MR2 Drivers Club North West Region

Tatton Park 

4th & 5th June 2005

Cheshire Spectacular Classic & Vintage Car Show

The North West region held it’s June meeting at Tatton Park Classic & Sports Car Show as usual.  The event is on Saturday and Sunday but preparation starts on Friday with the ritual of the mowing of the grass in the precisely defined area known as “our plot”.  Five hours later and you’re allowed to start putting your tent up if you’re camping over.

 This year our plot was next to the copse of trees again and in order to maximize space for cars the more intrepid took a strimmer to the nettles and made a clearing in the copse in which to build an encampment.  It looked great, especially when they’d edged the path and put the crazy paving down (only kidding).  At least the trees kept the rain off.

 Those familiar with the Tatton Park show will know that it is always wise to be prepared for all weathers.  This year on the Saturday it rained.  And rained, and rained.  And then it rained a bit more.  There was just about time in between the rain to get the barbecue going. 

We had most of the regulars there, including new director Gary Moore, and some new faces, including the recently appointed Log Book editor Celine and her husband Fraser.  Also a first timer this year was Luke Moores, but then he is only 1 ½ yrs old.  Gary Rogers made the long trip from Scotland, the usual contingent from the North region arrived on Sunday and we were also joined by a couple of cars from the West Midlands who managed to talk their way in at the main gate without tickets and were welcome on the stand. 

 All Friday’s hard work with the lawnmower paid off on the Saturday when we won the 1^st Place Trophy for Best Stand in Show.  This is the first time any club has won the first place in June two years on the run.  Ian Howe also won the first place Trophy for Best Japanese Classic car with his MK1.

 Sunday was much better weather and it was sunny most of the day. It also brought the excitement of a film crew to the stand.  Granada Men and Motors channel on Sky are starting a new programme called Used Car Roadshow and were interviewing a number of people on various stands such as the TVRs and ourselves.  The producer of the show loves MR2’s and wanted to interview the owners of a MK1, MK2 and a Turbo.  James Gamble and Yvonne Ellis are a two MR2 family which fitted the bill nicely for the first part and then John Gaskell and his Turbo did the rest, with club publicity director Gary on hand in case they needed an official view.  The interviewer was Penny Mallory and unfortunately for her the sunny day left her sweltering in several layers of clothes including a huge parka that she had to wear for continuity purposes while everyone else wore T-shirts.  The TV show is due to start at the beginning of August so those of you who have the technology, keep an eye out for it.  The film crew will also be at JAE in July so if you’re thinking of going there to be on the Club stand make sure you’re at your most photogenic, just in case.

 On Sunday we had our own prize giving.  Paul Moores judged the “show and shine” and the prizes went to Pete Smith – MK1 (2^nd place) and Richard Ford – MK1 (1^st place).  For the MK2’s 1^st place went to Mark Billington and 2^nd place to Ian Kosmowsky.  The prize for the best looking engine bay (trophy donated by the Classic Caravan Club and judged by last year’s winner Paul Winkley) went to Richard Ford.

 Despite the weather on the Saturday we had a great time as always.  Thanks to everyone who helped to set up the stand on the Friday and Saturday and to take it down again on the Sunday afternoon.  Thanks to the judges and to everyone who came and helped make the event such good fun.

 We’re doing it all again in August, 20^th and 21^st, so we’ll see you there. 

 PS. While we were at the show we were approached about attending a newish car event – the North West Festival of Motoring – at Wearside Hall near Lancaster on Sunday 14^th August.  Entry will be £5 and an additional £5 to enter the concourse competition.  We’ve been told we can go as a Club and set up a stand so if you’re interested contact Allan Farrimond on 07740 646072 for more details.