Diecast Convention

Back in February of 2010, I was recovering from a cancer surgery that didn't go so well. I lost a kidney that my 2nd round of cancer had spread to. I was severely scared and depressed at that time, I wasn't sure if I would live another 6 months or what. A group of friends and fellow collectors banned together and bought me VIP tickets to a huge diecast convention in Las Vegas at the Circus~Circus Hotel, sponsored by Diecast Space.com, which I was a member of. They never did tell me how much it cost, but I knew it was in the hundreds. I just had 38 staples removed from my belly button to my breasts, but the doctors said I was ok enough to travel. A great friend and fellow collector showed up at my house in Columbus Ohio from New Castle Indiana to assist me in flight. About 7 hours later we landed in Las Vegas and a shuttle bus took us to the Hotel and convention site. I never knew they had conventions like this for toy cars, but it was absolutely "AMAZING". Chip Foose, Erin Moran, Ed Roth, and Fireball Tim were all hosts. Once we settled in our room, we bopped on down to the convention floor. I had never seen soooooo many diecast toy cars in one place. For 3 whole days I met so many famous people, CEOs, and celebrities, and watched my friend, Mac Ragan inducted into the Diecast Hall of Fame. There were collectors there from around the world. ABSOLUTELY AMAZING...        Contests, dinner with the stars, amazing displays, games, and more. 

Some awesome real cars on display also...

Here was an episode that almost put me in total shock. I entered two of my custom diecast cars in the customs contest and won 1st place in two categories. I totally came close to flipping my cork when they called my name twice in a row. I won the complete set of 2008 Treasure Hunt Hot Wheels cars and the complete set of Since 68 series Hot Wheels cars. I never won anything in my life. 

This was one heck of a fantastic time for three days. I hated to see it end, and hated it even more when the Diecast Space web site closed down a few years later. This is one of the biggest hobbies out there and so many ways of enjoying it. I do sincerely hope to see it grow and grow with more shows and conventions like this in the future. 

I was never sure what the main attraction was to these custom items, but they were selling like hot cakes for $200.00 and up...