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[29th
NATIONALS WINNERS LIST and PHOTOS] l [SUNDAY
ONLY WINNERS and PHOTOS]
Twenty Nine
years on and The Nats is still going strong, this year it
was dedicated to the memory of Neil Meredith - whom we lost
earlier in the year. I’m pretty sure he would have been
justifiably proud.
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As in the past
the gates opened at 1 minute past midnight, and as in the
past we welcomed hundreds of tired, but happy Rodders - eager
to make the most of the next 84 hours of Hot Rod heaven.
Friday rolled around with glorious sunshine, everyone making
good use of the weather to cruise around chatting to old friends,
polishing their cars and generally chilling out, in readiness
for the evening “welcoming” Disco, with Glyn Lloyd
and Dave Maltby doing the honours, as usual.
This year we had more for the Kids to do, with their own Bingo,
koloring kompetitions, and Parties every day. A Big thanks
goes to all the Girls who organised it, and helped out. New
for this year, and in partnership with the NSRA, was a Tot
Rod Register, which amongst other things gave them their own
area to drive around in.
Saturday saw the famous Nats cruise, and as usual we saw over
300 examples of untamed horsepower pounding the route all
the way to the Camelot Rugby club, who looked after us with
2 Bars and a fantastic BBQ --– thanks lads.
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After being fed and watered everyone returned
for the Burnout competition –sponsored by Northants Tyres
– this year saw the biggest field ever. It was great
to see some Top Show cars joining in, with Phil Middleton
showing that his Chevy truck looks just as good boiling its
hides, as it does in the gleaming sunshine. Gary Layton boiled
his tyres to destruction on his Chevy Nova, and deservedly
took top honours.
We added an extra cruise this year – down to the Ace
Café – which left at Tea Time, with about 50 or
so cars making the trip to enjoy the good food, good beer
and atmosphere that you can only get at the Ace Café.
Saturday night was 80’s night in the Marquee, with top
80’s band - Dr and the Medics bringing the house down.
Sunday morning came around with more of that lovely sunshine,
the showfield filled up with some beautiful Rods, Classic
British cars, Yanks and, for the first time, a few monster
trucks and custom bikes. The judging must have been really
difficult this year, so I must say a big “thank you”
to our new judging team for doing such a great job.
The Tot Rods strutted their stuff in the Arena with a bit
of heads-up Drag Racing, for the entertainment of the public.
The Monster Trucks did the same, then The Reservoir Cats and
The Cadillac Kings wowed the crowds for the rest of the day,
in the lingering glorious sunshine.
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Sunday night saw the return of the fantastic
Bogus Brothers, and my God, do they know how to whip up a
Nats crowd, or what?
Monday morning and the whole site seems to wake up very slowly
after the activities of the weekend, with the stark realisation
that its just as well the Nats only happens once a year, cos
you’re not getting any younger, and having this much
fun can’t be good for you!
So start with the anti-ageing cream
now, and in 12 months time you’ll be 1 year younger and
in better shape to cope with 84 hours of Hot Rod Heaven!
Mark Ashman
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