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Have you ever had someone in your life that that you always watched, maybe admired or maybe just even followed in that persons foot steps. When I was about 15 years old, I was bit by the "Car Audio Bug". I can remember standing watching the big guys come thought the line at the "Thunder on Wheels" show in the Superdome in New Orleans, La in 1988. People like Mark Fakuda, Jerry Sterling and Virgil Williams. I know most of you don't remember these legends. These guys were some of the "Heavy Hitters" back in the late 80's. I can remember Jerry Sterling setting a new world record with 12 15"s in his Toyota truck of 152Db. Then there is Virgil Williams with "Freddie's Nightmare" a truck that has been rebuilt more times then I care to think about. Then there is the world famous yellow blazer of Mark Fakuda. With 16 15"s and enough power driving them to keep California from having a power shortage. In the early 90's it was once stated that it was impossible for a vehicle to pressure above a 155 Db. I had the pleasure of running into and spending some time with Virgil Williams at a local show this past weekend. In his 40's Virgil is still competing weekend after weekend. He owns a shop in Fl and is still building crazy systems. At the show Virgil pressured an astonishing 170.2 Db. What happen to the days of not being able to get above a 155 Db? I also had the pleasure of spending some time with my old friend Timmy Thompson. Timmy has been competing for over 12 years. I was amazed when Timmy stated that in 10 years he has spent over $30,000.00 in entry fee's alone to enter shows. That's not counting all the miles, hotel rooms, speeding tickets and gas he has put on his faithful Chevy truck. In 1995 and 1996 Timmy and myself clocked more than 100,000 miles on our vehicles competing all over the United States. Timmy has been competitor of the year in both USAC and IASCA and been to world finals almost every year.
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But when I asked Timmy and Virgil if they planned on giving up the ghost any time soon I was told in not so nice word's " No Way". How does one find such dedication in a sport of no reward? Unlike Timmy and Virgil I started focusing on installing and less on competing shortly after the 1996 show season. I had lost the fire that drove me to put 100,000 miles in two short years on a brand new truck, I lost the desire to sleep in roach motels and stay all day at a show for a little piece of plastic and marble. But it isn't about the trophies that drive you to go drive to a town were the local P.D. doesn't take to kind to funny looking lowered trucks. It's the memories and the friendships. For these things can't be bought for any price. Ben HusserLaynbdy247@aol.com
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