In Spite of Rain and Recession 4-Wheel Still Big Hit

24th Annual O'Reilly Auto Parts Spring 4-Wheel Jamboree Nationals in Lima, Ohio May 15-17 Was a Big Hit.

Both the number of spectators and participants were up for 2009 in spite of rain and national recession.

(INDIANAPOLIS)  In an area hard-hit by recessionary job losses, families still turned out in huge numbers for the O'Reilly Auto Parts Spring 4-Wheel Jamboree Nationals on May 15, 16, and 17, 2009. Over 2,033 participants and 36,749 spectators gathered in Lima Ohio at the Allen County Fairgrounds this weekend to celebrate the 24th Annual Spring get-together of 4x4 fans.  The crowd enjoyed features such as the General Tire Monster Truck Thunder Drags, NMRO Mud Racing, Mickey Thompson Tires Tough Truck Challenge competition and burnouts as well as pro-judged shown-n-shine awards, a "Miss 4-Wheel Jamboree Nationals" beauty contest, Performance Marketplace, and more. 

Both the number of participants bringing their 4-Wheel-Drive Trucks, Jeeps, and SUV's and the number of spectators coming for a full day of entertainment were up for the 2009 Spring 4-Wheel Jamboree Nationals over last year.  These increased numbers were achieved in spite of a high area unemployment rate, the mortgage crisis, the global economy, and even rain at the peak of Saturday's Jamboree activities.

C. Bruce Hubley, owner of the show's producer-The Promotion Company-Family Events said, "I think this is great news for us and for the motorsports and performance aftermarket industry in general. We had already noticed that early registrations and pre-sales of tickets on several of our shows are running ahead of last year; but still it was a heartening relief to actually see the positive final numbers following the first of our season series' major shows. It is truly good news to produce positive results and show growth in these troubled times. To be able to do this well in our current economic climate and on a less-than-perfect weather weekend is particularly spectacular in my opinion.  It sure seems like people are holding on to their cherished hobbies and pastimes.  Clearly, our reputation for fan-friendliness and budget-conscious admission prices pays off in times like these.  Families realize that they can come to a Jamboree, spend a whole day having fun, and do so for only a fraction of the cost of other family entertainment options like theme parks, professional baseball and basketball games, or even first-run movies when popcorn and refreshments are thrown into the mix," Hubley said.

It's an old saw that movies always do well in hard times.  Performance gearheads also appear to be unwilling to put their cherished hobbies away when money gets tight.  Peter MacGillivray, SEMA VP of events and communications said, "Automotive enthusiasts have a deep passion for their hobbies ... as a result, enthusiasts continue to dedicate and devote a great deal of time and energy into their cars and trucks. It's a lifestyle and an area of their lives that many will not part with."  Skip Kepner, a 4-Wheel Jamboree participant said, "It is all worth it when you see your friends that you might only get to see at these events; (And to see) all the smiling faces of the children.  That makes it tough to put a price on it, and all the reasons in the world to keep on going."

Sponsors of the event included name-in-title sponsor O'Reilly Auto Parts, and also 4-Wheel Parts, Cherry Bomb, General Tire, Chief's and Ray's Supermarkets, Diesel RX, Mickey Thompson Tires, Pepsi, Rough County, Budweiser, Royal Purple, U.S. Smokeless Tobacco, Pypes, National Tire and Wheel, Longhorn, and the Jerry Lewis McDonalds Restaurants of Lima.

Generosity was also in evidence at the Spring 4-Wheel Jamboree Nationals.  Family Events teamed with the American Red Cross for a blood donation drive at the event.  A Red Cross Bloodmobile was busy accepting donations from 9:00am to 2:00pm on Saturday, May 16 and Sunday, May 17.  Mark Hall and Geremie Dishman of the Hall Brothers Monster Truck Racing Team both supported the effort and encouraged their fans by donating blood.

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