Didn't have to heavy a night Saturday so Sunday I was up with the lark, well severe cramp actually but all the same I was up ;o) I was up walking trying to get rid of my cramp, both legs and from top to bottom Oh real fun.... so may aswell stay up now, get washed and brushed up eh, for my big presentation to my good friend Kev Rooney. (more later). Seems a lot quieter early morning somehow at Billing, maybe because all the cars don't drive past you like they do at Drayton, there is more than one road to the show field, or maybe I usually have a thicker head than I did this morning and just notice the cars because of the noise they make .. Mind you thick head, presentation, motorbike ride home, nope not a good idea so nice to be up early and with a clear head.. As I walked round, a few were up cleaning their pride and joys ready for the Sunday Show and Shine, though most were still sleepin the night afore's over revving off, as it was only 7.45am .
Though not exactly sunny the weather was warm and boded well for a great Show day ahhhh its great to be up early and at a Rod Run!!!!Breaky was at the on-site breaky bar. We rode round on our motorbikes, all with loud pips, I guess waking everyone who wasn't already awake by now. Quite a few rodders had the same idea a good breakfast to start the day as the breakfast bar was full, med, large or full Monty breakfast was the choice, well you can guess which one us fat bikers chose eh!! + a large cup of coffee and we were ready for anything the day had in store for us...
Stunning 63 Thunderbird now for sale in Custom Car and the NSRA site what a
peach looking Kustom? this is.
Every now and then my stomach would feel hollow and I got a cold sweat, at
the thought of making a presentation speech later that day?? Why was I going to
make a speech I here you cry, well from this web site, I run
an e-mail group, it has about 200 members and we swap e-mails helping each other
all we can and hopefully it is responsible for getting more than one otherwise
abandoned project finished. One of the main stays of this group is none other than
that well respected figure in Rodding and Kustom circles of Kev Rooney.
Kev don't keep the best of health as you may know. So a plan was hatched between a few of us under the instigation of The Crazy Toad Na ning ning ning Baww Bawww !! ;o) The plan was to collect a couple a quid from every member and get a painting commissioned from Chris Froggett Hey Frog Toad never noticed the connection before ;o)
Due to the love and respect all the members of the uk-hotrods group have for Kev Rooney, the cost of the painting was soon surpassed and so we planned to give the surplus, to Kev for his local Hossipital Renal unit, of which Kev is a regular, the thought behind this whole presentation was to show kev our appreciation of all he does for us and hopefully to cheer him up some aswell...
Hi-Tec Low-Tec I love both styles. This Billing saw every taste and style on
show.
With me being the person who started this group, it was upon my shoulders that I must, do the presentation and I couldn't just hand it over a few words would have to be said. Now don't get me wrong I wanted to present the painting to Kev no probs... it's just me and public speaking.. Oh Man!... I find it hard enough talking one on one and I absolutely hate phones and such, talking aint my forte as you may of gueseed, so the thought of doing it in front of everyone, filled me with absolute fear.. I was breathing heavy and felt hollow.. but I knew I had to do it and it was the least I could do for all the shit Kev has been through in his life and all the help he gives the group. But hey there was hours to go......... weren't there!
Round the edge of the show field were all the trade stands, one being Mothers
Polish and Kev Foley who is a member of the ukhotrods e-mail group had asked for
volunteer vehicles to show off their great products. Another member of the group
is Nige (Dover) who had been to hell and back to get this Chevy truck on the
road. It was ready for billing, so a plan was hatched to get the big block
powered Truck, a nice wash and brush up free gratis and so in turn show just how
good the Mothers product were.
Once on the show field I was trying to look at the Rods and Trucks that I liked, but I can hardly remember seeing any and I don't have any photos of a couple of cars there I really liked. I must of had my head firmly stuck up my R's that's the only reason I could think why this happened??? I have no picture of Paul Golledge's 35 pick-up for instance, which I really liked or Wayne's Trabbi & I wanted to have a proper look round that aswell. I don't even remember seeing it?? I did see I thought a whole heap of later model std looking Yanks I think in one part of the show field, which I didn't want to look at, as there were so many good Rods there, so I never ventured in to that area, maybe the cars I wanted to see but didn't, were hidden amongst them??
