What's happening at Bristol Hotrods February 2012 Put your boot down to raise some money Nick Leonard is organising a cruise on Easter Saturday (7th April) hoping to help raise some money for Bristol Childrens Hospice. Meeting up at SS Great Britain at 10am, then on to Oakham Treasures for a few hours, then drive to either Clevedon or Weston-Super-Mare. Take an old boot or welly [or car boot] in to work and get everyone to help fill it up with all their loose change. Oakham Treasures (http://www.oakhamtreasures.co.uk) will give a group discount, but need to know roughly how many will turn up - they have space for about 60 hotrods. Contact Nick for more details: Just added: A couple of old pics - young Merv Barnett and Derrick Hicks go towing.. January 2012 Sandblasting Just to let you know that Colin Fox at Avon County Road & Race has a sandblasting cabinet, so if you are looking for any parts to be blasted clean then give him a shout. The cabinet will take just about anything up to inlet manifolds, including wheels, and it produces an amazing clean finish in no time at all. Rate would be £20 per half hour of blasting - and that would get a lot of brackets and parts done. Give Colin a call on 07772 131861 if you need some parts blasting and he’ll see what we can do for you. Yanks Weekend, Shakespeare County Raceway Martin Goldingay would like to extend an invitation to Bristol Hotrods to attend the 6th annual Yanks Weekend incorporating the NASC’s [National Association of Street Clubs] Gary’s Picnic held annually at the raceway on the weekend of 25th/27th May 2012. If interested in attending as a club, contact Phil.. Yanks Weekend email A few more dates added to the Calendar: The Classic Ford Show to be held at Santa Pod on Sunday 27th May 2012 Grillstock BBQ & Music Festival 30th June & 1st July and Dragstalgia at Santa Pod 14th-15th July Doing Grillstock again? The organisers of Grillstock say they'd love the Bristol guys to come back in 2012! If you can make the whole weekend then great! If it's better for you to come just one day then no worries. They say they'd be very pleased to offer you all, and your familes/friends guest tickets to get in free, as well making sure you are all well fed and watered. As usual, talk to Phil! Grillstock 2011 Vintage Nostalgia show in South Wiltshire From the Organisers: The Vintage Nostalgia show is in South Wiltshire in the beautiful Wylye Valley in between Salisbury and Warminster at a place called Stockton Park. The show is being held on the 25th/26th 27th May its an event run by enthusiasts for enthusiasts! We are celebrating all that is old and interesting including rusty autojumble bits, vintage cars/classic cars/motorbikes, old fashions, vintage furniture, Vintage Clothes, motoring memorabilia, antiques and kitchenalia etc. We would love to have some hotrods represented at the event.   There will be a range of trade stands all related to the theme of the event, we even have 1940's re-enactors coming in period dress to create an atmosphere. We have a number of car clubs and enthusiasts attending. The show kicks off on friday evening with a low key open mic night, on Saturday we have the Obscuritones playing live - 50's rock and roll music (They are an up and coming band in London writing and performing there own music - it is fast paced exciting with a rockabilly style!) We have a Ringwood fine ale tent and also an old airstream called the silver Rocketeer set up as a cocktail bar. I hope you like the sound of the event we would love your support. For updates go online and look at www.vintagenostalgiashow.co.uk or follow us on Facebook. Interested? - contact Phil! December 2011 Just added: a few pics of Bristol Hotrods at Bristol's Grillstock event. Chris and Claire and the whole Backdraft team would like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy, Safe and Fast New Year 2012! Best Wishes to all! November 2011 Ian Walker asks if anyone wants to bring their car to Nailsworth this Friday evening. He has volunteered to provide some classic cars/bikes/customs for the parade/static display for this year's Nailsworth Christkindl. Apparently the event starts the official Christmas celebrations in the town and is a thank you from the local businesses to the locals there. It has been the traditional event to switch on the Xmas lights too. If you are interested then it takes place on Friday 25th November, gathering at Nailsworth Fire Station at 17.30. The parade starts at 18.00 and lasts only 20 minutes or so. Afterwards there is the chance to park up at a static display and enjoy the festivities. If you are interested then please let Ian know - he will be there with his Model A and hopes to put a good show on for them.  Ian plans to gather some of the cars at The Gables on A38 near Falfield (just north of junction 14 on M5) and leave at 16.30 to travel in convoy. Email: August 2011 We have been invited to attend Castle Combe Circuit on Saturday 10th September for their Summer Performance Action Day – Sponsored by Forge Motorsport. If you'd like to attend please let Phil know and he will sort out the details. The event page is below: http://www.castlecombecircuit.co.uk   Just added: Ivor Knapp's Austin 16 Andy House's 1936 Roadster   Congratulations to Paul Quick for picking up a joint-first 'best Model T' award at the 2011 NSRA Hot Rod Supernationals. Here's Paul passing through Bedford town centre on the return from the cruise to Santa Pod.      