A Speedy 2009 in photos

[Speedman]

As the year is drawing to a close I thought it was time for a whirlwind tour of the last 12 months Speedy style. We’ve excelled ourselves this year with the show/meet/camping /motorsport tally breaking the 50 events mark, theres been a huge variety so lets start at the beginning

January

9am New Years Day, an hour not normally on the clock, but the chance to take the camper for a blast down the lanes to a frosty meet on the first day of the year was too great.




Next up was the annual RR awards night, a chance to meet some new faces and I even managed to blag half an award for some of my snaps


January came to a close with the moving Mike Hawthorn 50th memorial day, a service to remember a great F1 driver and an amazing convoy round the streets of Farnham of some of his old cars.

[Speedman]

February

A quieter month starting off with our monthly club meet in the sunshine for a change


Then followed up at the end of the month by Race Retro, bumping into Seth we wandered round some stunning race machinery and watched some it in action.








Not really a ride, but an interesting day out, I took my dad for his 65th birthday to the steam collection at Didcot, I hadn’t been for about 25 years.

[Speedman]

March

I try to get to the Ace Café as many times as I can, this year we made it there half a dozen times including a few VW meets, you can’t beat an air-cooled night and a full fry up!




At the tail end of the month the Volkswagen show season really started with Volksworld, a chance to catch up with a few people and see the new Dubs on the scene!

[Speedman]

April

Its getting busy now with something every weekend, the bank holiday weekend provided a damp classic meet whilst everyone else was at Wheels Day




Then it was into the first race meet of the year, Castle Combe season opener is a favourite of mine now and Formula Vee and a mate to cheer on in the single seaters provided plenty of action.








We ended the month at Santa Pod for the first of two visits to the strip, Big Bang was filled with straight line racing, beer and Dubs.

[Speedman]

May

The stressful month, my dad had a couple of strokes and we were trying to organise a VW show for almost 800 Dubs, it was tricky fitting it all in but we made it in one piece, looking out for the family and keeping punters happy at the same time!








Straight after the show and with my dad slowly on the mend we packed up for a couple of weeks away, first stop Lyme Regis for a few days.








We then headed further South to Plymfest for a long weekend show in the sun.






Packing up on the Monday we headed back to Dorset for a few more days camping at Corfe Castle, a really relaxing time.






We got home and after checking on the patient we turned round and headed back out for our traditional pre Stonor Park camping with some mates, another long weekend in the sunshine, BBQs, waterfights and laughs with a few VWs at the end.

[Speedman]

June

Wasn’t the busiest of show months, we just spent more weekends out and about in the camper enjoy the ride.


We got along to the Chop’n’Rod show for some chrome and pinstriping

[Speedman]

July

We piled yet more miles on the Camper taking in a new show in the Midlands, set in Weston Park we had acres of space to drink cider and relax again.










Another trip to the Ace, this time for the pre Gathering meet.






The following morning it was off to Uxbridge for yet another car show!






The last outing for the Camper this month was to my local classic cars clubs summer meet.

[Speedman]

August

Busy isn’t the word for it, we crammed loads into the end of the summer (and escaped the rain -almost) A local steam fair was up first.






Next was a bit of fancy dress fun for a novel 40th camping party for a friend.




And then it was the main event, an amazing weekend of cars, mates and laughter, each year I meet more new people and have even more fun.




















Lastly another bit of racing, this time cheering Adam and his dad on at Gurston, where the rain finally caught up with us!

[Speedman]

September

Back at the Pod for VW Action and the Indian summer was in full swing.












Missing out the mammoth that is Vanfest this time we opted for the Speed Trials at Brighton, sunshine again blessed us.










A nice local show finished the month off meaning we could take both Dubs out for the day.

[Speedman]

October

You’d think it would get quieter at this time of year, but we still carried on getting out there and enjoying the world. Brighton Breeze got bigger and we explored the town a little more.








The Classic & Sportscar magazine show is another great event that gets little coverage but a great turnout.








Lastly I swung into action with a willing group of helpers when Bruce bagged a car lift, a brand spanking new VW T5 got the shock of its life and me and SWMBO got to see Area52.

[Speedman]

November

I should be tucked up in the warm, but no I drag myself to a pair of race meets in the cold, firstly to the gravel of Hampshire for the Tempest Rally.








Then to Brands Hatch to see my mate race his Beetle.

[Speedman]

December

The end of a long year and the last couple of events, firstly the charity toy run for local bikers, not really retro or car related, but it bought a lump to my throat seeing 2500+ bikes and trikes carrying presents for needy kids means I don’t care!




We hot footed it from there to out festive VW meet, mince pies and Santa




Well that’s it, I might make it to one more meet this year, but the end is here, an amazing 12 months, thousands of miles covered, loads of laughs and new friends made and some really stunning motors seen. Thanks to everyone whose read the threads and looked at the galleries from my year, I’ll be back on January 1st 2010 with more (well if we get up in time!)

[donttellhimpike]

nicely done sir, nissan 240rs ftw!

[nugget]

Great thread Speedman. That's alot of shows in one year! I've been to 4 this year. A record too!

[HARDCORE]

Dude, that is quite a year! You WIN!

Also, this...

Dec 10, 2009 22:53:04 GMT Speedman said:

July

is ME! & SWMBO!

HC.

[Mystery Machine]

Much awesomeness Steve, great to see some of your shots brought together in one hit. Always love your stories, pics and write-ups and it was really nice to relive 2009 from your perspective all over again.

Roll on 2010 ;D

Thanks Dude.....

[leigh]

Fair play to you man, looks like you had a great year!

[Keefy]

i aspire to live a year like you do! lol

it must be nice to be able to go places in your chosen steed, as opposed to always being stuck working on it! lmfao

[Oldbus]

50 shows in one year, respect Steve

A big thanks from me for sharing them with us! ;D

[grizz]

Thanks for sharing.

Great year indeed.