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The 86th Vehicle Readiness Squadron hosted the 10th annual VRS Auto Show Aug. 20, in the Ramstein Enlisted Club parking lot, at Ramstein Air Base.
Approximately 180 participants from around the Kaiserslautern Military Community and Europe gathered to showcase their vehicles in hopes of winning a trophy.
“(Besides Department of Defense members) we have people from Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands and France here, as well as Germans from the local area,” said Staff Sgt. Jonathan Garrett, 86th VRS vehicle mechanic. “(This event) is open to anyone; they just have to go through the proper channels in order to get on base.”
Garrett said he was pleased to see the results of his hard work in coordinating the event, even with the bad weather that rolled in over it.
“It’s very tiresome.” Garrett said. “But it’s very rewarding when we start seeing all the cars show up. As long as I see the cars out there and people are staying even with the bad weather, they know it’s a good event.”
Contestants’ vehicles were judged based on several factors: appearance, physical condition, additional work on the engine and accessories added to the vehicle.
“Anything added to the vehicle after stock is worth extra points,” Garrett said.
Winners received trophies in several different categories, which included the best Asian-made car, best American-made car, best European-made car, best truck and best classic car.
Participants also received awards based on the most horsepower and loudest muffler.
Patrick Sliwinski, a participant from France, won the Best Overall award. Sliwinski said coming all the way to Ramstein was well worth
his time.
“It’s wonderful,” Sliwinski said. “I did not (waste) my time coming; I love to meet the people (and) to look at the other cars.
“It was perfect,” Sliwinski added. “Very nice people, very nice place; I was very welcome.”
Garrett believes the event was a success due to the large variety of participants and volunteers.
“We have more volunteers from outside our squadron than ever before, and we have more cars than ever before,” Garrett said. “Overall, even with the stress, it was a very good event.
“Usually the local nationals make up about half of our vehicles as it is,” Garrett continued. “We really love our local nationals and hope we can get them involved again next year.”
Although the participants at the auto show were from different countries, they found a common bond in their love for cars.
