Well, it was time to wind down from what was a fantastic weekend of Rodding Fun, no numpties, no trouble, just a great way and great place to spend some time with fellows Rod enthusiasts... Cool.
Rodders start to make their way home
I really wanted to make tracks early this day, as we were to carry on our holiday up in sunny Yorkshire, at a Them park called Flamingo Land. We had paid for Monday so every hour extra we stayed at the Nats Show Ground, was an hour less we could spend at the Theme park, getting our monies worth. I ventured down the show field to just get a few photos of the weekends winners. I went about 10am as Gaz O'Conner said to be there then, as he had been notified he was one of the weekends winners and was told to be ready at the NASC Marque at 10.30am.
There were a few other Rods there that looked like they were the ones most likely to be in the trophies, so I waited, having a good crack with Gaz. It was hinted I may of got Rodder of the year but nothing was definite as a I was told a few names had been put forward for this prestige's award.
Nothing really seemed to be happening, I was also told by someone else not to go early, I was saying we needed to get the awning down and get some miles done, but I was told to stay :>). The weather wasn't looking to promising either, but we waited and waited and waited :>)...
It was now 11.30am, me and the family were getting somewhat agitated as even if we went now and took the awning down about 1/2hrs work we would not have much of the day left at Flamingo Land as it was some 230 miles away....... We were almost ready to call it a day when, the show field started to fill, the NASC Marque sprung to life and all of a sudden something looked like it was about to happen....
The Winners start to line up
Why did every bugger else know it was starting at 12pm eh? We could of had the awning down and be already to move after the prize giving and we would of not felt so much rushed. This really is the story of my life ya know, my daughter goes on a school trip, I am told to go pick her up at say 9am prompt, I get there and I am all on my own, I sit until 9-45pm and low and behold all the other parents arrive and 2 mins after, so does the school trip bus????? I am sure it is a conspiracy, how can every other person know about it but me? So today was to be no exception....
Stunning 46 Chevy Truck
There was some great machines lined up for the top honours of the weekend, which I still don't like the idea of trophies, but this is how the powers that be do it and have done from time immemorial, so who am I to question its value to rodding.
Chris Bunting gets best artist Trophy. Cool Chevy Panel
I was also surprised how many spectators there were present aswell, as their seemed a steady stream of Rods leaving as I waited for the prize giving to start. First up was a young budding Artist who was only 9yrs old and I thought what a great thing to do, give him some recognition for his participation in the art exhibition and talent... and I couldn't get my camera to work the batteries had gone grrrrrrrrrrrrr I would of loved to put his photo on here, on the off chance he would see it, alas it wasn't to be. Next was Artist of the weekend I think, it was Chris Bunting from Scotland.
Stunning cream Chevy Truck so damn sweet eh!
Then I wont try and remember all who won, or what for, or what order, as I cant remember. I know I thought the Rods that won were worthy no bother, though there were many others at the weekends bash who were also worthy of been there. but not everyone can win hence my dislike of Trophies.
Gaz one of the few Fords to feature in the Trophies I just realised I have
just taken photos of the trucks? mind you most of the winners were in Trucks as
it happens.
Rob Whitwell Rodder from the early days, gets a well deserved Trophy and hey look
a Ford and not a Truck :>).
Rob was one of the most respected Rodders when I was first into the scene. I got
to have bit of a natter with him Sat night.. He was telling me he had had about
15yrs away from the scene and was just getting back into again, I guess if
Rodding is in your blood there is no getting away from it.. I am sure if the
past is anything to go by, we will be hearing the name Rob Whitwell a lot more
*respect*
Then I hear, Mark Ashman say "now this one is for Rodder of the year", I can tell you I felt myself go all hot, my face felt like it was going to burst. Mark said " now everyone know this person" I thought *huh?* everyone knows this person.. Cant be me then, I felt a bit cooler.... then he said "this person is the voice of sensibility and reason on the Internet and chat room forums... the most sensible person on the internet" ....... I thought does he mean me?.. most sensible person on the Internet... oh my God me Ha Ha He said Dave Holmes not Holmsey but Dave Holmes so it didn't twig for a split second whoo I thought Dave Holmes has won .. then I felt myself go crimson red and tingle from head to toe as it dawned on me it was me :>).... I just papped em totally, I bet I walked up like a proper plonker. as I felt like one... I mad me wonder is this what everyone thinks of me, I am the most sensible person on the internet... gawd help us if I am we are doomed if this is the case.... I don't mind admitting it I am a bit of a numpty really... I never knew I was going to end up having to be sensible... I don't really do responsibility.. But I do enjoy doing this web site, I do enjoy Rodding and 99.9% of all the Rodders I have met so far, I have lots of time for. I really do enjoy the whole scene. Maybe that is why I act so sensible on here and on other message boards I know how fragile we are, but also how cool a scene I am part of is.
John Phillips and the " Koppa Kruiser
Simon Phillips so damn fine 32 perfect!
So respect to all who own Rods and who use them.. Just keep doing it, Respect to all the heroes who put these great weekend Rod Runs for us, to all the NASC guys and Galls, to all the NSRA guys and galls, anyone who voted for me to get Rodder of the year, I feel so dammed privileged, I could hug you all :>) Yours Mr Sensible Ha Ha yeah right!
The big clear up is left for someone, I guess the NASC volunteers again,
thank you guys and galls for doing it all for us ungrateful gits!
PS: This weekend which was actually 4 days of rodding sure did pass very quickly, to quickly in-fact, again I felt like I should of done more. Did I look round the trade stands enough? Did I look at the Rods enough? Did I speak to enough people? so many things I feel I should of done more off.... maybe next time?
The only Nats Vehicle I saw all the way home.
No need for it to end there have a look at some of the cars I missed at the Nats courtesy of Simon Phillips Click here