Making a quick phone call back home before my scheduled red-eye flight, I wanted to reassure my parents I would be safe flying in an ancient, 20 seater, twin-propeller plane from Atlanta to Florida. Or maybe I was looking for that adolescent nurturing, knowing I was about to embark on my trip in this old school, sea biscuit plane. Whatever the case, the call didn't go exactly as planned..."Hey mom I'll be out of town for a couple days for work.""Where are you going, son?""I'm going to Panama.""Panama? No, son. You'll never make it back!"Now my dad's screaming in the background. "Hey boy! Get me some Cuban Cigars!"I am thinking to myself, what the hell?!? Cuban Cigars? "No mom! Tell dad I'm not traveling to Cuba and don't worry, it's not Panama in Central America! I'm gonna be heading out to Panama City in Florida for the Spring Break Tuner Bash.""Oh, OK. Well have a good time and be careful. You never know what will happen."(click)"Uhh hello?"Great.
Break out the bikinis women, and for you men, pull out those leopard print banana slings! Spring is upon us once again. So what's characteristic for the spring season? Well for starters, spring is mating season for animals in the wild while plants and flowers are at full bloom. And what about the typical college student? Spring Break holds a very different meaning. Spring breakers religiously flock to designated hot spots during this free week for none other than the four "B"s: beer, boobs, beads and, of course, blingin' cars.
The first annual Spring Break Tuner Bash in Panama City Beach, Fla., was held on March 13th and 14th. Located at the Miracle Strip Park, the free entry into the extravaganza provided the crowds with numerous activities and giveaways including hats, T-shirts, audio components (sponsored by Car Audio magazine), Nitrous Kits (sponsored by Nitrous Express), a two-day bikini show (also sponsored by Nitrous Express) and numerous show cars filling the parking lot.
Import Showoff, with Meguiar's as their sponsor, took the trip to Florida to host their nationwide car show with over 150 cars battling for first place honors. With two days of judging and detailed inspections of each and every vehicle, the winner was narrowed down to a flawless, orange RX-7 with a full carbon-fiber kit and multiple JDM components. Not far behind was the dark blue NSX, also adorned in a complete layout of hard-to-find JDM products, including a Grupe M supercharger. We need to mention that the owner of the NSX drove his vehicle to Florida from Louisiana, and then returned home the following day. And the Bikini contest? Well check out the pictures and judge for yourself how the show went. All I can say is Nikki Zeno [2NR cover model, November 2003] definitely deserved first place on day one of competition and the girl in the 5-point harness? Damn, I'm speechless! And hey, with WD40 as the official lubricant, Toyo Tires representing all tires out there and NGK Spark as official sparkplug sponsor, there's bound to be trick prizes.
If you missed out on the spring break celebrations in Panama City, make sure you come out next year to party 2NR style!