For the past 44 years, the Rat’s Hole Custom Bike Show has established itself as the preeminent show at Daytona Beach. It is tradition, the brainchild of the colorful figure affectionately known as “Big Daddy Rat,” Karl Smith. Today Ted Smith, son of Karl, continues to carry the torch lit by his larger-than-life father, Ted bringing his own creativity to the table in the custom sculpted Rat trophies and t-shirts the other “Big Daddy,” Ed Roth, would be proud of.
And while there was an abundance of shows in Daytona Beach for the 75th anniversary of Bike Week, none were bigger than the Rat’s Hole Saturday show. Competitors came from as far as Switzerland and Kuwait to battle it out in 18 classes in Daytona. Even one of Oregon metal master Randy Grubb’s incredible Decopods found its way across the country to compete, a unique Art Deco creation wrapped in aluminum bodywork.
Somehow even a Randy Grubb Decopod found its way to the 2016 Rat’s Hole Custom Bike Show.
“We had a killer show with 132 bikes and turning away at least 20 due to no more space and the large crowds,” said Big Cheese Ted Smith.
It’s a good thing the tenured panel of Rat’s Hole judges bring years of experience to the table because there were so many incredible bikes in this year’s show, singling out winners in each class was a daunting task. There was the stellar copper-covered Sportster entered by Miami’s House of Thunder which battled for top honors in the Sportster Custom Class. Gilby Gilbertson’s heavily engraved, triple carb-fed creation gave Ned from Kuwait a run for the money in the Over 1000cc Radical Class, but it’s hard to beat a big-wheeled bike with stamped gold inlaid on its tank, fenders, and custom bodywork. Not gold flake. Real stamped gold. A turbo-charged engine sealed the deal for Ned, as turbos were a common theme at this year’s show.
That’s not flake folks. That’s stamped gold that’s been inlaid on the Over 1000cc Radical Class winner.
Ned from Kuwait won the Over 1000 Radical Class for this big-wheeled build
The big winner of the 2016 Rat’s Hole Bike Week Show was Art Steele of Dallas, Texas. Steele, a managing partner at All Star Baggers, won “Best of Show” for his custom 2013 Harley Road King, the motorcycle also claiming first place in the Extreme Bagger Class. Another of Steele’s All Star Baggers, a black and purple beauty called “Miss Right Now,” earned second place in the Extreme Bagger Class, the custom Road Glide rolling 30-inch tall up front and its engine turbo-boosted.
Art Steele mugs it up with Big Daddy Rat after his turbo-boosted bagger won “Best of Show” at the 2016 Rat’s Hole Custom Bike Show at Bike Week.
But it was Steele’s Road King that was king of this year’s show. Called “Never Enough,” a 32-inch 3D front wheel sets the stage. From its front fender to fuel tank to hard bags, everything’s stretched and elongated while air ride suspension slams it to the ground, enhancing the effect. A C.M.P. Turbo gives its horsepower production a kick in the pants, the powertrain slathered in cerakote. Clear intake and cam covers give a peek at the engine’s internal order. Steel Vision Art added the lustrous paint, the final component of the award-winning combination.
All Star Baggers “Best of Show” winner features a C.M.P. turbo and a cerakote covered powertrain.
“Congrats to the guys at the shop for all the hard work… we did it y’all Nick, Mike, Armondo, Darren,” wrote Steele on his Facebook page. “All Star Baggers would also like to thank these men for their part in both of the bikes – Jace, Crush, Mike, Eric, Kory, Sean, Matt, Mark, James. Gentlemen you are the best at what you do, these trophies are proof!”
The Rat’s Hole also broke wraps on the newest addition to its stable of Rat Rides, a twin-turbo trike, the only one of its kind according to Smith. The “Super Rat” comes complete with dual Holleys on its big S&S V-Twin, a spoiler and a wheelie bar.
While the 2016 Rat’s Hole Bike Week Show is in the bag, there’s no slowing down for Smith. He’s already preparing for his next gig at Leesburg Bike Fest, April 23. He’s also holding a Sexiest Bagger Show April 24. It is the 20th anniversary of Leesburg Bike Fest so the party should be huge. Be sure to check out the Rat’s Hole webpage to get your bike registered in the show.
Triple carbs and plenty of engraving made Gilby Gilbertson’s entry in the Over 1000 Radical Class a strong contender.
2016 Rat’s Hole Bike Show Daytona Beach Bike Week Results (photos courtesy of Ted Smith of the Rat’s Hole)
Best of Show – Art Steele Dallas, TX
Over 1000cc Custom – Speed Trix St. Andra, Canada
Over 1000cc Radical – Ned Kuwait
Over 1000cc Super Radical – Dozer Cycle Clawson, MI
Extreme Bagger Class – Art Steele Dallas, TX (first and second)
Trike Class – Red Amber Daytona Beach, FL
1 – 250 Class – Louie Napoli Port Orange, FL
251cc to 1000cc Class – Carlos Perez Miami, FL
Sportster Custom – Grigorgiev Georgiev Williamsburg, VA
Most Unusual – Daniel Maag Zurich, Switzerland
Full Dresser & Touring Class – Marcus Moon Miami, FL
Rat Class – Smitty Flat Lick, KY
Café Racer Class – Mark Tempesta Peabody, MO
1935 to 1966 Antique Class – Don Hart Napanee, Ontario
1967 to 1989 Antique Class – Stewart Duncan Sanford, FL
Bobber Class – Richard Becker Milwaukee, WI
Sportbike Class – Brandon Clark Madison, NC
House of Thunder’s Sportster stands out with its abundance of copper.