 |
September 2006
Where did the summer go!! One minute you’re looking forward to all the summer activities, the next minute it’s dark at 8.00pm and the AGM is just around the corner.
I don’t know about anyone else but this summer seems to have been real busy, so what have we all been doing. Well here we go with a quick overview of the last three months.
Summer Activities
Hailing Reunion
We kicked off May with our Hayling Reunion event at The Hayling Billy pub on the island. Club member Big Al put a lot of effort into organising this and we were praying that the weather would be good. As it turned out the day started off a bit grey but thankfully it didn’t rain, and by lunchtime the pub car park was full of rods, customs, classics and bikes. The pub put on a barbeque as well as the normal pub grub, and there was a fair amount of beer being consumed.
Mid afternoon saw the first band (80 Cube) kick into action, with Big Al and the Fireflys playing a storming set later on into the evening. All in all it was a laid back day which, from the reports I’ve heard, everyone enjoyed, and would like repeated next year (we’ll see). During the day we also managed to raise £300 for the BBC Daisy Appeal, and a few members went down to the Southampton studio and handed the cheque over during the morning show a couple of weeks later. Must be a first, Hot Rods on the radio! There is a recording on CD somewhere of the interview but I believe it contains some dodgy singing so it’s being kept hidden.
Check the Wheelers website for more pictures of the event or the Sept issue of Custom Car (page 60) for a good little report.
NSRA Billing Fun Run
The number of club members cruising up to the annual NSRA fling this year was lower than normal due to four Billing stalwarts skiving off to try and enjoy themselves in So Cal (shame on you), or were you pretending to be cowboys (nice hats). However, six of us did make the trip to what must have been the busiest Billing I’ve ever seen. By Saturday lunchtime there wasn’t an inch of spare ground to be had.
Despite wet weather beforehand the site was surprisingly dry, and the skies remained clear for most of the weekend, apart from a storm late Sunday just as everyone was leaving.
Friday was chill out day, with a cruise to a local historic airfield on Saturday. The organisers had planned two different routes and it was great seeing rods going in all directions. Sunday saw the show field packed to bursting for the Show n Shine. No awards for club members this year, but a good event at usual and great to hear that it will b on again next year.
Nostalgia Nationals
Only Calvin and myself managed to get vehicles up to Shakey, but there were a far few members who made there way up there over the weekend. The weather was scorching, in fact it was too hot to enjoy, plus the event clashed with an English footie match in Germany so numbers were down. I managed to run my slingshot a few times and Calvin made a few runs in the El Camino.
Everyone is saving themselves for the Hot Rod drags I think.
NSRA SuperNats
Didn’t make this one myself, but the usual suspects made the trek up to Old Warden. Same formula as normal, chill out Friday, Cruise on Sat, show n shine on Sunday.
Hot Rod Hayride
Those members running crossplies (and some not, Ray) took the opportunity to take part in the Hot Rod Hayride, which included a scoot up the hill at Brooklands (until rain stopped play). I know Mick Mears took his T up the hill and had a great time. Mark (injected & radial) Grant sneaked a lift with radial Ray just so he could enjoy the evening entertainment. It’s what ‘phone cameras are for isn’t it Mark! Aren’t we supposed to be a car club?
From some reports it sounds as though the venue was a bit overcrowded, but overall this event goes from strength to strength, even though heavy rain dampened enthusiasm on Sunday morning. Ray’s been cleaning the Ranchero ever since.
Wessex Rod Run
There were quite a few members who took the short trip down to Dorset for a laid back weekend with the Wessex guys. Cruise to the seaside, BBQ and entertainment made for a good chill out weekend.
NASC Nationals
Four brave souls made the long trek to Suffolk County Showground. Well done Brian, Mark, Calvin and Trevor for enduring the M25 on a Bank Holiday weekend. From what I hear the event was a success with some good entertainment, and Mark picking up a trophy for his efforts.
Hampshire Pageant of Motoring at Broadlands
I didn’t manage to get to this event this year as I was up at the drags, but seems there was a good club turn out on the Sunday with 10 cars on site, with reduced numbers on the Monday. The weather was a bit suspect first thing Monday, plus we had members attending other events which probably accounts for the small number. However I understand that the event was successful again and attracted a wide variety of car clubs.
