FIRST ANDY SAUNDERS’ AWARD AT BEAULIEU’S FATHER’S DAY HOT ROD & CUSTOM DRIVE-IN DAY

FIRST ANDY SAUNDERS’ AWARD AT BEAULIEU’S FATHER’S DAY HOT ROD & CUSTOM DRIVE-IN DAY

New show ambassador Andy Saunders presented his first award at Beaulieu’s popular Hot Rod & Custom Drive-In Day Father’s Day event, as 5,484 event-goers and 380 hot rods and customised vehicles gathered in the grounds of the National Motor Museum.

Getting the retro weekend off to a great start was Simply VW on Saturday, June 15th, with 528 Volkswagens and 1,280 show-goers joining the chilled-out show, as part of a retro motoring weekend with Vintage Village fashions, live music and dancing.

Renowned car customizer Andy Saunders picked Michael Castle’s Pro Street 1980 Ford Cortina as his car of the show at Hot Rod & Custom Drive-In Day, which is held in association with Solent Renegades club. Delighting show-goers with the roar of its brutal 8.2-litre V8 engine, Michael had driven this drag racing star down to the show from Middlesbrough.

Presenting a custom-made trophy and Autoglym valeting pack to Michael, Andy said: “It was tricky narrowing it down from my 32 favourites but this Cortina is fabulous and epitomises what we were doing on the custom scene in the late 1980s and early 1990s. It was built 30 years ago but has only recently resurfaced and the work that has gone into building the car is absolutely incredible... and road-legal. It doesn’t get any better than this!”

The award for Best Custom went to Chris Clemens, from Winchester, for his 1960 Morris Minor 1000. Andy, who presented trophies and Autoglym packs to all of the winners, said: “This car is so pretty with its cherry red paint. It is beautiful to see a custom car of this age where everything is correct, from the slot mag wheels to the twin-cam engine.”

The Best Hot Rod award went to Dave and Carole Sharp, who had driven from Kent in their stunning 1928 Ford Model A. Best Bike was awarded to Chris Head and Dave Hiles, from West Moors in Dorset, for their monster-engine trike, while the coveted Best in Show award was presented to Dave and Angie Owen, from Bournemouth, for their bright orange V8-powered 1955 Ford Anglia. Andy was joined to present the Best American award by Solent Renegades’ Dan Potter, who had chosen the 1951 Pontiac Chieftain owned by Barry Dunwoodie, from Ringwood.

For the first time in 2019, Classic American magazine held the regional heats of its Car of the Year award at the show, inviting the best unmodified American cars to compete. Earning a place in the competition final at the NEC’s Classic Motor Show in November was Brian Forsdike, from the Isle of Wight, for his 1957 Ford Thunderbird.

Andy, who arrived at the show in his 1937 Cord Westchester Tetanus, spent the day talking to fans and revealed his new project, a Riley RM. He said: “At International Autojumble last September, I bought a pair of wings for a pre-war Delahaye 135M, which have a wonderful shape to them but I needed to find a car to fit them to. I eventually found this Riley RM, which will be ideal for my next car build. I’ll restore the original chassis and keep the stock Riley running gear but I can make a whole new body for it, which will be lower and sleeker. I don’t know how long it will take . . . but I hope it doesn’t take 14 years like Tetanus did!”

Also wowing show-goers was the famous hot rod Coffee Grinder, one of the first American hot rods to be imported to England in the 1960s. It was brought over by celebrated pop-artist Gerald Laing and has recently been bought back by his sons. The impressive selection of cars on show included smooth low-riders, powerful pick-up trucks and stock American classics dating as far back as the 1920s. The event also included a special show of bikes, from retro scooters to choppers and monster-engine trikes.

At the Breeze Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles-sponsored Simply VW event on Saturday, the People’s Choice Award was presented to Russell Payton, from Newbury, with his restored 1964 Karmann Ghia. Runners-up were Sarah Walkey, from Portsmouth, with her pink wrapped 2013 Beetle and Brandon Hayes, from Wimborne, with his custom-style 2000 Beetle. They were both presented with Autoglym prizes by Stuart Hack, the sponsor’s Head of Business.

Across the weekend, Bows & Braces ran a colourful Vintage Village packed with nostalgic collectables, records, jewellery, luggage, kitchenware and retro clothing. There was a bigger than ever Vintage Tea Tent, while Bournemouth Lindy Hop Club gave dance demonstrations with Jitterbug Jive and there was live music on the arena stage.

