Bernie's Car Show Coverage: 2020 Stuntfest Car Show

Unfortunately Covid-19 affected the entire world, and yes, that does include car shows. Many shows and rallies were either rescheduled for later in the year or will be held in 2021.

Although Stuntfest was originally scheduled for the end of April, on June 25-28th, Stuntworld held their annual weekend. This year's weekend went as follows- Thursday was the bowling event (which I didn't go to), June 26th was the bonding event at a lounge (I'm introverted, I definitely didn't go.), Saturday afternoon is their block party, and Sunday is their famous car show.

Saturday's Block Party was held at the Miami Lounge in Norcross, which is north of Atlanta. The weather was crappy, since it rained. Cars did show up though so I can't complain- also the rain cools things down and photographers love cloudy weather.

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@sirbuckfilmz Drone work #stuntfestweekend2020 @merrillsw @mjdastuntman @veltboy_314 @gdawg803 @donkrydeordie

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(Not my Instagram page but I wanted to show how big Stuntfest was. On top of that, no matter what time of day it was, cars were still pulling in.)

Thankfully the weather cleared and Sunday was a rain free day. By the time I pulled up to the Silver Dollar Raceway in Reynolds, GA, I knew what I was in store for.... a lot of fun. There were plenty of vehicles on Forgiato, Amani Forged, Rucci and Dub Wheels, plenty of vehicles painted in a variety of colors, and most importantly- plenty of car show worthy vehicles, which means I had no reason to complain.

I know, I know, you want to see some photos...

To see the rest of my photos, check out Bernie's 2020 Stuntfest Block Party gallery and 2020 Stuntfest Car Show gallery.

My fingers are crossed for the rest of the 2020 car show season. 

Bernie's Car Show Coverage: Bernie's Best of 2019

First and foremost, I would like to wish everyone Happy New Year!!!! After the success of the Best of 2018 post last year, I decided to bring it back. 2019 was very interesting to say in the least. 26 car shows, 2 block parties, 2 rallies, 2 swap meets, one trip to a museum and one semi-illegal street shut down in a total of six states (Georgia, New York, New Jersey, California, Nevada, and North Carolina). This year I've seen it all.

Custom 1966 Chevy Impala SS Lowrider at the Pomona Swap Meet

To switch things up this year, I began and ended my car show season in the sunny state of California. I can always count on California to reaffirm my love of cars while being envious of their great weather. I started the season at the Pomona Swap Meet- an absolute staple in the Los Angeles Car Culture. I was so excited to attend the show, but I went to Los Angeles during one of the few days where they actually experienced rain.  Pomona Swap Meet still went on and I had the opportunity to see some great cars and watched as people scrambled to get a part that will bring them one step closer of a finished ride.

Lamborghini Huracan from the Atlanta PC Blast rally stop

McLaren 720S, Lamborghini Urus, and Lamborghini Aventador SJV at the Atlanta Goldrush Rally stop.

For the first time (in a long time) two rallies stopped in Atlanta. A rally is where luxury/exotic car owners drive to some of the biggest cities where they meet fans, party, and if they’re lucky- they get about 3-4 hours of sleep a night. They actually drive- not a small distance like driving from Long Island to Manhattan. They drive about 6-7 hours but they have fun along the way. Back in March, PC Blast made their faithful return and in June, Goldrush Rally made their long-awaited return (it's been nine years since they were last in Atlanta).

DJ Envy at the DJ Envy and Lincoln Tech Drive Your Dreams Car Show

Team Salomone's custom wrapped Lamborghini Aventador SVJ at DJ Envy and Lincoln Tech's Drive Your Dreams Car Show

Another milestone was making my return to attend a car show in New Jersey. It's been about 9 years since I went to a car show in the Garden State. In 2018, DJ Envy announced that he was going to start doing car shows. I didn't go to the first Drive Your Dreams car show since it was too close to SEMA. Thankfully, Envy moved the date for the show to closer to his birthday, which is early September. I’ve listened to Envy for years, so I had an idea of what to expect out of this show. I knew I would see a lot of luxury and exotic cars. I wouldn’t expect anything less. And I was not disappointed.

