SP Rides: Spreading The Aloha
PHOTOS BY NICK LATULIP
Street Pulse Rides is known for presenting some of the best modified vehicles on the island — a true variety of classics, hot rods, domestics, euros, imports, bikes and more. This past weekend, Street Pulse exhibited these vehicles along with its hottest cover girls amid an array of customized autos at the MDA Aloha Custom Car Show & Cruise.
More than 340 different vehicles participated in this inaugural event, which took place March 21- 22 and encompassed a wide range of exhibitions, celebrity guest appearances and show vehicles, all dedicated to raising money for the Muscular Dystrophy Association’s Hawaii chapter. A portion of the money raised will be dedicated to sending MDA Kids to MDA Hawaii Summer Camp. The children and their families were invited to the event to relax and enjoy the show in the Club MDA tent.
Celebrities were part of the mix, as 2014 NHRA Mello Yello Pro Stock World Champion and the 1st female champion, Erica Enders-Stevens, was joined by 2012 NHRA Pro Stock Champion Allen Johnson for an awesome autograph session. Additionally, A/Fuel Dragster racer Ashley Sanford and NHRA Pro Stock Driver Richie Stevens Jr. were onhand to meet and greet attendees. Other guests were Hawaii’s legendary racing celebrity Roland Leong, and one of drag racing’s most prolific artists, Kenny Youngblood, who painted the official poster, signed autographs and painted some of the lucky entrants at the show.
Exhibitions included some of the best lowrider action ever held on the island, with a special Mainland guest, the hopper known as High Hitter, battling against Hawaii’s own Junior Puma. A cobalt blue bed dancer from Maui was also pitted against an Oahu truck that wowed the crowd.
The show covered an extensive list of categories, including Hottest Classic, Street Rod, Euro, Import and more, while also presenting special categories for the Hottest Make, Best Paint, and the ultimate award, Best of Show. Vernon Pai’s 1937 Ford Cabriolet took the top prize, while two trips for two to Las Vegas were given to Vernon and one lucky spectator, Mr. Nolan Schmitt.
Street Pulse was well represented with 11 of the hottest Rides and Hotties in their own special location, and an impressive 600 votes were cast to pick the winners for their favorite SP Ride and Model. Rocky Dias’ winning 1949 Mercury Coupe and the No. 1 Model JoJo Dela Cruz were awarded trophies, and a $500 cash prize was split between first, second and third place winners.
Street Pulse Rides alumni were found throughout the show’s vehicles, all of which were exceptional. The event proved there’s more to come for every auto enthusiast out there!
