86th VRS hosts 'biggest car show' in four years

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Holly Cook
  • 86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany --  The sixth annual 86th Vehicle Readiness Squadron Booster Club Car Show was held at Kapuan Air Station, Germany, August 18.

More than 130 cars, trucks and motorcycles from the Kaiserslautern Military Community entered the competition in support of raising funds for the 86th VRS Booster Club. About 90 volunteers from 86th VRS came to help the booster club and venders from around the local area set up tents and mobile-food booths to advertise and give away prizes to patrons and volunteers.

"There's lots of food, music and cars. Last year was the biggest show we had in four years, but this year was even bigger," said Senior Airman Nickolas Perez, 86th VRS squadron programs manager. "It's probably one of the biggest events VRS has ever had."

Near the end of the car show, trophies were given for best American, Japanese, European, classics, truck/SUV, street bikes, cruiser bikes, sound, and best in category and best in show. A total of 30 trophies were given to the winners of the different categories.

But the main event of the show was the silent auction for the Airman 1st Class (Zachary) Cuddeback car.

"After everything that happened with the Cuddeback situation, it's just seemed like a great idea to get his car out here. Not just to show it off but to give it for a silent auction so somebody else can enjoy it, that's what he would have wanted," said Perez. "He would want someone to enjoy his car."

Just two weeks after Cuddeback was killed during an attack at the Frankfurt International Airport, Staff Sgt. Michael Leone, 86th VRS vehicle operator, volunteered to fully repair the Nissan 200SX which Cuddeback had planned on repairing.

"There was word going around the shop that they were just getting rid of the car. I found out what type of car it was and I was like 'No! Don't junk that! That's a good car,'" said Leone. "Why don't we put some money into it and go ahead and sell it?"

Leone and other members of 86th VRS pitched in and collectively spent a total of €3,500 ($4,358.66) over a span of 18 months to fully repair the car. After getting the car up and running, Leone decided to present the vehicle in a silent auction with all proceeds going towards the "A1C Zachary Cuddeback Memorial Fund."

With bids starting at $2,500, the 86th VRS team ended out the show with the car going to the highest bidder of $4,525.