Hot Rodding in the UK 2016

 Stony Stratford New Year's Day 2016

There were plenty of bold people prepared to take their classic vehicle out but we weren't one of them! It made for a good start to the year.

 Getting Ready for the Hot Rodding and Racing Season

I have been remiss this year and not written about our Hot Rod adventures at the time. The season is now over so this year’s efforts are from memory. Early in the year our drives were rather few and far between as the weather was pretty poor but in the end we had a good summer and some great trips and events.

A602’s Breakfast meeting at Shuttleworth  13 ^th March 2016

Second Sunday of the month. We went twice, once early in the season and sat drinking tea with the Stapletons while everyone else had a full English. It was a bit chilly but good to blow away the cobwebs. Our second time in July, we had a nice mini cruise from Gt Barford to get there. 

 The A602’s also have a club night on the 3^rd Wednesday just south of Stevenage and as Dave is now a member we drove out to meet them one summer evening. There was a good turnout of people but not many came in their cars.

Stratford Upon Avon Saturday 30th April 2016

I stumbled on this busy car show in the town centre when rain stopped play at the Springspeed Nationals. That's Shakespeare's house in the background.

Stotfold Steam Fair and  Country Show Saturday 7th May 2016

 

We had to park in the public car park for this one as we hadn't pre-registered. Even so it was a really nice show- lots of steam engines, a few classic cars, motorcycle stunts, a vintage fairground, country stalls and an interesting stroll around the newly renovated Stotfold Mill and music from local bands. What a nice way to spend a Saturday afternoon.

Hunstanton May 8^th 2016

We only made two trips in the Phaeton to the coast this year, both times to Hunstanton. The first in May was when the sun decided to come out with some warmth for the first time on a Sunday so we were amongst the throng which resulted in a slow journey home.  Unusually, we had a cooked breakfast overlooking the Green to the sea which spoilt our appetite for the fish and chips we ate later. Our second trip later in the summer was just as nice but we restricted ourselves to just the fish and chip meal and a long walk along the promenade on what was a hot day.

Jack’s Hill Friday 13^th May 2016

 

A chilly evening but we made the effort and there was a good turnout for this monthly meeting. We had pie and mash there and a chat with fellow enthusiasts before heading home all bundled up.

Classics at the Sharnbrook Hotel Sunday 15^th May 2016

I think there are five different car shows here every year. This one is supposed to be for the Classic cars but it seems that not too many classic cars turn up to this one any more. We did, along with Shirley in the Morgan and Paul in the Lancia and we were put up on the upper field. Meanwhile the Supercars which are nice but not classics and have two other shows of their own were there and given the prime parking spots outside the hotel which was a bit odd. I doubt we’ll do this one again having been I think three years in a row. It’s time to try something new next year.

We made a quick visit to their Mini day on 24th July and saw amongst other things, this little beauty.

Visit to Pilgrim School Friday 20^th May 2016

This was a change to the usual routine! Five cars from the A602’s club assembled for these five year olds to have a look, in keeping with that term’s project about Transport. Before we could meet them we were given a 9 page risk assessment to read which of course we did in great detail! The children were all very excited and enjoyed our visit. They had a little time to sketch the cars too. Apparently it was their favourite lesson of the term!

AJ’s Diner Wellingborough Sunday 22.^nd May 2016

Our only visit here this year and it was a good one, really busy. Paul and Zoe cruised with us in their mini and we had nice afternoon with Dani and Lee. Even the Fairhursts turned up. I particularly liked a plum Austin A40 which has a new owner after being off the road for many years. Inside there was some pretty nifty dance moves going on and the young 'uns enjoyed the Diner’s milk shakes- all very fifties!

Earl’s Barton Monthly meeting

First Wednesday of the month, this event has really taken off this year and by the end of the season they were attracting 1000 cars. I only went to one of the early meets where we met up with Dave’s sisters. It was a beautiful evening and I enjoyed the ride but it isn’t really my cup of tea, just sitting in a farmer’s field. Dave went to several and enjoyed meeting up with the usual suspects.

