CALIFORNIA’S FINEST GATHER FOR A GOOD TIME
WE’VE HEARD SOME UNINFORMED FOLKS SAY THAT MINI-TRUCKS ARE DEAD, BUT WE KNOW BETTER. Just look at any number of social media pages and groups, and you’ll quickly see that minis are back on the rise in a big way. Whether it’s ’80s nostalgia restorations or big billet builds, there’s nothing cooler than a mini-truck in 2019.
The 2019 Kern County Mini-Truck Showdown, presented by Redemption, was proof positive that compact trucks are alive and kickin’ in SoCal. It was the first stop in a three-show tour that also included Forbidden Fantasy’s Show & Shine and Relaxin’: The Awakening. Event organizer Cory Kerley explained that the goal was to bring a mini-centric show back to California’s central valley, which meant strictly mini-trucks and mini-truck inspired vehicles would be allowed to attend. No race or muscle cars, no modern style hot rods—just slammed rides with adjustable suspensions.
Word about the show went far and wide, and truck owners from nine surrounding states made the trek to Kern County for a full weekend of mini-truck fun. As sometimes happens, varying weather conditions necessitated some adjustments in the festivities, so the scheduled club games were put on hold due to rain and mud. Luckily, the taco eating contest (sponsored by Fresco Mexican Grill) was still a go and had many a challenger eager to come out on top. If you ask us, though, that’s one contest where no one can lose.
Other after-hours festivities added another level of fun for show attendees. Friday night got pretty wet, but that didn’t stop everyone from enjoying the ’80s and ’90s throwback party on the main stage. DJ Camote got extra comfy with the crowd, with show-goers trying to find a spot under the stage canopy to not get soaked.
With the show in full swing come Saturday morning with a total of 158 entries, folks were able to relax and check out the vendor and sponsor booths, which included 3D Car Care, AVS, Auto Sounds, Killerwaxx, Aire Jax, Cali Wraps, Seductive Worldwide, Addictive Concepts, Negative Behavior, Musser Graphics and Apparel, The Rim Shop and Relaxin’ in the Northwest 2019. Thankfully the weather was cooperating, so Saturday night brought out the limbo stick for the limbo contest (sponsored by Biodrop), with everything from minis to duallies competing for the recognition of being the lowest of the show.
Sunday was all about enjoying the sunshine and watching raffle tickets before the awards ceremony. The highly anticipated raffle had more than 50 prizes, such as car stereo equipment, wheels and detailing kits, to name a few. Once the last prize had been handed out, show participants gathered around the stage to see who got top honors in their respective classes. Best of Show went to Brad Bosman from Negative Camber with his amazing Excursion. He drove to the event from Arizona.
Next year’s event is already being planned out, so go find the Kern County Mini-Truck Showdown Facebook page to stay in the loop.
WORD ABOUT THE SHOW WENT FAR AND WIDE, AND TRUCK OWNERS FROM NINE SURROUNDING STATES MADE THE TREK TO KERN COUNTY FOR A FULL WEEKEND OF MINI-TRUCK FUN.