Toledo’s thriving Slingshot culture cruises the streets
Story by Erin Holden | Photos by Kyle Brown
TOLEDO – When 28-year-old Sylvania native James Bassett saw his first Polaris Slingshot in Cleveland, he knew he had to have one.
“It feels like you’re driving a go-kart,” he said, recalling his first test drive of a Slingshot. “I’m not a huge car person, but driving it was so unique and fun.” Soon after, he found a great deal online for one in Arkansas and had it shipped to him here in Toledo.
A medical student at UTMC who is about to relocate after obtaining a residency out of state, Bassett is looking to sell his because of the inconvenience of taking it with him on the cross country move. Otherwise, he’d keep it. He’s even willing to rent it out during the summers here, which wouldn’t be surprising. It seems like the demand is there.
Summers in Toledo come alive when these autocycles cruise the streets, with their elaborate sound systems, colorful lights and personalized designs. They are a wonder to behold when you take a closer look, and that’s exactly what the Toledo Free Press decided to do – find a gathering of Slingshot riders and see what this love affair is all about.
Enter the Slang Gang
You’re likely to see Slingshot gatherings outside the Mud Hens stadium some Friday and Saturday nights, but we were lucky to discover the Slang Gang’s 2nd annual “Meet the Gang” Weekend at Ottawa Park during Labor Day weekend. We arrived to find Slingshots lining up next to a pavilion. R&B music flooded from the speakers and the smell of grilled meats wafted through the air.
This family-friendly event was headed up by the founder of the Slang Gang, Roderick “Lyte-N-Rod” King. “We started this [group] out of my garage in 2017,” Roderick said. “Now we’re in five states.”
He notes that he was inspired by his “love of these machines. I rode motorcyclists as a kid. I got old, and this is a more age-appropriate vehicle,” he said.
“Back in 2018, we drove from Detroit to Miami and back, and we videotaped ourselves, then got in touch with Polaris,” he continued. “They sponsored the ride. They paid for the gas. We started with the Slang Gang group, and it just grew like crazy. So they’re here from Detroit, Cincinnati, Chicago … some from Memphis. They’re from all over the country.”
Tijuana “Road Runner” Burton
Tijuana Burton, based in Saginaw but rides with a Detroit crew for events like the Slang Gang weekend, has been a Slingshot rider for three years now. A member of the Slingshot Sisters, a global community of female slingshot riders, Burton has customized her Looney-Tunes-Roadrunner-themed vehicle with fender pods, graphics, music subs, lights and a custom top. After a fender bender earlier this year, she’s been steadily rebuilding her ride.
“I’ve driven as far as Houston and DC. Shout out to the Slingshot Sisters from San Antonio!” she exclaimed. “That’s where it originated. But we’re all around the world.”
She noted that the prime riding time is probably April through Halloween, but she knows of at least one Christmas-themed Slingshot that can be seen well into the colder months, a true commitment to its personae.
Corey “Paradise” King
The Slang Gang Facebook page describes the group as being for “grown folks,” and Corey King, the Detroit chapter’s president, echoes this sentiment.
“There are a lot of people who may not want to cooperate, who may not want to follow the rules, and we’re not even talking about anything major,” King said. “But it is definitely a responsible, grown and mature group, and that’s what we try to keep on display.”
He adds that the group in Detroit also focuses on charity work, helping kids and the elderly.
Corey’s Slingshot has regal and spiritual themes. “I just always want people to realize that everything that’s done in the dark comes to the light, and you can do nothing without God being aware. My dad raised me to have the mindset of a king. Carry yourself like a king. So the image was a no-brainer.”
If you’re a Slingshot owner who wants to get involved with the Slang Gang’s Toledo chapter, check out their Facebook group for planned meetups. It has 1.5k followers and counting.