Customized Dodge Charger at the Dub Car Show in Fontana, California

1981 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme at the 2019 Torres Empire Lowrider Show in Los Angeles, California

During my second trip to Los Angeles, I went to two shows- the Dub Car Show in Fontana, California and the Torres Empire Lowrider Show. Both shows were interesting. The Dub Car Show was a nighttime show, while the Torres Empire Lowrider Show holds the title of being the largest indoor lowrider show in the world. I showed up to the Los Angeles Convention Center on time and stayed until an hour AFTER the show ended and I still didn't see all the cars. The show is always held in Bradley Hall which is 347,000 square feet. Do you know how many cars can fit in a room that size and still have plenty of space for a stage?

Chevy Caprice Classic on Amani Forged at the 2019 Stuntfest Show

Blacked out Chevy Chevelle on Forgiato Wheels at the 2019 King of the South Mega Show

I went to Stuntfest and Official Street Whipz' King of the South Mega Show. I went, photographed a ton of cars, had plenty of fun, nothing bad to say. Went to both of their block parties, photographed a ton of cars, had plenty of fun, nothing bad to say. Looking forward to both of their 2020 shows where I can go, photograph a ton of cars, have plenty of fun, where I will have nothing bad to say.

Los Angeles' inspired Chevy Bel Air at the 2019 Krazy Vatos Lowrider Show

Chevy Impala on Corleone Forged Wheels at the 2019 Whips By Wade's Certified Summer Car Show

June 15th, 2019- the day I put a lot of miles on my Dodge Charger driving from one car show to another. The first show was Krazy Vatos Lowrider Show, which is always a breath of fresh air. Lowriders are rare in Atlanta so it's amazing that I can go to a lowrider show that is not on the West Coast. I left the Krazy Vatos show to drive to the bottom of 285 (that sounds very Atlantaish. I should have said I drove to the other side of Atlanta) to attend Whips By Wade Certified Summer Car Show. Aside from the location and the weather, the show was pretty much the same and he kept the same rule- no unfinished projects and stock cars are allowed into the show.

Slammed Mercedes G63 on Rotiform Wheels at the 2019 SEMA Show

Matte Black McLaren Senna on rose gold Giovanna Wheels at the 2019 SEMA Show

There's that one show that has the special place in my heart, and I can't recap my year without mentioning it. This year was my 10th consecutive SEMA show. SEMA isn't a car show, it's a trade show since it's not open to the public and business is conducted, despite being in Las Vegas. However, I refer to the outside portion as a car show since there’s food, entertainment, awards are given, etc. I can never, ever complain about SEMA. I’m around great people who share some of the same similarities as I do and photograph great vehicles while enjoying some great weather. What's there to complain about?

1949 Oldsmobile 88 at the Long Beach Swap Meet

Finally, I ended the car show season the same exact way I started it- outside of Los Angeles at a swap meet, photographing cars and watching people scramble to get a particular part so that they're one step closer to have a completed ride. This time I went to the Long Beach Swap Meet.

Just an average Sunday afternoon in Los Angeles.

The Rim Shop of Charlotte's display at the 2019 Dub Car Show: Charlotte

Porsche RSR at the October's Caffeine and Octane Show

The amazing thing about 2019 is that I went to 26 car shows, 2 block parties, 2 rallies, 2 swap meets, one trip to a museum and one semi-illegal street shut down in a total of six states and I have no reason to complain. I've said enough, here's Bernie's Best of 2019.

All in all, I’m grateful for the experiences that 2019 has brought me. Thank you for the support and stay tuned for 2020. I can't tell you what shows I'm going to, but I will say that one of the shows I am going to is in a city that I've never, ever, ever been to. I've been to that state, but not that particular city.

Bernie's Car Show Coverage: 2019 SEMA Show

As we all know, I've been to a lot of car shows. But there's that one show that holds a special place in my heart. I hold the Speciality Equipment Marketing Association trade show (better known as SEMA) on a pedestal. And here's why...

