Events - 2006 and 2007!
Report from Tony Tucker

2006

Another great year for Club events! Although the APM saw some snowy March weather that prevented the "pose" part of the proceedings from taking place, there was plenty to talk about and plan. As in the previous year, many members stayed overnight at the Sidcot Arms and were joined by "locals" for a meal and one or twelve drinks!

Stoneleigh Park saw a best-ever turn-out of cars and, again, a big overnight stay of members at a local inn, where the Brits were joined by a substantial contingent from the Netherlands, including the Speedon team who were launching their Intermeccanica Speedster at the show.

The next big event was the Castle Combe Action Day, a real highlight for the second year running, with a large number of members supported by Chesil Motors, who provided an excellent lunch in the open air. Most cars took to the track, even if only for the parade laps and a hot sunny June day was enjoyed by all.

Smaller events at Stonor Park and The Peppercorn saw several members parade their cars and enjoy air-cooled shows in the summer sunshine and the TiPEC event was also attended by a small, but enthusiastic group (down on last year unfortunately because of a change of date and location from previous years).

This was the year for the Le Mans Classic, which is held in alternate years and the biggest-ever group of Club cars crossed the Channel, some members camping out and some lording it in hotels. Unfortunately, grief befell two stalwarts, with Len Raynsford suffering mechanical problems which saw him back in England rather too quickly and Leslie Bennett having a shunt which has led to him now being the proud owner of a rebuilt Speedster! The others, led by Trevor Hughes and Paul Foreman, had a great weekend!

A new event was introduced at the end of August when a big contingent of Speedsters converged on the Hampshire Pageant of Motoring at Broadlands, home of the Mountbatten family. This one will definitely be repeated in future years.

The Slough Swapmeet and Exeter Kit Car Show brought the season to a close, but we are already planning for next year, as follows:

2007

The APM took place on Sunday 11 March. Saturday night saw 14 members enjoying a meal, drinks and overnight stay at the Sidcot Arms, prior to meeting up with a few locals the next day for the business of the APM. After Yvonne's usual excellent buffet lunch and a stop-off for photographs at Club HQ, we set off on the "pose", this year featuring Vernon's exceptional tour of 6 (or was it more?) local lakes, plus a drive up Cheddar Gorge, which attracted huge attention from the tourists who had been brought out by the sun and who packed the area. Well done, Vernon and Yvonne, great show as always (and the weather was well-nigh perfect this year!)

Other events for this year are as follows:

Saturday, 24 March - Volksworld Show at Sandown Park, Esher, Surrey. If you are there on the day, my mobile is 07899 654543. Several members are certainly attending.

Sunday and Monday, 6 and 7 May - National Kit-Car Show at Stoneleigh Park, near Kenilworth. Biggest event of the year, Club has large marquee as usual. Many members staying over Sunday night at the Old Mill, Baginton (Tel: 02476 302241 ). DO NOT MISS!

Sunday 3rd June - Stonor Park Aircooled Show near Henley on Thames. Meet at 8.30am in car park of the Crown at Pishill (careful with your pronunciation!) half a mile up the road from Stonor. Stunning location and a great show!

Saturday, 9 June - Castle Combe Action Day. Contact me on ajt@speedsters.com or 07899 654543(m) or 020 8643 2531(h) if you want a free ticket (passenger will have to pay, as usual). Club has big area reserved and there is the usual access to the track for those who wish. DO NOT MISS!

Sunday, 22 July - Peppercorn VW Aircooled meeting, Langly, Kent Kent (near Maidstone). Date appears to have gone back 2 weeks from usual, but it's a good show.

Last Sunday in July (still awaiting confirmation) - TIPEC meeting at Elvaston Hall, Derbyshire. Several Club members from the north and Midlands likely to attend - more news soon (or contact me if you want more info and intend going there).

Monday, 27 August - Hampshire Pageant of Motoring, Broadlands, Hampshire. Great classic car show with full Club representation and reserved space for at least 12 cars (more if you let me know!) Free tickets if you contact me! (available in due course). DO NOT MISS!

October - Exeter Kit Car Show (mid-month) as usual - no details yet

November- Slough Swapmeet on first Sunday (Mondem Hall) as usual - no details yet.

There will Club members at all the above. Other shows include European Kit Car Show at Detling, Kent (14/15 April), Rochdale Owners Club Show at Macclesfield (20 May) and three meetings at Goodwood (Festival of Speed on 22-24 June, Revival Meeting on 31 August to 2 September and Breakfast Club on first Sunday every month - August recommended). Anyone expecting to attend any of these, let me know and I'll try and co-ordinate.

There are lots of new cars around the Club this year - look out for Nigel Cousins' stunning Speedster, Leslie Bennett's rebuilt gem, the best car anywhere in the world (I know this is true, because Leslie told me!) and Rob Jones' Intermeccanica Convertible D. Several new members are showing up at Stoneleigh Park and elsewhere, some with new Speedsters to show off!

See you at some/all of the above!!

Tony

P.S. Anyone wanting to bet on what outfit Leslie will turn up in at the next event can place bets with me at any time. At present, the odds are 2/1 James Bond, 5/1 Bugs Bunny, 12/1 Britney Spears and 20/1 clean white jockstrap and frogman's flippers (25/1 Bar)

back to coming events index

back to home page