Hot Import Nights was back in action at Chicago for the second time this summer, and it was off the hook! The Soldier Field parking lot, which is home of the Chicago Bears, has set the stage for HIN-Nightshift. Despite the blinding sun and sweltering heat, HIN had created its best show that I’ve ever attended.

As I arrived, my attention was immediately caught by the astounding amount of displayed vehicles. What really surprised me was the fact that whenever I attend a HIN show, I expect most of the cars to be junk, while only 20 percent of them would be decent to dope. I often witnessed too many cars built with such poor taste that it made me want to categorize the folks as “What Not To Wear.” However, this was not that usual scenario. There actually was something that tickled the taste buds from both the appearance and performance of them all. To top it off, many other attractions were set up to keep enthusiasts entertained and occupied throughout the day.


When I first pulled into the Dan Ryan Expressway to find parking, I could not help but to notice the unmistakably echo of a boost car feathering the throttle with its tires screeching. Smoke filled the air and made it difficult for me to see the cars in line ahead of me. As I finally made my way into the show, I immediately headed straight to the large exhibition area where three drivers revealed their skills as they drift through the mini course. There stood three yellow Dunlop sponsored cars: an S13, an S14 and a Honda S2000, which tore up the asphalt and their tires as they continued to glide sideways to entertain the spectators.


On the south part of the lot, guests had the opportunity to test out their driving skills in a small autocross course and used the Chevy’s new fun little tuner car, the SS Supercharged Cobalt. Tires were squalling left and right as the drivers’ faces lit up from the 205 supercharged horses they unleashed onto the pavement. Within in minutes, the line extended to out of the gate while more and more spectators rushed to get a taste of the new Cobalt.


Beneath the GM performance awning, both the Time Attack Cobalt and Rhys Millen’s new Pontiac Solstice drift car greeted spectators. Placed with 18x8 and 18x9.5 Racing Hart CPS-10 wheels, a super aggressive stance with the blue and yellow Red Bull scheme has gotten many heads turned for a second look.


As the day went by it was time for some new entertainment; it was time to switch from four wheels to two. Riders from Mid West Mayhem showed off their stunt skills on their motorcycles as the audience watched with excitement. From high-speed stoppies to low speed 12 o’clocks, the riders performed incredibly well that they made the manipulation of their bikes seem extremely effortless.


Just south of the stunt display was the main stage. As if there was not enough entertainment for the day, the main stage held the usual Go-Go Dance contest; a Miss Chi-Town competition and also provided entertainment via two concerts! Hip-hop artists T-Pain and the Ying Yang Twins performed after the sunset and turned the venue into one huge party! People were scrunched shoulder to shoulder to watch the three artists spit their lyrics.


Above all, HIN Nightshift was a huge success! With such entertainment, plenty of freebies and eye candy, no one should have gone home disappointed!

2006-04-22 Dulles Expo Center - Chantilly, VA 2006-04-29 Bayside Expo Center - Boston, MA 2006-05-13 Merchandise Mart - Charlotte, NC 2006-05-20 Atlantic City Convention Center - Atlantic City, NJ 2006-06-17 Indy Convention Center - Indianapolis, IN 2006-07-08 Orange County Convention Center - Orlando, FL 2006-07-29 Soldier Field - Chicago, IL 2006-08-19 Los Angeles Convention Center - Los Angeles, CA 2006-09-09 Sam Boyd Stadium - Las Vegas, NV 2006-09-23 TBD - San Francisco, CA 2006-09-30 Stadium Expo - Seattle, WA 2006-10-07 Dallas Convention Center - Dallas, TX 2006-10-14 Firebird Int. Raceway - Phoenix, AZ 2006-11-18 LA Convention Center - Los Angeles, CA 2006-12-02 Blaisdell Convention Center - Honolulu, HI 2006-12-16 Miami Beach Convention Center - Miami, FL