On November 5th to the 8th, over 150,000 people gathered at the Las Vegas Convention Center for the 53rd annual SEMA Show.  SEMA allows those in the automotive industry to see what’s new and the latest trends as well as how the product enhances the look of a vehicle, network with companies, learn how to grow your business in various ways, and also hobnob with some celebrities in the automotive world.

This year was my 10th SEMA Show. I’ve said it many, many times that “I live for SEMA”. Barely surviving off of three hours of sleep, I could not stop smiling when I arrived at the Convention Center. Once I’m done crying tears of joy, I dive right into the chaos- I meet great people who share some of the same similarities as I do and photograph great vehicles while enjoying some great weather.

What did I see? I'm so glad you asked. There were a lot of Toyota Supras. Toyota always has an area and about 80% of their vehicles that were in the Toyota area were Supras. Supras were definitely the car of SEMA. The runner up to the car of SEMA: seasoned Chevy Impalas. Like the past few years, there were a ton of full size trucks on lifted suspension and plenty of vehicles lowered with Accuair Suspension.  Toyo Tires was definitely the tire of choice and the Hoonigan area went through them like crazy. Paint is kinda coming back, but wraps are reigning supreme. Rotiform Wheels was the smartest company there- they didn't have a booth, but oddly enough, they had the largest representation there. There were less supercars compared to last year- of course there were Ferraris and Lamborghini, however I've only seen (and bonded with) one Pagani Huayra.

Sorry for the hold up, I had a family emergency that delayed the release of this post. To see the rest of the photos, check out Bernie's 2019 SEMA Coverage: Sneak Peek, Day 1, Day 2, and Day 4. I decided to shoot a vlog for Day 3. This year was a little different because I didn't cry (like I usually do) at SEMA Ignited. Normally SEMA marks the end of my car show season, but I decided to delay it (by two days) by ending the season where I started it.

Bernie's Car Show Coverage: Photos from the 2019 DJ Envy and Lincoln Tech Drive Your Dreams Car Show

On September 7th, I traveled back to New York to attend DJ Envy and Lincoln Tech's Drive Your Dreams Car Show.

Just to backtrack a bit, DJ Envy is a New York based DJ who just happens to love cars. Last year, Envy decided to put on his first car show. The honest truth of why I didn't attend was because it was too close to SEMA. After the success of the show, he stated that he wanted to change the date of the future show to occur closer to his birthday- which is early September. Staying true to his word, the show went on a few days after his birthday at the Meadowlands Exposition Center in Secaucus, New Jersey.

After seeing the photos from last year's show, I knew I had to go, especially since he moved the date. I've listened to Envy for years, so I had an idea of what to expect out of this show. I knew I would see a lot of luxury and exotic cars. I wouldn't expect anything less.

After walking around the Meadowlands Exposition Center, I noticed something. The room was packed- just enough room for venders, food, the stage, and the red carpeted VIP area (again, I wouldn't expect anything less from Envy).  The vehicles were an eclectic mix-  there were luxury, exotic, motorcycles, American muscle, classic, tuner/imports. All of the vehicles had something in common.... they were all vehicles with high quality customizations. I didn't see any chipped paint, scuffed wheels, snagged wrap, torn seats, and/or rust. I almost shed a tear.

Aside of seeing the majority of Envy's personal car collection, I got to see personal cars of the one and only CC Sabathia of the New York Yankees (I had to list him first. Go Yankees), Michael Strahan, 50 Cent, Styles P of the LOX, Offset of the Migos, Pusha T, and then there's this enthusiast...

Curren$y brought 3 cars from New Orleans to the show. I kept saying personal because these are actually their cars. I've been to car shows where they put signage of celebrities names next to some random cars.  All in all, I had no reason to complain. But I left before it got too crowded. Bernie doesn't do crowded indoor spaces.

To see the rest of the photos, check out Bernie's 2019 DJ Envy and Lincoln Tech's Drive Your Dreams Car Show gallery.