Hot Texas weather, excellent barbecue and crazed Traxxas Maxx truck owners were what this years First Annual T-Maxx Freaks Bashathon was all about. The local T-Maxx Freaks club (Houston, Texas chapter) put on this low pressure, but extremely fun bash event to promote this great hobby, and their local RC scene in a ìfun for the whole familyî atmosphere. Itís no doubt that Traxxasí Maxx truck line-up is, by far, the most popular all-terrain, go anywhere, do it all line of monster trucks available. Clubs like T-Maxx Freaks have been developing all over the country.

These clubs are made up of highly dedicated and very enthusiastic Maxx owners who enjoy getting together to bash, thrash and discuss their latest Maxx truck creations.Traxxas attended the Bashathon 2003 in Pearland not only to experience this cool event, but to also give support back to the people who make us proud to manufacture the Maxx line of trucks.

The Bashathon was held just south of Houston at Pearland Raceway. Pearland Raceway is a BMX track located in Pearland, Texas. Thatís right, a BMX track is an excellent place for thrashing Americaís favorite monster truck. Eron Clarke (of Clarkeís Hobbies ñ Pearland, Texas), and Shawn Bates (founder of the T-Maxx Freaks club) put together quite a program for this yearís Bashathon participants including: top speed, tug-o-war, freestyle, long jump, truck show and a traditional Maxx race on the track. Eron is a very ìcustomer friendlyî hobby shop owner, and it shows when hearing the comments from his many devoted customers.

Traxxas is happy to support hobby shop owners and employees who take the time to help their customers with set-up and troubleshooting issues that come along with buying a hobby-class RC model. Traxxas really appreciates that kind of dedication and service.

The Inside R/C filming crew (from the Outdoor Network), and the XXX-Main video productions crew were also there to film the wild Maxx action, and wild Maxx action was definitely what everyone received. You could hear the ooohs and ahhhs from the crowd when the Maxx drivers were performing back flips off of the insane launch ramps, and accelerating the trucks through the handmade wooden loop that was built for the bash. One of the contestants even jumped their T-Maxx off of the roof of the BMX starting gate, which was about a 20ft+ drop to the landing surface. We also got to see a willful 14-cell E-Maxx duke it out with a gnarly twin big-block, eight-tire ìMega Maxxî in the Tug-O-War final.

This monsterous mass of machinery sported dual big-block .21c.i. engines, and eight tires designed for high performance pulling. Needless to say it pulled what ever it was tied to over its side of the line to take the gold in the tug-o-war contest. An honorable mention has to go out to the 14cell twin "Titan" motor E-Maxx who gave this beast its only real competition in the event. It was an impressive site.

There were many hi-tech, and not to mention, beautiful Maxx trucks in the ìBest of Showî contest. Contestants pulled no punches by decking out their Maxx trucks with the most unique components and accessories made.

The first ever T-Maxx Freaks Bashathon 2003 was definitely a fun and exciting experience. All of the contestants showed commendable sportsmanship and the gallery of spectators wore smiles throughout the entire show. This event was filled with great people who just wanted to come out and have fun and experience this very cool affair. So, hats off to the T-Maxx Freaks club, and to all of those who attended this awesome event. Having fun with your family and friends is what T-Maxxiní is all about. See you next time.

More info on the T-Maxx Freaks club can be found at www.t-maxxfreaks.com . Look for a chapter near you.