On Saturday, Bows & Braces presented the Best Dressed Vehicle award to Sharon Drewell, from the Isle of Wight, who brought the impressive combination of her 1968 VW Beetle towing her 1963 Eriba Puck caravan. On Sunday, the Best Dressed Individual awards went to six-year-old Aylar Pashapour, from the New Forest, while the Best Dressed Group was Frank and Pam Annable, from Bournemouth, and Best Dressed Vehicle was the Mad Max-style 1993 Lexus of Rogan McGilp, from Hereford.

Coming next on Beaulieu’s events calendar is Simply Land Rover on June 23rd, Simply Jaguar on July 14th, Simply Japanese on July 28th and Beaulieu Supercar Weekend on August 3rd-4th. For tickets and details see www.beaulieu.co.uk/events.

FAMOUS COFFEE GRINDER TO CAUSE A STIR AT BEAULIEU’S HOT ROD & CUSTOM DRIVE-IN DAY ON FATHER’S DAY

FAMOUS COFFEE GRINDER TO CAUSE A STIR AT BEAULIEU’S HOT ROD & CUSTOM DRIVE-IN DAY ON FATHER’S DAY

Famous hot rod Coffee Grinder will cause a stir at Hot Rod & Custom Drive-In Day as one of the awesome creations at Beaulieu’s vibrant Father’s Day event on Sunday, June 16th.

The super-smooth 1930 Ford Model A roadster – which was customised in America in the late 1950s, imported to England by celebrated pop-artist Gerald Laing and recently bought back by his sons – will be at the heart of the display of 500 incredible hot rods, customised vehicles and American classics at the action-packed show.

A legend in the custom car world and celebrated for its cool styling, powerful V8 engine and impressive build quality, Coffee Grinder will be a must-see for every hot rod fan when it returns to Beaulieu.

Held in association with the Solent Renegades club, Hot Rod & Custom Drive-In Day is paired with Breeze Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles-sponsored Simply VW on Saturday, June 15th – for a retro motoring weekend against the backdrop of live music, dancing and a two-day Vintage Village in the grounds of the National Motor Museum.

At Hot Rod & Custom Drive-In Day, the amazing machines of Hard Up Garage are sure to be another crowd-pleaser as the popular car modifiers and dealers start up a selection of hot rods and muscle cars. Join their frontman Sam Hard as he demonstrates flame-spitting rat rods, cool American muscle cars and eye-catching hot rods.

Bikes and trikes are always a key part of the show and will this year have their own special area for a showcase of two and three-wheeled dream machines. From sublime classics and retro scooters to choppers and monster-engine trikes, a wide variety of machines will be on show as bike fans park up in the showground.

For the first time this year, renowned car customizer Andy Saunders has become the event’s ambassador and will be judging and presenting his own award for the most eye-catching modified car of the show. This giant of the custom car world will arrive in style in his freshly re-engineered 1937 Cord 812 Westchester Tetanus, then meet show-goers and answer their questions.

Classic American magazine will be holding the heats for its Car of the Year competition at the event. Show participants with qualifying unmodified American cars of any era will be invited to compete, with a trophy for the owner of the most impressive machine and automatic entry into the finals at the NEC’s Classic Motor Show in November.

Across the weekend, get into the vintage groove with live music, dancing and a vibrant two-day Vintage Village by Bows & Braces. Shop for nostalgic collectables, records, jewellery, luggage, kitchenware and retro clothing from the 1920s - ’80s, then chill out with retro refreshments in a bigger than ever Vintage Tea Tent.

Dress up in vintage finery to win a prize for the best dressed VW on Saturday or individual, family or group on Sunday. You can even get the perfect retro updo at Paula’s Vintage Parlour, which will create a range of glamorous styles from the 1920s - ’60s.

Take to the dance floor with Jitterbug Jive as Bournemouth Lindy Hop Club puts event-goers through their paces with dance demonstrations over the weekend. Enjoy toe-tapping music on both days, with newly confirmed blues musician Rob Berry performing on Saturday, and on Sunday Bad Detectives, Spitfire Sisters and the roaming Mariachi el Mexicano band.