Open Nationals, Shakespeare County Raceway
Matt and myself went up to this event to play with my slingshot with the Wild Bunch, along with long time pal Alan Mearns from Aberdeen. It was a really busy event, with Fuel Altered, Outlaw Anglia, Pro-ET, plus many more drag classes. Problem was we had a bit of trouble with the engine, so most of our weekend was spent spectating and drinking beer. Tough life!
Never let a Chevy man near a Ford!!!
In addition to the above events I know that various club members have been out and about to the following events through the summer; Surf Coast Cruisers, 1066 Run, Lazy Sunday, Overload, Goodwood Revival, Paso Robles, Bonneville Speed Week, plus all sorts of one day shows and cruises. If you have any reports or photos that you want to send in then please do (info@victorywheelers.co.uk) and we can include them in the newsletter and put them on the website.
Many thanks to the members who have taken the pictures I’ve included in this newsletter, but sorry for the lack of photographs and reports from all the events. Please check out the Wheelers web site gallery if you want to see more photographs of the events this year. Martin has done a great job of updating it.
Club Cruise Night
Well we managed to pick the wettest night of the summer so it didn’t happen, and despite a couple of other attempts the enthusiasm just wasn’t there. Seems we want to chat rather than drive on a Wed eve!
Most Amazing Event of the Year
This has to be Ray Evans once again out and about in his beautiful T bucket. I haven’t actually managed to see it for real yet, but an image has been captured and put onto the website. (see below)
Activities Coming Up
Sept 16th -17th Hot Rod Drags
Shakespeare County Raceway - time to thrash the a**e of your rod ready for a winter rebuild. Already done mine!
Sept 24th All Ford Rally
Abingdon
Oct 1st Breakfast meet Americana theme
Goodwood Circuit
Oct 29th Northern Swap Meet
Never been, take your passport.
July 2006
Here's a couple of pics of our our esteemed Chairman Terry lining up his slingshot at the Nostalgia Nats - cooking in his fire-proof underwear while his trusty pit crew grab a tan!
Your Tailgate is open
Rodder's bum snapped at Shakey by Big Al.
June 2006
Radio Stars
When the money raised at the Hayling Reunion event was handed over Radio Solent and their Daisy Appeal, they asked for some cars from the club to come along. We had a chat live 'on air' and made some noise - with the cars and Big Al!
Something you don't see every day!
Gasp!!!!!........I couldn't let this moment go!!!.......Saturday
17.06.2006....3.30.pm......I remember where I was!!!......ENJOY!
Al
'It's a pity after all these years that only reverse gear works' - Simon
Massive Speed
Several members went over to a very wind-swept Thorney Island to provide some vehicles for a forthcoming show on hot rods in the Discovery series Massive Speed with Chris Barrie.
Terry sits in his dragster and practices his lines while Chris Barrie does the intro.
Dan, Martin and Mark's cars waiting for their 15 secs of fame.
May 2006
Dear members
Well here we go with another newsletter. The clocks have changed, the light evenings are with us and I know a few of us have been out and about. Don’t forget to send me some reports of your activities to include in the news.
Event Reports
Wheels Day 14th April
There were around 12 of us that made it to Wickham Square for the 8.00am cruise up to Wheels Day. A bit of an overcast day but it was good to get the season opener underway. Unfortunately we were separated by a Sainsbury’s lorry leaving Wickham, so the front batch sped off while, the back markers trundled along the Meon Valley. Apart from Mark who had to stop and sort a loose fender we all seemed to make it to Aldershot in one piece.
A few heavy rain showers during the morning spoilt the day slightly, but the show field was still packed with everything from traditional and modern rods, American muscle, VW’s, British tin and PT (should of stayed in the showroom) Cruisers. A fair chunk of cash was raised by Surrey Street Rodders for a local charity, and our very own Mark Grant came away with the Best Rod Trophy. A good start to the season. Bring on the sunshine.
Picket Piece 17th April
From all reports this was a very busy and successful event again. Ray and Calvin made the trip up to Andover first thing to pick up those early morning bargains. Brian made his way there on his way back from the Breakfast Run. After the amount of food he cleared away early doors I hope he walked round the field a few times.
Lord Purples Breakfast Run 17th April
Simon, Brian and myself had decided that we’d had enough chocolate over Easter and needed some proper cholesterol intake, so a 7.45 meet at Winchester services was in order for the cruise up the M3 to Bracknell for Lord Purples Breakfast Meet. By the time we arrived around 30 rods were already there, and by 10.00 this swelled to 40 or so.
