Underground Kustomz Brings Runs Back to the Northwest

Lowdown has always been a great show, and this year it just kicked ass. The only three-day show in the North-west has been building in popularity throughout the past few years, and it’s starting to show some of the undertones of past three-day events. Lowdown has become one of the Northwest shows to attend, and that’s saying a lot because there are some really excellent events in that part of the world. This year began with a Friday night roll-in that exceeded last year’s total show count, setting the tone for the rest of the weekend.

On Friday night a big group of friends got to barbecue, hang out and camp with each other once again. Although most of the group gets to see one other at other shows, and there is occasional camping, this is the only official show campout of the year. There was an impromptu cruise and the unofficial NW vs. Canada International Beer Pong Championships. The NW girls won against the Canadian girls and guys. Lexi and Annette had a really great distraction move going for them.

Saturday came pretty early, though some were already setting up their rides for the show around 7 a.m. This year’s event had more of a variety of vehicles, some old school rides from the past coming back out, and of course, some great club participation events. There were mini-trucks, a couple of drift cars, skied 4x4s and a mini-truck-style Honda on display; plus a handful of club competitions, an IASCA sound competition, a wet T-shirt contest, and yes, even a wedding. This was the show of the year for the Northwest. Throughout the day clubs participated in hot-pepper-eating and hot-sauce-chug contests, a piston toss, tug o’ war and a very competitive game of duct tape musical chairs. Sunset cleaned house in the events, taking the tug o’ war (most of their contestants were their runners dressed in lingerie—a great scare tactic), the piston toss (Barry Bradsteen), and they also took the pepper-eating contest and hot-sauce chug (Zach Foster). The duct tape musical chairs event was eventually won by Junior from Modified Lifestyles after a very intense battle. Special thanks goes out to Galen “G-Ride” Johnson for keeping the tunes going throughout the weekend.

A special moment occurred on Saturday when Crash and Jill got hitched. Jill was ushered in to the music of “The Imperial March” by her two sons Max and Luke (who also gave her away), and the wedding was officiated, with subtle references to zombies, by Reverend Kelly Perkins. The wedding ceremony wrapped up with fists in the air, as the bride and groom led the wedding party off of the stage to the sounds of Pantera’s “March.”

After the show part of the day was finished and the gates were closed to the public, the cruise/mini-truck limbo/drag began, followed by the wet T-shirt contest. Corey Davis, president of 30 Day Hold, won the limbo with his Toyota for mini-trucks, and Bubba Thorp of Modified Lifestyles took it for full-size in his square body crew cab dually. The camaraderie between all of the clubs was really something special. They all know what to expect from each other, and they’re always up for assisting anyone if they need it, and everyone is welcome at all of the camps.

Kevin Rost of Twisted Creations took home the Best of Truck with his Twisted Tiki Mazda. Best Single Color Paint went to Kenny Strong of Twisted Creations with his bright yellow Mazda. Mike Czepak came down from Canada and took Best Engineered and Best Engine with his ’86 GMC Sierra. Mike Young of Severed Ties took best Suspension with his Colorado, Best Stereo went to Kevin Buckman, and Mike Amborn of Relaxed Atmosphere walked away with Best Mod with his S-10 Blazer. Modified Lifestyles rolled in the deepest and took home the Club Participation Award.

Thanks to the crew of Underground Kustomz for putting on one helluva show, and to their sponsors and vendors: Air Zenith, Summit Racing Equipment, One Shot, Hydroholics, AutoLoc/Hoff-man Group, NOS Energy Drinks, Mack Brushes, Save A Battery, Kinetic, AutoMeter, Jegs, Flow-master, K&N, Muffler Man, Inc., American Bass, Line-X, Illstyle Custom Car Design, Sick Boys Kustom & Fabrication, Scentsy by Kristy, Discount Tire, AVS, Slam Specialties, Pinstriping by Joe Beck, Rob’s Excavating, The Tattoo Guy and Black Sock Mafia.

Lowdown 2013 is already in the works and will be held July 26-28 at the SW Washington Fair-grounds in Chehalis, and it looks like it will be even bigger and better. For more information about the show later this year and to pre-reg, contact Ralph at Lowwtaco@yahoo.com. ST

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