you a change of scene late in the day, becoming two shows in one. On Saturday evening, everyone heads to the Gulfport Dragway for all the action on the quarter-mile strip as well as the adult-rated nightime entertainment. With a $1,000 prize up for grabs in the late-night Bikini Contest, you knew that competition was going to be a crowd-pleaser. However, this is a show that never sleeps. The fun continued even when the crowd left the dragway in the wee hours, setting up lawn chairs and watching the never-ending parade of custom rides cruising Biloxi's Beach Boulevard until dawn.
Sunday's activities started fairly late, giving everyone a chance to clear the cobwebs, but the action never stops at STC. Late-arriving vehicles and live music throughout the day held the crowd's attention until the afternoon Hydro exhibition, where a dozen hoppers and dancers showed how to defy a little gravity. Even show promoter Myles Holcomb contributed to the fun, dancing his minitruck so hard that he demolished the front end.
Check out Roly's custom Freightliner...
Check out Roly's custom Freightliner built by Red's Hydraulics in Miami.
Everyone enjoyed the awards ceremony, cheering for their favorites and seeing more than 400 drivers head home with new additions to their trophy case. Altered Images took the Club Participation award and James Scott captured Best of Show with his magnificent Lightning pickup. Plans are already under way to expand the facilities and accommodate the even larger numbers expected next year. If you'd like to be part of this fantastic weekend, get the details on the 2009 show at www.scrapinthecoast.com.
The Mississippi Coast Coliseum...
The Mississippi Coast Coliseum lighted sign let everyone know that dis wuz da place.
Big enough to squeeze under....
Big enough to squeeze under. That's how we like our trucks.
Watch out for those Ben Hur...
Watch out for those Ben Hur chariot wheels!