A collection of more than...
A collection of more than 650 vehicles attended this year’s Slamfest at its new location
Ask any real estate agent about the most important aspects of a sale and he will recite the old adage of “location, location, location.” The same idea carries over to truck shows, since the proper venue can mean the difference between having a great time or a wasted weekend. One of Florida’s oldest and longest running club-sponsored events has been in the same location for many years, but it was time for a change. Rising costs and ever-tightening restrictions, along with local law enforcement viewing the event as a revenue-gathering opportunity, prompted the Mini Madness crew to find a new home for Slamfest. Scouting teams checked lots of locations before deciding on the college town of Gainesville, Florida, and the Alachua County Fairgrounds. Centrally located, the new site was easy to find and the local merchants rolled out the red carpet to the several thousand folks who attended this year’s weekend get-together.
More than 650 vehicles lined up for display at the tree-lined fairgrounds, with drivers and spectators enjoying the balmy October weather in the mid-70s. An additional collection of cool rides was on display in the indoor pavilion if you needed a break from the Florida sunshine. Drive-through judging was quick and efficient, held under the shade of the facility’s huge pole building. While the colorful collection of cars and trucks may have been the main event, everyone looks forward to a Slamfest tradition on Sunday morning. Club games are guaranteed great fun and the members of the various car and truck clubs had as much fun as the spectators. Every game had a twist and each one was funnier than the last. The games were a lead-in for Slamfest’s favorite spectator event: the bikini competition. This year, there were more than a dozen Florida cuties on the stage looking for a share the $1,000 cash prize. Beautiful Hope was the winner.
In addition to some high-dollar...
In addition to some high-dollar door prizes, more than 100 laser-cut trophies were given out during the awards ceremony.
The awards ceremony wrapped up the weekend festivities with more than 100 drivers heading home with unique, powdercoated, laser-cut steel trophies. The event was a resounding success, with everyone agreeing the new location was going to work out just fine. If you’d like to be part of next year’s madness, check out
http://www.minimadness.com for details. Go to
www.8-Lug.com for additional photos.
Jim Davis owns this beautiful...
Jim Davis owns this beautiful ’03 GMC Sierra 3500, fitted with an Escalade front clip and custom hood.
Owned by Matt from Hornblasters,...
Owned by Matt from Hornblasters, this radical ’06 F-650 began as a flatbed tow truck and transitioned to a single cab with an extra-length bed. Now it’s a six-door shortbed loaded with stereo.
The owner of this elegant...
The owner of this elegant ’00 Ford F-350 is T.C. Coleman, president of Mini Madness, the club responsible for Slamfest. One Bad Ton is a former 8-Lug feature vehicle.
Mike Ayala’s monster mud machine...
Mike Ayala’s monster mud machine churns through the goo easily, thanks to the 700-plus-horsepower motor under the hood.
Audiovisual specialists Mild...
Audiovisual specialists Mild 2 Wild created this high-riding GMC 2500 HD.
Boulevard Customs filled its...
Boulevard Customs filled its high-altitude Chevy 2500 with a world-class audiovisual system.
Lots of working trucks were...
Lots of working trucks were on hand, like this F-350 Super Duty, custom painted and pulling a trailer.
One of the tallest rides at...
One of the tallest rides at the event was Jeffrey Marcoe’s bagged ’94 Chevy Suburban.
Long, low, and super smooth,...
Long, low, and super smooth, this ’91 Chevy dualie was owned by Mark Angelo.
Ominous wheels and aggressive...
Ominous wheels and aggressive bed-mounted stacks characterize Steve Farley’s all-black ’03 Chevy 3500.
A former 8-Lug feature vehicle...
A former 8-Lug feature vehicle showed up with a new paint scheme and a new owner. This bagged ’98 Chevy dualie now belongs to Justin Hibbs.
This late-model Dodge Ram...
This late-model Dodge Ram from Diamond Detailing was riding high on 24-inch rims.