There's an all new classic motoring event to be held at Washingpool Far, Easter Compton, on 13th & 14th August - on a 60 acre site with areas set aside for British, European and American classic motors and bikes. More at http://www.summer-classics.co.uk On Sunday 4th September the Wessex Classic Car Show will be held at the Tank Museum, Bovington, Dorset, BH20 6JG. Click here for details and entry form.     Reminders for a couple of car meets, both on the second Sunday of each month. The first has been going on now for over a year with a few of us meeting up down there last year. It's held in Queens square in Bristol, and all forms of bikes and cars turn up. The meet takes place in the morning from 9am and the idea is a kind of breakfast club - usually its over by 11.30am. Here's the web site: http://www.avenuedriversclub.co.uk               The second meet takes place in the afternoon at Avonmeads outside Krispy Kreme. This is an informal meet -just people with cars having a chat and a donut. Leave Rodway Common, (Mangotsfield school) at 2pm or meet at Krispy Kreme's about 2.30pm - all welcome.                               July 2011 'Crazy' Chris Hartnell and the C&C Nostalgia Drag Racing Team will be running the Backdraft slingshot dragster at the Silverstone Classic on July 22-24. The digger should be on display and ready to perform a few demonstration fire-ups and runs during the weekend. The team was also pleased to find that a nice photo of the canopied slingshot was chosen to be featured on the event handouts (below). The Silverstone Classic is a fabulous 3 day weekend of ‘Flat Out Fun for all the Family’ now celebrating its 21st birthday. The ‘Worlds Biggest Classic Motor Racing Festival’, with around 800 fabulous and exotic race cars competing, attracting about 1000 competitors, over 7000 beautiful classic cars on the infield, an ‘Access All Areas’ policy, rock and classical music entertainment on a grand scale, aerobatic displays, a Period Fun Fair, Shopping, and much more.           The Bristol Grillstock organisers would love some Bristol Hotrods guys to attend with their cars - they say "the music and entertainment line-up is fantastic this year and I think you'd really enjoy the weekend. Let me know how many of you can make it and I will make sure you are on the guest list and that we have some food and drink sorted for you!" Grillstock should be fun as it's not a car show more an experience - with cars added and a nice venue. Please contact Phil ASAP if you're interested. Grillstock on 1st-3rd July. Back this summer bigger, better and louder. Bristol is again set for a taste of the Deep South with the UK’s biggest US-style barbecue competition, music festival and celebration of alfresco living, taking in food and drink, gardening, cooking equipment and everything else people require for an outdoor summer lifestyle. http://www.grillstock.co.uk     If you fancy a run out on Monday 4th July, the Bristol Pegasus Motor Club are having an 'Independence Day Touring Assembly' - a run down to the Book Barn in Hallatrow. The run will start at 19.15 from The Parkway, Stoke Gifford, and end at The Bookbarn, Wells Road, Hallatrow. (Bucket collection in aid of Wiltshire Air Ambulance) .. all interesting cars welcome. To register or for further details contact Martin on 07891639513. http://www.bookbarninternational.co.uk Bristol Pegasus Motor Club   Classics at the Castle is held on July 17th at Sherborne Castle, Dorset. This is an event that Phil has attended for the last few years - he says it's a good venue that will keep the wives happy as well. Details are on the Event Flyer; contact Phil for more info. Check out last year's visit here Classics at the Castle 2010 Event Flyer (pdf)     June 2011 Car Show / Ale Festival, Aviator Inn, Cheltenham/Gloucester Rod, Yanks, Custom & Racers Show as part of the Aviator Inn Real Ale & Cider Festival Hotrods, dragsters, racing cars, american, vintage, classic & custom cars & bikes invited. 17-18-19 June, Noon onwards Fri evening Disco Sat afternoon music & BBQ Sun luches available Free Camping (donations towards facilities appreciated) Aviator Inn, Staverton Airport, between Cheltenham & Gloucester Glos GL51 6SR Contact Les Sanderson les.sanderson [at] blueyonder.co.uk             May 2011 Events on in July: The first is Grillstock on 1st-3rd July. Back this summer bigger, better and louder. Bristol is again set for a taste of the Deep South with the UK’s biggest US-style barbecue competition, music festival and celebration of alfresco living, taking in food and drink, gardening, cooking equipment and everything else people require for an outdoor summer lifestyle. Grillstock should be fun as it's not a car show more an experience - with cars added and a nice venue. Contact Phil for more info. http://www.grillstock.co.uk   Children's Hospice car show An event for car enthusiasts is being held at (and in