Summer Slam

Another trip east for Lowrider Euro and we're curious about what we'll find this year, because the East Coast has certainly been stepping it up on all fronts. We're always amazed at the quality of the cars on the East Coast since the weather is not exactly on their side when it comes to having a fully built car. The threat of rain on Saturday and Sunday didn't hamper anyone from coming out to the Fifth Annual Summer Slam held this past July at the Old Bridge Township Raceway Park in Englishtown, New Jersey.

Saturday was an invitation-only event with the top 100 cars in attendance, the "creme de la creme," so to speak. On the drag strip, the IDRC were holding their qualifying runs for Sunday's showdown and import drag racers from all over the country and Puerto Rico were on hand to try and take home some cash and bragging rights.

Sunday morning opened with clear skies and warm temperatures, and upon entering the cars went as far as the eye could see. All of the major players--Nitto and BFGoodrich tires, Ford Racing--and many of the racing community's support trucks were out for the racers. The "heart" of Sunday (at least for us) was the car show and there was plenty to see, hear and feel. The cars were grouped together in their respective groups, so it was nice to see what five people with the same car came up with.

The Euros were out in force and dominated the show with many fine standouts on hand to let the West Coast know that they're taking no prisoners. Conversions abound, with front ends from BMW and Lexus on Honda Civics and Accords. With body mods like these, plus suicide doors becoming common, where is the lowrider Euro scene going? Check out Danny Thompson's orange '93 Civic, "Space Odyssey," for the answer. The question of the day was "what is it?" and most did not believe that it was "once" a Civic.