Car show features fast and curious

Even though entries were a little short at the fourth annual Cannon Thunder Auto Show, there was no shortage of car enthusiasts to look over every detail.

Lori Kaser, retired Air Force, came out to show off her daughter Jessica Kaser’s go kart and multiple trophies.

Kaser, 11, has been racing for two years. Because Clovis doesn’t have a dirt track, she travels to Lubbock to race. Her go kart couldn’t be entered in the car show, but she wanted to create awareness of the sport in the area.

Veteran John Warren with the Desert Cruzers brought his truck to the show, held at Doc Stewart Park Sept. 25.

“I love this show,” he said. “It’s nice to come out and talk to the young guys in the military.”

Staff Sgt. Benjamin Kuhl has been at Cannon Air Force Base for almost two years. He attended the show with his Nissan Silvia which he modified with a Japanese front end and motor.

“This is the first show I’ve been to with this car,” he said. “I’ve been into cars at least 10 years so it’s great to do this.”

Kuhl said he enjoys working on cars and showing them.

“It’s something rewarding that I can do and it’s satisfying being able to do it myself,” he said. “I enjoy having people enjoy the work and ask questions.”

Kuhl said the car culture is about the enjoyment of others.

Jay Queener of Clovis brought his 1933 Ford Coupe to the show. He works on classic and muscle cars for a living.

“I do the work on a lot of these cars so it’s great to see it,” he said. “I always come out for the cars.”

Queener built his coupe two years ago and now enjoys driving and showing it.

“The turnout wasn’t great but it’s still a beautiful day with great cars,” Queener said of the show. “I enjoy seeing stuff I haven’t seen before.”

Paul Hopkins, community center manager, said 33 cars registered and entries arrived throughout the show. With two other car shows scheduled in town, he said the turnout was great.

Awards were given for first, second and third in each category, best overall for active duty and best overall. The best overall for active duty award was added this year.

“Just to show support for our active duty folks,” he said. “It is a military car show.”

Veteran Chuck Lewis brought his Ural Gear-up, a Russian motorcycle, to the show. Lewis said the bike was a poor man’s bike in Russia but in the U.S. is rare.

“I like the fact that this show gets all the military out,” he said. “It gets people to see what we do as a hobby. It’s the same things.”