Getting the retro weekend off to a great start, Simply VW will be a chilled-out affair, celebrating Volkswagen cars and vans of every era. Last year saw a record 537 Volkswagens cruise into the grounds of the Beaulieu attraction, including camper vans, Karmann Ghias, Beetles, beach buggies, Golfs, Polos, Passats and Sciroccos – and this year’s show is set to follow in its tyre-tracks.

Why not make a weekend of it and enjoy both shows with free camping on the Saturday for participants displaying an eligible vehicle at Hot Rod & Custom Drive-In Day. Or camping is available at £10 for all Simply VW participants who would like to stay for the next day’s show.

If you own a relevant vehicle and would like to take part in either show, email details of your car or bike for consideration to events@beaulieu.co.uk or call 01590 614614. Camping must be booked in advance.

Event tickets can be bought in advance online and include admission to the whole of the Beaulieu attraction, including the National Motor Museum with its new Chitty Chitty Bang Bang 50 years exhibition, World of Top Gear, On Screen Cars, 13th century Beaulieu Abbey, the Montagu ancestral home of Palace House and its gardens and grounds. For tickets and more information see www.beaulieu.co.uk/events.

Find us on Twitter @Beaulieu_Hants, on Facebook at /nationalmotormuseum or on Instagram @national_motor_museum and join the conversation with #hotrodday and #vintagevillage.

THE RODEO DRIVE CONCOURS D’ELEGANCE OPENS ENTRIES FOR ITS 2019 FATHER’S DAY CAR SHOW

THE RODEO DRIVE CONCOURS D’ELEGANCE OPENS ENTRIES FOR ITS 2019 FATHER’S DAY CAR SHOW

The 26th annual Rodeo Drive Concours d’Elegance will showcase more than 100 rare and exotic cars this Father’s Day, June 16, 2019, with a free event hosted on the most elegant shopping boulevard in America. Local shops and restaurants will be open throughout the event giving visitors even more to enjoy.                                                                   

Beverly Hills, Calif. (April 9, 2019) – The Rodeo Drive Concours d’Elegance will return to Beverly Hills, California on Sunday, June 16, 2019 celebrating 26 years as the must-attend Father’s Day event in Los Angeles. The event, which welcomes all, will present fathers and their families an up-close look at some of the world’s most prestigious vehicles against the luxurious backdrop of designer boutiques that line the city’s most famous street. Entries are now being accepted for show cars including the flagship class celebrating a century of Bentley Motors. 

The 2019 Rodeo Drive Concours will be headlined by the featured class celebrating 100 years of legendary British marque Bentley. The class will line the entire 200 block of Rodeo Drive with a selection of the rarest, most historic Bentley vehicles alongside the latest creations from the brand’s headquarters in Crewe, England. Further along Rodeo Drive, the 300 and 400 blocks will host curated classes including European classics, American muscle cars, pre-war cars, race cars and the latest luxury and exotic offerings from around the world.

“This year’s event will celebrate the 100th anniversary of Bentley, a marque defined by the elegance and excellence that surrounds you on Rodeo Drive,” said Bruce Meyer, Chairman of the Rodeo Drive Concours d’Elegance. “We’re proud to celebrate the history and craftsmanship of Bentley on its 100th anniversary. As one of the world’s most respected luxury and performance brands, there is a natural link between Bentley and the iconic Rodeo Drive. Our Father’s Day event will showcase the best of the best from around the world.”

Bentley is renowned today as one of the world’s foremost builders of luxury grand tourers and SUVs, and the marque’s 100-year history includes a litany of successes to add to that resume. From its dominance in racing including six overall victories at the 24 hours of Le Mans to its timeless designs and revolutionary engineering achievements – Bentley has reshaped the auto industry over the last century and has earned its place on Rodeo Drive on June 16.

In the 26 years since its beginnings at Beverly Hills High School, the Rodeo Drive Concours has become one of the most eagerly awaited annual events in Los Angeles. Considered a Father’s Day tradition for many Angelinos, the show offers a unique blend for car lovers and their families. Rodeo Drive Concours d’Elegance invites car owners of all types to submit their cars for consideration in 2019. Entries are now being accepted at http://rodeodrive-bh.com/26th-annual-rodeo-drive-concours-delegance-application-2019-2/.

The event benefits the Beverly Hills Police Foundation, a non-profit charity raising funds for officers and their families. Parking for the event is available at local parking garages and entry to the event is free.