Not sure who's the cool Roadster is, but the 35 is Wee Marks and is stunning.
I tried to look round a few times but I just couldn't get into it and so missed many many cars, warra a numpty eh! The show field was pretty chocker and was totally surrounded by trade stands which was great for the overall buzz of the place. There were some really great Rods on show, with every taste catered for from what I can remember. The new 37 from Keith Murrell and Nige Lockleys 34 for the modern super clean Hi-Tec look, to Bob Booths and Ade Smiths Goldy looking A's, there was even a Rod for Barby in the shape of a very pink 29 Nash driven by Ken (eh Shane) ;o). There was cool nostalgia Rods like the afore mentioned Paul Golledge, Gaz O'Conner's, Ade Smiths and so many more, The Celeb coral of the mostly Jon Golding built Rods + some select others which was a fantastic sight. Pops A. B and C's ;o) they were all there. I just hope I have captured the feel of the show in the photos, but as I said I was not there really as my head was elsewhere.
Saw these two nice F100's parked on the grass and not on the show field, Yellow
one is Ray Cadd's latest ride.
Shane eventually came out the closet at Billing and bought his dream Car and it
was PINK!!! Woody was Cool.
Shane if anyone doesn't knows him, he is a rather large straight speaking Yorkshire man, a rough and tough Trucker.. I knew Shane had bought this rather pink 29 Nash and I caught him very close out the corner of my eye. So I said to Stu who was with me, in a very loud voice... " Have you seen that bloody Pink Rod?" "Jezz that must be owned by a big Puff eh" I heard Shane sort of splutter and spit as he peered at me ready to plant me firmly into the ground, when he realised who it was.. we had a laugh and he does assure me, the first job it gets is a paint job and a bit of lowering. It had massive strange tyres on it when Shane got it Mickey Tebbs loaned him some cooler looking whites for Billing. I think Mick is painting it to and it wont be metal flake either.. ;o)
Young Matt Bennett (Gary Bennett's lad) from Somerset drove up in the
fresh out blown crossflowed Pop... I thought this may have won best under 25 at
a NSRA event you know National Street Rod Association (there is a clue in the
title) A mega cool blown pop?????
How's this for coincidence or great minds think alike you choose, Bob Booths
debuted gold A (un-fendered) and Ade Smiths debuted Gold A (Fendered) Ade's is
for sale, I think some confusion was going on Sunday, as people said it was
Bob's that was for sale and Bob assures me it jolly well aint, as it took to
much blood and sweat to build and he is going to enjoy it, this maybe even a
keeper ya never know. They are both proper cool and ya know, I had decided to
paint my F100 Gold aswell before I had seen these two honest I am not
copying.....;o)
Russ Pepper's sweet 33 Roadster all steel to, with superb interior and mean as a junk yard dog, Chevy truck just
growled!!!
This cabriolet seemed to be leaving early as I just a got a quick snap of it.
Now how ace is this Nostalgia Tot Rod.
Still one of the nicest trucks about, now sporting the Nitro Clothing logo cool
works truck eh!
As I walked round I met Gus Patel, I was
surprised he knew me and recognised me, I felt real chuffed when he said he read
my web site. I get a big kick out of knowing people in our scene really do
look at this web site. Especially ones with cool cars as Gus has ;o) He was
telling me how his trans had cocked up over the weekend leaving him just one
forward gear. Hope it wasn't anything terminal, must be a nightmare working on
such perfect and finished vehicles and something I bet you don't expect to
have to do either... On the Saturday Me, Stu and Snowy on our ride round
stopped to look at Gus's Cool Chevy Truck, there were several heads looking into
the engine bay, when we rode up on our roaring bikes all helmeted up, suppose we
could of looked a bit dodgy. Frank Carroll must of really thought that, as he
turned to us and glared in a what the fuk are you lot up to look and a piss off
we are busy kind of way to ;o)... I was going to get Stu and them to park while
we had a proper look round it, but I thought best wait until we see tomorrow in
the show field.
