The members of the Ocala Jeep Club once again showed their true colors as they braved winds and driving rain to make the 4 Wheel parts Wholesalers Open House a success. More than 20 Jeeps met at Jacksonville to join other customers who came to look, browse, and shop at the newest regional store of this nationwide company. Folks overflowed from the showroom into the shelter of the service area where tables and chairs had been set up for the catered barbeque food. The store's articulation ramp drew everyone's interest as club members started an impromptu ramping contest with their Jeeps. Soon everyone was having fun as newbies and nonmembers alike soon began their luck ramping Jeeps that ranged from bone stock to extremely modified (we won't mention the Suzuki Samui driver who was in the top runners as he ramped over 900 - until the judges discovered that the Suzi's shocks weren't connected!) Of course, this provided an excellent opportunity for members to showcase the club, and many local customers left the show as new members of the Ocala Jeep Club! This event also marked the first introduction of the club's new Tshirts and logos, and sales of Tshirts and hats were brisk.

    Almost everyone stayed around until the end for the trophies and prize drawing. Chad Scroggie came away with a trophy for the Most Trail-Ready Jeep, and Ray Woo won the award for the Most Articulate Jeep with a ramp index of 1174. The Club completed its sweep of the awards as Rick Swaim won the Best of Show for his tricked out and extremely clean CJ7. Among the other winners: Ginger Gibson won a new Hi Lift jack, Walter Crumm gained a shiney new pair of offroad lights, and Scott Allen's son brought home a new yank strap to complement his Dad's new Warn winch. Other winners included Mike McClain who won a chrome kit for his CJ, and Troy McCall who arrived late and won a Bikini Top (for his Jeep, that is) on a "borrowed" ticket! Ernie Prevedel won a pair of side steps - hopefully he'll have them installed in time to tear them off at Tellico! The folks at 4 Wheel Parts showed that they stood behind their products as Richard Smith had fresh Swampers installed to replace ones that were defective, and Ray Woo swapped a burnt out Optima deep cycle battery for a fresh one - all free of charge.

    The event came to a close after everyone reconnected and aired up and soon the convoy started its way home with Dale in the lead and Ernie towing home a wounded hero as Chad's engine began to have problems. In all the event was a success and the Club would like like to wish our gracious hosts and all the intrepid club members a hearty thanks!