NOPI man makes sure that everyone's...
NOPI man makes sure that everyone's having fun.
The world-famous NOPI Nationals, now in its 18th year, has become one of the largest car shows in the country. This year, attracting more than 6,000 registered vehicles, the event at Atlanta, Georgia's Motor Speedway lived up to its reputation for non-stop fun. There was some type of automotive event scheduled for almost every daylight hour, ranging from drift exhibitions and three-car burnout competition to ladies Jell-O wrestling and the world-famous NOPI Swimsuit Finals.
For many, however, a big part of the weekend fun is the Saturday and Sunday afternoon CCE-sponsored Hydraulic Jump-Off. The event attracted some of the hottest switchmen in the sport, thanks to the biggest payout ($9,100) of any show in the country. In addition to cash, competitors also had a shot at glory, performing in front of this year's capacity crowd of almost 90,000. This year, the event featured the two biggest crowd-pleasing categories, Radical Hop and Radical Car and Truck Dance. Hydraulics circuit veteran Bryan Gillespie from CCE Hydraulics sponsored the Jump-Off and ran this year's show.
Action began Saturday afternoon with the Radical Hop. Chris Ponder got the crowd fired up, easily sending his Pro-Hopper-equipped '88 Olds Cutlass to 64 inches and establishing the number to beat. He was followed by Daniel Davis in his "High Hitter" Cadillac, managing 28 inches before mechanical problems ended the run. Jason Garrett stepped up with his magenta '80 Chevy Monte Carlo that looked way too pretty to hop. Any notion that this was an all-show-and-no-go-car was quickly eliminated as Jason planted the rear bumper of the Monte on his way to 71 inches for a Saturday class win.
Opie Dunn's air dancing CRX...
Opie Dunn's air dancing CRX entertained the crowd.
The Radical Dance began with the Hi-Jacker Hydraulics-equipped T&D Custom's Chevy S-10, painted a bright orange and obviously ready to perform for the crowd. With Jason Grimes at the switch, the "S-Dime" was on its side and the crowd on its feet all within the first 15 seconds. With the help of the pit crew, the truck was righted, Jason continued his routine, then when his time was up, he simply drove the truck off of the field! Jason earned a 22 for his efforts.
Brandon Smith's orange Nissan Pathfinder from Phase 1 Customs was next, but mechanical difficulties and a fire cut its run short, with the Pathfinder only achieving a 15. The third competitor in the class was the blue '84 Chevy S-10 of T&D Customs, with Jason Grimes once again at the controls. The Hi-Jacker Hydraulics-equipped truck wasted no time showing the crowd what it could do. Within the first 30 seconds, Jason already had the truck on its side twice. When it was not upended, it was high in the air and Jason easily took the Saturday Radical Dance win with a 24.
Opie Dunn from Knoxville, Tennessee, entertained the crowd with his air-powered Honda CRX. The meticulous little car on its big 20-inch wheels looked like it belonged in the Show and Shine, but it had all of the moves, even getting all four wheels briefly off of the ground during the routine. The performance earned a big round of applause from an appreciative crowd.