Billing Fun Run 3^rd - 6th June 2016

 

We are not very fond of Billing as a venue and the show feels very much same old, so had thought about going to another event but just a couple of weeks beforehand Jason the NSRA chairman asked to organise the Cruise so we did. It was to be a long one, a round trip of 80 miles to Gaydon Motor Museum and we had a good turnout for it. Despite our best laid plans and checking the route things still went wrong on the day when the gas board closed one of the roads we needed. Luckily the committee were soon on the case and a diversion was put in place

enabling us to reach our destination and enjoy the displays Gaydon had to offer. I did say to Dave while the cruise was unfolding “Please can we not organise any more cruises?” but got over that sentiment in time for the Super Nats. We had two passengers in the Back Rogan Mcgilp, a talented 16 year old engineer in the making and his side kick who were excited if rather windswept by the trip out. Sunday and show and shine was another successful day.

It was great to see Mark Fairhurst out with his gorgeous orange roadster as well as his son Sam getting his prizes for fastest Tot Rod and best appearing Tot Rod. As it transpired it was lucky we did attend the 44^th Fun Run as it turned out to be the last. Billing management have announced they are not having any more events. I can’t say I’m sorry but it would have been nice if we had all gone there knowing it was the last hurrah.

Hot Rods and Hills Cumbria June 9^th to 17^th 2016

 

Our friends the Stapletons had invited us to join them in a cottage in the Lake District for a week to coincide with the 10^th Anniversary of Hot Rods and Hills, We’ve wanted to go for a number of years so this was a good opportunity. Unbeknown to me Vicky was sweating about whether the cottage would be habitable as it was in Glenridding, one of the villages badly hit by the floods last December. Luckily it was situated on a hill so it was fine. Six months later and there were still a few businesses and houses not yet recovered from the floods and there was still a fair bit of work going on in the river.

We travelled up the day before them and stayed in a lovely guesthouse called 1863 in Pooley Bridge with an excellent bistro. Unlike our USA travels most of the trip wasn’t about the journey it was something that needed to be done to get to the destination. The A1 is better than the M1 but nonetheless not much fun. This all changed as soon as we turned off at Scotch Corner and on to Route 66- The A66 that is over the Yorkshire Moors. It was a lovely drive on a sunny day with a typical lunch stop in a farmer’s field. However almost as soon as we crossed the Cumbrian border it started to rain. After taking refuge on a garage forecourt, we were soon on our way and arrived in Pooley Bridge without incident. Pooley Bridge is a pretty little village on the edge of Ullswater. Having lost their 300+ year old bridge to the floods, we entered via a temporary bridge which thankfully had opened in March otherwise we’d have had quite a detour to get to our cottage. After eating our delicious dinner we walked the half mile up to the camp site where the car event “Hot Rods and Hills” was being held and found a lot of people had already set up camp and were enjoying the evening sunshine.  With nothing much going on we walked back along the shore of Ullswater which is absolutely beautiful and with the sun setting down over the hills it was a good end to the day.

Friday, we went back to the camp site and settled in to wait for the Stapletons to arrive. They had got soaked on the way up with Vicky and Russ in the front and Ricky in the dicky seat of their roadster. We had a bit of rain but luckily it cleared up in time for the cruise (or should I say race judging by the speed the leading cars shot off!). With so much distance between cars and a bit of confusion we got temporarily off the official route so found ourselves in Askham ahead of many of the cars that set off before us! It gave us a good photo opportunity and then we followed them in to Lowther Castle – ruins that provided a fantastic back drop for a fantastic assortment of cars and trucks.  After a further diversion we ended up in Penrith, bringing the town to a standstill where the shoppers gawped at us all trundling down the High Street to honour the newlyweds who were part of our group for the weekend.
Back at Park Foot Campsite, another wedding couple posed for photos by the car while we bought provisions and then we drove the 10 mile journey around Ullswater to our cottage.


 It proved to be well worth staying away from the site as it was fabulous -the setting, the house, the decoration and the high standard of fixtures and fittings. Everything you think you might need was catered for. The Aga proved to be a challenge to operate but once we were used to it everything was fine. I wouldn’t want one though, it requires a level of forward thinking that I don’t possess when it comes to food. We decided not to go back to Park Foot for the band, partly because it was chucking it down and partly because we were expecting Lee and Dani so instead we had an enjoyable evening around the dinner table enjoying Vicky’s home-made Lasagne. Dave and I had our own annex. The bed was smaller than we are used to but it was quiet and very cosy.

