OFF THE WIRE
ANNAH ROGERS/SPECIAL TO THE SUN HERALD John ‘The Jet’ Peek, owner of Full Throttle Cycles in Houston, lets fly in the qualifying rounds of the drag races at the Gulfport Memorial Day Blowout on Saturday.
GULFPORT -- The Gulfport Memorial Day Blowout, which runs until Monday, continues its 29-year tradition that brings motorcyclists and enthusiasts from across the country.
The blowout, hosted by the Asgard Motorcycle Club, includes drag racing, live music, vendors and other events throughout the weekend.
Smokey Stepputat, public relations representative of the Blowout, said this year the meet has expanded to include other motorcycles, not just Harley-Davidsons like in the past.
The Blowout is held on Memorial Day weekend each year as a way to honor all the veterans who served, he said.
“A lot of bikers are veterans,” he said. “They are looking to (recapture) the brotherhood from (their time in the Armed Forces), and the motorcycle clubs give them that.”
Tommy Joe Breaux, president of the Mississippi Gulf Coast Multiple Sclerosis Society, said Asgard has been one of his charity’s main contributors for more than 25 years.
“It’s unbelievable how much charity they have done,” Breaux said. “They’re good guys. They’re the heroes.”
Race announcer Red Roberts said a wide variety of riders -- from national champions to first-timers -- participate in the drag races.
“We try to keep everything safe, fair and fun,” he said.
Jim Burgess, who has attended the Blowout for 20 years and raced for 15, said the atmosphere of the event is nice and always has been.
“I love it … we get to play our game, Asgard treats us like kings and we get to kick back and have fun,” he said.
Michelle Eckstein, crowned 2011 Miss Blowout, said the Blowout has a diverse atmosphere.
“It’s not directed towards just bikers or clubs but to a variety of people,” she said. The entry fee is $40 per person and parking is $20.
Read more: http://www.sunherald.com/2011/05/28/3151331/horsepower-of-a-different-color.html#ixzz1NlBVJdbp