SALON PRIVÉ ANNOUNCE SPECTACULAR NEW PUBLIC DAY ‘SALON PRIVÉ CLASSIC & SUPERCAR’

SALON PRIVÉ ANNOUNCE SPECTACULAR NEW PUBLIC DAY ‘SALON PRIVÉ CLASSIC & SUPERCAR’

 Salon Privé prides itself in continually evolving, offering brand new visitor experiences year after year, and this year promises not to disappoint.

Previously two separate events co-existed; Salon Privé and Blenheim Palace Classic & Supercar. Salon Privé offered three days of private full hospitality entertainment on the South Lawn of Blenheim Palace, followed by a public day spread across the Great Court and surrounding North Lawn of the stunning Oxfordshire Estate. For 2019, the two events will merge with Salon Privé becoming a four-day event format and the newly-launched Salon Privé Classic & Supercar taking place on the South Lawn Enclosure and North Lawn on Sunday 8th September 2019.

Visitors on the Public Day will have the option of purchasing a North Lawn ticket from £21.00 or a combined North Lawn & South Lawn Enclosure ticket from £36.00. The upgraded South Lawn Enclosure ticket includes full access to the supercar manufacturers, classic car specialists and luxury brands exhibiting within Salon Privé. On top of this, the North Lawn ticket includes a GT Tour display of 80 supercars, the Supercar Club Paddock with 500 supercars from Ferrari, McLaren, Lamborghini & Porsche, the Bentley Drivers Club Annual Concours and 1,001 Bentleys, celebrating the marque’s Centenary….

Salon Privé’s Co-Founder and Sales Director, David Bagley commented: “We have so much planned for the day on both lawns and look forward to welcoming enthusiasts, collectors & owners from throughout the UK and indeed, overseas. We’re particularly proud to be hosting the Bentley Drivers Club Annual Concours and partnering with them to create the largest collection of Bentleys ever gathered at a single event to mark the 100th anniversary of Bentley Motors. With in excess of 1,001 Bentleys attending and enthusiasts of the marque flying in from all corners of the globe, it promises to be a celebration to remember!”

Bagley went on to say: “Thanks to the flexibility of Blenheim Palace, Salon Privé is able to evolve continually, allowing us to present something new and exciting for our guests each year. The new format this year offers the ideal opportunity to create a ‘Club Day’ and work more closely with the car clubs of Ferrari, Lamborghini, McLaren and Porsche, as well as Bentley and Rolls-Royce who will have their own preferential parking area on the North Lawn. A trio of exciting new club awards will be up for grabs and presented later in the day within the South Lawn Enclosure. These will be the Salon Privé Secretary’s Trophy, the Salon Privé Manufacturer’s Trophy and for the people’s choice and best club car on the day, the Salon Privé Club Trophy.”

For more information about tickets, please visit the website: https://www.salonpriveconcours.com/classic-and-supercar/

MORE CLUBS THAN EVER ON SHOW AS NEC RESTORATION SHOW CONTINUES TO EXPAND

MORE CLUBS THAN EVER ON SHOW AS NEC RESTORATION SHOW CONTINUES TO EXPAND

Next year’s Practical Classics Classic Car & Restoration Show, with Discovery, is set to be a record breaker as it will be the biggest yet! Another hall is being added, increasing the show by 20 per cent, to provide more space for new classic car clubs and those clubs who want to do more live working at the show.

Some 175 clubs will attend the three-day event held at Birmingham’s NEC from 22-24 March 2019. Of those confirmed, 13 clubs appearing are making their spring debut at the show.

Acting Show Director Lee Masters said: “This is the fastest growing motor show in the UK which proves just how much interest there is, not only in the classic car market but in owners wanting to look after their own cars. As well as advice and expertise on restoration, we aim to also provide valuable knowledge on how to maintain and service your own vehicles which can save owners time and money in the future.”

Ford fans will be well catered for with the Ford AVO Owners Club continuing the 50th-anniversary celebrations of the Escort Mexico by displaying an ex-press car that is undergoing restoration. The Mk1-5 Cortina Owners Club celebrates its 30^th year with a stand featuring a fully restored Mk 4 Cortina 2.3S believed to be the only one on UK roads.

The Tickford Owners Club celebrates 50 years of the Ford Capri with a superb mix of project and restored cars. The RS500 Owners community pay tribute to the brilliant driver, Rudi Eggenberger, who sadly passed away this year. His exploits in the Cosworth RS500 touring car were legendary and the stand features one of his racers.

