MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- Marine Corps Community Services hosted the inaugural Iwakuni Wheels car and motorcycle show behind the Crossroads Mall here Saturday.
The car show featured classic and modern style cars, motorcycles, food, a kid’s land with bounce houses, live music and dancing.
Tony Martinez, MCCS special events coordinator, said the event gave American and Japanese locals the opportunity to have a good time together while building community relations.
“It went very well, and because it went so well, we’ll be able to do it again next year,” said Martinez. “It’ll be bigger and better.”
This year’s car show drew out locals eager to show off their classic 1935 Ford Roadsters outfitted with state of the art hydraulic systems and owners with custom built 1969 El Caminos.
Motorcycle enthusiasts also came out to admire finely tuned Harley Davidson and Yamaha motorcycles.
Martinez said he thought the turnout was pretty good considering the car show was hosted during the Obon holiday, which prevented more people from coming.
Fifty cars and motorcycles in total were brought out for the Iwakuni Wheels car and motorcycle show.
The Iwakuni Juno dance group also came out moon-walking and snapping their fingers to the beats of Michael Jackson as they provided entertainment for local spectators.
The station American Forces Network was also on hand to provide music and a competition, which offered a new Xbox 360 as a prize.
AFN challenged participants to identify the make and model of the vehicle within the car show, which had a flaming skull on the hood.
After the competitors identified the car, they rode a child’s tricycle for a distance of approximately 15 yards, racing for the fastest time.
Codi Moses, a car and motorcycle show spectator, was named the winner of the competition with a time of 16.2 seconds in the tricycle race.
“It feels good (to win),” said Moses. “I really wasn‘t expecting it.”
Moses said he also enjoyed the car show and appreciated the opportunity to interact with the Japanese because he doesn‘t get to go out in town too much due to work.
“The interaction between Americans and Japanese here on base is always good,” said Moses. Events like the car and motorcycle show are a good way to bring Marines out of the barracks to interact with the Japanese, he added.
Many of the Japanese who came to the car show felt the same way Moses did.
Keiji Hironaka, owner of a 1971 Nissan Skyline and car show participant, said he enjoyed interacting with the Americans and was glad they enjoyed his car.
“I want to add more improvements to my car for next year’s car show,” said Hironaka. “They liked it this year, and I want them to enjoy it more next year.”
Next year’s Iwakuni Wheels car and motorcycle show is being planned for June 2011.