When it comes to cravings, only a handful of things make us staffers quiver like an epileptic crackhead going through withdrawal on a wooden roller coaster: King Taco, Jessica Alba and GT-Rs just to name a few. But nothing perks our nipples to diamond-like hardness like a really good car show.
On its inaugural outing the new AutoCrave event delivered, giving showgoers of the tuning realm a super-sized taste of everything. Three halls of the Pomona Fairplex housed the hottest sport compact, Euro, VIP and luxury-themed rides. Hip-hop boomed as the best from the West duked it out in B-Boy battles, and performances by underground giants, Dilated Peoples, The Visionaries and Binary Star rocked the crowd. And of course there were the models; Hotties stalked the runway at the Fashion Show and shook their money makers in the chub-inducing Bikini Contest.
If you missed out on their cherry-popping first show, make sure you head to the AutoCrave Web site to catch the sloppy seconds. www.autocraveonline.com
A Perfect Storm
What happens when you take a handful of journalists like our resident Seoulman, throw in a hot new PS3 game and take them out into the Las Vegas desert for some dune buggie action? Why, you'd get a storm; a Motorstorm to be exact.
To kick off their latest racing game, Motorstorm, Sony took a privileged few out to put their driving skills on the line both digitally in the game, and for real out in the sunlit, sandy dune world. And when Sun Buggie Fun Rentals mean dunes they're talking 50+ ft drops. Did we mention there was no tarmac?
Take one part Tamiya, another part sliding drift action (with perilous drops) and a sprinkle of gaming editors and what do you get? A whole bunch of sand-laden pasty-white dudes longing for their PS3 six-axis controller and the safety of their parents' basement. www.motorstorm.com; www.sunbuggyfunrentals.com
Chu's Or Lose Ricky Churelease yo' delfWe all need a break from our busy lives to escape the real world and unwind-maybe hit up a car show or race. I used to until it became my job and, though I enjoy going, I consider it work. The fun stuff like checking out cars with friends is overshadowed by having to lug around camera gear and take sharp pictures. We don't get to watch the race because we're concentrating on getting that money shot to run as a two-page spread for our next issue so we can sell more magazines and not get a raise.
I used to snowboard a lot, but now this whole global warming thing has made the local Cali mountains crap. Plus, I barely have any time to go anymore. I even had to forfeit a season pass I got two years ago as a birthday present.
When I'm not working, I'll be at the gym or watching NBA basketball...lots of it-an absurd amount if you ask my friends. (I don't like football because LA doesn't have a team and baseball is boring as hell.) Sometimes it can get more frustrating than work deadlines when the Clips aren't playing up to par, struggling to get to the playoffs or even to stay above .500. But when they're firing on all cylinders, man, is it sweet. Especially when I go to the playoff games with my dad, sitting in our 3rd row seats. That's intense. My mind becomes clear and stories start flowing like Crown from the heavens. OK, I'm a nerd. But at least I don't belong to a Fantasy League.
I know it's weird coming from me, but everyone needs to chill out.
By the way, for those of you wondering if I really quit, check what month that issue was.rikdaddy@superstreetonline.com