The State Fairgrounds in Indianapolis, Indiana, played host to the 2004 Lowrider Magazine Evolution Tour hydraulic competition. Sponsored by CCE Hydraulics, this all-indoor event drew record-breaking attendance from competitors and spectators alike. Lowrider fans came in from all around the Hoosier State and elsewhere in the Midwest region to check out more than 20 of the Midwest's finest hydro hoppers and dancers who came out to show their moves.
Starting off the hydraulic competition was the Single-Pump Hop, which kicked off with Memo Chalifoux hitting 35 inches with his '91 Lincoln. Joe Dowers then climbed to 44 inches with his '87 Buick Regal to take the class. In the Double-Pump Hop, Rich Myers set the pace at 30 inches with his '78 Regal. John Croucher was next with his '77 Chevy Impala. John reached 44 inches, which temporarily put him in the lead until Chris Ponder bested the field at 62 inches with his '88 Olds Cutlass.
Jay Marchese of New York brought out two trucks, including his regular truck hopper, which was the only vehicle in that class. That didn't stop Jay from hitting back bumper and scoring an impressive 83 inches. The crowd appreciated Jay's awesome efforts. The Radical Hop had Uce C.C. member John Nickels bring out his beautiful '96 Impala dubbed the "Gucci Car." It's safe to say that this ride was probably the best looking car in the Hop. It hopped pretty well, too, reaching 46 inches. Last up in the Radical Hop, however, was Jay Marchese with his radical '89 Mazda. Jay's Mazda stood up at a standstill measured out at 106 inches to take the class.
The only Street class car dancer to place was Michael Storhoff with his '84 Cutlass at 14 points. In the Street Truck Dance, Michael Madden in his '93 Isuzu Amigo took home Third Place with 14 points. Second Place was won by T&D Customs with the shop's Chevy S-10 truck dancing to the tune of 22 points. Last up and the winner in the Street Truck Dance class with 23 points was David Caines with his '91 S-10.
The Radical Dance class had eight radicals coming out to strut their stuff. Once the dust had cleared, however, there could only be three winners. The finish proved to be close, too, as David Neumann and his '93 S-10 scored 19 points, just ahead of T&D Customs at 18 points with their '87 S-10 and Brandon Smith with 17 points for the efforts displayed with his '88 Nissan Pathfinder.
When the hopping and dancing was over for the day, all that could be heard in the hydraulic pit was how the competitors were already gearing up for the next local event. We may even see some of these Midwestern "big dogs" at another LRM Tour event down the road where they'll be sure to be put up even more points and cause even more excitement.
 Mike's Amigo danced into Third...  Mike's Amigo danced into Third Place in the Street Car Dance. |
 Mike's Cutlass showed us all...  Mike's Cutlass showed us all of the moves. |
 Memo was on the switch of...  Memo was on the switch of this single-pump Lincoln. |
 Jay Marchese pumped the crowd...  Jay Marchese pumped the crowd as his truck smashed its tailgate in reaching 83 inches. |
 Chris Ponder's '88 Cutlass...  Chris Ponder's '88 Cutlass hopped to 62 inches putting it down in the Double-Pump Hop. |
 John's "Gucci" Impala was...  John's "Gucci" Impala was hittin' 46 inches while flossing that candy paint job. |
 Jay Marchese reached 106 inches...  Jay Marchese reached 106 inches with his '89 Mazda. |
 This S-10 really got going...  This S-10 really got going once it started hopping. |
 Jae's Cutlass from Uce came...  Jae's Cutlass from Uce came out all the way from Bakersfield, California, to dance in the Midwest. |
 Rome-N-Low's shop S-10 is...  Rome-N-Low's shop S-10 is a powerful radical dancer. |
 T&D Customs' S-10 rolled in...  T&D Customs' S-10 rolled in at Second Place. |