Painted to perfection, spotlessly clean and souped up with thousands of dollars worth of electronic gear, dozens of custom-designed cars and bikes were on show at an extravaganza at Southside Racing Circuit.Hundreds of people visited the show to watch demo races and inspect the handiwork of owners who’ve spent countless dollars and hours jazzing up their prize possessions.Organiser Jamie Lovell said Sunday’s event aimed to create awareness of racing and custom-designing, where driving fast is half the fun and showing off a slick-looking vehicle the other half. “These are local drivers who drive these cars every single day. Now we are showing them to the public,” said Mr Lovell, the founder of Team ONI Racing Club, which celebrates customised vehicles.One owner, 38-year-old Ricky Matthie, was waxing his bright green Pajero as The Royal Gazette took a tour of the circuit. Cleaning his car is something Mr Matthie spends a lot of time doing; he’s christened it ‘Stainless’ and it’s not difficult to see why.“I’m just a naturally clean person anyway: my house, my car, my body, everything, my girlfriend when I have one,” he said.His car, which has won him a couple of trophies in local showcase competitions, is as crumb-free on the inside as it is shiny on the outside, with pictures of lions painted on the back and wheels, and televisions and loud speakers on the seats.Mr Lovell said of the ‘bling-bling’ effect: “They go out of their way to make their cars the way they want them. The design they go for identifies the owner. No matter where he goes, people recognise it. They’re expressing themselves, a bit like people who have tattoos.”Around 20 cars and bikes were on display, with races taking place late in the afternoon.Mr Lovell said he got into fast cars while living in Michigan and missed it when he returned to Bermuda with its winding roads and slow speed limit. But club members can experience the thrill of speed at the racing track.“People like me get that powerful car and need for speed, and we have a place we can go,” he said. “There’s no better drug than adrenalin. Driving at speed is the greatest personal feeling you can get for your body. It’s you in control as you push to the limit.”