After a big breakfast we went down to the Harbour in Glenridding and awaited the cruise to come by.

First past was Andy Fadster and Craig Dixon (the event organiser) in the noisy and crazy lead car, Twister which we are more used to seeing on the race track than on the winding Cumbrian roads. 

After watching most of the cars go by we joined the cruise and followed up the Kirkstone Pass. The rain was just about holding off but it was very cloudy. It was a good drive though and about an hour later we arrived at Bowness on Windermere, parked up altogether on the Glade and went for a stroll around the town. We had intended to come back by another route via the ferry but it was closed due to a swimming competition, so we retraced our steps and stopped at the Kirkstone Inn for a drink at the summit before taking a trip on Ullswater in a little motor boat with Cap’n Lee. We retired to the Travellers Rest pub which had been discovered by “The Boys” the previous evening via a very awkward route across the fields for a pretty average meal. We decided against going to Park Foot as it was once again chucking it down.

Sunday’s cruise took us on a beautiful drive up to the café at Hartside summit. According to the AA, this is one of the top ten drives in the UK and I wouldn’t disagree. After an hour of chilling at the café we drove down into Ashton only to find two petrol stations, which had been as rare as hen’s teeth all weekend. Ashton is a pretty cobbled village with a steam railway but we arrived at the station just after the train pulled out. 

We had been very lucky with the weather all weekend with most of the rain happening in the evening. As we set out for our return journey to Glenridding it looked like we were going to run out of luck as we headed into a nasty black cloud but soon veered away from it and heaved a sigh of relief as we went over the Hartside pass again, enjoying the beautiful view across the hills but finally our luck ran out and it rained cats and dogs. Lee and I got pretty wet in the back but it didn’t last long and we were soon dry and back in the sunshine. We had a brief breakdown with the main fuse blow, probably caused by the weather. Dave and I went back to the cottage leaving the others to join us later. Big mistake. The heavens opened and they were marooned in 1863 which was fine but eventually they had to face up to the rain and arrived back looking like drowned rats.

The rest of the week was what we called the proper holiday or Hot Rods and Hills Part 2 with both cars touring around the Lake District. It was nice for me because for once I didn’t do any of the research for organising and just went with the flow. During the week we visited Aira Force, a huge waterfall which flows into Ullswater and was particularly spectacular during our visit following the rain; The stone circle at Castlerigg which was fairly underwhelming in comparison to Stonehenge but still attracted quite a few visitors; a lovely walk around Tarn Hows to Tom Gill Falls and around the lake, a fabulous drive along the windy roads next to Coniston water and Derwent Water, a quick stop at Lakeside and Haverthwaite  railway station and lunch at The Lakeland Motor Museum in Backbarrow after which the lads went in the museum while Vicky and I waked around the village and watched the steam engine go by. We finally got to cross Windermere on the Ferry. Another time we drove over Honister Pass after stopping at the Slate mine, Ambleside and generally had a fabulous time enjoying the sights, sounds and smells in our open top roadsters. It certainly is a beautiful part of the world and a trip just as stunning as any as we’ve done in the USA.

We ate most of our meals at the cottage and once we got the hang of the Aga, the food we cooked up was pretty good between us. We had a couple of ho-hum meals at the Travellers Rest in Glenridding and another fabulous meal at the 1863 Bistro. A good place for a drink was the Lake Lounge at Inn on the Lake overlooking Ullswater with a manicured garden in the foreground and resplendent rhododendrons in full bloom. We even managed to sit outside for pre-dinner drinks with Craig The organiser of HR and Hills and his partner Tara, in the evening sunshine.

The day the Stapletons left for home we decided it was time for a day off from driving the Hot Rod so why not tackle Helvellyn, the third highest mountain in England at 970m (3110Ft), starting at an elevation of 515ft on a hike of 7.5 miles to the summit?

