Rods at the Racecourse

26/10/2007

Anyone looking for an autumnal hot rod fix would have found just the tonic at the recent National Custom & Sports Car Show "Winter Warmer", which took place at the newly refurbished facilities at Doncaster Racecourse over the weekend of October 20-21st.

Organisers, Live Promotions Events Ltd, decided to “cherry pick" a selection of custom cars, hot rods, bikes and modified cars, and reinstate their many awards for the various categories of cars and bikes entered - including "Best in Britain". The show created something of a buzz in an otherwise quiet, off season for hot rodders.

Dave Sturgess drove all the way up from Reading in his coupe

The format was pretty much as before, with displays of rods and customs inside and a mixed bag of other vehicles outside which included a gullwing-doored 'Vette to a fully custom painted US truck. I addition, Terry Grant entertained the fans with his wild antics at the wheel (or on the roof) of his Legends racer.

Steve Fletcher's amazing Woody picked up the coveted "Best in Britain" award

So how did last weekend’s event shape up? We asked indoor event organiser Neil Rodgers to give us his viewpoint.

“Personally I was very pleased with the quality of cars on show and the overall turnout, says Neil. “I believe the promoters were very happy too and they have confirmed their commitment to the show next October. There were about 50 hot rods and customs displayed indoors and about 35 exhibits outside.

“Visitors may remember a large “max power” influence on the show in the past, but those cars now have their own event at Donington Park, so “Donny” will remain very much focused on hot rods and customs. It’s the only indoor show of this size in the UK dedicated to rods and customs.”

We're constantly amazed at the quality of cars being built in the UK and this stunning '57 was another prime example

There are no dates for the 2008 event just yest, but in the meantime, check out the great selection of event photos kindly supplied to DRCReview.com by participant Dave Sturgess.

Story: Andy Kirk
Photos: Dave Sturgess

Ken Mee picked up Best in Show with his Valley Gas-built Fordson

EVENT WINNERS

BEST IN SHOW (not including BIB entries )
Ken Mee 'NITRO' Fordson.

BEST IN BRITAIN
1st place                   Steve Fletcher Ford 'Woodie'
1st Runner up           Les Howlett Model A Roadster
2nd runner up             Geordie Paul Model B Pick-up

Geordie Paul's '32 was another winner

Jon Holmyard showed off this lovely Zephyr 6 - shades of the Harris Bros all over again!

TOP 10 (rest of show)
David Killick                           Green Model A
Paul Croisdale                        Green & black Model Y
Bob Booth                             Gold Model A Coupe
Jon Holmyard                         Silver Zephyr 6
Matt & Sue Langbatt               Cream Willys Sedan
Gary Layton                         Black & Gold Chevy Nova
Pete Edwards                        Red ‘35 Ford Coupe
Steve Fletcher                      ‘46 Chevy Pick up
Derek Gibson                         ‘33 Ford Coupe
Pete Dovedale                       Mustang Convertible

Andy Georgardis took the NASC pick

NASC pick
Andy Georgardis ‘55 Chevy

NSRA pick
Derek Gibson ‘33 Yellow Coupe

Bike Awards
1st Phil Power                      Green and Black Hardcore
2nd John Gibson                   Orange Bobber
3rd Bob Holland                    Red Chopper

Judges/Special Awards
Paul Beamish ( Crazyhorse ) - for his contribution in linking together Hot Rods and Bikes
Paul Kennedy - for his Willys
Gary Layton - for trying to escape from the show by climbing over the railings, and falling off!!
Nostalgia Customs - for their effort put into their Club Stand
Geronimo - for his Trike and his contribution as the 'official cock & knee interpreter'
Ollie and Tom from Live Promotions - for being very helpful throughout the weekend
Ray Young’s 57 Nomad - for being just out of the Top 10
Larry Ward’s Roadrunner - again for just being out of the Top 10

Nostalgia customs picked up an award for their club display, which featured life-sized and very realistic looking gouls

Steve Fletcher had his multi-flamed pick-up on show too

Melissa Gee's steel five-window (above/below) sports very fashionable aircraft-style aluminium seats and of course, lots of pinstriping

Derek Gibson's ‘33 Coupe was the NSRA's pick of the show

John Unsworth's seriously slammed '37 pick-up

The Adrian Smith built combo for Crazthorse's owner

This super-straight '56 Chevy was a show highlight

'
Late model gullwing 'Vette was unusual

There's obviously a lot of tall people in Doncaster!

The Mopar stand had some great models on show, including this very clean Challenger

There were numerous tri Chevy models on display, and all were pretty much immaculate

Well-hard Keith Atkinson drove his open roadster up in convoy with Dave Sturgess - a brave man at this time of year

Rumour has it Jon Golding arrived back from the US on Friday and got straight in his '32 pick-up for the drive up to Donny

This is the first time we can recall anyone customizing this model Zephyr/Zodiac, but we liked the effect