Here it is one of my firm favourites Paul Golledge's proper Cool 35 Ford Truck,
the one I would most like to take home.) Photo's courtesy of Koppak.
Time was marching on, I made sure the Froggett
painting for Kev was at the NSRA Marquee as I think Froggy didn't quite have his
mind on things ;o)
The painting was bang on, I hoped Kev would also think the same. It depicted a
few of Kev's past projects and I hoped the one that was centre stage was not to
painful a memory for him, it was his stunning ,Cool Kapri, and the paint had to
be all removed and redone on this one... I did hope the A was to be centre
stage, but it was done now and was it ever superbly executed. Even the
Kapri's roof looked like metalflake.. I know Kev appreciates great work like
this, all I had to do now was try and work out just what the Hell I was going to
say in my presentation speech....
I meandered over to the NSRA tent, first taking the opportunity to talk to Kev's other half Marrion, while there was chance to, without Kev being there... I told Marion what the score was and to get him to the NSRA Marquee for 3pm... When I was telling her how it had all gone I am sure her eyes filled up and mine certainly did.. I thought oh sh*t I hope I can do this without getting a quaky voice... It was just how the heck do you start such a speech??? what could be my opening line?????
Anyhow I spoke with John Price, who is the
commentator at the Pod and all the NSRA events.. he has a brilliant speaking
voice and looks, perfect for radio ;o)
It was really funny one of the NSRA officials introduced me to him and John Goes
pleased to meet you Holmsey.. he shook my hand and said "John Price" ha
ha as if I didn't know... it just tickled me.. I told him all about the
presentation and why we were doing it and who to, he did listen very intently I
suppose that is why he is so professional he took it all in... He then a said
them words I wanted to hear "now do you want me to do the speaking".......
"oh yes"... I thought .... I also though you soft git coping out like
this, but John would do a far better job of it than me and I felt relived... I
just hoped Kev didn't mind.
The shout came out, "will all uk hotrods e-mail group members please come to the NSRA marquee", I had primed them all before through e-mail, quite a few couldn't make it (it was originally scheduled for the Supernats) and I stood there what seemed like ages and ages and just a couple turned up. I gulped and thought oh oh.... then all of a sudden the place started filling up, did I smile... many faces I recognised and many I didn't, some I thought I knew and called the wrong name *whoops* . Thing is we just swap info etc with e-mails we seldom meet up and if we do there is just usually a few of us. We are not a club and we never intend to be either, there are all different tastes in cars and types of people in the ukhotrod e-mail group and I felt really chuffed to see so many people there. From trad looking guys and galls, to guys who just enjoy the cars and not so much the life style... Quite a few with the wife and kids and I just felt so emotional and proud.... But still no main guest to be seen.. Where was kev we all wondered? As it had been such a secret we didn't even know 100% Kev would even make it to Billing let alone this meeting, we knew he was at Billing OK now, but could Marion perused him to pop along to the NSRA marquee?? we waited............... and breathed a sigh of relief as we saw Kev hobbling along to where we all were...
I don't mind telling you John was brilliant and kev was unsuspecting anything at first, until we got to presenting him with the painting... we both felt touched by it, I am sure. Kev is a great, great guy an absolute honour to know and a privilege to call a friend. There are a few people in my life (mates that is) that I feel blessed to know and Kev is one of them.. He has presence, he commands respect and he is a Star, I hope we went someway in cheering him up and letting him know how we all feel about him.. Well it was done, Kev was totally gob smacked and struck dumb it was great ;o) I have also a nice cheque to give him soon so maybe I can embarrass him again or maybe not as it embarrasses me to Ha Ha...
Left Kev is lulled into a false sense of security and unsuspecting not
knowing what we had in store for him...... Right we finally spring the surprise.
