This is the fourth year for Asphalt Ego-Rama, R&C's performance showdown of reader-picked hot rods and custom cars. We received a crate-load of entries earlier this year, which we whittled down to these 20 semi-finalists. Now you get to vote for five cars that will compete at Asphalt Ego-Rama '04. The ballot can be found on page 33.
From October 6th to 12th, the rodders and rides you pick will duke it out during a week-long event that's part competition, part road trip adventure, and all kinds of fun. Full coverage of Asphalt Ego-Rama '04 will appear in the April '05 issue of ROD & CUSTOM.
The CompetitionAsphalt Ego-Rama participants compete in nine categories:Acceleration: We'll spend a day at the drags. The quickest car down the quarter-mile dragstrip gets the most points. Slowest gets the least. Got it? All cars will run the wheels and tires they rolled in on.
Braking: Run it up to 60 and stand on the binders. Shortest stopping distance wins.
Cornering: We borrowed a fancy radar gun to test cornering on a skidpad. The car that pulls the most g's gets maximum points.
Gas Mileage: We will calculate every car's miles-per-gallon fuel efficiency during the trip.
Ride & Drive: The R&C guys will ride in every car for a stretch of the road trip to judge ride quality, comfort, practicality, and overall impression. Bit of advice: leave the trailer at home.
Engineering: We examine every ride for fit and finish, quality, and attention to detail. High-tech trinkets don't impress; technical and functional excellence does.
Budget: Low-buck pays off. We estimate the cost of duplicating each car and give the most points to the lowest-budget contender.
People's Choice: We'll be parked in the Ego-Rama corral at the Woodies & Rods show in Pismo Beach, California, on October 9. Spectators will vote for their favorite Ego-Rama vehicle.
Style: It's all about fun. This category rewards sportsmanship and a good attitude, even if things get hours off schedule and miles off track, which they probably will.
Rod & Custom Asphalt Ego-Rama '04
Pick FiveVote for the five cars you want to see compete in Asphalt Ego-Rama '04. Check the appropriate boxes and mail this page (or a photocopy) to us. We will only accept ballots sent by mail. You must pick five vehicles for your ballot to be counted. One ballot per reader. Duplicate ballots and other lame attempts at ballot stuffing will be thrown out.
Mail your ballot to: R&C Asphalt Ego-Rama, 2400 E. Katella, 11th Floor, Anaheim, CA 92806. Ballots must be received by July 31, 2004. Finalists will be notified by August 9. We will announce the finalists on our Web site at www.rodandcustommagazine.com.