We all tucked into the full English in Frankie & Bennys, with a gentle wonder round the cars afterwards and a bit of a chin wag to aid the digestion. A fair few rods then set off to visit Rodline up in Gloucester (check the NSRA site for pics), while we made tracks for home, Brian calling into Picket Piece on the way back.
'Terry and Tune' - Test & Tune Shakespeare County Raceway 18th/19th March
Well I finally made it to the strip with my slingshot. It must have been the coldest weekend I’ve ever spent at Shakey, and even drove through a snow shower on the way up. Still club members Matt (with son Lewis) and Big Al came along to assist with the first shakedown run. After unloading and firing up (gathering round the engine to keep warm), one more cup of tea from the MadR’s team, and we trundled off down to the fire up road.
After being told the track was real slippy we agreed to just do a steady run up the strip. Fired up the engine, missed the lights, reversed, staged, then gently squeezed the throttle to put in the slowest ever run by a slingshot, 36sec et at 28mph! But I don’t care. It didn’t fall to bits and went in a straight line. By Sunday afternoon we managed a 14.3et at 90mph so moving in the right direction.
March 2006
Dear members
A belated Happy New Year to you all and here’s to a sunny, car friendly 2006. Oh well that won't happen but let's hope we can enjoy good year out and about, and make sure you send in a news item from wherever you've been so that we can see what you all get up to.
Membership
We have a good number of renewing and new members so far this year, but if you haven't done so yet please send your 2006 form in to Trevor as soon as possible. If you've lost your form please give Trevor call on the membership hotline 07891 295093.
Thorney 2006
The Army has recently confirmed that it will not be allowing any type of show at Thorney this year. So, whatever rumour you may have heard, it is untrue. THERE IS NO SHOW AT THORNEY THIS YEAR.
Thorney 2005 DVD
The DVD of last years show is now available and is selling really well. It is a really professional production and is a 2 DVD set lasting approx 2 hours, so treat yourself and relive perhaps the last ever show at Thorney. Cost is £12 to members or £15 to others and can be purchased via the Victory Wheelers website.
Wheelers Party
There was good turnout to the Wheelers party at the start of Jan, though we could have done with a few more of you. However there were some fine film characters that turned up, with top honours going to Ian and Sarah as Mr & Mrs Shrek, and a certain Mick Mears as Pirates of the Caribbean star Johnny Depp. He could almost be his double (after a few beers anyway).
Many thanks to Louise for the fantastic spread that she laid on. I only managed three platefuls!
We also managed to give away around £300 of prizes to some of those present. Hope you enjoyed them.
Club Activities
NSRA Swap Meet March 4th
We decided to attend the swap meet with a club stand to sell the DVDs and nostalgia Thorney T-shirts (the ones left over), plus loads of junk that some of you seem to keep in your garage. This proved to be a really successful venture with 31 DVDs being sold together with a few T-shirts raising around £500 for club funds.
There were a few smiling Wheelers also who seem to have shifted a fair few items. Though I can't work out why we took a load a stuff in a van to Essex, only for various club members to buy it off each other, to put it back in the van to take back to a different garage. Next time lets try and cut out the 6 o'clock start to Essex and just meet at Mark's place for bacon rolls at 9.00!
Extreme Wheels
I had originally spoken to the Extreme Wheels organisers about having a Wheelers display at the show and you may have seen us listed amongst the participants. However, too many of you were working on your motors so we could not get enough to support the event. Maybe we'll plan a bit earlier next year.
In the end I did get my slingshot up to the show for its first public outing on the B&J Race Cars stand. Don’t know how many of you have been to this show but it is improving every year, with very high quality of exhibits this year and good crowd on the Sunday. Let’s hope it is on again next year as it is good to have an indoor show to kick the season off, and for us old folk it brings back memories of the Custom Car shows in the '70's.
New Members
Welcome to the following new members, look forward to seeing you at the pub.
