JUST CLASSICS MOTOR CLUB

What does it take to have a show winning classic car? Is it the hours and hours of skinned knuckles and patience to get your car to show standard? Maybe it's a totally immaculate example that's hardly turned a wheel over the years, or even a daily used classic that still looks loved and looked after amongst the best of them? Or, on the other hand, if you are entering your car into the arena at an Andrew Greenwood show all you really need to do to win is be a member of the "clique" to take home the "coveted silverware." Same faces, same cars, same winners year after year and yet definately not always the best cars! This isn't a dig by Just Classics either, browsing any number of internet forums reveals the same opinion.
For me personally the winning isn't an issue as I never have my own car judged but for others who'd like to have a crack at maybe winning a trophy it is an issue, so for Gods sake......LET SOMEONE ELSE HAVE A GO!!!
That aside, we had a good turnout of club cars and an enjoyable drive out to Thorseby in convoy and for the second time in a row arriving  directly at our destination and without incident!  The show itself was huge with even the overflow field filled with classics and thankfully the weather stayed fine although a little windy all day. 
On a final note, thanks to Little Enos' missus Susan for the carrot cake, and commiserations to the "gentlemen" in the BMW club for being pipped to the post for the club stand award.

CLICK HERE for pics of Thoresby

There's something about the Locke Park shows that always make for a really good day out and this year was no exception. After meeting up  to travel in convoy (amazingly with no breakdowns this time!) we arrived and got settled in for the day.
Big Enos and Little Enos filled the air with the aroma of their stove cooked sausage butties and I the writer had found a frothy coffee stall, yes, today was definately going to be a good day!
The turnout of cars was fantastic ranging right the way through from early vintage, to modern classics such as the  stunning Lancia Integrale. 

My own personal favourite of the day had to be the little Mk1 Fiesta, I felt like I could almost  pick it up under my arm and carry it home!!
Aside from the classic car display there were loads of things going on through the day to keep the public entertained and if that wasn't enough, there was always the option of a gentle stroll around the huge park in the glorious weather.
This show is definately worth a visit for anyone with an automotive interest and well done to the YTCC for putting on another top notch show!
CLICK HERE for pics of Locke Park

Todays show was set in the stunning grounds of Ripley Castle and fortunately the weather stayed fine making for an enjoyable day. There were lots of cars here that I personally haven't seen before including a couple of really nice "race modified" classics. Well done to the owners for being brave enough to "go against the grain" as it were and prove that old cars are still allowed to be used and abused and not just be  wrapped in cotton wool!
There was also an autojumble  to have a stroll around, a Land Rover display and an impressive turn out of classic motorcycles, all in all a nice varied day. CLICK HERE for pics of Ripley Castle

Today we were supporting the annual South Yorkshire Police open day at the Niagara Sports Ground in Sheffield.
Entry to the fun day is free and there is always plenty to see and do aswell as the classic cars including police dog display teams, safety displays by the fire service,  lots of stalls and fairground rides for the kids.This years proceeds went to the Help For Heroes fund, a very deserving cause. Congratulations to the owner of the stunning M Power BMW who scooped the car of the show award!

As seems to be the usual format for this show, the heavens opened not ten minutes after we arrived and a torrential downpour ensued looking like we were in for a thoroughly miserable day. However the weather picked up and after around half an hour of seeking refuge in our cars with leaking sunroofs and steamy windows, people began to venture out and cautiously leather their cars  while keeping one eye on the sky! 
The upturn in the weather brought with it plenty of visitors to the Gala and a good selection of cars to stroll around including a very  "un-assuming" Vauxhall with a Ford powerplant under the bonnet.
If you are the owner please get in touch as we would like to feature your car on the website.
The Gala itself provided plenty of attractions including live music, plenty of displays (sorry John, no pics of the belly dancers) craft stalls and a fairground. This Gala  is well worth a visit for young and old alike and makes for a good family day out with the weather permitting!
CLICK HERE for pics of Brinsworth

Tonight's show, organised by our very own John Loukes along with Eric and staff from Norton House Country Club was in aid of the charity The Neuro Support Group and  raised a sum of £200 towards their funds for assisting people with neurological problems due to accident or illness.
Many  thanks to all who donated raffle prizes, sold and purchased tickets and most of all, those who brought  their cars along!

