The ever-growing and popular Lowrider Nationals Summer Slam 2005 topped all previous attendance figures, drawing more than 10,000 fans to the Kern County Fairgrounds in Bakersfield, California, last August. The urban lifestyle, custom car show, hop contest and concert attracted a record number of the finest lowriders, hoppers, Euros, dubs and bicycles from California, Texas, Arizona, Utah, Nevada and Illinois.
Widely regarded as the premier custom car show in the region because of the high caliber of competitors, being the only show that awards championship diamond rings and the thousands in cash prizes, the Lowrider Nationals' new producers delivered the best show ever! Summer Slam '05 featured competition categories, including "Best Car," "Best Truck," and "Best Euro/Import." Winners received championship rings, trophies and more than $20,000 in cash and prizes. The new Bucket of the Year contest rewarded the owner of the ugliest car with $1,000 in prizes.
The most anticipated competition was the Hop Contest in which more than 30 hydraulic hoppers displayed their dancing and hopping skills. A record number of nationally recognized elite hoppers were showcased at the grandstands taking part in the competition. The Bikini Contest was a hit with contestants entertaining the fans at the Budweiser Pavilion to get their vote.The music concert was top-notch with hip-hop artists Nino Brown, June Bug and Sly Boogie all performing their hit singles for the delighted crowd. Baby Bash, the headliner, closed the show performing hit songs from his then soon-to-be-released album. After the concert, he signed autographs for the large mass of fans who anxiously awaited him for another hour.
The new TV show Cruzin' For Life covered the show and is producing a special episode due out before the 2006 Lowrider Nationals. The event also received media coverage from a broad spectrum of media including NBC TV 17, Fox TV 29, KTTV Fox 11, Los Angeles, Univision Network, KKEY TV 11 Telemundo, Bakersfield Californian newspaper and Vida en el Valle newspaper.
Event sponsors were highly visible and included Dr. Pepper, Budweiser, Fastrip, El Adobe Restaurant, Don't Trash California and Ritmo Latino. Media Sponsors included Hot 94.1 FM, Pirate Radio 93.1 FM, La Preciosa 105.3 FM, El Popular newspaper, KGET NBC TV 17, WB TV 12 and KKEY TV 11 Telemundo.A unique radio promotion was successful in giving family four-packs and tickets to fans as far away as Las Vegas, Nevada. Participating radio stations included KVEG Hot 97.5 FM, Las Vegas; KDAY 93.5 FM, Los Angeles; KEARTH 101.1 FM, Los Angeles; KJLH 102.3 FM, Los Angeles; KOLA 99.9 FM, Redlands, California; Q 104.7 FM, Ventura, California; KABC 97.5 FM, Merced, California; and MEGA 97.9 FM, Fresno, California.August 6, 2006 is the date for this year's Lowrider Nationals Summer Slam. The clubs are calling in for spots, the sponsors and producers are gearing up, and the producers are talking about a few more new surprises. Visit www.lowridernationals.com for all of the "411."