Scrape By The Lake

If you live in California, Texas or Florida, it might be difficult to think of the sport of lowriding as still in its infancy. Popular throughout the United States and in a dozen countries around the world, the lowrider culture is enjoyed by millions. There are still some areas, however, where a single, neatly customized '63 Chevy going through a few of its moves can draw a crowd of amazed spectators, intrigued by what they see.

In the northeast United States and adjoining areas of Canada, lowriding is still comparatively new, but there's a group trying to change all that. The five members of the Niagara Chapter of Rollerz Only C.C., located on both sides of the U.S./Canadian border near Niagara Falls, are doing their best to further the sport and introduce their communities to the joys of lowriding.

Last year, we brought you coverage of their annual event, Scrape by the Lake, and this year, the event was bigger and better than before. Held in Charles Daley Park in St. Catherines with majestic Lake Ontario in the background, the Sunday show drew more than 500 registered vehicles, dozens of car clubs from both sides of the border, and thousands of spectators.

Although billed as Canada's "premier lowriding event," the show has drawn a heavy concentration of trucks and imports in the past, simply because everyone knew that it would be a good time. This year's mix was different, with a huge collection of quality lowriders. Apparently, the word is finally getting out to the lowrider community that this is their show. Even network television got involved.

In addition to magazine coverage by U.S. and Canadian publications, the syndicated Canadian TV show War of Wheels photographed the buildup of a pair of lowriders created in only three days. The Rollerz Only team of Pete Reibel, Jeremy Egerland, Kevin Aube and Carlos took their "Green for the Money, Gold for the Honeys" Cadillac and transformed it into a convertible, added juice and a custom interior, then hopped it for extra points in the competition. Unfortunately, the TV show's welder did not work, preventing proper reinforcing of the chassis, but the very flexible Caddy still proved strong enough to win the Hop competition with 24 inches. Toronto True Playaz built the second cool custom Cadillac and both cars will be featured on an upcoming TV show.

After checking out the huge collection of custom vehicles, spectators began to move to the hillside for choice seats at the hydraulics competition. If a single hoppin' '63 can draw a crowd, imagine the reaction when a group shows up! The Single-Pump Hop saw a dozen switchmen entertaining the enthusiastic crowd with the "Infamous 187" winning the event. Arriving with his scorchin' hot support crew, Geoff Thorne sent his black '87 Olds Cutlass Supreme to 32 inches, taking the lead and the $400 prize.

More than 500 vehicles enjoyed the show.	Glen Goodwin from Rollerz Only displayed his "Fully Loaded" '63.	Scrape emcee Joe Wing displayed his lifted '84 Coupe Deville.
Jeff Gould's ultra-radical '02 Ford Explorer has mods worth exploring.	Dave Tait didn't waste any time customizing his 2005 Chrysler.	Even the vendor trucks are slammed in Canada!
Jason Handsor's beautiful '64 Lincoln Continental convertible.	Club members (and now television stars!) Jeremy and Pete from Rollerz Only.	A bikini girl working the crowd.