Summer’s here. For many of us that means loading up the family car with siblings (and sometimes parents) that don't get along, gassy pets, and too much stuff for another epic adventure most commonly known as “The Annual Family Summer Vacation.”
Or not.
This summer, If you’re lucky enough to be doing what you want, where you want, when you want, and with whom you want to be doing it, then we have some road trip suggestions for you. You'll especially love these if you’re into import tuners and "bagged," "stanced," and "stretched” are all part of your vocabulary.
Stancenation & Showoff, Nisei Edition, Los Angeles
Aggressive fitment will be front and center when Stance:Nation brings its Stancenation & Showoff – Nisei Edition to Los Angeles Saturday August 17 where some of the West Coast’s top cars and import tuners to compete for trophies and prizes.
WEKFEST, San Francisco
West Coasters would do right to also check out the annual WEKFEST San Francisco on their fifth anniversary, July 27 at the San Jose Convention Center. Billing itself as “featuring 300-plus of the West Coast's best euro and import builds. WEKFEST is your destination to see some of the best on display.”
WEKEAST, New Jersey
If the mere thought of 300 import tuner beauties on display in one spot has you salivating but you live on the East Coast and don’t have the time or rich relatives to finance a cross-country trip, don’t despair. Check out WEKEAST on Sunday, August 25 at the N.J. Expo & Convention Center in Edison, N.J., with 300 of the best builds the East Coast has to offer.
Hot Import Nights, mulitple locations
Summer’s also heating up thanks to the continuation of the epic Hot Import Nights shows. With four shows remaining this summer in Seattle, Loudon, N.H., Seoul, Korea, and Houston, and another five shows scheduled to close out the year. HIN says it features “the hottest cars, models, and music,” and, at the New Hampshire event, drifters.
Streetwise Drift and Formula D, locations vary
Speaking of drifting, Streetwise Drift has a bunch of amateur and ProAm events scheduled through the summer in the Southeast while the big boys over at Formula D have three more drifting events remaining in Washington, Texas and California before they crown the 2013 Formula D champion.
Now, if you do decide to road trip it to any of these events, here’s how to avoid turning it into a repeat of that stressful family vacation from your childhood. Pop the hood and check your vehicle’s vital signs. You know the drill – fluid levels, battery age, belt and hose condition, tire pressure, lights, wipers, a/c temperature. Do it in the driveway now, so you don’t have to deal with it on the side of the road later.
Got any favorite import tuner shows or memorable photos from a recent road trip or drifting event? Share ‘em here, and enjoy summer!
Photos courtesy of Formula Drift and Stancenation.
