Spring is upon us and, for many off-road enthusiasts, that means sand- and dirt-trodding land warriors are ready for a yearly update. By popular demand, the season kicked off with the expansion of the Off-Road Expo show held Friday, April 4, through Sunday, April 6, at the Pomona Fairplex in California. Anything and everything that eats dirt was masterfully positioned to demonstrate this year's hottest off-road products and gear. Trucks, dirt bikes, sand rails, ATVs, Jeeps, and thousands of accessories were on exhibit as well as rock-racing demos and live-action motorcycle stunt performances to entertain the crowd.
Kicking off the event, outdoor rock-crawling demonstrations took place intermittently throughout the day. These short-bodied, big-tire monsters would take turns crawling the manmade rock formation. You could hear driveshafts churning and tires clawing rocks as the elaborate suspensions flexed and twisted. Inch by inch, the drivers carefully navigated their next turn with the help of a spotter's hand directions. One false move from the top of the rock mound, and a machine would need full use of its rollcage.
Inside the showroom, off-road enthusiasts were tempted by the abundance of goodies for their weekend toys. We're talking about everything from the latest off-road videogames to topline performance technologies from major manufacturers. Some trucks even sported a little mud to underscore their all-terrain durability as shown here by Desert Dynamics' race-ready Silverado. While there are folks who prefer getting down and dirty, a select few think bigger is better, and in usual tradition one truck always stands from the crowd. This freshly waxed Black HD Silverado with its massive tires towered over onlookers who could see their reflection from the doors and shocks above.
After viewing all the latest gadgets and planning my next purchase, I caught another live demonstration -- this time, motocross performances. Near the north entrance, brave Moto stuntmen entered a large spherical cage to test their nerves as they whipped around in circles. If one motorcycle whizzing from top to bottom doesn't surprise you, try two at the same time! A miscalculation of speed and timing can turn these motorcycles into scrap metal for the next monster truck bash.
To further entertain the crowd, a motorcycle was let out of the cage while a man stood by with nothing more than a baseball cap on his head. To our surprise, the motorcycle flew at crazed speeds around the fearless professional in the middle of the cage. The stuntman on the motorcycle then whizzed by and removed his friend's baseball cap as he stood still patently inside their cage. A couple more turns around the cage, and the hat was plopped back on his head. Spectators shielded their eyes from what could go horribly wrong, but these professional stuntmen lived another day to thrill.
Around the hall, major sponsors parked colossal trailers that housed some of the nicest trucks and sand rails in the Expo. Not only were these vehicles set up to do what they do, but they look good doing it, too. Tuff Country, Suspension Unlimited, and KMC, to name a few, proffered their best rides and accessories for your next off-road adventure. We're talking high-end sand rigs that could set you back $100,000-plus -- just don't let the wife know.
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For more information about this show and the up-coming Fall Off-Road Expo, visit: ca.offroadexpo.com |
Considering all the innovative truck products our favorite manufacturers are producing this year, there's no doubt we'll look forward to our outdoor spring and summer trips with friends and family. The Expo gives us a chance to take further care of our outdoor needs and travel safety.