European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - September 19, 1991, Darmstadt, Hesse                                A amps photos by Gus Schuettler one participant shows off her ties. Continued from Page j one slow racer dumped his Quot full Dresser Quot Harley during his attempt a with some spectators jumping out of the Way and others Rushing in to catch the big Chrome covered touring machine As it fell to the ground. The Competition was in keeping with the rally s goal of having a Good time without getting Hurt. Quot we geared the events on safety Quot said Judy Figueroa special events coordinator for the Karlsruhe military Community. Quot if you look at our events they re All very slow Speed and they re fun. Nothing is dangerous and nothing is High  the first arrivals roared into Karlsruhe s festival grounds on a Friday night. For the next let two Days Chrome glistening and exhaust pipes crackling motorcycles poured in at an almost constant rate. Most participants stayed in an improvised Campground at the adjoining Airfield because it was a Harley Davidson rally those driving other makes were required to Park in an area separate from the  and although those Riding japanese Quot Rice burners Quot and other motorcycles were invited to participate in the rally events they were barred from the Quot Best hog Quot Bike show. The gathering was a multinational event although the largest group was from the . And Canadian armies. Nearly half the people turning out were German belgian italian or dutch. Several women and some youngsters also participated. One girl about 3 sported a pair of custom made fringed Black leather Riding chaps. A 5-year-old boy said that he had been Riding since age 2. Quot that was on a Honda Quot the Young enthusiast said. Quot but i m a Harley Man  when not competing the bikers spent time browsing through piles of Belt buckles jewelry motorcycle parts and leather accessories for both themselves and their machines. A constant line waited to have pin stripes and other designs painted on Gas tanks and fenders. Although not considered slaves to fashion the bikers and event organizers put on a fashion show that both participants and spectators took seriously. Models walked the fest tent stage displaying the latest in motor Wear such As leather jackets skirts and pants and the ubiquitous to shirt. Other non Riding events included contests for Best biceps for men Best legs for women and Best Tattoo. Cycle Cut  could compete for Best Amateur comedian. Rock bands played both Friday and saturday nights and late night saturday featured a biker favorite a a wet to shirt contest. Some contests like the engine Block toss were feats of strength. Bikers used traditional discus and shot put techniques to see who could heave a Large chunk of an old motorcycle engine the farthest. In the truck pull participants wrestled with a Nylon strap attached to a pickup truck in an Effort to pull the vehicle the farthest in the shortest amount of time. One of the competitors in the engine Block throwing contest demonstrates the two handed technique. Sets carotid pres a Young couple wander about Quot Cycle  the Quot bite the Weenie contest Quot combined balance timing and teamwork. Competitors attempted to Stop their bikes on a dime for As Many fractions of a second As possible while their Back seat partners tried to bite a hot dog suspended from a rope Over the course. Bikers were disqualified for putting their feet on the ground and winners were determined by the largest bite out of the hot dog. In terms of Speed the fastest Competition was probably the Bike push in which one biker pushed another on a motorcycle along a Short course to the finish line. In this Case the first one across the line won. The Quot Best hog Quot contest was a big hit in All four categories of Harley models from touring class to sport bikes. Most of the show bikes had custom paint jobs and extensive Chrome work. Others had stretched frames and Quot chopped Quot front ends. Many featured steel braided Oil and Brake lines and engraved Chrome parts. Other proud enthusiasts entered their Quot rat bikes Quot a term used to describe ragged looking but Well running machines. The rats with either Flat Black or Flat Gray paint jobs normally have some sort of Oil leak. One featured 20mm ammunition cans As Saddle bags another s handlebars were adorned with the Skull of a dead animal that appeared to be a Goat. A fan cheers two Quot bite the Weenie Quot contestants. Patches show where one biker s been and where his allegiances he