Well a great end of another great weekend for me, though I know I didn't speak to as many people as I would of liked, or looked at as many cars as I would of liked either let alone get some better photos .. But all in all a great weekend. And my Biker mates loved it to.
We broke camp and
got leathered up, leathered, not lathered up and set off on what would be
hopefully a nice and safe ride home.... We kept up a hard, fast, steady
pace home, with only the Harley Sportster Rider complaining, it was to fast a
pace ;o) eh Snowy... my old 750cc Honda never missed a beat, Stu's Fat Boy
Harley purred and we had had a belting weekend, so were buzzing all the way
home... 15 miles from home we hit a traffic jam which was weird. We rode past
all the cars even though it was double white lined and as we passed a large
coach we spied in front about 15 or so bikers, all stood in silence looking up
the road. This was on the most dangerous set of s bends imaginable and in a dip
to make it worse. I saw an ambulance with the medics attending to someone, an AA
van was across the road on the opposite side to us... and a crashed motorbike my
heart sank. It is times like this you think are you sure you want to keep riding
motorbikes????
It was like the guy was dead or dieing how we all stood arms folded in almost
silence looking in respect at our fallen brother... Turned out a deer had jumped
out in front of him, well you cant guard against that can you, stoopid
numpty car drivers, you have half a chance, idiot young girls and lads in souped
up joy boy cars you can guard against if you keep your wits about you, but a
bloody deer... no way.... Turned out, when reported in the local paper, the
biker had not suffered any real major injuries, so that wasn't so bad, I think
we al had him dead or crippled for life ;o) Alls well that ends well, that's
what I say eh Grommet!
Your car is lovely time!
I hate trophies and all that goes with it, at Rod Runs. I feel this single thing causes more upset and bitchiness than anything else in our scene. Seems like some feel because their car didn't win, everyone is saying your cars shit, and it aint like that at all, just the other one won on this occasions that's all .................... scrap em I say... just have one peoples choice if we have to.. Anyway that said, here are the prize winners Ha Ha ;o)
BILLING 2005 PRIZE WINNERS
Hard Luck Award goes to John Martinez who lost a wheel on the way to Billing.
Fastest Tot Rod Luke Coulter with a time of 24.06seconds. Thanks again to Riverside Rod & Custom who ran the Tot Rod time trials.
Best Tot Rod Ryan Avis 34 Roadster.
NASC Pick Rob Slater Morris Minor Convertible.
Looks Not Bucks, Sponsored by Hot Rod Gazette, Wilf Stacey Anglia Van.
Spirit of Hot Rodding, Sponsored by Hot Rod Gazette, Brian Lucas 32 Roadster.
Best Custom, Sponsored by Nitro, Roland Frost 63 Thunderbird.
Under 25’s Award, Sponsored by Custom Car & Classic line, Dan Wilson Yellow Mini
Pop Festival
top five
(no particular order):
Pop 03 Steve Smith
Pop
004 Mick Donohue Thames Van
Pop
20 Adam Rogers
Pop
01 Mark Brackin
???? Colin Young
Billing Top Ten (no particular order)
348 R. Jarrett Ford Pilot
287 Andy Crocket 37 Ford Coupe
313 Mark Miller 35 Ford Coupe
151
Steve Fletcher 46 Chevy Pick-up
307 Bob Booth 1930 Model A
126 Ian Burton 34 Ford Coupe
076 Simon Phillips 32 Sedan
150 Lorina Felicien Consul Capri
149 ? 32 Roadster
167 Stewart Revill 58 Fleetside Pick-up.
Special Award – So-Cal Speedshop Pick – Chosen by Tony Thacker – Paul Rees Model A Roadster Pick-up.
Special Award– Dan Finks Metalwork's pick – Chosen by Steve Rickets - Merv Barnett – 32 5-Window Coupe
Best Pop– 292 Mick Payne Thames Van
Participants Choice
Keith Murrell – 1937 Ford Roadster