Danny Parker
Allen Featherstone
Chris Jones
Those of you that have been coming along to the pub for a few years will know Danny Parker as the longest running non-member of the club. Being a northerner from Watford he’s a bit tight, but we’ve persuaded him to part with some cash and he has now become an official Wheeler. So welcome to Dan, and as an introduction here is a profile of this long time rodder. Perhaps we could have a few more of these. In Dan's own words:
Hot Rod Autobiography
Daniel Parker
Ok well here goes, its all my Dads fault, he wasn’t really a car guy, but he did take me and my younger brother to vehicle exhibitions, everything from steam engines to customs and rods. I guess I liked all the shiny stuff and got hooked, built models as a kid, read and consumed everything I could on Hot Rods until I reached driving age. My first car was a MkII Escort, but I never drove this, I sold it just before passing my test. Once passed I purchased a 1973 fastback Mustang, bright red, cragars, cherry bomb exhaust. The car cost as much to insure as it did to buy but I loved it, we went to Chelsea cruise, plus down to lakeside as well!
The down side to this was rust, big time rust, it was far too gone to do anything with, and I really wanted a hot rod (of sorts!) so the stang was sold. I purchased a 100e which was instantly lowered, primered, whitewalls, blue dots etc, etc but the stock engine didn’t last, 2 litre pinto was fitted, then sold the car, you know how it is.
After this I had the misfortune? of meeting one Ray Evans who kindly sold me his A40 Devon Pick-up which I used daily for about two years. During this time it was re-sprayed, the bed was shortened, and I re-upholstered the inside. I also owned a mild Kustom MKII Cortina at the time, nick named the ice cream van by mates due to its unusual paint job! It was then of course Ray who introduced me to more of the “Wheelers” and I then started to make the long hike (!) to Hayling from Watford (no I never belonged to Watford Rods before anybody starts!), to what I still consider was the best show ever.
The Pick-up and Cortina were sold, so I was rod-less for a while, but then Mr. Evans persuaded me to buy his pop, which was a superb vehicle (all credit to him and Kev for building it), I owned it for about one year and it was the first Ford Pop that Simon “weirdo” Watts pinstriped. I still yearned for an American based ride, so my next vehicle which was built by Auto-power and Custom was a Bonneville inspired 32 roadster, no fenders, screen, doors or boot, all ali interior, cage, 302ci ford, C4 box a superb car, handled brilliantly due to independent front end, ran the quarter in about 13.8 (would have been quicker if it hadn’t been for the naff driver!!) and could beat my mates 911 in a straight line and round the bends. Drove the pants off it attending everything including the ESRA nationals in Holland. I then sold the roadster (bad move forever regretted) to move down to Hampshire.
After my divorce (!) Hot Rods returned to my life, as did money!!! I purchased a Rod shop model A, originally built and owned by Terry Bull, it then was disused for many years before being resurrected by Dave Bennett. The car featured a real hot 350 including the famous nicknamed Spear and Jackson gear drive (very cool, but you couldn’t go anywhere quietly!!) This car was written off when a front bearing collapsed meaning I did an instant left turn onto a grass bank rolling over once. Luckily I was only travelling at approx 30mph on my way to the Chase for a summer Wheelers meet (people said I would do anything to avoid buying a round, and I was running late that night!!)
Once the dust had settled, the insurance company paid up without a hitch so being foolish I bought another rod shop model A. Same sort of set up but better finished, and a lot quieter! I drove it home from Basildon in the worst weather ever. The following day however I discovered a lack of gears so the gearbox was ousted for a re-build, and it was then re-wired and back on the road for the summer.
After all this, I realised what I really wanted was a steel car, real old style, so I sold the A, travelled to The States to look for a new ride where although I found some nice motors most of them were way out of my budget. I returned home to good old blighty, you know, grey, rain, cold and a few days later discovered the “MOON” truck was for sale, too much dosh, but I kept an eye on it, and gradually the price dropped into range. So I now own a rusty, dented, satin black 33/34 pick up truck, chopped, channelled, beam front, 9”, 331.ci over-bored hemi, GM 5-speed, which I believe was built in the 50’s originally, and purchased at Pomona, and re-built by “Chico” from Mooneyes.
Phew! so for those of you that haven’t managed to fall asleep, that is my hot rod history, I am now, after a lot of heckling, a member of the Wheelers, and own what I consider to be my ultimate hot rod!
Activities for 2006
In an effort to get us out as a club we are thinking about designating one Wednesday club night each month as cruise night. This is likely to start in May once the evenings are a bit lighter. We are also thinking of setting aside one Sunday per month for a club activity. More details will follow, but any ideas for cruise locations welcome.
To kick the cruise season off, the club will attending Wheels Day at Aldershot on Friday April 14th. Plan is to meet at Wickham Square as usual by 7.45am, with the cruise to Rushmoor Arena leaving at 8.00am latest.
