The First of Many (Ilorin Car Show 2.0)
Sometime last year in December, I made a twitter post with the words, "Travel the world capturing automotive culture like I'm Larry Chen". I had made this post in anticipation and excitement for two car shows I was to attend. The first show initially got postponed and then eventually got cancelled. For the second show, it was slated for January of this year in Abuja. I had already began planning all the logistics in my head and saving up for a flight ticket, when the news got to me that this show had also been cancelled. I was absolutely downcast, because how does 'wanna be Larry Chen' want to capture automotive culture if all the car shows were being cancelled.
I had given up and started making plans towards the usual December shows that take place in Lagos. Well, that was until my beautiful and wonderful cousin brought to my attention a car show to be held in Ilorin. I looked up the dates and it was perfect. The event fell on a public holiday, which meant I wouldn't miss any school work. The location was also on point, because the distance between Ilorin and my school is barely an hour away and I had a plethora of places to rest my head. The wait began and underneath my breath, I prayed this one wasn't going to get cancelled.
Party Time
After a few weeks of waiting, the D-Weekend finally came. I packed my bags and off to Ilorin. In all honesty, I didn't think the event would be all that, but it turned out to be something. I later discovered that Mohammed Lexus and Official Starboy BMX were both going to be performing, which then made me really hyped up for the event. On the the first day of the event, I and my brother drove a distance only to be met with an empty arena. If you've seen the first vlog I made, you already know that I mixed up the dates. I went home dejected, but at least the idea of a vlog came out of it. The very next day we set out and boy o boy, was it a banger!
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On getting to the event, I was shocked at how many people were in attendance. The crazy part was that more people kept coming until late in the evening. By the time we were leaving the event, it took me nearly 20 minutes to drive out, because there were so many cars parked all the way entrance, basically obstructing the way out. I proceeded to do some walking around, trying to figure out the best position to get good video angles for my TurboNerdz. I eventually found a spot and had interactions with some fellow gear heads.
Follow Your Guts
When I initially got to the event, I passed by a biker who was sited calmly on his bike. Something said, "walk up to him and strike a conversation", but I ignored the hunch. I later found out it was that bikers birthday on the day of the event, to which he did a crazy birthday burnout. After tracing the video of the birthday burnout, I then realized the biker I had seen earlier was the CEO of Khaz Customs. If you know who Khaz is, you would realize how bummed I was for missing such a God-given opportunity. If only I had followed my guts, I would have probably gotten a handshake, a little tête-à-tête and possibly a picture.
Nonetheless, I hit him up on Instagram later that day to tell him that I saw him at the event and to my greatest surprise, he replied! I quickly introduced myself and he was so chill all the while we chatted. For someone of his status I expected to aired, but thanks to Khaz and his humble nature for not doing so. I still wish I had spoken to him in person though, but oh well. So, that's one of the lessons from this blogpost, if you have a hunch, follow it! Crazy thing is that Khaz is currently in Benin Republic, as he and his biker crew have once again embarked on another trip. I honestly can't wait for the days when I wake up, get on my bike and drive off with my brothers, with the wind in our faces.
Khaz and his biker gang, as well as so many other biker gangs were in attendance of the event. I had previously not seen that many power bikes all in one place at a time. The bikers rode around the track blessing us with the beautiful symphony from their exhaust pipes. Many were baritone, with a few high revving soprano notes. There were also dirt bikes and four wheelers that did a whole bunch of stunts which I found really interesting.
The Main Course
After feeding on the appetizers from the bikes, the cars came out to play. First in line was Starboy BMX. I first came across Starboy BMX's drift stunts in 2022 on YouTube at a yearly Ghanaian car show held by Stunncust Auto's. His blue and black BMW E30 with the signature BMX bicycle on the roof is unmistakable. I have always admired his drifting finesse watching him over the years through my phone screen, and now here I was, inches away from his beloved drift car. He definitely put on a show with the highlight being when his tires ripped off and eventually caught on fire. Fun fact is that he hit me up on Instagram asking for the clip of his burning car, which I sent to him with pleasure. Two DMs from two amazing people I look up to in one day, my month is made already.
Mohammed Lexus also put on a crazy show at the event. I have always admired his Lexus IS and its eye catching wrap, but seeing it up close, I fell in love all over again. His exhaust notes were near deafening to the normal ears, but to me it was like a choir. Truly beautiful stuff. Both drifters gave us an absolute blast of a show. So many people have asked me how the show went and honestly, you just had to be there to see and hear for yourself. No matter how much I try to give a vivid description through writing or videos, it just doesn't cut it.
What's Next?
The twitter post I made was in faith and honestly, just as the title of this blogpost goes, this is the first of many car shows to come. One of my foolish friends has been yabbing me that I travelled to ordinary Ilorin for a car show and then I posted that my Larry Chen era has begun, lol. I also made that post in faith, because it may just be Ilorin for now, but that's how Larry Chen also began and now he travels the world. So yeah, Ilorin today, Tokyo tomorrow, believe!
Unfortunately, my Larry Chen era has to be put on hold for a while, because I have my professional exams coming up. There's so much content planned for after my hiatus, so I can only pray that everything goes as planned. I will miss you TurboNerdz, but I'll soon be back like I never left. Until we nerd again, always remember to Turbo that Engine!
P.S - 08140266662 is the number to call if you are in the market for any cars! No carry my market go another place abeg. Peace out ✌🏾
Comments
Bookmarking this for my next dose of vroom therapy.