2019 Shows and Events

For 'American Speedfest 2019' please scroll down this page

For previous years please click on the 'SHOWS' tab above.

September 2019 - Sywell Classic Pistons & Props, Sywell, Northamptonshire.

Sunshine and showers were the order of the weekend for the 2019 two day Sywell Classic Pistons & Props.

With Saturdays glorious sunshine race cars, karts, hotrods & classics took to the sprint strip and runway for some fabulous displays as the crowds packed the showground.

But…“Oh, what a difference a day makes!!!” Sunday…What a soaker from the get-go!

Exhibiting cars that had stayed over for the weekend were arriving with rain and road spray dripping from every corner. Around the showground and race paddock owners on every stand were now hard at work prepping their cars in eager anticipation that the weather would break for the days on and off track action.

With a break in the weather about 10.00am the raceway started to dry and the cars and race bikes could get to the sprint strip. To the skies the props took advantage of the window to display the Thunderbolts, Spitfires and Mustangs outstanding flying abilities.

However this window was shorted lived and at 12.30 the skies darkened, the wind got-up and the heavens opened. Racers, exhibitors and visitors could be seen running for cover in every direction as they sought haven in the nearest gazebo or food stand canopy.

With the sprint strip now soaked and the rain set-in for the afternoon the 2019 event inevitably came to an early finish. For the hardened stalwarts the only place now to be was the stage marquee before thoughts turned to home. As racers, exhibitors and visitors started to pack-up their gear around the showground and paddock the sound of Rhythm & Blues could be heard echoing as the “Band played on!”

August 2019 - Knebworth Motor Show, Knebworth House, Hertfordshire.

Just a little more mantelpiece masterclass ‘Bling‘ for the trophy cabinet!

This two day event annually attracts in excess of two thousand exhibitors with some of the best cars on the show scene on display. Visitors to the event can see Super Cars, Classics, Sports, American, Kits, Custom, Hotrods, Movie Cars and more.

2019 saw a larger than expected turnout on the Sunday & Bank Holiday Monday as the Met Office forecast sunshine and shorts with temps into the 30’s. So with clear skies ahead, it’s 7.30am and I head off south for a short seventy mile run down the A1 to Knebworth Park. This is always a pleasant drive and such an easy venue to get to.

As I pull into the show ground I am quickly directed by marshals to my display area for the day within the Masterclass Concours Exhibits alongside the main arena. A quick walk before the show opens, quickly proved that this show, as always had turned up some real head turning exhibits.

At the head of the showground The Motion Picture Motor Club were setting up with a very impressive line-up and already attracting a lot of visitors and “Wow”! What a line up of movie muscle, you could almost feel their magic aura and smell the testosterone dripping off the curves of these iconic works of art.

First up I notice Dave waving in my direction with his fabulous 1968 Highland Green Mustang GT 390 Fastback with mounted lightweight Arriflex camera as driven by Steve McQueen in the 1968 movie ‘Bullitt’. Alongside the Mustang stood its counter-part from the movie chase scene the Dodge Charger 440 Magnum.

Throughout the showground there were some absolutely amazing and iconic cars with the organisers estimating a turnout of 2500 exhibiting cars attending over the weekend.

As the show drew to a close and anticipation mounted for the awards, I was requested to attend the arena Concours Masterclass ceremony to be presented on arrival for the third year running with the honour of a little more ‘Bling’ for the mantelpiece.

This is a very well attended and organised show in a prestige venue with something for the whole family. A great day out and well worth attending in 2020.

July 2019 - Kimbolton Country Fayre & Charity Car Show, Kimbolton, Cambs

Held within the beautiful grounds of Kimbolton Castle, Cambridgeshire and organised by the Rotary Club of Kimbolton Castle in partnership with the Sporting Bears, this is Kimbolton’s 28^th anniversary of the Country Fayre & Charity Car Show.Over the years the event has raised £400,000 for local and national charities. With new attractions year on year this event continues to grow with the organisers reporting a turnout of around one thousand cars exhibiting throughout the grounds.

This is a real family show with main arena entertainment, a live stage, prestige and sports car ‘Dream Rides’, refreshment outlets, fair ground, craft and trade stalls with many stall holders returning annually to the event.

Main arena attractions for the show saw ‘The Sealed Knot’ return with their explosive civil war re-enactment followed by Guido Louis-Equestrian Stunt & Tackless Show.

As I entered the showground the ‘Sporting Bears’ were already set-up with a very impressive line-up of prestige, classics and sports cars to tempt visitors on a ‘Dream Ride’ of their choice.

