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Smoke floats among the palms under a waning moon during post-show racing, the electrifying aroma of burning rubber and exhaust fills the cool desert night.
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With roughly 130,000 registrations, the over one million sq-ft of exhibit floor was still packed shoulder to shoulder most days – including the restrooms.
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Although most of my attention was drawn to the trucks, SUVs and off-road racers, absolutely intriguing classic and custom cars were around every corner.
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An alien created from tools got lots of looks
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Crowds, noise, music, food – sometimes it really did feel like a carnival
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With all the trucks firmly on the ground, Toyo Tires went above and beyond hanging a complete Chevy in the air – you did get a good look at the tires!
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Omix-Ada – aka Rugged Ridge, brought a series of vintage wartime Jeeps to their Off-Road Success Centre
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Looking north over the drift race track
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Although there wasn’t an official award for ‘Weirdest Vehicle’ at the show, this bus from American Airbrush gets my vote
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You gotta have gleaming 3D skulls to make your vehicle really stand out.
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You wouldn’t want to be tipsy passing this street art from American Express.
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There is always a showing of off-road organizations including Tread Lightly, the Off-Road Business Association and shown here the California Association of 4WD Clubs who were raffling off a Jeep.
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A lot of booths were filled with glitz, glamour and girls but in a bold move our friends at Yukon Gear let the product speak for itself.
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Ford always has a big presence and this year stepped outside the box to showcase their Indmar marine engine.
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The Powersports area continues to grow with more UTV rigs and accessory suppliers showing up this year.
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Part of the Powersports area included motorcycle suppliers and in this case a very unique ‘motorcycle’?
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Just because you can chrome everything – doesn’t mean you should.
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Yes, that is a Jeep grill out front. But that’s pretty much the only thing Jeep on the new ‘Spec’ Class Ultra4 race buggies – yours to rent for a mere $5000/race.
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Time to go home. The tallest observation Ferris wheel in the world is currently being built around a new entertainment block on the strip. The ’High Roller’ should be finished in time for SEMA 2014.
Story and photos by Perry & Cindy Mack
Sitting in the United Club lounge waiting for my flight to San Francisco it hits me that the Show is over for another year. Only 364 days to go until the next show.
The 2013 show was largest ever with more exhibitors (2,381 companies), products, attendees and vehicles than ever before. And while some things remain the same, many exciting changes are apparent. Under things that don't change, the Ford F-Series was voted ‘Hottest Truck of the Year’ and Jeep Wrangler the ‘Hottest SUV 4x4 of the Year’. This doesn't mean that the aftermarket felt they were the best vehicles, it just means that in 2014 you can expect to find more specialty products to accessorize these vehicles compared to other brands.
What I did notice is the wider variety of vehicles displayed at this years show. A lot more Toyota’s including Tundra, Tacoma, Hilux, FJ’s and even a 2014 ‘70’ series LandCruiser imported from Australia in the Ironman 4x4 booth. Also more GMC/Chevy and Dodge trucks – no doubt in recognition of their award winning design and performance.
Ever dreamed of racing in Ultra4? But didn’t have enough spare change for the $80,000 vehicle? Dream no more, rent the reality. There will be a new ‘Spec’ class this year in which all the drivers’ race vehicles that are built to the same specifications. You can rent one for $5000 for a race (includes pit crew) or rent one for the whole season.
Most of the same players dominate the automotive aftermarket but there are some exciting new product lines and some small companies creating innovative products to make our 4x4 and off-road experience better.
There were over 2,000 items in the new product showcase for me to review as a Global Media New Product Judge. Many (most) of the 'new' products were new in the sense that so-and-so changed the fittings on their product to fit the new model year vehicle, or a new grill design, fender, antennae ball etc. But amidst the mountain of not-so-innovative or new products there were some stand out items and I’ve included some of my favourites in this issue.