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Spring Fling
Over 120 Scion hit E-town for ScionVIP@NHRA Xplod Springnationals
Almost overshadowing the 200+ mph drag racing action going on just twenty feet away from them, over 120 Scion xA, xB, and tCs took center stage at Englishtown, New Jersey’s Raceway Park this past May 7. The gathering of over 240 invited Scion owners and guests marked the second event of the 2006 Scion VIP @ NHRA Xplod series. The Scion caravans began clogging the Raceway Park roadways even before the event’s start time of 9AM. Many of the mostly customized Scions had driven hundreds of miles to take part in the gathering – part of the Nitto NHRA Sport Compact Springnationals weekend. And once the cars had settled into their trackside spaces in the Scion VIP area, the cleaning and polishing of cars began in preparation for the Scion VIP judged car show.
Outside of the Scion VIP area, NHRA Xplod Sport Compact drag racers – including Scion pro racers Brad Personett, Chris Rado, and Leslie Durst-Armendariz - were already preparing for the big day of racing. Tens of thousands of fans would eventually descend upon Raceway Park to check out the racing as well as NHRA Xplod features such as the Xplod lifestyle stage, a huge all-make car show, and of course – the trackside Scion VIP gathering.
By noon, Scion VIPs and their guests had worked up an appetite perfect for a catered Pitside BBQ under the Scion VIP hospitality tent. The lunch break was a perfect pause to work up anticipation for the Scion VIP Product Giveaway session at the Scion VIP DJ stage. Thanks to generous sponsors Scion, TRD, Konig wheels, Advanced Clutch Technology, SPC Performance, and GT Revolution, over 40 Scion owners had more than the regular Scion swag and commemorative t-shirt to throw in the back of their trunks.
In fact, Jessica Leonard made the eight-hour drive down from New Hampshire well worth it by winning a set of 17” Konig wheels for her Scion tC. Chris Glover also scored big by winning an ACT performance clutch for his Scion xB, while Joe Flories and James Ennis both took home camber and alignment correction kits for their lowered Scions courtesy of SPC Performance. Vimean Hing worked a little harder than the Giveaway winners for his prize – a GT Revolution driving simulation chair; Vimean beat all other in locking down the best ET of the day playing PS2’s NHRA Drag Racing Championship in the GT Revolution Drag Challenge to win the racing-seat equipped simulator.
For many though, despite the Giveaway and other activities – including a scooter drag where the winning team took home iPod Shuffle digital music players – the highlight of the day came at the end of the day, when the winners of the Scion VIP car show were announced. For their hard work and creativity, the following Scion owners were recognized with a Scion VIP trophy:
Scion xA category:
First place – Jose Diaz
Second place – Edwin Higgins
Third place – Carlos Vasquez
Scion xB category:
First place – Lester Bracero
Second place – Stuart Mckechnie
Third place – Frank Carlo
Scion tC category:
First place – Darnell Simpkins
Second place – Chris Krivenki
Third place – Jay Cee
Best Exterior/Paint – Dustin Rand
Best In Car Entertainment – Brian Samuels
Scion Dedication Award – Anthony Scott
Best Release Series – Gino Corona
Best of Show Scion – Adam Walker
The 2006 ScionVIP @ NHRA Xplod Scion owner event series continues at the Mountain Madness NHRA Sport Compact Nationals, where once again invited Scion owners and guests will get to cheer on Scion racers on the track while enjoying Scion VIP hospitality and fun trackside. To register for a chance to be selected as a Scion VIP and more information about the series, please visit www.scionvip.com.
2006 Scion VIP Product Giveaway Sponsors
Konig Wheels
www.konigwheels.com
Advanced Clutch Technology
www.advancedclutch.com
SPC Performance
www.spcperformance.com
GT Revolution
www.gtrevolution.com | 