I wouldn’t have done it if I hadn’t already been assured by a mountain guide that trainers would be fine as long as it wasn’t wet. The weather forecast said misty until 11 am then clearing with rain coming in around 2pm, so we set out at 9.15 am giving us plenty of time to get there and back. We had layers of clothing, food and water in a carrier bag (no rucksack) and a seemingly marked route- but no map or compass.

It started well, not foggy, a wide stony track and signposts pointing the way but as soon as we left civilisation we were on our own with only sheep for company. Higher up the mountain was shrouded in heavy fog and as we trudged up the steep and narrowing path we were willing it to clear. The walk was tough on the lungs but enjoyable, quiet and scenic with treeless mounds covered in ferns and heathers which were just starting to blossom. To our left the stream heading to Ullswater was pretty active following the previous days of rain and once or twice we had to pick our way across it when it flowed through the pathway.

The mist wasn’t clearing and soon we were in the middle of it. Not to worry the pathway was easy to follow until we came to a fork in the path. With no signposts I took a guess (which later proved to be the right decision) and turned right. With the path getting narrower and feeling that there may be a sheer drop to the left of us and a suspicion that Red Tarn was down there somewhere I was outside my comfort zone, especially as there was no one else around. Did they know something we didn’t? We trudged on for a while before stopping for a snack. As we sat there, a man came out of the mist from above and assured us it was only 25 minutes or so to the summit so we cracked on hoping that the mist would lift but it was not to be. Now the pathway was less obvious and harder to follow so we decided that we should call this our summit, having visions of getting lost and falling to our death and making the BBC news with everyone saying what a stupid pair we were! We sat and enjoyed the non-view for 10 minutes or so and could hear voices in the distance. A couple eventually got to our point and told us we were only about 5 minutes from the top and we couldn’t quit now so we followed them and scrambled up the rocky edge (arête) after them. They soon disappeared but it gave us the confidence to continue knowing that we were heading in the right direction. Finally we reached a plateau. We had made it! Photo opportunity on the cairn but sadly no view, though to be honest if I had been able to see over the side I might have bottled it.

We could have continued and returned another way but with no clear idea of where we were we thought it would be better to come back the same way. Doing the journey in reverse was pretty tough on the knees but we came across several people along the way and stopped for a chat. The mist had lifted a little and finally we could see the Tarn. We had indeed climbed Swirrell Edge the easier and shorter route to the summit rather than the sharper Striding Edge. We detoured at the end which brought us into the village of Glenridding and conveniently to the Travellers Rest where we settled our aching limbs down to watch the tedious England v Wales match in Euro 2016, which was won in the 93^rd minute. On this performance England weren’t going to progress far and neither did they. In order to stop us from seizing up completely and ending up in bed too early we walked another five miles around Ullswater before retiring to bed feeling accomplished.

We took another route home via the beautiful Yorkshire Dales an area that deserves further investigation in the future. For a time we were part of a mini cruise with other classic cars, mostly TR6's before we hit the A1 and a tedious stop start journey home taking us eight hours altogether and reminding us that Hot Rodding in the UK can be a challenge. 

Santa Pod Raceway  - Sunday 19^th June

Not exactly Hot Rodding but Paul and Andy Harrison were testing their new race cars and I took the opportunity to test ride my “new” moped. It was my Dad’s Honda PC50 who last rode it in 1981 and it’s been in our garage ever since. Dave got it back on the road for me and it really is a fun ride. Having never even sat on a motorbike before it’ll take a while to get confidence but I do look great with my crazy frog helmet and goggles.

Dave took the Hot Rod a couple of times to race meetings but the weather wasn’t great so opportunities were limited.

Oakley Sports and Social Club

1st July, the Phaeton was the official Prom car for Tia and her friends transporting them Oakley Club to Sharnbrook Hotel. Seeing these gorgeous 16 year olds and remembering their parents at the same age makes you realise how quickly time has passed.

The American Car and Hot Rod evening that Dave organised for 30^th June to coincide with Motorbike night had to be postponed. We had so much rain in the week running up to it the field was a quagmire. Luckily what was shaping up to be the worst summer ever seemed to end that day and it hardly rained after that. The following week there was a decent turnout of cars but considering how much effort Dave put into promoting it I would have thought there would be more cars. There were plenty of bikes though. 

