Four new legal world records were set at the one-day show, and all four of the new record holders are from the Midwest.

Alan Riley of Moberly, Missouri, posted the biggest legal SPL number of the day, a surprising 160.1 in the 601+ Pro division. Other records went to Shane Marshall (142.8 in 301-600 Pro), William Brooks (148.7 in 151-300 Pro), and Chris Steffensmeier (145.1 in 0-150 Consumer).

"I was really surprised we did so well, especially on a B and K meter," says Riley, who was competing in his first USAC regional event. "We had done a lot of work to the vehicle ('87 ford Econoline van). We had doubled the power, made the boxes more structurally sound, things like that. I think it's capable of doing even more if we add more power. My goal is a 163 flat."

Riley will make an attempt at that mark at the 2001 USAC World Finals, which also is held in Kansas City.

The assault on the SPL record book was surprising to just about everyone, including the event's sponsors.

"The level of competition was highest I've ever seen at a regional event," says Donnie Martin, co-owner with Tom Dinkel of Loud & Clear. "There were some really outstanding cars, both in Sound Q and SPL."

The show attracted a throng of consumers to the parking of Loud & Clear, a retail store located on the Kansas side near the Missouri-Kansas border. The Loud & Clear event is the only USAC regional competition to be held on a store parking lot, so naturally things were crowded.

"Our parking lot was packed, and so was the parking lot across the street," says Martin. "We didn't sell tickets, but I would estimate we had at least 400 spectators, not counting competitors."

There were approximately 100 competitors on hand for the KC regional. Some of them will be back for the USAC World Finals in November.

"I think it's evident from the Loud & Clear show that there are lots of very good cars in the Midwest," says USAC’s president Ralph Randall. "I expect a few of these will in the running for world championships in November."

In other news, the United States Autosound Competition International (USACi) has announced the hiring of Kristen Aycock as its new membership services representative.

Aycock will be responsible for responding to all questions and requests from USACi members, and for processing event information before and after competitions.

Aycock's hiring brings the total number of USACi staff to 19, including six in the organization's home office.

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