"In 1988, Al Lopez attended the Mesa Car Show. During his trip, he asked me if I was interested in judging for LRM. That was a great experience. I never thought I would have the privilege in working the L.A. Supershow, meeting people and judging cars from the pages of Lowrider Magazine. One thing on Al's priority list was to develop an official rule book that would standardize vehicle scoring and also create consistency with a true point system. I had previously worked with the local World of Wheels Promoter Buck Dosdell, who produced Rod and Custom shows in Phoenix and the Southwest. In judging those shows, the ISCA (International Show Car Association) had a written rule book and point system which their judges utilized. I put Al in touch with Buck, and from that along with Larry Gonzalez, the 1st edition Lowrider Rule Book came to be. Annual revisions are still based on the original book printed in 1990."
"My judging career at first took a curve due to my job obligations, but my carnale Danny, who already had five good years as head judge experience from the Mesa Show in his briefcase, was ready to help out. I asked Al if Danny could work, and other than his young appearance, Al was convinced he would do a good job due to the excellent record of his judging reputation. My good friend Buck Dosdell also agreed and started judging for LRM. Soon after, my sister's boyfriend and now brother-in-law Mickey Horton also was one of the Mesa Show Judges was brought in to help out in the massive car shows LRM was producing."
"All in all, Danny and Mickey made a great team and for a few years, handled the bulk of the shows. A few years later, I came back and joined my carnales in judging the prestigious LRM shows. From 1989 through 2009 working with this publication, I have seen many changes with the magazine, but I have also found some things that never change, I never get tired of looking at a work of art on wheels low to the ground, and the sound of pumps in the trunk. Being part of these special events is life altering. Though it is very hard work, once our work is done, the thrill of being part of an organization that produces a Chicano version of Disneyland for our gente is beautiful."
"I have always tried to maintain a positive approach with what I do in life. To always handle yourself, use your head, to handle others using your heart. We should appreciate and enjoy our Lowrider brothers and sisters, but when I'm on the show floor, I judge vehicles on that day's merits, though I have many friends and acquaintances, I judge cars on their value. Being a professional does not defer you from allowing professional courtesy. I would hope people understand that. The only thing as a car judge that holds your head high is your integrity.
"Over 7 years ago, while doing the LRM Tour show in Indy, Eddie Zammaron and I shared a story of a past Lowrider Supershow where a few Lowrider legends were checking out the newest championship caliber vehicles. What amazed me was the fact that when these icons of the industry were walking through the aisles, only a few veteranos came up and properly addressed them by shaking their hand and respectfully acknowledging them. I especially noticed one group of young individuals that were confused when one of the older gentlemen at the show got so much attention. One stated, `who is this older guy?' The tenured car club member said, `you don't know? That's Jesse Valadez, owner of The Gypsy Rose and past President of the Imperials!' The younger guy said `wow! I heard of him, but didn't know what he looked like....He is lowrider Royalty!'"