Fortunately the weather stayed fine and this encouraged a good turn out of cars ranging from modern classics to  vintage and even  a couple of motorbikes were added to the mix for good measure. Once again we had to use the hard standing car park as well as the grassed area to accommodate vehicles which is a good indication of how popular this show seems to be becoming.
The judging of the vehicles was in the hands of the public  this year and our own member Paul was lucky  enough to have  a win in his 300SL Mercedes which incidentally started first turn of the key when requested. Ahhhh, you can't beat German reliability!!
CLICK HERE for pictures of Norton House Show

Anyone  who has watched an episode of Top Gear featuring one of their second hand car challenges  will relate to  this mornings events as we almost staged our own!
We met at the usual spot safely enough and without incident but when the time came to set set off  Paul's (of rogue sat nav fame)  starter motor decided it was going to stick so out came a hammer courtesy of Mick and some patient "tapping"ensued.
In fairness, not ten minutes earlier he had been talking about it playing up with the heat but as classic cars do (especially Fords it seems) it picked the perfect moment to stick! The problem was solved soon enough and we all made a dash for our cars to set off before anything else went wrong when all of a sudden Big Brian (in true Jeremy Clarkson fashion) threw his hands in the air and exclaimed there was a problem with his car, which incidentally just happens to be another Ford.
Indeed there was a problem...............................


He'd locked himself out of the car with the keys left in the ignition!!  After trying everyones keys, scouting around in the undergrowth in the vain hope of finding something to get in with and dis-counting Micks suggestion of simply smashing the quarterlight, the RAC was called and the lesson in breaking and entering began.........
After quite a lot of "Ooh"  "Ahh"   "bugger" and  "Nearly got it"  the door was open and we were finally on our way to Elvington only to miss the turning for the showground and have to double back around the same roundabout we got lost on last year and  when we eventually arrived we even got a telling off for being late!!
At least the weather stayed nice for the day and the show itself was quite busy  with lots to look at,  and the fantastic fly by of the Spitfire which I did try to capture with the video setting on my camera albeit rather fleetingly! .
The food here is also a pleasure as good reasonably priced meals can be found in the N.A.F.F.I.
A far cry from the tepid burgers and scraggy chips found at most of these events!
CLICK HERE  for lots of Elvington pics and HERE for the Spitfire

This evening event proved really popular last year and attracted a good turn out of cars, quite a few of which we hadn't seen before and this years event was just as successful. Although this is a relatively small show held  in the car park of the Bay Horse Public House, the atmosphere is really welcoming  and cars were still turning up well into the evening.
I personally really enjoyed the evening and  the chance to have a chat and a good laugh  with some of the club members.
Thankfully the weather stayed dry although a bit blustery  but unfortunately the camera batteries ran out before I could photograph all the cars that turned out which is a shame as all were worthy of a picture and JUST CLASSICS would like to thank all those that brought their cars along and the Bay Horse for having us.
CLICK HERE for Bay Horse pics

Today's show at Cusworth was organised by the Traditional Car Club Of Doncaster who are always very friendly and a pleasure to deal with. The weather was a little hit and miss but never the less a good selection of cars turned out and provided a good days viewing.
It is the second time that I personally have visited Cusworth Hall and was again taken aback by the stunning scenery and imposing presence of the Hall itself, certainly a very nice place to spend a relaxing day.
The only down side to the day for me personally was forgetting to pack my own sandwiches as a visit to the only food wagon cost  9 pounds for two of the worst cheese burgers and coffee's that I have ever had the misfortune of buying, served by the  man with the dirtiest finger nails!
Definately won't be using that burger wagon again!!!  CLICK HERE to view pics of Cusworth.

We had a good club turn out today although missing a couple of members, and we would like to take this opportunity to wish Brian  a speedy recovery.
We were looking forward to the show as last year although the weather was horrendous we all had a really good laugh making the best of what could've turned out being really miserable day. This years journey to the show at Southwell Racecourse was quite an eventful one with Paul's rogue sat nav sending us in the wrong direction and my own car deciding to throw a fuel pipe resulting in about 5 quids worth of super unleaded being spilt on the road (GRRRRRR!!!) and my car coming to a spluttering halt on a very busy A road!  However the offending pipe was soon back where it should be after lots of colourful language on my part and we were on our way again. This time in the right direction!!  So thanks to the others who stayed and waited for me.   

Normanton Classic Car Show can be best described as "homely" in my opinion. 
It's setting in the middle of a housing estate makes for a busy show in terms of visitors and a nice varied  although small selection of well turned out cars ranging from modern classics to tractors.
I have to say that it is nice to see a show welcoming  the more modern classics as in the writers opinion these cars have as much right to be on a show ground as cars twenty or so years older.  It seems these days more and more shows are becoming a tad elitist and "banning" anything younger than 1980 and I find it a bit sad.

 
There was entertainment provided in the ring in the form of a cheer leading display and a small selection of car boot stalls to browse around aswell as the classic car display.
Food here was somewhat limited but palatable enough and reasonably priced in the form of one burger van, but taking your own sarnies might be an idea.
Sadly the weather wasn't really on our side and threatened rain on and off all morning. The heavens well and truly opened as we were on our way home in the afternoon!!
CLICK HERE to view more pics of Normanton