The goal of Boardwalk Auto Beats was to have fun . . . one of the participants said it all, “. . .the show was well organized & having it on the Boardwalk a unique idea”.

Almost everyone at the Boardwalk Auto Beats (BAB) show and Mobile Electronics Competition Association (MECA) sound-off went home with big smiles, big trophies and a wealth of new friends and contacts. The Atlantic City, NJ spectacle was produced by ATA Shows (Auto/Truck Accessories) during the September 26-28th weekend. Show vehicles displayed right on the Boardwalk (hence the name....) and were eyeballed by thousands of spectators and casino patrons as judging took place. Some of the vehicles in the show were there only to display, and others chose to compete in the Style, Performance, Burn-out (not on the boardwalk), MECA car audio, and Ride the Light neon and specialty lighting competitions. The lowrider demo added to the excitement. Participants represented nine states: DE, MD, NJ, NY, PA, CT, MA, VA, & WV. Most of the entrants were under the age of 30. There were several family vehicles displayed together and several large car clubs brought their membership vehicles to the event.

One highlight of the weekend's activities was the cruise on Saturday evening. Thanks are due the City fathers. They have been highly supportive in bringing BAB to AC. This concluded with the Ride the Light competition featuring 11 top-notch vehicles going for the Best Interior and Best Exterior awards. MECA's Ride the Light neon and specialty lighting contests are sponsored by Kool Glo. Ashley Maes, dubbed the "Glow Queen," from Saddle Brook, NJ took the Best Exterior trophy with her 2003 blue Hyundai Tiburon, designed and installed by her Dad, Michael. The Best Interior award was presented to Ron Wright, who also placed 2nd in Best Exterior, from Lakewood, NJ with a dazzling display set up in his 1994 Ford Ranger Splash. The Cruise on the Streets video will be available shortly at www.mecacaraudio.com/video.php. Submit you email at HERE to receive an email notice when it is available. A high speed Internet connection is suggested. All competitors and parade participants loved the opportunity to cruise with a police escort, allowing them to show off their vehicles and their specialty installs, neon, hydraulics, and music machines. Many vehicles joined in on the 1.4 mile parade, which lasted about 50 minutes, and the locals were surprised and enthused about being welcomed to participate in the show. All involved agreed that the parade and lighting contest was one of the coolest car show spectacles ever produced.

Seminars were offered by MECA Commissioner Steve Stern on how to win competitions and, for trade buyers, by Ed Kuehner on what products to carry for the booming sport compact market.

Using the BAB Style rules and classes, the professionals from MECA took the responsibility of judging a car show and working with those entrants. Judges Kenny Franklin, Henry Adkins, and Nathan Wimmer, all from WV, conducted the event and received much praise and thanks for their attention to detail and fair evaluations. MECA judges will be available to work more car/truck shows in the future, and, this compliments the fact that the organization is involved in many events of this nature.

MECA signed up two new Retail Members from the Philadelphia area: Illusions Audio & Detailing Center in Frazer, PA and Final Impact from Morton, PA. Illusions is open 24/7, and owner Bill Frey was enthusiastic about hosting MECA events in his area. Sean Burton, owner of Final Impact, competed in the M7 class and scored 150.4 dB for a new PA state SPL Record. All but three of the competitors involved in the sound-off were either MECA members, or joined at the show. MECA's competitor membership is approaching 2300, for those of you keeping track. This event, and the MECA program, once again, reaches enthusiasts and professionals who are excited about a fair and fun club that brings us all together. MECA judges for the sound-off were: Ron Scarfpin (OH), Nestor Orona (VA), Ric Thornton (MD), Matt Perdue (WV), Kenny Clarke (WV), and the Commisioner Steve Stern (TN).

The judges' pick for the Best of the Best award was Frank "Sonic" Castaneda representing the 4C's club from New Jersey in his 2002 blue Chevy Trailblazer that competed in Style, Ride the Light (3rd place Best Interior), SQ, SPL, and Drive-by SPL. Matt Perdue competed in CS2 and won SPL Best of Show with 152.3 dB, and also won his class in DB1 with 117.2 dB. Harry Jurgenson drove in from MA and scored 83 points with a highly evolved Sound Quality Custom class system for SQL Best of Show.

BAB is already working on the 2004 Atlantic City event. All interested manufacturers, potential sponsors, and participants are welcomed. Contact ray@atashows.com or 610-644-6400.

MECA Commissioner Stern can be contacted at commissioner@mecacaraudio.com or 615-851-PHAT(7428)

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