SPEED DEMONS 3
Saturday 9th August
Today like any other day I had to face typical british weather, typical british traffic, typical british country lanes and lack of road signs, not to mention typical inconsiderate british motorists, but all that crap melted right away when I arrived at Siddington Hall for the Speed Demons Classic Car Show weekend. Siddington is in the arse end of no where, which was perfect for this kind of event, upon arrival I was greeted, as always when I see him, with a huge smile courtesy of the events organizer Tony ‘Bones’, aka ‘ The Lada Killer’. Who also happens to have a Classic Car entourage for sale, which he has brought with him to the show.
This event, like the array of classic cars on show, ranging from Buick’s to Prefects
seems to derive from the old saying, ‘If its not broken don’t try and fix it’, and that’s exactly the way we love it, there would have been events like this all over the place back in the hey day and ‘Bones’ has followed that formula to perfection. I swear I was seeing in black and white as its as it felt like a trip back in time, (maybe that was the rum I was drinking).
This event mimics the nostalgic get togethers of the good ole folks of yesteryear, friendly, welcoming, does exactly what it says on the tin… erm flyer.
Me, Lisa and the kids came along for the ride,
I was right in my element with the band and bring your own beer,
the kids were a little bored and went wild, and constantly asking when, ‘grandpa Dave’, was going to get here so that they could play football in the pouring down rain, bless em. Lisa was happy cos I put the tent up on my own, again, with some help from a weary hung over Wayne, (Cresta), which is a good job cos it had no bloody instructions. To add insult to injury our BBQ wouldn’t work, that’s right I look like a cave man and I cant make fire, Luckily Jackie was on hand and had things firmly under control, as she had the idea to wake up Bernie and ask to use his campervan cooker, which she kindly made the kids some burgers, who then typical didn’t eat them. Sorry!
It was a small event bar none, but that didn’t stop people turning up in their masses, and everyone sinner or saint was there to have fun and enjoy the offerings. The weather was typically damp throughout most of the day, which found most of us that were awake, (no prize for guessing who was asleep in they camper van at 4pm in the day), ducking for cover under some of the members of the Guzzlers car club tent and much needed and appreciated BBQ hut de ville. Many thanks to you guys/gals if your reading this, and thanks to Dougy for stoping Tyler’s chair from constantly falling over after drinking his juice out of a cobra beer bottle.
The Stone-Age Record Hop plus guest DJ’s played a perfect blend of swinging tunes and foot tapping beats. The band were a rocking trio playing many old time classics and favourites, like Johnny Cash, Eddie Cochran, Elvis, to name but a few, the music was playing people dancing, Mark shown us he could move like the wind, and put the rest of us to shame, while we sat swigging booze and chatting away. There were also a few people jiving and a fun time was had by all.
After the band had played and many people fizzled out and retired to their tents, there was a massive BBQ, courtesy again of the Guzzlers crew, (Many thanks again). And a cool matt black consul with pin stripes on white walls, was kicking out a variety of tunes till the early morning.
As always our club of most of them that were at the event, this consisted of Dave & Lesley and daughter and dog, Wayne, Bernie Whisky Mac, Johnny and Gill, Me running on empty, and some biker gal from stoke, who rode a fucking 600 motorbike duck (who refused an offer of a jumper to keep her warm!!). We were the last man/men and gals standing, and making all manners of strange noises and disturbing conversations till the very early hours, I retired earlier than most that night, despite a barrage of insults from the rest of the crew, (although try and explain to a group of drunken car enthusiasts short of a few pistons that the kids will be up real early!) It doesn’t work.
Sunday 10th of August
Sure enuff and as predicted in a drunken stupor the previous night, the kids were awake at 7:15 am, I told you so springs to mind. So while I was trying keep them from waking up the entire village and fellow campers, we sprung forth into my consul and headed west I think, and ended up at bloody McDonalds for breakfast. I also treated my car to a much needed bath at a nearby petrol station. Dave was kind enough to let my kids shadow him all day and played football with em. Cheers for that.
Upon a our return the sun was shining and complementing the chrome on an entourage of fine looking steel, that had already lined up ready for the days viewings.
Most of our crew were lively if not the walking dead. Bernie disappeared quick smart and transformed his Renault camper van into a Plymouth Fury ready for the day. Although there wasn’t many cars that showed up what did was plenty for the looking. There was a couple of nice 32 style big money rods there with the chrome a gleaming and some too cool old skool rat style rods, plenty of flames, chrome, and whitewalls for everyone and a couple of interesting stock motors too, a very nice the big yellow chevy fleet pick up truck, and of course not forgetting Dave’s lead sled Buick, wit its cool custom decals and paint. Aswell as few other interesting mark II that didn’t belong to our club.
The band from the previous nights performance was up and at em with a few more members to toot, and the prior nights drinking had not slowed them any and they were playing like fire to the crowd, whose feet were a tapping while the big bass and vocals wailed. All we needed was some tractors and hay and we could have been Dixie style. There was a van selling hot food and drinks all day. There was also a strange man with a walking stick who said he was scared of the trees falling down, and was going to enter the X factor thing?!
This was my first Speed Demons but it definitely wont be my last, for £5 per person you would be daft to miss it, included in this price is camping, DJs playing R’n’R music all day/night long, a live band, and a car show, what more could you ask for. Many thanks to Tony ‘Bones’ and crew for organizing such an outstanding event, and to Jackie and Wayne for helping me feeds my kids and put up the tent, and thanks to Wayne for keeping me watered with Budweiser. And to Dave for keeping my kids entertained, while I drank liquer. If 50’s style nostalgia is what you want you don’t have to look further than Speed Demons events, cool cars, cool music, cool people, need I say more, so come on down to the next one!
review by cool4door60 (paul g)