The Subculture of a Car Show
Fans flocked to the northern entrance of Belize City on Sunday for a unique event that is growing in popularity. Owners of the hottest cars and motorcycles turned out to show off their pimped out vehicles. There were SUVs, classic cars, small and big cars, and many more four wheelers, but we kept our eyes on the Harley Davidson and BMW motorcycles. Here’s a report on the event.
Jose Sanchez, Reporting
The Uno Gas Station at the entrance to Belize City was transformed. It became the show grounds for a sub culture that is not Goth, not rock, but has a lot of roll- on the hard ground that is. Supped up cars and motorcycles, drivers and riders were decked out in appropriate fashion.
Rhon Paul Lecky
Rhon Paul Lecky, Organizer, Uno Car Show
“In other countries, it is much larger than Belize. Belize is just getting into it but in Belize you have that very strong subculture, which most people don’t realize. They probably call it a night culture cause they see us out at night most of the time, but that is because most of us have a job. But other than that, we have several car clubs, several bike clubs. You have several companies that support us like JB’s Auto Detailing. They support us; UNO supports us.”
Riders like Alejandro have spent four and a half months on his BMW motorcycle.
Alejandro Maria Lopez
Alejandro Maria Lopez, Out of the Box Motorbikes
“As I said, I am from Argentina, but I lived in Miami two and a half years with my friends and we built cycles; we customized them. So when we started with this idea, I said if we do this, I am going to ride my motorcycle from Miami to Argentina and that’s what I am doing right now. It’s been four months and a week. I am staying here in Belize now, camping. I met the guys from Black Pearl and I’m just having a good time.”
It’s a hobby that can cost to fine tune the vehicles but there are also trophies for the participants.
Rhon Paul Lecky
“Most people think that Belize is too small for these kinds of hobbies. But really and truly, majority of Belize is in it right now. We compete all over Central America. We have several categories right now. We have from four-by-four, best show car, best truck, from bicycle, best one-twenty-five custom bikes. Harley Davidson they have their own trophy for the best Harley. They have several trophies to showcase the different sides and different passions that we all have for motor sports.”
Jose Sanchez
“What does it mean to you to have a vehicle that has all that blast in it?”
Wilford Arnold
“Well yo got different songs with different base and quality.”
Wilford Arnold
Jose Sanchez
“Weh part you goh, the party goh?
Wilford Arnold
“Always.”
This ride or die biker was promoting the next big event.
Marylee, Harley Davidson Promoter
“We’ve been doing this for about four years. Today, we’re here promoting the second annual bike rally from February fifth to the seventh in Belize City. We expect about four to six hundred bikes to roll into Belize City for those days to come and have a great big party and celebrate Belize.”
Jose Sanchez
“So you ride Harleys; you are not just a biker chick?”
Marylee
Marylee
“My bike is arriving this week. I’ve always been a passenger, but in the last few months, I’ve learned how to ride.”
Jose Sanchez
“What’s the difference of being on the road on a bicycle than in a motor vehicle?”
Marylee
“When you are riding in a vehicle, you’re watching the movie. When you’re riding on a Harley you’re starring in the movie.”
Jose Sanchez
“So you’re a ride or die chick?”
Marylee
“Absolutely, you ride hard, you live hard. It’s a great lifestyle here in Belize.”
Darren Skeen
“I love bikes because of the speed.”
Jose Sanchez
“How long are you riding?”
Darren Skeen
Darren Skeen
“Well it’s been like three years that I’m riding now.”
Jose Sanchez
“No crash?”
Darren Skeen
“A couple of accidents. It all happens to everybody.”
Jose Sanchez
“What you did just now, what’s that all about? I know it hyped up the crowd.”
Darren Skeen
“Yeah, of course. I made a lot of smoke. Some people want to know how clouds are made; just like that. That’s a joke.”
Jose Sanchez
“Some people say unu just live recklessly?
Darren Skeen
“That’s not true. It is just for fun; that’s our toy.”
It’s ok if you don’t understand the culture but you can watch it. And not to be outdone by the bikes, at least one four-by-four pickup hyped up the crowd by showing that it too could burn rubber. Reporting for News Five, Jose Sanchez.
