This past June I had the pleasure of meeting the PRI Road Tour crew at the PFI Speed shop when they conducted the interview with Brent. As it had turned out they were in Colorado for the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb and were able to work into their busy schedule to make it out to PFI’s shop. Between the preparation, interview and filming we were given an opportunity to talk. Learning more about what the tour still had on their agenda and gearing up for the PRI Show later in the year. It was such a positive experience leaving me with a want to know more.
Getting to the trade show was a wonder seeing all the work everyone had done to make it come together. Being greeted by the familiar faces of the Road Tour crew with hugs and handshakes as we caught up. During that time I was able to visit again with Jamie Meyer before he was swept away being the PRI showman he is and as well the rest of the PRI family. They were always bustling, whether it was following up with the content creators for their interviews, education or going around to the exhibitors.
Even now, a few weeks after the PRI Show it still has me in a state of awe. Going into the trade show as a newbie this year I went in with doe like eyes. The absolute abundance was wonderfully overwhelming. Within the maze of the exhibitors it was unbelievably easy to get lost and disoriented within the magnitude of booths. Getting distracted even when having a plan in place whether it be a car, product or friend drawing your attention. Luckily after a few times around the exhibits I was able to find my way through the booths.
Even after three days it still almost doesn’t seem like enough time to thoroughly go through all the exhibits. One of the most appealing parts of the entire show was the fact that there was so much compact in a single location. Even despite not being able to fully see everything to the extent of the three days of the show, the quality of what was seen was highly impressive. On the top of my list of things I enjoyed were the cars on display. The list of go to cars is nothing short of impressive. No matter how many times you see cars like Ruby, Mullet, Tom Stark’s Wagon or Alex Taylor’s ’55 they remain to be show stoppingly stunning. All of them looking extra fancy without the normal display of roadworthy grime that is their typical uniform of the drag and drive events.
In addition to seeing these quality staples it was an opportunity to stare at other cars, and boats, that I have had to live vicariously through social media to see the epicness of their builds. Farmtruck and AZN’s Farmboat was definitely one of those I had looked forward to taking a close look at.
As well as their Haunted Hearse; emerald green velvet curtains peek-a-boo the nitrous bottles laying eerily still in the coffin within the hefty hearse. Details that just don’t transpose over the internet as they do in person.
A thrilling car to see was the 1972 Challenger being built by Car Craft in their revival in video format. Intrigued to see the progression of not only the Hellcat swap, being a lover of all things Mopar, but the transition of magazine into video content has my close attention. I physically had to force myself to continue on rather than stop gawking at all of the cars at the exhibits.
Throughout my time in Indianapolis I kept getting shocked on the amount of friends I was able to visit with, even if it were for mere minutes. This personal connection aspect of the PRI Show is one to not be underestimated. Taking part in the education classes offered ranging from RPM Act and Emission Compliance to Content Creation Panels it was a place for discussion. The value of interaction left me with encouragement and ideas for this coming year that I am thrilled to be in the pursuit of.
Always,