This year’s show season kicked off with a new addition to the line-up, Passion ’08 in the King’s Hall. We had three spaces to fill on the Bangorcruise stand, and decided to go for a variety of motors to show the diversity of our members’ tastes with some good old American muscle, a bit of Japanese glamour and a mean Euro sleeper.
Even though the doors wouldn’t open to the paying punters until 4pm, our show cars had to be there for 10.30am which meant an early start for some very hung-over members. I think it’s fair to say that Rocko wasn’t looking his finest when I arrived to pick him up, but a couple of redbulls and five or six cigs later and he started to come round. We met up with Greg in his G40 polo (with GaryK co-piloting), and WeeBalls in his 300zx (with Pete co-piloting) and headed for the King’s Hall. Terry Vettekid and Rachael were already on the road towing the Z06 Corvette. Johnny (W9NGJ) arrived soon after to help get us organised and set up.
Once the cars were in and all polished and waxed it was time for lunch at the Kings Head across the road, and back in time for the doors opening. There were some quality motors on show and good representation by the local websites, traders and owners clubs. We were in the bigger ‘daytime’ hall with the Vibe Tunnel in the middle of the floor. I was really impressed with the sound coming from the tunnel until Gary (IceAge) totally drowned it out with his nearly finished van…I made the mistake of sitting in the van early in the morning and as you’ll see from the blurry pictures I didn’t stop vibrating for the rest of the day. I kid you not, there were car alarms going off in the carpark outside because of sound coming from the van.
The BMW club brought along some lovely beemers, RMS were represented by Cooper’s new drift machine and Gav’s Lexus, and NCC were by far the best supported website with about 20 members there from first thing. John Peden’s two latest creations were also in the same hall, the photos of these motors speak for themselves – a gifted man! We’d the pleasure of chatting to Peden and Kidd for a bit. Niall’s cosworth and Gary’s Anglia cossie were both in the same hall too, with Audio Advice’s amazing line up (including Gary’s van, Adrian’s unveiled awesome mini, Sparky’s fiesta and the beautiful white golf) and the sadly empty space where the Veyron should have been. Next door was the ‘night-time’ hall with entertainment from the Belfast Breakers and Scooby Ireland and Ultamotive’s finest on display. Gutted that Ryo couldn’t make it on the day in his Scoob. There were also pole-dancers, the Slick Chicks and Nikki from Fast Car to keep the crowd entertained throughout the evening, with Stacey from NCC picking up the first Miss Passion 08 award.
All in all a very good show in my opinion, the organisers worked hard to ensure that the quality of cars was easily better than any of the big shows across the border, and knowing the amount of hard work and money required to put something like this on I think they deserve a pat on the back, hopefully this will turn into an annual event.
It was a shame that the Veyron couldn’t make it, and I’m sure people will argue that they paid the entrance fee just to see it, but I’m also sure that if the Veyron had been there, those same people would likely have complained that the Veyron wasn’t as good as they’d expected it to be.
By the time prize giving comes round I’m usually so knackered that I forget who got what, so apologies for those that I can’t remember – if anyone else knows the missing winners then feel free to add. What I do remember is that Gary won best install (first of many bud) Niall’s Cosworth got car of the show, Ben’s bora got best modification (for his door handles), Peden’s Astra got a prize, Gav's Lexus got one, and of course the best stand went to Bangorcruise. Rocko, Gary and myself ended up in the Hilton with the Fast Car guys, more on that to follow…
Big thanks are due to the three owners that showed for us, Terry, Balls and Greg. Special mentions to GaryK for keeping me entertained throughout the day, Mr Wong for coming down early to help out, and Pete for his random heckling. Nice one!
Pics to follow.
Winners
Best Stand - BangorCruise
Miss Passion 08 - Stacy Byrne
Show and Shine - Peden Conceptz Astra, Blue Scoob, DecyD's Skyline
Best ICE - Gary McCarroll Fiesta Van
Car of the Show - Niall Brown Sierra Cosworth
Best Interior - ClioRacer's Clio
Photos here
_________________
Ryan Mc wrote:
You're not the Fizziest tin of pop in the fridge are you?
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i was well chuffed
