1 week Ago By Pacific Daily News
Nissan Guam saw its largest turnout to date for the annual Nissan Generation, NGEN, Car Show and Festival on Saturday at its dealership in Upper Tumon. Thousands showed up, and James Padua with his 2000 Silvia Varietta S15 bagged the Best of Show title, Nissan Guam said. "The attendance was incredible, and we are so grateful to everyone who came out to enjoy the event,” according to new general manager Journey Beltran.
"We love sharing the Nissan brand legacy with the island, and seeing how much people enjoy coming together to celebrate all things Nissan, Datsun and Infiniti." The car show featured more than 65 vehicles on display, ranging from coupes, 4 doors, trucks and SUVs, with owners competing for the top spot in six categories. Car show entrants taking the top honors were: Kyle Nicolas was the overall champion in the Gran Turismo time trials, with a winning time just under 58 seconds.
Jose Denina was crowned the NGEN Ramen Eating Contest champion, besting 11 other contestants. Perhaps the highlight of the NGEN experience was the drifting exhibition, led by local three-time drifting champion Von Burrell, and many attendees welcomed the opportunity to hop in the drift car for a ride-along experience. "We look forward to this event all year, as there are so few opportunities to showcase our skilled drifting drivers in the community," Burrell said.
"Special thanks to fellow season drift champions Karl Dumasig and Jasper Leong for also bringing out their drift cars and helping attendees to feel the rush first hand. They are the guys that I trust and know that can push the limits with me to put on a show for everyone." Other event festivities included a die-cast car trade show, remote-control drifting demonstration by Drift Hub, local apparel and merch vendors, kids art station, and a live art demonstration by local artists Joshua Barrigada, John Bermudes, Jules Birn and Seiji Endo.
"The live art component was a first for NGEN, with four artists painting throughout the event to craft a one-of-a-kind piece under the theme 'All Things Japanese',” said general sales manager Tom Quiogue. "The completed work was purchased by an anonymous buyer and gifted as a prize to our Best of Show award winner.” Keeping event attendees fed and hydrated were local food vendors Lyn’s BBQ Stix, Matakos Food Truck, 50 Cal Zone, Sip N’ Dip and Hafaloha Shave Ice.
"With an event of this scale, we can’t do it without help from our partners and volunteers,” Nissan Guam president and CEO Arnel Bonto said. Bontho thanked Smithbridge, Proferre Inc., 100db Audio, St.
John’s School, East West Rental Center, Appliance Galleria, Nissiniti and Zociety car clubs, Asahi Beer, Fewture, 105GU, Autoworx, Goodyear, Stoney’s Mini Golf & Snack Shack, all the car show entrants, volunteers and employees "whose hard work made this event a success.".