A second event organise by Oakley Sports and Social club in July and not too many people turned up to this last minute event but we were there with the Phaeton, the race cars, Janet’s noddy car, Paul and Zoe’s mini as well as Andy Sawyer in his lovely yellow 32 and having taken the cars home early evening we all enjoyed a few jars with Zoe’s family.

UK Street and Strip Needle and Awl 13^th July

 

Another club that Dave belongs to and they have a monthly meeting here. The company was really good but again very few of the members came in their cars so we obviously don’t understand the club night thing. This club has a really good group of members who always put on a good show at various events during the year including at our own evening at OSSC.

Dragstalgia  17^th July
 

Another great weather weekend for this event. We parked with lots of other cars from the NSRA for a show and shine on the Sunday while we watched the racing from the pit side VIP suite. It was a really good day and some great entertainment as well as good company. Dave and I had a long chat with Aiden Kenny who sadly died only a few days later. We knew he was ill but even so it was quite a shock to hear the news so soon after chatting to him. He was a lovely bloke.

Rat Trap versus Havoc

Ball Colegrave Banbury 21st July 2016

This year we cruised there with family and atrrived a bit late because of heavy traffic. The display of flowers was fabulous once again and worth the trip even if it was a little damp.

Classics on the Common 27^th July

We bottled the Classics on the Common because it had rained all morning but in the end the weather was good so we should have made the effort. This season we weren’t as enthusiastic or determined as last year and have opted out because of weather on a few occasions. It’s more really that we’ve got so much going on the car isn’t our priority. Hopefully once we’ve got the house sorted we’ll be more focused.

Shillington Village and Classic Car Show Saturday 30^th July 2016

Unlike last year we turned up at 2.30 pm and there were lots of people there! We joined the a602s for a relaxing afternoon just sitting and wandering around looking at other cars. For a little village it wasn’t a bad turnout and the weather was good.

Kings Lynn Cruisers 31^st July 2016

We haven’t been to this show since 2003/4 and it isn’t even in the same place. It’s now in a village just south of King’s Lynn called Walpole St Andrew on a big recreation ground. We met up with the Stapletons in a layby on the A45 and cruised there together. It turned into a nice relaxing day with a couple of hundred cars, little trade stalls and music, followed by a cruise home with Janet and Andy this time via Whittlesey.

Barry and Ness's - 6^th August 

This time it was just Dave and myself with the Phaeton visiting Barry and Ness. I always enjoy the drive over there through Woburn and the Buckinghamshire countryside. We saw their latest addition- a replica of the first motor car- a Benz and it’s gorgeous. After a relaxing afternoon in their garden we rounded the evening off with an excellent meal at the Birch in Woburn.

Bicester Heritage – 10^th Sunday Scramble 7^th August and 11th Scramble 1^st October 2016

 

 

We had never heard of this event before and didn’t know what to expect but it was superb. The venue is a collection of old MoD buildings which are gradually being restored and taken over by companies  trading in the restoration of classic vehicles. A large assortment of mostly classic cars were parked randomly in the streets and around the buildings, including an original Model A Phaeton owned by a former owner of Brake Brothers. It was surreal to look into what must have war time buildings and seeing vehicles form that era. On the airfield outside various classic car clubs and more recent speciality cars were parked. The piece de resistance for me was the Tiger Moth which I went up in and learnt to fly as well as looking down over the scene below. A number of businesses were open for viewing too. It really felt quite exciting to stumble on this little treasure.

 

 A gorgeous Sunday morning saw us heading to Bicester for the second time this season and was a bonus with it being October. It was as good as the first time and probably busier than the first with mostly different vehicles. Again several businesses were open and we spent a good few hours wandering round and sitting on our lawn chairs watching the cars leave. I think this venue is going to be a massive draw for car nuts once the word spreads.

NSRA Supernationals 11^th – 14^th August 2016

The week before this event we took a ride out to Cardington Hangars to see the Airlander which had only a few hours before been brought out into the open. Usually the Phaeton literally opens doors for us and we tried to blag our way in to the grounds but the security guard was having none of it. Fortunately we found a public footpath which took us to within yards of this monster.

