Of the six years the Supras Invade Las Vegas show has taken place, I've only missed it twice. Every year seems bigger and better than the last. I don't know how it's pulled off, but the event outdoes itself every time.
The 2002 show was especially noteworthy in that some of the cars topped the four-digit mark on the dyno at Silver State Motorsports and two Supras ran low 9s in the quarter mile at Las Vegas Motor Speedway (LVMS). The Show-and-Shine event also had a record number of Supras turn out, with more than 132 registered cars.
The Supras Invade Las Vegas VI hoorah is comprised of three events over three days: the Show-and-Shine, Drag Showdown at LVMS and Dyno Challenge. That's three days of non-stop Supra-packed action, and what better location could there be than Sin City? Cars all day, parties all night.
One of the most exciting portions was the Dyno Challenge. Anytime you involve a Dynojet and a Supra, you know you're going to have a good time. Supras just plain make a ton of power, and they're amazing when they're tuned right.
Not to be let down, the big "wow" of the day was a four-digit horsepower run. Mark Tozer stepped up to top Saad's number from the 2001 show by a single solitary pony, setting a new event record.
Later in the day, the Titan Motorsports Supra was strapped down and superceded Mark's numbers without the aid of nitrous (957.4 RWHP; 779.4 torque) and then--boom!--shattered the record with nitrous (1,121.6 RWHP; 931.1 torque).
The following day was the Drag Showdown at Las Vegas Motor Speedway--one clean track! As bonus entertainment for those in attendance was a free air show, courtesy of the U.S. Air Force. Stealth fighters and other fast-a** aircraft made passing runs overhead.
Back to the racing--a surprise cameo was made by the MVP/Powerhouse Supra from Texas. Also bringing the heat was the Titan Supra from Florida, making the ingredients for a good night of grudge racing.
There were lots of good runs for everyone, and bringing it all home was the final race strictly for bragging rights: the Powerhouse vs. Titan battle. Titan Motorsports won in the end with a 9.20 at 151 mph. Props go to Ryan Woon, who pulled down the Best Reaction Time (.501) and the class win in Supra Modified.
Last, but not least, was the Show-and-Shine on our final day in Las Vegas. From Florida to Cali and everywhere in between, Supras came out for the big car show. There were some beautiful MkII Supras in great condition, as well as some wild-style crazy-modified new ones. TRD wide-body kits, shiny engines, big turbos, you name it and it was there. A 4Runner stuffed with a Supra engine even joined the festivities. Supra owners showed what a diverse bunch they are in terms of how they chose to modify their rides.
I also must say there's a preponderance of personalized license plates when it comes to Supra drivers too. What's that about?
By far, Don Culbertson from Washington came out as the big winner in the Mark II class with Best Stereo Install, Best Interior, Cleanest Engine and Best of Show--Wild, all for his 1984 Supra with an upgraded 7MGTE engine. That man spent some dough on his car! (Notably, he also took home awards for Highest HP, Quickest Quarter Mile and Fastest Quarter Mile for his class!)
In the Mark III class, Duane Stephens rounded out with Cleanest Engine and Best of Show--Wild. Throwing down Mark IV style was Ian Poulan with Best Stereo Install and Best Interior. Giving a shout out to the ladies was Lisa Uchida with Cleanest Mark IV Engine.
As if 2002 wasn't exciting enough, coordinator Keith Hart plans on adding a road course to the festivities, making it a four-day event slated for October 2 to 5, 2003. Hey, who can say no to four days in Sin City? You know Turbo will be there.