For something a little more unusual, the Retro Caravan Club stand is a must-visit.  Displaying caravans at different stages of restoration, including a barn-find example, visitors can watch repairs being made to one during the show.

Staying with the unusual theme, the Buckler Register enthusiastically promotes these fascinating British sports cars, and show-goers can watch members build an example from a bare chassis to a running car and admire a Buckler 90 that has never been on the road. And remember the tiny Peel P50 hailing from the Isle of Man? The Peel Owners Club will attempt to build one during the show.

British cars are also well represented amongst the debutantes, including the MG Car Club’s Young Members Group. Highlights of the Group’s stand include an MGB GT in daily use, a barn finds MGA Coupe and an MG ZT-T in concours condition. And be sure to visit the 1100 Club which will be showcasing maintenance and restoration work alongside fascinating technical displays.

For more Britishness, the Rover Coupe Owners Club is marking 20 years since the end of Coupe production and 30 years since the launch of the R8 platform that underpinned the stylish sports car. A very early, pre-release press car is a highlight of the stand and restoration work will begin at the show. With numerous Vauxhall anniversaries to be celebrated - including 30 years of the Calibra coupe - visitors should head to the Vauxhall Bedford Opel Association stand.

German marques are well represented, too, with the Quattro Owners Club displaying the first ever UK model that requires restoration. Visitors to the Scirocco Register stand can enjoy the 45^th anniversary of the Mk 1 model and admire one of the earliest cars in existence, a 1974 Scirocco TS.

With such a great selection of clubs making their debut, the 2019 show promises to be better than ever. For more information as well as all the ticket prices and booking details, visit www.necrestorationshow.com

RALLY DAY Missed out on Advance Tickets? Tickets are available on the gate for £25 per adult - Under 17's go FRE

Missed out on Advance Tickets? Tickets are available on the gate for £25 per  adult - Under 17's go FREE! SHOW OPENING TIMES: 9am - 5.00pm JUST CONFIRMED! As if the line-up couldn't get any better, we are delighted to announce the attendance ofAndreas Bakkerud! The 25-year-old, a six-time winner in the FIA World Rallycross Championship will drive M-Sport's Ford Fiesta R5. To hear from Andreas himself, he will take to the interview stage in the main paddock at 2:30. Plus, KEITH CRONIN! One week to the day after being crowned British Rally Champion for the third time,Keith Cronin will be back aboard a Ford Fiesta R5 at Saturday’s Rallyday. Keith and Andreas join Stig Blomqvist, Jari-Matti Latvala, Elfyn Evans, Ott Tanak, Harri Toivonen, Nicky Grist and Malcolm Wilson in this year's incredible line up! Timetable: Gates open at 09:00 09:00 Clubman & Open Track Sessions 09:30 Harri Toivonen interview (Interview Stage) 10:00 Jari-Matti Latvala interview (Interview Stage) 10:30 Ott Tänak interview (Interview Stage) 11:00 Series McRae Parade 11:00 Malcolm Wilson OBE interview (Interview Stage) 11:30 Clubman & Open Track sessions re-open 11:30 Stig Blomqvist interview (Interview Stage) 12:00 AWDC Infield demo 12:30 Feature Car demo stage 14:00 Keith Cronin Interview (Interview Stage) 14:30 4x4 Infield parade 14:30 Andreas Bakkerud Interview (Interview Stage) 15:00 Clubman & Open Track sessions re-open 15:00 Elfyn Evans interview (Interview Stage) 15:30 Nicky Grist interview (Interview Stage) 16:00 Spirit of Rallyday presentation (Interview Stage) Gates close at 17:00 McRAE STICKERS Missed out on a Free Limited Edition sticker with advance tickets? We have a LIMITED amount to sell on the day for £2.50. Pick yours up from the Club Shop in the main paddock! OFFICIAL PROGRAMME Our official souvenir programme will be for sale from the programme booths around the circuit. Pick yours up for £5 to read up on your favourite stars - don't forget to collect thier autographs! The programme doubles up as your handy guide of maps, timetables, Clubs listings, Feature Car listings and traders to visit on the day! See you on Saturday! On the Gate Prices: Adults £25 // Under 17's go FREE!

Copyright © 2017 Castle Combe Circuit, All rights reserved.