Gary Chester's other ride - this very tasty five window, heads the collection of rods on the lawn
“We wanted to organise an event that the whole family could enjoy, not just a bunch of drinking buddies," observed Steve during the weekend. One of the key aims of the whole activity was to raise money for the nearby Woking and Sambears Hospice, and through a tomobla and various auctions, the amount raised totalled £3000 - quite an achievent, we'd say. The top prize, of a track day at Silverstone, raised £400, while a group tour of the Hogsback Brewery raised £300. Steve, Dee, Colin and Anna proved to be the perfect hosts throughout the long weekend, which ran to four days if guests wanted to stay for the entire event. Highlights included a scenic cruise through leafy lanes to the nearby Hollycombe Steam Museum, which boasts a working display of fairground rides and engines from the Victorian era, a superb meal and hog roast on Saturday evening, complemented by some great music from the excellent Pitch Hill Union band, a five-mile walk and treasure hunt through the woods on Sunday, and a classic car display at Peaslake Fair on Monday. Above all, though, there was great company to be enjoyed throughout the entire Bank Holiday weekend.
It was an impressive sight with 26 cars assembled outside the house
It's often difficult to have meaningful conversations with friends at major hot rod events, simply because there are too many people to see and things to do, but this gathering was different. You could sit, relax, look at cars and chat all day without distraction. In that respect alone, it was perfect and an extremely pleasant way to begin the wind-down to the end of this year's rodding season. The fact that a healthy sum of money was also raised for a deserving local charity made it all the more worthwhile.
The cruise out made full use of the great weather
Congratulations to everyone who played a part in making the Banyard Backyard Run a great success, notably Colin, Anna, Steve and Dee, and Colin Smith and his friend Derek for the kegs of beer! DRCReview.com would also like to pass on personal thanks to Steve and Dee for the invitation to attend such a special event.
Story: Andy Kirk & Graham Jones
Photos: Andy Kirk
Everyone gets ready for the start of the cruise and there's a scramble for position. Phil Mallas gets the jump on us in his red '34
What a great sight out of the back window!
Pat Miles's '40 Ford in the foreground outside the steam museum
Working old engines are a highlight - as is soot on clothes!
Visitors hang on while the Victorian centrifuge ride does its stuff
Cream teas were the order of the day, modelled here by Tracy (right) and Dee
John Martinez's sedan was one of many '37 Fords at the event
Carl & Mandy made it all the way down from Grimsby with their smart black A pick-up - now without the upright spare wheel
Tony Nash's '34 seems to have benefited from colour matching the fenders to the body, but Tony now says he wants to go for a lighter shade of green. That's the heavily chopped sedan of Andy Miles in the foreground
Pete Angel's Patina'd Model A was in stark contrast to the shiny DRC Model A of Graham Jones
Great entertainment from the Pitch Hill Union Band - everything from Steppenwolf to Mini the Moocher
Maurice Takoor (is there anywhere he hasn't been in that trusty T) and Colin and Sue Ayres were there with their '55 Chevy truck - all the way from Peterborough
Dan Boone took advantage of the sunshine to motor on down in his roadster, shown here between the pick-ups of Steve Bird and organiser Steve Young
Graham 'whiff' Smith's quad carb'd deuce
It was a surprise to learn that Team DRC Reviewers came runner-up in the treasure hunt and quiz on Sunday thanks to the collective efforts of Louis and Brenda Turner, Phil and Sue Mallas, plus a couple of contributions in the Kirk camp. Steve Bird's team came first - drat!
Martin Kelly's '57 Chevy heads up a diverse group of cars which including a 'Cal Look' Karmann Ghia and Porsche Speedster replica
