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As the year is coming to a close I've spent a few evenings looking back over my albums from the year. With a mini SWMBO in tow, the shows and meets have reduced, but the fun trips out in the Camper have gone up. A quick total of all the car meets, shows, races, rallies and weekends adds up to just shy of 40. Not too bad after all. Heres a whistle stop tour of my year.
January
As ever, we began the year on the A30 with hundreds of other petrolheads at The Phoenix Pub meet.
Next up was one of the few VW outings of the year, the club I belonged to had a surge of interest at the end of 2011 and was looking good. Sadly a few bad apples spoilt the barrel and I bailed out, vowing never to make that mistake again.
Once again I made it to Brooklands for the VSCC Winter trials. Pre war, super skinny tyres on the wet concrete of the banked track.
February
Work took me to the Midlands and I finally got to the Jaguar Heritage Museum. Now closed down, its a huge loss to the marque.
We also made our only trip to Krispy Kreme for some American muscle and doughnuts. I plan to get there a bit more often next year.
Its hard to pick just one aspect of Race Retro, the static displays were first rate, with lots of amazing race and rally machinery on show. The live action stage was a sight to behold as GrpB and other rally monsters slithered round. But the highlight for me and the chums that joined me, was the HERO arrive and drive. I got to take a works spec Cooper S and an Alfa GTV round a timed stage at speed. One of the best couple of minutes and £20 ever.
March
I got to relive a childhood day out and see some cool Bond cars at Beaulieu. 30 years after sitting in Bloody Mary I was allowed over the barrier for a quick photo shoot.
It was meant to be a family day out, but owing to some slack club members I was drafted in to display the 1303 on the stand outside Volksworld. The plus side to the early start was a free trip round the show. Highlight of the show. The fabulous VW38.
January
As ever, we began the year on the A30 with hundreds of other petrolheads at The Phoenix Pub meet.
Next up was one of the few VW outings of the year, the club I belonged to had a surge of interest at the end of 2011 and was looking good. Sadly a few bad apples spoilt the barrel and I bailed out, vowing never to make that mistake again.
Once again I made it to Brooklands for the VSCC Winter trials. Pre war, super skinny tyres on the wet concrete of the banked track.
February
Work took me to the Midlands and I finally got to the Jaguar Heritage Museum. Now closed down, its a huge loss to the marque.
We also made our only trip to Krispy Kreme for some American muscle and doughnuts. I plan to get there a bit more often next year.
Its hard to pick just one aspect of Race Retro, the static displays were first rate, with lots of amazing race and rally machinery on show. The live action stage was a sight to behold as GrpB and other rally monsters slithered round. But the highlight for me and the chums that joined me, was the HERO arrive and drive. I got to take a works spec Cooper S and an Alfa GTV round a timed stage at speed. One of the best couple of minutes and £20 ever.
March
I got to relive a childhood day out and see some cool Bond cars at Beaulieu. 30 years after sitting in Bloody Mary I was allowed over the barrier for a quick photo shoot.
It was meant to be a family day out, but owing to some slack club members I was drafted in to display the 1303 on the stand outside Volksworld. The plus side to the early start was a free trip round the show. Highlight of the show. The fabulous VW38.
