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Review: 4th Bakersfield Thunder Run 6/14-15/08
Mild turnout doesn’t dampen the hot fun for fans



By Jackie Gibson, Bakotopia.com contributor

<<CHECK OUT LOTS OF PICS FROM THE EVENT AT LEFT!

The annual Bakersfield Thunder Run is usually attended every year by the coolest bikers, babes, and the perpetual party people our restless town has to offer. That wasn’t the case this year.

It may have been the heat, our crappy economy, or possibly the climbing gas prices that kept some Bakotopians away from the fourth annual fest on June 14 and 15 at the Kern County Fairgrounds. But judging by the crowd that came to party with this year’s modest, fun loving crowd - one hell of a time was still had by all.

This year’s Thunder Run began with the usual Friday night pre-party. Tents and trailers were set up for the wild weekend while the beer and booze flowed freely. Loud, eardrum-busting music came from every direction, and custom cars and bikes decorated the fairgrounds for the enjoyment of all who were there.



KRAB Radio’s Rocky, Meathead, and Francis were on scene as was the gorgeous HowCool.com model crew who roamed the grounds for all to enjoy. Pinstriped and painted by Tommy Diablo, they put on an awesome pre-Thunder Run fashion show.

Once the late night Friday events ended, campers laid their marinated heads down to dream of what goodies Saturday might hold in store for them.

Aaah Saturday…



Heat, food, classic custom bikes, and street rods - nothing beats a hot Bako day of relaxing, drinking, wishing you were kickin’ it at the trailer in the kiddie pool.

“It’s the first one I have ever been to. It was alright,” said first time Thunder Run visitor Lori Lowe. “It was worth getting out of the house and doing something.”



After visiting Massey Building and eyeing gorgeous custom bikes, Lowe had decided she liked the looks of a green chopper that was on display.

“There was this green one. This green chopper that was pretty nice,” she said.

Builders and vendors brought out their finest gear and goods - hellacious looking gas tanks for your ride, merch that would make your mother blush, and all kinds of jewelry and accessories for which to decorate your hot ass with.



Chica and Scott Long, world-renowned builders of hot custom rides could be seen working and partying with the masses, too, while the Deja-Vu gals came out swinging and shakin’. If you were looking to witness custom bike culture at its best, this weekend was your chance.

Saturday’s event schedule also included the ultra-loud burnout contest, and the annual bikini contest with eleven contestants vying for the crowd’s affection. Of course, it wasn’t hard for the ladies to get the mostly-male crowd going.



Each contestant had fine and exploitable qualities but alas, there can only be one winner. Meathead painstakingly assisted with judging each contestant, hands gently gliding over each and every beauty in search of the perfect beauty - Meathead was in his element.

Then among loud cheers and whistles from the pit below, contestant No. 11 was awarded the glory as the people’s choice.

Later that afternoon the gals from Howcool.com put on a sensational fashion show for the already amped crowd. Each model dawned glamorous wear, tiny skirts, cool dresses, jackets and shoes that any die-hard fashionista would kill for. They even made the gentlemen drool with latex paint in places you didn’t really need an imagination for.



When asked about her Thunder Run experience, HowCool model “Jesse” commented, “It was really good, and we had a great turnout.

Tommy Diablo did a nice job on the pin-striping, and the liquid latex was a huge, huge hit. We’re thinking of having it next year for others to get painted with.”



These girls were smoking hot, making the day even more of a scorcher. Good thing our friendly neighborhood bartender “Stabby” and the crew from the Syndicate Lounge were there serving up cool beverages to help simmer the fire.

If by chance you missed this year’s fourth annual Thunder Run, you blew it! The bikes, babes, and booze made it all worthwhile to brave the Bako heat. Let’s hope you make out it to this fabulous Central Cali tradition next year.



Also printed in Bakotopia magazine, issue 31, 6-26-08