For more information on this or any of the shows in the Special Events Performance Series, contact: Special Events, Dept. OR, 804 N. Delaware, Indianapolis, IN 46204, (317) 236-6525, www.familyevents.com.
It's been said that he with the most toys wins; however, at the 15th Annual Spring 4-Wheel Jamboree Nationals in Lima, Ohio, winning required much more than just a lot of toys. With the Show 'n' Shine including classes for Best Engine Compartment and Best Induction System and Suspension, attention to detail became paramount. In Lima's case, that saying should perhaps be amended to: He or she with the most righteously detailed, super-sano, cutting-edge truck wins.
Not even cloudy weather could keep enthusiasts away from this huge 4x4 event - it drew participants from all over the country. The Show 'n' Shine was yet again a spectacle; many outrageous vehicles lined the fairground's winding blacktop roads. Best Paint Award winners, such as Harry Lindamood's '96 GMC, Jerry Hayden's '96 Dodge, and Nancy Revalee's '91 Chevy, added to the scenery of exceptional 4x4s. After three days of looking at engines, paint, and tires, the judges crowned Mike Batjes' '58 Chevy the Grand Champion of the Street Class; Tim Bingham's '79 Ford was the Grand Champion in the Modified Class; and Mike and Michelle Webb's '56 Ford took home the Grand Champion award in the Pro Class. Also part of the Show 'n' Shine were the Hancock County Four Wheelers who won the Best Club Attendance Award - 28 of their members 'wheeled their trucks into Lima for the show.
After looking at the hundreds of trucks in the Show 'n' Shine, spectators were drawn to the extensive performance marketplace. There they could check out the scores of vendors, including this year's season sponsors: Flowmaster, Rancho Suspension, Rhino Linings, and Weld Wheels. All of the vendors had a plethora of staffers on hand to help spectators with their 4x4 needs. This year, the Best Displayed Vendor went to Rancho Suspension, which had a spectacular setup of suspensions and accessories for onlookers to see.
While spectators looked in awe at the numerous 4x4s that packed the Allen County Fairgrounds, even more fans filled the grandstands to watch the excitement of Lima's legendary truck racing; the 2000 show was certainly filled with old and new favorites. Six classes of mud drags kept spectators on the edge of their seats while participants and pros went at it against the clock; a new S-course Monster Truck track allowed eight trucks to excite fans and show off what they could do. Jeff Rhymer's '81 GMC thrilled fans when it smoked the competition in the Burnout Contest, and the ever-popular Tough Truck competition was a sight of awesome carnage on the brutal course. Some new contests were on tap as well and included Side-by-Side Modified Tough Truck racing; a Monster Truck Wishbone; a Tug-A-Truck competition; and a new crowd favorite - the Demolition Derby.