The sky's the limit at Sunshine State Legends Tour date.
The dry heat wasn't the only thing hot going on in Tampa, Florida, one fine Sunday this past April. Looking around the hall of the Florida State Fairgrounds, the stands were full with spectators and there was enough crashing, burning and parts breaking and flying to satisfy everyone. The Fairgrounds were hopping and that included a fine performance by our own "C-Wrecks" Olds Cutlass, the world's most radical hopper. This fine piece of automotive workmanship was flying high and rolled on its roof no less that three times during its exhibition, much to the delight of the crowd and the Go-Lo Entertainment staff.
After that, the Hop was a battle royal with everyone trying to win some cash and gain some bragging rights to be king of the hill for a day. The Single-Pump Hop saw Mike Hobbs' '63 Chevy Impala hittin' 24 inches and taking top honors and $750 for his efforts. Dominique Antoine hit 22 inches and $500 and Kevin Herman with 20 inches took Third and $250. Frank Carralero of Red's Hydraulics made the trip up from Miami, Florida, rolling the huge car trailer. As usual, Frank wowed the crowd with his hits of 57 inches in the Double-Pump category and 91 inches in the Radical Hop category.
The Truck Hop saw a new Tour record broken by Jason Marchese with 82 inches in his Ford Ranger. Jason took home an additional record bonus of $500 for his efforts. Jerry Sweeney and "Shorty" Villareal rounded out the winner's list in the Truck Hop. If it's big bodies that you're after (and we're not talking about girls) then the Luxury Hop might be of interest. In that category, Freddy Gonzalez was the king of the hill with a 46-inch leap, followed by Perry Bunker with 40 inches and Jason Primrose's 32 inches.
Bobby Walls prevailed in the Street Truck Dance with his '82 Chevy S-10, followed by David Neumann and Richard Armenta in the other money spots. The potential danger of the sport is never lost on the crowd, who always appreciate a good crash and burn. True to form, Jason Marchese's CCE '93 Mazda dancer won the Radical Dance class with a score of 17 points as sparks and smoke at the end of his run announced its demise. The T&D Customs' '87 Chevy S-10 of David Neumann also lost its tonneau cover in a blaze of glory.
Bobby Walls rocking it for Maria's Fashions first Street Truck Dance. | 
David Neumann showing how to lose your top. | |