Firenza.Net
In the hope of better weather this year than last, this is a provisional list of shows I'm hoping to attend either as a private entry, or with either the South Cheshire Collectors Car Club or The Droopsnoot Group. As we're celebrating forty years since the launch of the Firenza, I'll be on a few DSG stands where I might otherwise have been on an SCCCC one.
A rare event, this is effectively an open day at the Vauxhall factory. A kind invitation from Sean Hunt saw three HPFs and a Sportshatch arrive for a very nice day. Virtually all of the production line was open to visitors and it was interesting to see the various aspects of manufacturing the Astra. Sadly there wasn't a room full of newly-discovered Firenza parts being sold off for next to nothing.
A good turnout from the SCCCC and a nice stand close to the cricket pitch. I think the autojumble here, which has been decreasing in size for a few years, was actually a little bigger this time.
The weekend started badly with torrential rain, but got slightly better as it went on. A good club turnout though on arrival on the second day we found our spot had been taken, so we moved further up the bank and closer to the overbridge. A very good racing field as always at this event, with the dampening weather adding to the excitement on the track.
Decent weather started to cloud over after lunch, though it remained dry for us. A disappointing turnout from the SCCCC with eight club members promising vehicles and two actually turning up, leaving us looking a bit lost on our stand.
Another fine day as I recall it, with a good turnout of vehicles and people over the day.
Sadly the static element of the Weaver Wander was cancelled following the death of the main organiser.
A smaller event this year with fewer food stalls and virtuall no action on the lake, it was marred for us in the DSG with the theft of our flag on the Friday night. It's no use to anyone, just someone decided they needed it more than we did. It would have been nice to keep these elements away from us nice people, but it wasn't to be. A nearby stand had more valuable stuff stolen, so we got off lightly by comparison.
Otherwise it was as good an event as always, with better weather for most of the weekend and some interesting stuff on display and on the track, although a clash with another vintage event didn't help boost the size of the paddock.
A lovely day for a trip saw me and twelve other HPFs, along with a selection of other vehicles, turn up at the Vauxhall Heritage Centre in Luton. Of much interest was the array of development photographs and articles laid out by Andrew Duerden of the Heritage Centre. Roy Cooke, original project leader for the HPF, gave a short talk and a question and answer session, and a good day was had by all.
Some interesting times on the M6 on the return journey as my ignition started to randomly cut out for a second at a time - which seems like much longer when you're in the right hand lane of the busy M6. Got me home, though, and may be nothing more than a bad connection on the Lumenition electronic ignition unit.
Decent weather again for this show, not too hot but, most importantly, staying dry. A decent turnout, probably more cars than I've seen here before.