Slammed Rides, Sunburns & Smiles: Texas Heat Wave 2025

DAMIEN DAVIS . November 11, 2025 . Events

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Slammed Rides, Sunburns & Smiles

Austin brought the sun, the crowds, and a parking lot full of builds that break necks anywhere they go. Texas Heat Wave was set up at the Travis County Expo Center, so everything was in one spot, including the show field, vendor rows, drifting track, and the contest areas. The dates of 2025’s event were July 25–27, and it was run like a well-oiled machine from gates-open to the awards ceremony.

Saturday started with judging and the audio contest—then came breakfast. You could hear the USACI rigs spooling up from clear across the grounds. Helicopter rides were buzzing overhead, drift cars ran ride-alongs all day, and the burnout pit turned tires to smoke right on schedule. By afternoon, the live stage was rocking, and then the bikini contest drew a big crowd like it always does. An all-new limbo competition was set up in front of the Mad Gear booth. There were minis, full-sizes, and SUVs laid out all weekend. Sunday kept the pace going with more cruising, more smoke, hydraulics in the show barn, a tattoo contest inside, and a full awards run to close it out.

What stood out this year was variety. You had body-dropped OBS trucks parked next to high-lift 4x4s, lowriders with killer graphics, and late-model daily drivers showing off their latest upgrades. Clubs held it down with big rows and clean displays. Merch and food vendors stayed busy all day long. It felt like an old-school Heat Wave show full of sunburns, smiles, and great attitudes.

Spectator gates opened at 9 am both days, and the check-in system ran smoothly. If you were chasing hardware, classes covered everything from Best Mini to Best 4×4, with specialties like Best Paint, Best Suspension, and even Best Audio Visual. At the end of the day on Sunday, the awards stage was packed, and vehicle owners were ready for the roll-out.

If you’ve never attended Heat Wave, put it on your list. It’s a true Texas mix of loud stereos, thin tires, and builds that actually get driven on the daily. Big thanks to everyone who stopped for photos and the crew that kept this great event moving. Check out the full photo gallery here, and look for it to go live online at www.motortopia.com soon. See you back in Austin next July at the same spot, with the same heat, and for the same reason why we do this every year.

If you’ve never attended Heat Wave, put it on your list. It’s a true Texas mix of loud stereos, thin tires, and builds that actually get driven on the daily.

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