Wow! What a great day today turned out to be! It was an early enough start for us, I was up and about at 6am getting ready and making sure we were all packed for the day, I nearly had to forcibly remove Luke from his cot, he’s far too used to having a nice long lie in!
Hit the road shortly after 7.30, mindful of the fact I wanted to be there first to help set up, plus the Farnborough air show is not too far away, the traffic even at that time could have been a problem. As it was we were on site just before 8.00, I needn’t have worried!!
Shortly after we arrived, Bob, Mike and Taffyopel arrived, along with Flingkiwi who had got himself lost on the way in. Basically, Elvetham Heath is a new commuter mini town, as such, there aren’t many maps that cover it and Sat nav’s still aren’t too sure – Luckily, a spell as a home delivery driver meant I knew it very well!
TonyT and family arrived followed by the GSi’s in Cara’s Signum. After we’d got the cars aligned we set up the club banner. Mark had phoned me on Saturday and kindly offered to bring one down with him, unfortunately, he’s got a few ‘in stock’ and managed to find the East Region banner! Still the thought was there and to be fair, it did make us stand out among the Scooby’s and Mitsubishi’s that invaded ‘our’ field!
The Burger van beckoned, so it was off for a bit of brekkie, and a wander around, I found a car rental firm with a difference. Fancy renting an Aston DB9 for the day? £600 plus deposit!! Yes! Per day!!
The local BMW dealer were displaying there, I went to look at the 1 series they had on the pitch. A 130 with a few motorsport options, including some of the most comfortable seats I’ve sat in, ruined by being set waay too high and the most obstructive short shift I’ve ever tried. The price for this? £39000!!! For a 1 series!!! The salesman made an attempt to impress Mark and I, but he was fighting a losing battle!
We moved on and found the Cleanwheels UK stand. We made a few purchases, they were quite keen on price for the day and they were virtually giving Megs away, due to the company becoming disillusioned with them. Basically, the 1-2-3 stages for £17.50! Total bargain. Barry, the owner said he wanted shot of everything Megs on the day, he wasn’t taking it back with him, which meant some silly offers were accepted for some nice gear! Clay kits for a fiver!!
We popped over the road to the local pub and had a nice bit of lunch and saw the first air displays of the day of the Eurofighter. I’m not a ‘plane buff, but it was bluddy impressive the moves it was making, then the noise….
The rest of the afternoon was a nice relaxed affair, Mark and I even managed to get Wayne to part with some more pocket money on a clay kit, we then did the whole car for him on the pitch in double quick time! He was absolutely flabbergasted as to how easy it was! I think we may have another budding detailer on our hands!!
I’ve been talking to Barry from Cleanwheels about staging a detailing and demo day at his premises in Camberley, sometime early in October. He’s keen on the idea, so it will be arranged as soon as it’s practically possible, watch out for announcements in the South Central region.
I’d just like to say thanks to all who came today, Ian for trying to twist more arms to join us and for coming the distance he did, Taffyopel and Mike for joining straight in with us and all the banter, Bobsignum for making sure the newcomers got here safely, Mark and Cara, again travelling the distance and for bringing the banner, TonyT and family for their company and the Kids were great and of course Flyingkiwi (Wayne) for taking the ‘abuse’ on the chin and not getting the hump!!
Next year, it’s back again, I’ll definitely be booking space again, I really recommend it, loads to see and do, a Pub over the road for a rather agreeable lunch and a really relaxed, laid back atmosphere.
Anyway, a few pictures of the day.
Mark has decided he wants to be a redneck. Nothing to do with getting sunburned….
Yep, a Diablo and XJ220 together!
The £600 a day Aston…
And another!!
These Focus ST’s were all on the Cleanwheels pitch. They were all superbly presented.
Plato’s favourite car….
Another pair of Morgan’s enjoying the day!
Anyone know a song about these?
A real one!
Mini’s!
And the ‘gayest’ car there!
Taffyopel wouldn’t stop polishing!
The stand from a distance.
And the happiest man of the day.
That’s it, see you next time!
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