THE 26TH ANNUAL SLAMFEST

An Old Favorite Still Going Strong

Drivers in the Sunshine State are fortunate to enjoy a yearlong list of car and truck shows. With dozens held every weekend, Florida vehicles are never put up for the winter, and the fun is nonstop. With so many to choose from, events that have lasted more than a quarter of a century must be doing something right, which perfectly describes Slamfest, the longest running club-sponsored event in Florida.

For the last couple of years the event was held at the smaller fairgrounds in Gainesville, but in 2017 the MiniMadness crew returned to a favorite location, the huge Florida State Fairgrounds in Tampa. Boasting a sprawling 355 acres with a dozen different buildings, the location was the perfect venue for a car and truck show. The air-conditioned indoor space housed an amazing collection of custom rides and was also a safe haven during a 20-minute Saturday afternoon shower. Once the sun returned, the crowd filtered back to the show field to admire the collection of more than 900 vehicles.

Saturday morning games included the Car and Truck Limbo contest and Corn Hole Tournament, which was fun for everyone. Manufacturers inside and out had the latest upgrades for your truck, and swap meet vendors had some rusty and dusty treasures to complete that special restoration project back home. Sunday was also action-packed, beginning with a hydraulic exhibition sponsored by Reds Miami with hoppers bouncing high in the air, followed by the all-time crowd favorite, the Miss Slamfest Bikini Competition. A dozen beautiful girls helped the MiniMadness staff distribute tons of swag to the crowd prior to determining the winner. Competition was keen, with each of the ladies looking for a share of the $1,000 cash prize. Lots of unique items were auctioned off before and after the competition, and the proceeds were earmarked for the MiniMadness club’s favorite charities.

“At the awards ceremony brightly colored laser-cut trophies were handed out to the Top 50 winners, and 40 specially fabricated awards were bestowed upon the Best Ofs.”

At the awards ceremony brightly colored laser-cut trophies were handed out to the Top 50 winners, and 40 specially fabricated awards were bestowed upon the Best Ofs. Capturing the Best of Show and $500 cash was Matt Smith’s ReddWud, a unique ’83 S-10 with authentic-looking airbrushed wood accents.

If you’d like to learn more about this Florida favorite, get the details for the event taking place later this year at Minimadness.com. Club President Mike Murray thanked the MiniMadness crew,
title sponsor, Sparkles Detail, as well as the huge collection of vendors, spectators and show participants, who
made Slamfest 2017 the best in years.