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    Metal Mulisha burns up Car and Bike Show

    Metal Mulisha burns up Car and Bike Show

    Photo By Cpl. Andrew Thorburn | Lance Cpl. Donavon Leeder (left), a machinist with Combat Logistics Battalion 7, and...... read more read more

    Combat Center personnel and residents of the local community spent Oct. 3 scoping out hot cars and bikes, eating fatty foods and watching a freestyle motocross bike show during the first Car and Bike Show hosted by the Combat Center's Marine Corps Community Services at the corner of Fifth and Brown.

    "Marines and Sailors have been asking us if we will do a car and bike show forever, so it makes us happy that we can finally do it," said Kelley Coe, the Combat Center's special events program manager.

    The event, which lasted from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., drew more than 60 cars and bikes, with makes and models ranging from a 1971 Ford Mustang Mach 1 to a Hummer H3. The total number of cars and bikes filled up Fifth Street between Bourke and Brown.

    "This is something great to do besides sitting around the barracks all day," said Lance Cpl. Blake Schnupp, a heavy equipment mechanic with Combat Logistics Battalion 7, and a Houston native. "It's also a good chance to see what type of competition I have on base."

    Conditions for stunts were perfect as the Metal Mulisha FMX stunt bike group burned rubber at 11:30 a.m. during their first of three stunt shows. They started with a few simple jumps and increased the crowd's excitement with every take off. After a couple jumps, each started to do simple tricks like the Superman or using no hands. Gradually the tricks got harder until they were doing flips without touching the bikes and performing stunts with all three bikers in the air at the same time.

    As the riders geared up for the second show, the wind started to blow. After performing a few jumps the winds were getting stronger. Soon after, the demonstration was cut short for safety reasons, but not before the riders gave the spectators some good entertainment.

    After the second show, Brig. Gen. H. Stacey Clardy, the Combat Center's commanding general, stood on top of the FMX bike ramp and thanked Metal Mulisha for coming out, performing the shows and signing autographs at no cost to the installation or those watching the show.

    "The troops protect us and the country, so it is cool we get to show them our appreciation," said Darick Garland, a rider for Metal Mulisha. "I'm glad we got to give them at least one good show and the crowd enjoyed it."

    Clardy then announced the winners of the General's Choice awards for the best car and bike in the show. Fred Welch won in the best bike category with his 1998 Harley Davidson XL1200. The General's Choice car award went to David Van Dyke for his 1931 Ford AA Truck. Both winners received trophies and an Xbox 360.

    After the second show, while signing autographs, Metal Mulisha riders offered service members who are thinking of persuing this sport the similar advice. Take it slow. It is an awesome sport, but very dangerous at the same time, they said.

    "No matter how slow you go, you will still break a few bones," said Jimmy Fitzpatrick, a rider with Metal Mulisha.

    As the event drew to a close, the cars and motorcycles hit the road.

    Spectators and members of Metal Mulisha said they were already looking forward to next year's Car and Bike show at the Combat Center.

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    NEWS INFO

    Date Taken: 10.09.2009
    Date Posted: 10.09.2009 16:40
    Story ID: 39893
    Location: US

    Web Views: 278
    Downloads: 197

    PUBLIC DOMAIN