Watford Rods May Day Meet

04/05/2009

A Top 10 winner was Dave Harrison's steel '32

Upwards of 200 hot rods, custom and American classics braved an unpredictable May Bank Holiday Monday weather forecast for the privilege of parking their wheels on the Croxley Guild of Sports Club turf. The event is organised by the 15 to 20 members of Watford Rods and based at Croxley Green, Hertfordshire, where it has been for the past few years, though six or seven former venues have been utilised by Watford Rods in an event that dates back to around 1976.

“It’s been a bloody great turnout again despite the weather,” said a Watford Rods representative. “We always get a good selection of cars but the weather is usually a problem - and this year was pretty much the same.”

Dave Cowler's '34 coupe

The tried and tested format of a sizeable show field, a couple of trade stands from the NSRA and NASC and a club house for food and refreshments, was utilised. As in previous years the whole show was very well run and even the narrow single track road in and out of the show field – the only way in and out – didn’t seem to cause a problem.

Dave Belcher's Ford Motorsport-powered '32

As for new cars at the show, well a couple that took our interest were Dave Harrison’s traditional black ’32 Roadster sporting a Brookville body, and Dave Belcher's 'dare to be different' Roadster built by Keith Baker which sports some unique touches. Best in show however, went to another ’32 Roadster, only this one was the candy red and flamed example belonging to Paul Rogers. As you probably know, this is another HGHRs-built car and one which seemed to get overlooked last year. With the addition of those Prosign flames the whole car has been visibly lifted and perhaps 2009 could end up being Paul’s year.

Here’s the list of winners from this year’s Watford Rods event.

Best in show

Paul Rogers, ’32 Roadster

The HGHRs-built '32 of Paul Rogers