support of) the Children's Hospice near Bristol on Saturday 9th July, a very worthwhile charity that cares for over 1,000 seriously ill children and their families. The event is sponsored by Bath and Bristol Audi, and Pistonheads has officially promoted it on their homepage. Entrance is free but ALL cars need to register for the security of the hospice. Already registered are many interesting cars including 1 of 2 Duesenbergs in the UK, a Bugatti Type 57 Atalante (1 of 3), a Bentley Le Mans, 2 of the 4 TVR Typhons that exist, Ultimas, Ferraris, etc. Full details can be found here: http://www.caringwithcars.com The Hospice is very easy to get to, located just a couple of miles off the M5 motorway (Junction 19) near Bristol in lovely countryside. To attend, you will need to register here: http://www.pistonheads.com/calendar (You can't just turn up on the day). If you don't have a Pistonheads account, it takes seconds to create one.            The Bristol and Bath Classic Run in aid of the Avon Riding Centre for the Disabled will be held on July 10th - full details on the entry form..   Entry Form (pdf)   Just added: New additions to the C&C Racing stable!   The Crash Box & Classic Car Club of Devon are holding a show on the banks of the River Exe, south of Exeter at Powderham Castle. There is camping on site and a large beer tent with food being served. The event will be held on 8th-9th July, but the event opens on the 7th so it is possible to arrive earlier. http://crashboxclassiccarclub.com   Phil & Jules, who used to live in Devon (and have lived in the South of France since '95) realised that one of the few things they miss from the UK is the hotrod and custom scene. They built 'Moonshiner' way back in '79, in a garage so small the boots had to sit in the lounge until we'd finished, and the body was air-brushed and lacquered on the dining table, in the lounge in a first floor flat. Phil & Jules now have a gite holiday business - so if any members or friends would like a holiday, they would love to catch up on hotrods and custom news. There are some cheap (sometimes even cheaper) flights direct from Bristol to Toulouse, and we would gladly offer 10% discount to anyone mentioning Bristol Hotrods.     April 2011 April is here so now our season starts .. we've had the Castle Combe run, and as luck would have it, no rain either. Not as many cars as I thought would make it - but still 12 turned out for the season opener. Heres the link to the event as written by Tony Smith of the Pegasus car club: http://www.castlecombetrackday.org.uk/2011-review Tony says "a big thank you to you and your fellow hot-rodders who attended the Hot Rod Show and Parade at the Bristol Pegasus Motor Club Tuition and Track Day ... I wasn't sure any were going to attend following the early morning rain, but I was very pleased to see 12 fine vehicles attended ... The circuit track manager is enjoying the lunch time parade around the circuit which it seems can be an annual event."     Coming up in May is another chance to visit the Prescott Speed Hill Climb on Sat 28th & Sun 29th May 2011, this spectacular two day event is fast becoming a feature in many motoring enthusiasts' diaries. If you'd like to attend and be part of a Bristol Hotrods club visit, please let Phil know. On Saturday: Bugatti Owners’ Club Handicap · TVR Club Cars · MGCC Luffield Championship Cars · Paul Matty Classic Lotus Championship Cars · 500 Owners’ Assoication Cars · Ginetta Owners’ Club Cars · Ferrari Owners’ Club Cars On Sunday: Pre War cars up 1100cc · Pre War cars upto 1500cc · Pre War cars upto 2000cc · Pre War cars upto 4000cc · Pre War cars over 4000cc · Pre 1972 Saloon Cars · Pre 1972 Sports Cars · Post 1972 Saloon Cars · Post 1972 Sports Cars · Brescia Bugatti Cars · Grand Prix Bugatti Cars · Invicta Car Club Cars · Pre War Austin 7 Cars Prescott is situated 5 miles north east of Cheltenham off the A435 Evesham Road. www.prescott-hillclimb.com     The next show we've been told about is The Little Vintage Show to be held at Cambridge Mill House, Dursley Road, Cambridge (Gloucestershire) on the A38 on the 14th and 15th of May. It's a two day affair - you can go either day but you'll need to pre-book. Click here for the booking form in .pdf format. The organizers have spoken to Phil and are keen to get some hot rods there this year.     Cars and bikes are now making their way to the Griffin, still a little cold at times, but at least it's now staying light a lot later. Club nights are held every Tuesday at: The Griffin 107 London Road Bridgeyate Bristol BS30 5JN The Griffin is just about a mile off of the Avon ring road on the A420 out of Bristol. The pub has two car parks, and we use the larger one around the back. Club nights are open to anybody in the spirit of having fun with cars - we get a wide range of vehicles attending, including vintage, classics, bikes and scooters.       