Event season is upon us. The birds are chirping, the skies are blue (for the most part) and truck owners are starting to get their builds ready to show, pull or race. If you’re one of them, you know what we’re talking about. If you’re just an enthusiast, since we’ve been to our fair share of events over the last decade, we want to bring you the best ways to maximize your experience at these upcoming events.

First off, you need to look at the schedules of these types of events for the year. For example, you may find that a Lucas Oil Pro Pulling League event is coming to a city near you. Or, the Outlaw Diesel Super Series may be invading a dragstrip near you, too. Once you’ve found out which event(s) you want to attend, this is where it starts.

#1- Invest In Lodging

There is nothing worse than traveling to a sporting or racing event and it’s time to head back to the hotel or Airbnb and you’ve got a super-long drive back. Number 1 on our list is to invest in your lodging. Since these events are getting to be so popular, hotels and Airbnb’s are filling up ridiculously fast. You want to take the time to find a landing spot for you and your crew that is comfortable and in a convenient location.

I understand that not every event is going to allow you to have a 5-star joint to crash at, but getting ahead of the crowd, finding you a landing spot, and making it a good one is critical in making your weekend one to remember. Comfortable? You don’t want to travel to this event, crash at the hotel before the event the next day, and the beds are trash, the parking was full, it is in a bad part of town, it has poor ratings, etc.

Take the time, find a good spot to sleep, and we promise it’ll pay off. Wake up fresh in the morning and head to the event!

#2- Have An Event Schedule

The schedule of events is critical. If you and the crew are out late, you don’t want to be showing up to the event at noon if the pulls, show, or racing started at nine o’clock. Social media is obviously huge these days and maybe you have a favorite truck or tractor that races in a certain class. With the schedule of events, you can determine what time you need to arrive to have that chance to see them run.

Also, the event may have special events going on during the weekend. If there is a giveaway, a product demo by a company in vendor row, or a celebrity appearance that you want to partake in, you’ll want to know what when, and where to be. When you’re looking at an event, do your best to get an event schedule so you’re prepared.

#3- Meet And Greet

All of your favorite builds will be on display at these events and all of the questions you have about them can be answered. Getting to an event early and seeing these builds up close is an important way to get the most out of your experience. Maybe you’re in the process of building a truck or tractor just like this one and you want to talk to a team member about it. Now you can.

Don’t be scared to talk to some of the industry leaders about what you can do to upgrade your build, because, at one time, they were you. We’re wanting to build the sport and they’re wanting to support the sport. Working together we can all help this grow. If there is a shop that competes and you want their expertise, there is no better and more personable time than now.

NOTE: If team members are working hard to prepare their competition vehicle, do not interrupt them. Although they are having fun, they are here to put on a show and they are using every minute they have to get these rigs ready. Wait until it seems like they’re all settled down and cutting up with others. Be respectful.

#4- Dress Accordingly

Look, you can wear whatever you want, but in our opinion, dressing for the occasion is an important part of making the most of your event experience. If it’s the middle of July and you’re in a hoodie, you aren’t going to be comfortable. If you are, well, we need to have you checked. Depending on the event or weather forecast, plan accordingly. If there is a chance of rain, throw a poncho or an umbrella in the truck.

If it is a late-year event and the temperatures could fall in the evening hours, have a good coat ready. Or, if you want to treat yourself, head into the vendor row where all of the vendors’ lastest gear is up for grabs all weekend. You see the team members wear it and you want it for yourself, now you can without the online shipping.

#5- Take A Lot Of Pictures

This may seem like an obvious one, but take pictures. You may have friends at home who didn’t get to make it, you may have some people on your social pages that want to hear how it went, or you may want to document how someone at the show welded this, fabricated this, etc. There is a 99-percent chance that each of you has a cell phone that can take these photos and this will allow you to look back.

At the least, you have a way to look back at your memories and it will make you want to go back. Each of these will have the potential to bring you back to another event or encourage another person to take that vacation day to head out of town and enjoy themselves. Make sure you’ve got a charged up device, and click away.

#6- Bring Cash

This is a given, but we’ve seen this happen where people will show up without cash and can’t buy whatever they want. Chances are, most vendors or concessions will accept a debit card, but just in case, you need to have cash. If you find that shirt you saw online, you’ve got the dough to get it. Heck, think about getting into the event itself, you’re going to need cash to even enter.

Most events have vendors set up and they really push the products with at-show sales. We would hate for you to see that tuner-gauge combo kit on sale, but you’ve already reached your card limit for the day at the concession and drink stand. Come prepared and have cash.

#7- Make Friends

This may seem odd, but some of our closest friends have been made at diesel events. That group of people that walk by or the people that park next to you could end up becoming lifelong friends and you just don’t know it yet. Put yourself out there and introduce yourself. Chances are, these people have builds just like you and are dying to talk to someone about it.

You may have people at home that just aren’t into it as you are and you’re probably ready to talk shop to others just like you. At these events, everyone is wanting the same thing; Talk diesel trucks and have fun. Make those friends, go have those conversations, and you never know who you’re talking to. It could be the owner of a shop that you’ve heard of. This could lead to help down the road. The bottom line, make friends.

We really hope this helps you as you enter this year’s event season. Go check the schedules, get those vacation days ready, and we’ll see you at an event! Think you have more to add? Let us know in the comments below.