2008 World Finals Wrap Up
For Immediate Release
10/29/2008
The dBDRA wrapped up the 2008 competition season with the 11th Annual dB Drag Racing and Bass Race World Finals. Nearly 300 qualified participants from 21 countries competed at one of five locations worldwide in the only TRUE WORLD FINALS autosound competition in existence. The event took place during the weekend of October 11-12, 2008 with Indianapolis as the main location and satellite venues in Nevada, France, Germany, and Italy. The World Finals is an invitational event. Contestants participate throughout the season to accrue enough points for an invitation.
This years event was sponsored by Maxxsonics, Cactus Sounds, Crossfire, Stetsom, and Kintetik. The dBDRA and its members would like to extend a special thanks to these companies for helping to make this years event a success.
Eight new World Records were established at the World Finals. And, for the first time in dB Drag Racing history, a score of 180+ dB was recorded at the World Finals. Alan Dante qualified with a 180.8 dB in Extreme 2 and then backed it up with a 180.9! Alans score is the highest ever recorded at the dB Drag Racing World Finals. In addition to winning his class, Alan was also awarded the prestigous Extreme Cup for the second year running. This trophy is presented to the overall loudest competitor at the World Finals. Stetsom teammate Craig Butler also eclipsed the 180 dB threshold by qualifying with a 180.4 dB and then backing it up with a 180.3 dB! Both of these competitors deserve special recognition for this monumental feat.
Some of the weekends most exciting competition was found during the Bass Race elimination rounds. Many of the competitors established perfect scores and numerous tie-breakers were required to determine the winner. The King of Bass, Tommie McKinnie retired this season after winning the 150.0 to 159.9 class with record setting 159.0 dB average.
The competition throughout the weekend was truly world caliber in nature. Many of the contests were very close with some winners winning by only a few tenths of a dB. By the conclusion of the show, the Europeans managed to dominate the North Americans in dB Drag Racing by winning 9 of the 13 championship titles. Bass Race was another matter. The North Americans beat the Europeans by winning 3 of the 4 classes.
Trophies were awarded to the 1st-4th place competitors in each class at each of the 5 locations. Custom leather jackets were awarded to the European and North American Champions in each class. The World Champion in each class received a custom Superbowl style ring.
This year, spectators who were not fortunate enough to attend the event were able to tune-in and watch live streaming video with audio and competitor standings via the internet. Each location was broadcasting on their own dedicated channel. This allowed viewers to select the location they wanted to watch. Thousands of specatators tuned-in throughout the weekend.
In addition to the competition, competitors were treated to good times and good friends. On Friday night, the dBDRA sponsored a fully catered tailgate party in both Indianapolis and Laughlin. On Saturday night, SPLMAX hosted a halloweenie costume party. The creativity of the costumes was a sight to behold. It was great fun for everyone in attendance.
A successful event requires a knowledgeable and dedicated officiating staff. This year 33 dBDRA Certified Judges from 11 countries worked tirelessly throughout the weekend to insure each contestant was in compliance with the rules. The head judges this year were Sam Horn (Indy), Doug Stockton (Laughlin), Stephane Boite (France), Detlef Hagel (Germany), Stefano Eupani (Italy). All of the officiating staff did an incredible job. Once again, there was no controversy at the World Finals and all of the locations finished exactly on schedule. The dBDRA would like to extend special thanks to everyone who helped to make this years event such a great success.
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