Secondly, discussions are in hand to have a Sunday cruise to the Hayling Billy pub on Hayling Island on Sunday May 14th. This will be a lunchtime / afternoon event where we park up for a show & shine to the public with hopefully band and barbecue. May even give away some prizes. Look out for details soon.
Hopefully more events to follow.
News from NZ
Just to show that our Website is read worldwide I had an email from Nick in New Zealand. Nick used to attend the Hayling show, but now lives in Auckland and is building a Pro Street Rover P5 which will be a serious race car. The rodding / yank scene down under seems to be thriving and below is some info about Nicks P5 and the rules and regs for NZ.
Aussie/NZ V8’s by Chrysler, Ford and Holden being right hand drive are popular, US cars are popular too but more expensive. You still see Escorts, Zephers, Cortina’s and 100E’s cruising and dragging.
Very strict import / modification laws, basically on import or before anything is finished or painted you need to get a ‘certifier’ to approve your car / work. Any welding has to be done professionally or you have to hold a welding certificate, finally when its finished you get a certification plate, which lists all big mods to the vehicle, any big changes after that have to be recertified. Certification runs $300-$700. MOT’s every 6 months and continuous licensing too.
There are 5 main drag strips - Christchurch, Nelson, Masterton (my local), Taupo and Auckland and a handful more 1/8th mile street strips.
Currently building a 1971 Rover P5 sedan, I’ve cut out the rear floor and trans tunnel and tacked in the narrowed rear frame - the finish welding, 10pt cage and floor are going to be done by my local shop - Berry Race Cars, as Colin the boss, is the local NZDRA technical inspector, and you can’t race without the NZDRA tech sticker (only 2 weeks to go now before it goes in)
Rear is a 3.75 LSD narrowed 31 spline 9” with Falcon discs (Aussie not US Falcon), Berry adjustable 4 bars and brackets, comp engineering adjustable shocks and mounts, 14x15 welds with Hoosier prostreet tyres, but must admit I screwed up on these, should have bought the quick-time tyres as they are stickier.
Upfront, I’m building a 383 chev, with trickflow 465HP top end package backed by a 3250 stall convertor and powerglide. (Still saving up for a supercharger)
Only thing that isn’t set is the front suspension, - I can’t decide between cutting everything off and going for a strut setup or just unbolting the Rover subframe and replacing it with a new subframe and Holden (Aussie GM) suspension (A arms with coilovers)
On Google try – magoos.co.nz, rodsbyreid.co.nz, hotrod.org.nz, nzdra.co.nz, trademe.co.nz, mastertonmotorplex.co.nz
That's about it for now.
Cheers
Terry Clifford
Chaiman
Victory Wheelers
Diary Dates for 2006.
April 14th Wheels Day
Meet at Wickham square as usual. 7.45 for an 8.00am cruise to Aldershot.
April 16/17th Jo's Show
Hovercraft Museum (TBC)
April 17th Spring Vehicle Meet And Autojumble
Picket Piece, Andover. Contact me for entry form.
April 17th Lord Purples Breakfast Run
Frankie & Benny’s, Bracknell
April 17th Mustang Stampede
Ace Café, London
April 23rd NASC Swap Meet
Brayfield, Northampton
April 29th All American Cruise& Muscle Meet
Ace Café, London
May 3rd Executioners Hot Rod Spring Riot
Ace Café, London
May 14th Hayling Billy show'n'shine
Hayling Billy, Hayling Island
May 13th – 14th NASC Spring Nats
Drayton Manor
May 19th - 21st NSRA Pre 49 weekend
Holywell Bay, Cornwall
May 27th – 29th Overload 2006
Horndean
June 2nd - 4th Billing Fun Run
Cracking cruise up in 2005 by the Wheelers clan. See our website for Simons report.
July 1st -2nd Nostalgia Nats
Shakespeare County Raceway
July 28th - 30th Hot Rod Supernats
Old Warden - Usually a well attended run by the Wheelers
Aug 27th – 28th Hampshire Pageant of Motoring
Broadlands, Romsey. There will be a club display again
Sept 16th -17th Hot Rod Drags
Shakespeare County Raceway - time to thrash the a**e of your rod ready for a winter rebuild.
Oct 29th Northern Swap Meet
Never been, take your passport.