The Thursday of the Supe Nats is members day and our new routine is to turn up just after the gates open, settle with our lunch and watch the cars come in for an hour or so before setting up a tent with the Stapletons (for stuff not sleeping) and generally chill – out.  We go home in the evenings and return daily.
Friday was a another chill out day with a mini cruise out via Cardington to see the Airlander, The Danish Camp and Adrian Smith’s Buckland Engineering work shop.
 It’s always nice to show a few people some of the better kept secrets of Bedfordshire. The evening was good, catching up with fellow Hot Rodders and watching Si Cranstoun put on a good show in the Marquee. Back Saturday morning and ready with fingers crossed for the cruise to Duxford. There were so many diversions and road closures in mid Beds that it was difficult to plot a route there but in the end around 200 cars made it there via some pretty villages along the way including the beautiful Tudor village of Ashwell where the procession of cars brought great excitement to the fete visitors which coincidentally was in full swing when we went through it.  We were all parked outside the American Hangar and most people enjoyed the day and the museum. Dave, Zoe, Ricky and me went up in the Dragon Rapide which gave us a spectacular view of Duxford and the show cars below.

Sunday was Show and Shine day which was once again packed both with show cars and members of the general public. This year quite a few women dressed up fifties style including me. Shirley found a lovely 32 which was up for sale and is now the proud owner of it. With great weather, it was a fantastic weekend and a credit to the committee for once again pulling it off. There does seem to be more and more people turning up without cars and just coming for the party. For me the balance between the cars and the entertainment is about right but there are fears amongst seasoned members that if we are not careful the purpose of the event may be lost and it could go the same way as the NASC Nationals if left unchecked. Hopefully we have reached the peak of the movement towards the music.

September 2016

Paul collecting his runner's up trophy at Eurofinals

I really don’t know what went wrong with September. We just didn’t use the Phaeton. There was nothing wrong with the car or the weather but then again it was a busy month. We had the usual race meetings, the first of which was bitter sweet. Paul’s Shorty dragster was running like a dream, a culmination of a season’s hard work and effort and at the moment he crossed the finish line to reach the final of the Eurofinals. It seemed the team and Paul had cracked it only to be brought back to earth when the car spun and crashed.
 http://livestream.com/santapod/eurofinals2016 (Sunday at 9.18 hours)
The next two weeks were spent hurtling around the country getting the other car sorted for National Finals so I suppose the Phaeton wasn’t really on our minds. It had been a good season with the car and Paul improving by the meeting. We had some frustrating incidents and rain offs at inconvenient times but then that's racing! We were lucky to have the other dragster to enable Paul to race at National Finals but even with all the hard work it was not enough so he was happy to settle for third place in the National Championship.
 

Team Paul Brown Motorsport National Finals



Bizarrely it was only at the end of our overnight stay in Oxford on what proved to be the hottest day of the year that it occurred to us that it might have been a good idea to have gone in the Phaeton not the Astra especially as we stayed in a special hotel, Malmaison (the old prison) for Dave’s birthday. 

Nene Valley Railway, Vintage and Classic Meet, Stibbington Sunday 9^th October

This is a new group for us and one that we will keep an eye out for in future. After such a late start to the good weather this year we are getting the reward now. We set out in the glorious sunshine across the North eastern Bedfordshire countryside and then up the A1 where we got wet for a few minutes. After a stop off for breakfast at the Stibbington transport café alongside some Peterborough Pushrods and Pistons members, we parked in the car park at the Nene Valley Railway for the day, an event organised by Mark Fishpool.

 We took the opportunity to go on the Nene Valley railway to Peterborough and back with Janet and Andy as well look around the museum and yard. The combination of steam engines and Hot Rods is always a good one in my opinion.

Following a new route back via the A47/A43 we arrived at Rushden railway station for the tail end of their 40’s weekend. One of the joys of a car like ours is you can virtually park it anywhere and no one bats an eyelid, so we parked it amongst the vintage stalls and joined the fun on the station platform. Vintage life is so popular now. If I’d been wearing my vintage dress I could have had a free train ride!

Today proved to be the last run of the season and what a great way to finish. The car is destined for a bit of spit and polish before heading off to Coventry Museum to join a special display there early next year.