Thursday 8th - Sunday 11th August 2019
We needed
the weather to be kind to us at this event, as so many other car shows were spoilt
by rain this year. Ignoring the 45 mph winds we had on Saturday and the rain
showers we experienced, I would say we were well and truly lucky with the
weather this year. All around the country, including just a mile or two away,
there was torrential rain and thunderstorms so we definitely dodged a bullet.
This event
just gets bigger every year. The pre-entries were up on last year and the
Sunday Show and Shine didn’t fit into the arena, so an overflow parking area
was used and the public car park was rammed too, so hopefully much needed
revenue will have been taken to counteract the losses at Rutland.
There was
something for everyone- as well as the cars of course, we had two music marquees
catering to all different tastes. We enjoyed Ian Dury and the Blackheads on
Saturday. There was a surf board machine, a large movie screen with films
including “Deuce of Spades”- probably my favourite hot rodding movie. With our
cars parked in the arena, it looked like a real drive in movie theatre. The
catering vans were of good quality and value- we indulged in the fish and chips
from the Red Bus, fried chicken from Chicken George and pie and mash from the
pie and mash stand- all very nice. For those that wanted it, there was a
funfair, a wall of death and a Merlin engine to see (and hear) – plenty of
entertainment for the children- and even the Mansion House was open to visitors
this weekend, which was a nice addition to the programme.
Thursday was
rock up, set up and chill day for pre-entered members. After a few teething
problems with the new booking in system everyone was soon settled and catching
up with the gossip. Friday, Dave organised a drive out for 20 cars to Paul
Sharman’s workshop near Gamblingay, where he showed us all round and explained
what he does and showed us some of the plane engines he and his team are
working on. The sun shone and we enjoyed a picnic surrounded by hangars and a
circle of Hot Rods. As if that wasn’t enough the owner of the airfield wheeled
out his classic plane for a photo opportunity with the cars and then he hopped
into his stunt plane and gave us a marvellous air display! Later in the
afternoon we called into Buckland Engineering to see what they were up to and
again the members enjoyed looking at the work in progress.
Saturday, One of the East Anglia Air Ambulance helicopters flew in (NSRA's chosen charity.)
With the weather threatening the cancellation of the cruise, we did get the
Ok to go ahead from Luton Council and about 160 cars set out on a blowy journey
through Central Bedfordshire, until they reached the special parking area in
Stockwood Park. After a picnic, most people went into the Discovery Centre and
saw the Mossman Collection- the largest collection of horse drawn vehicles in
the country. Unfortunately due to the wind blowing down a tree and the threat
of more to come, the gardens and the pathway to the local section of the museum
was closed but we were just grateful we were able to be there at all and without
getting wet. Back at Old Warden Park, the wind had died down quite a bit and
the sun was shining, perfect for watching the film at the “Drive-In”. Later in
the evening we enjoyed watching Ian Dury before heading home (which we did
every evening as its only 10 miles away and we don’t do camping!)
The Sunday
Show and Shine was quite spectacular. The main show field was soon filled and
an overflow car park was set up for Sunday pre-1972 cars. The general public
were out in force, spending money at the trade stands and enjoying the cars and
other attractions. As always, we watched the prize giving before heading home
at the end of another successful Super Nats. All credit to the committee of
volunteers and other helpers for putting on this show. The amount of work
involved to pull this off is enormous.
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