A quick stroll around the showground found the ‘Sealed Knot’ and their band of merry warriors kitting-up with tunics, muskets, gunpowder and all manner of explosives and pyrotechnic goodies.

Monday to Friday these guys and gals all have proper jobs such as teachers, accountants and greengrocers with one slight difference when it comes to “Something for the weekend”.....

..... because painting the box bedroom or cutting the lawn is not on their agenda as they all have the smell of gunpowder in their nostrils and prefer to don Civil War battlefield regalia and get out there for a full on skirmish firing muskets and cannons at each other.

These are Civil War re-enactments with clashing Pikemen, Musketeers and lots and lots of flash bangs. “I have to say, it all looks jolly good fun! - Pass the Gunpowder please!”.

With the smell of gunpowder still in the air, enter Guido Louis-Equestrian Stunt & Tackless Show. Guido’s dynamic personality and arena presence quickly found spectators captivated by his delivery as they watched years of focus, discipline and dedication between horse and rider rise to the fore to achieve the ultimate horseback stunt, after stunt, after stunt.

On the live stage the Galaxy Swing Band entertained throughout the day with their mix of Swing, Jive & Jazz with accompaniment from the Lindy Hopper Dancers.

Thanks to the ongoing dedication and efforts of the Rotary Club of Kimbolton Castle and the Sporting Bears, the 28^th anniversary event was an outstanding success and is well worth pencilling into your 2020 diary.

June 2019 - American Speedfest, Brands Hatch, Kent

The biggest celebration of American fuelled motoring, music and racing this side of the Atlantic. This is a huge two day Stars & Stripes extravaganza held at the Brands Hatch circuit, which has grown year on year. With a “Live Action” arena, visitors could experience live stunt shows from the “Maximum Lock” Stunt Team and watch in amazement the exploits of the thundering monster truck “Swamp Thing”.

Support races came from the Legends Championship, Anglo American 5000’s, V8 Muscle Cars and the Pick-Up Truck Championship.

To the circuit headlining for the event saw the NASCAR Whelen Euro-Series with two qualifying runs and four races across the weekend, followed by post race celebrations in Victory Lane.

For those looking to experience driving a “Big American Rig” a “Kenworth” truck could be sampled on the GP loop. With passenger seat rides available for those looking to experience the ride but not drive.

Throughout the paddock and circuit the Speedfest Cheerleaders entertained while the Motion Picture Motor Club pulled the crowds with the iconic Steve McQueen “Bullitt” Mustang 390 GT Fastback and its counterpart Dodge Charger.

Another Dodge Charger fan favourite drawing the crowds was Bo and Luke Dukes “Dukes of Hazzard” General Lee. Other displays saw the “Ghostbusters” Ecto 1, “Back to the Future” Delorean and “Knight Riders” Kit.

For the kids ‘selfie’ time came in abundance with “Storm Troopers”, movie characters and the “Transformers” ‘Bumblebee’ and ‘Optimus Prime’ mingling around the circuit.

June 2019 - Bourne Car & Bike Show, Lincolnshire.

Torrential rain for days leading up to the event left the usual Wellhead venue afloat with only the feathered and paddling varieties able to enjoy this new found paradise.

This resulted in some last minute head scratching as the organisers tried to relocate all exhibitors and traders around the town.

On arrival we were directed to the town centre where Marshals were parking exhibitors in a ‘Le Mans’ style start formation along the main West Street.

Booked to capacity weeks before the event, this Fenland towns event committee famed as the home of the BRM (British Racing Motors) F1 Racing Team had managed to wave their magic wand and relocate all exhibitors and traders to higher dry ground.

With sports cars, classics and bikes on display and a full programme of live demonstrations, singers and bands taking to the main stage, the public and exhibitors were entertained from the get-go.

May 2019 - National Kit Car Show, Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire.

The 2019 season opener was a mixture of sunshine and showers for the two day early Bank Holiday event, with the best of the weather to be had on the Sunday.

Inside the halls, manufacturers displayed a good showing of Cobra’s with some very eye catching colours schemes. Outside over 100 club displays saw Seven’s and Cobra’s fill the showground.

For those seeking a little more of an adrenaline rush, you could experience a passenger seat drift ride or try the Dakar four wheel drive off-road course.

Trade stands throughout the venue could supply current and new kit car builders with everything from a single nut and bolt to an “everythings included” just bolt it together sportscar package.