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It was the wee hours of the morning of July 27, 2002, when the members of Negative Camber//Ohio\\ and some friends met up just outside of Columbus, Ohio to make the 100 mile road trip down to The North American Nationals in Monroe, Ohio. After everyone arrived at our gathering place, we packed up our rides and hit the road. All started out well, except for the part of having to get up several hours before the first ray of daylight would even think about coming out, but hey, we were headed to a truck show with all of our friends, so I think we can deal with a little less sleep on a temporary basis. Oh yeah, Remember that daylight I mentioned just a second ago, It didn't happen until after we made our 100 mile journey in what I would describe as a FREAKIN' MONSOON! Our group had several trucks in it that were minus the inner front fender wells, and as some of you veteran Minitruckers know, a vehicle without front fender wells just doesn't do well in lots and lots and lots of rain for several very scientific reasons. Let me point out just a few, just in case you have no experience in this field.#1. Motors are designed to run on gasoline, not water.#2. Water mixed with Electricity is a very dangerous thing.#3. Air Cleaners are not waterproof and should not be treated as such.#4. Where does all that shit come from off the road that finds its way into every little nook and cranny in your engine compartment? And why does it always quit raining before you get to the car wash, so all that shit gets baked on from the engine heat?#5 why does all of your friends with inner fenders not understand why you had to cut them out in the first place.I guess I'm just rambling, so on with the show.The North American National Show Producer and Founder Ed Eldridge has been involved with the custom truck scene for over 10 years and founded The Midwest Truck Nationals (now part of the ITB series of shows). Ed eventually sold the Midwest Truck National to Special Events and retired from producing shows in 1995. In 2000, Ed got the itch to produce another show, so with the help of his friends and Sudden Impact Kustomz, Ed was back producing a show. 2002 brought some changes to the 3rd Annual North American Nationals. The most notable was that Ed decided to move the show up the road about 10 miles to the Middletown Motorsports Park in Monroe, Ohio.
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The grounds provided plenty of large mature shade trees to relax under after the sun decided to poke its head out from behind the dark clouds, it had a paved circular drive allowing for some cruising of the grounds, and a decent concession stand run by the local go-cart group that owns the property. The show is a two day event and registration was open bright and early Saturday morning and ran until mid afternoon on Saturday. The North American Nationals had 557 vehicle registered in the show ranging from street rods and classics to sport compacts and custom trucks. The judging was done in the popular drive-thru method that is very common at many Midwest shows today. It allows the participants to be judged when they have the vehicle cleaned and ready. Ed Eldridge used this method at the Midwest Truck National over 10 years ago, and continues to use it at The North American Nationals. The judges had the tough job of classifying vehicles into one of over 50 classes and judge the vehicle, as well as look for vehicles that might deserve a special award or Best of Show contenders. When all the judging was completed on Saturday, everyone hit the town for some dinner and fun. On Sunday the participants returned to await the awards presentation. The awards ceremony went off without a hitch and The North American Nationals staff presented the awards for all the individual classes and Best of's and then the moment everyone was looking forward to The Best of Show Award. For 3 years now Ed has presented a very unique Best of Show award sponsored by Yater's Autobody. It is an American Racing Torque-Thrust II 20" Wheel Center mounted on a custom display. This years winner was Kevin Barnett with his Dark Cherry and Garnite Red 1991 Chevy S-10 that is detailed beyond belief. Check it out in the show coverage; there is not an area on this truck that has not been touched.Plans for the 2003 Show have been underway for a number of months already and can be found at The North American Nationals website @ http://www.geocities.com/north_american_nationalsHope to see you at the 2003 North American Nationals.Casey Jones - SSM: tucNwhL
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