Super Chevy Show Event - Showdown In The Desert

There's something about Las Vegas that makes people do crazy things, as if the laws of civilized society don't apply in Nevada. The above quote popped into our collective brains as we caravanned from Original Parts Group in Seal Beach, California, to the 2011 West Coast season opener in Vegas.

High winds didn't stop intrepid Bow Tie fans from making it out to The Strip in Las Vegas for the second-annual Super Chevy Show at this venue. If you're thinking, "How could they have a car show in the middle of Sin City?" then you would be right to be confused. The show actually took place at The Strip at Las Vegas Speedway about 10 miles north of the famous Vegas strip.

While the show car turnout was more Spartan than we'd have liked due to the "breezy conditions," the quality was extremely high. On the plus side, the drag pits had their fair share of winners and losers. One competitor caught fire the wrong way on Saturday night. But as things cooled down a bit, one man broke through the 5-second barrier and made history; his name is Mike Maggio and his 1970 Pro Street Camaro made for one very exciting 245-mph pass. The Pacific Street Car Association put on an incredible display of quarter-mile action with 19 cars competing.

While the track was hot, so was the show circuit. Show cars came from as far as 1,000 miles away to preen.

Thanks to some serious pre-event networking by sponsor Total Cost Involved, the autocross was an unqualified success. Also sponsored by Toyo Tires, Currie Enterprises, and Wilwood, the turnout was the highest we've experienced to date. Thanks to the Las Vegas region of the SCCA for setting up the courses (Sunday's was different than Saturday's) and for all they did to help the more inexperienced participants.

Las Vegas Super Chevy showed that while the wind might keep a couple of show cars in their trailers, it can't stop the real gearheads from bringing their A-game and laying down some rubber, and some serious quarter-mile times.