March 2011 There's been a last-minute change to the date of the Bristol Pegasus Motor Club's '2011 Tuition and Track Day' at Castle Combe. The Track Day has been brought forward to Saturday 2nd April 2011, but as before, rods have been invited to display at the track.. rods & customs attending the event get free entrance to the circuit, and a free place in the lunch-time "Hot-Rod Parade" around the track (subject to weather/track conditions). Bristol rodders - please meet up the Griffin early enough to set off by 10.00am, so as to get to Castle Combe by 10.30am. If you're making your own way there, please arrive by 10.30am, and enter through the Competitors Entrance, off the B4039 - look for the Bristol Pegasus signs. See our 2010 Track Day coverage here       Dates for your diary:   Hot Rod, American Car & Custom Bike Show 28th May at Castle Cary Rugby Club, Somerset Just off the A371 near Railway Station. £3 day entry or £5 if camping overnight. Live Music Bar & Food. www.pisseddsmcc.com   Nick Gale Customs 1st custom bike & hotrod show in Oxford. On Saturday 4th of June, at Sturdy’s Castle, located on the A4260, Oxford to Banbury Road. Not quite a weekend event, but beginning at 10am until midnight or so, with FREE camping, as stands re open on the Sunday morning until 1pm, but you’re welcome to hang out at the pub for the rest of the day!! Tickets are £7 in advance ( until May 4th ) £10 on the day www.nickgalecustoms.com/bikerbash.html   Surf Coast Cruisers Show 1-3 July 2011 Monkey Tree Holiday Park near Newquay, Cornwall. www.surfcoastcruisers.co.uk   Modified Madness Friday 15th to Sunday 17th July Baker Barracks Thorney Island Emsworth PO10 8DH Drag yourself down to Thorney Island where you can drift away to your hearts content enjoying an action packed fun weekend. Drag racing and drifting all at the Modified Madness weekend. An action packed weekend for all you petrol heads. Promo Video http://www.modifiedmadness.co.uk     Just added: Phil Mitchell's '37 Coupe A History of Bob Wellstead's Cars Paul Quick's YouTube video of our Haynes Museum trip Steve Couzen's Austin Devon     February 2011 Now Christmas over and January has fast disappeared, here's what has happened locally. Merv Barnett has sold his gold Willys, Phil has sold his '32 coupe, and late last year Chris Hartnell sold on his blue 5-window. Still at least the 5-window stays local, as it is now in the hands of Ade Wells.     The Haynes Exotic Car Show is to be held on 3rd July 2011. This is a new event for the museums but they are already getting a lot of interest. It is basically as the title suggests but we are aiming for 1000 cars, or more, ranging from classics up to modern supercars. They have some American clubs interested and thought it might also be an event that Bristol Hot Rods would like to attend. Please let Phil know if this would be of interest Haynes have already started booking spaces.   Another show called the South West Car Fest will be held in Exeter WestPoint on the 25th and 26th June 2011 and as a local club as in the South West the organisers are inviting the Bristol Hotrods to have a club stand in the main hall to display some of our member cars. There is also a day car show area and camping which is free for the main display cars. Check out South West Car Fest and give Phil a shout if you're interested!   Web site visitors Bernard and Dan Allum tell us they visited Bonneville Speed Week in 2010, and were overwhelmed by the friendship and engineering .. they hope you'll like their couple of YouTube videos below: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vOvP-0qw-YU http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9kAIyITZFMI     Great Western Autojumble Saturday 12th & Sunday 13th February 2011 Royal Bath and West Showground BA4 6QN open 9.30 - 4.00 each day The Footman James 2nd Great Western Autojumble now has a Special Ford Feature with displays showing 100 years of Ford. The first classic motoring indoor event of the year takes place at the Royal Bath and West Show Ground and is the 2nd Great Western Autojumble, and Charterhouse auction on 12 & 13 February 2011. The show’s centrepiece is a special display in the main hall, focusing on 100 years of Ford. It will feature some 20 clubs, showing more than 50 Fords; from an early Model T through to Fiestas and a GT40 replica.         December 2010     Bristol's oldest hotrod? And was Rob Davies the first to fit a HA Viva front end under a rod? Phil discovers this 1970 Hot Car article on Rob's '32 Austin. Rob Davies' '32 Austin   Missing for so many years, Bob Welstead's Moulin Rouge has finally re-appeared. Apart from a few body mods, it still looks the same and is a credit to all who have owned her since 1977. Moulin Rouge ..also added, a few more pictures of Paul Quick's 'T'; in the Sep 1998 Rod & Custom magazine, and when it arrived in the UK.   Haynes Museum Run - August 2010 Prescott Hill Climb, October 2010 Phil, Rich and Reg provided their cars as props for this vintage pin-up photo shoot event. It's tough work, but somebody has to do it..   November 2010 Just added: Bob Wellstead's '36 Roadster   October 2010 Just added: Surf Coast Cruisers Show 2010 Classics at the Castle - Sherborne Castle, July 2010 Kemble Steam Fair             Looking for older News? Click here for 2010 News items Click here for 2009 News items Click here for 2007/8 News items         Home | News | Cars | Racers | Builds | Events | History | Calendar | Contact | Links