Sunday 28th May 2006 @ Preston Park StocktonThis is an excellent show and a real show of American muscle power.
But don't let that put you off as theres plenty to see and do. I have arranged a Club pitch for the MR2 MK1 Club for 10 cars
+ gazebo so space is limited. If you would like to display your MR2 at this event then please register your interest on this thread.If any IMOC members would like to display their MR2's then there is a possibility of you organising an IMOC stand for 10 cars.
To date here in the North East we haven't seen any representation at shows from IMOC, therefore here we have a great opportunity, any volunteers...?Heres a little more info on the event.
.. American Car ShowPreston Park, Saturday 28th
/ Sunday 29th MayIt's a bright Sunday morning, and sunglasses should be handed out free to all who attend
- as light bounces off every super-polished bonnet and bumper it's a blinding lineup of a dazzling range of cars. As the name of the day says, the big buzz today is around the ridiculously massive and over the top American Cars. Cadillacs, Oldsmobiles, Dodge Chargers (of dukes of Hazzard fame), Hotrods, and Chevy trucks sit side by side on the grass. There's plenty of British Classics who tagged along for the ride too, Morris Minors, Mini's and Ford Capris to mention a few. The seemingly endless rows of weird and wonderful cars sparkling underneath the blue sky is a treat for adults to wander around with big eyes, and I have no doubt that half the bonnets here today had to have drool wiped off them at some point. Speaking of drool, under 7's might not appreciate the variety of beautys on display, but there's plenty provided to amuse and divert the kids if they're a little too young to be interested this kind of thing, with a few fair rides and games, aswell as stalls and candyfloss.
And if you're being dragged along by a friend, or need to stop for refeshments, there's a beer tent, a burger stall and a shooting stall to keep you entertained.The event is undoubtedy a whole day experience, you need to take your time as every car is worth looking at, aswell as the numerous bikes and vans on display.
The money, care and attention to detail these people put into their cars is an obsessive and amazing labour of love, and to see this many cars together is almost too much to take in. The range of modifications is fascinating and often funny, from glittery paint jobs to 'rat' bikes - a trend only just catching on in Britain, which is basically to make your vehicle look as battered and ruined as possible, but give it a bloody fast engine to blow boyracers away. One motorbike of this kind is apparently held together with black duct tape and sports a platic rat mounted on the front with flashing red eyes, which a lot of people double-take and give bemused looks to each other as they stroll past. The people here today, owner and punters, are diverse and fantastic, from middle-aged women in pink cowboy hats, plain looking cadillac owners and tattooed and bequiffed greasers, there's a real relaxed and happy atmosphere. As the day calms down in the early evening, the child-repelling rope barriers come down and the cars start to leave, and this is the real treat of the day.
Hearing those engines and seeing the cars in action rather than just sitting like ornaments was the highlight of my day, and as more people leave you can go and have a really good closeup look, take photos, and even chat with the owners of the cars still left. As a confused looking old man waits at the rickety little bus stop with a stream of huge gleaming cars growling past him, I watch the field empty out and remind myself to find out the date of next years
- this is one summer event I would not miss, and at a couple of quid in for adults it's a bargain for one of the biggest and best car shows in the North East. Even if you aren't into cars and don't know what you're looking at, you can't failed to be impressed by some of them - the Mini Limo, the Custom Hotrods, the modded Harley Davidsons...at the very least you could play 'spot the furry dice'. And there's beer, sun, and a bouncy castle. Get in.Cheers
Michael
