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So, after the complete washout that was VBOA Billing 2012, we couldn't have had such a completely different weekend for this years event!
Scorching hot temperatures, plenty of sunshine and a full 3 days attendance!
However, on the downside, we had the WORST turnout ever experienced by VxON at this event. This is somewhat disappointing, and a little depressing. We hope it was just a one off and that future events draw larger attendance. If not, then a re-evaluation of what we do as a club will be required, as the attendance seen this weekend isn't atall sustainable.
Anyway, moving on...
Friday;
Alex arrived on site in the late morning, and proceeded to wait for the arrival of Mark & myself. We had stopped via Costco in Bristol to do the food shopping as normal. Slightly less stuff than normal meant we could fit it between our 2 vehicles with ease. We set off and gently cruised up to Northampton, arriving at around 1.30pm and immediately proceeding to get on with setting up of the Gazebos etc. VauxMad_Kris was already on site, but staying in a Caravan this year due to the attendance of his young daughter for the first time! DAWN68 also popped over later in the evening to introduce herself & Phil better than the brief encounter last year. jps1 with Rachel, daughter Charlotte & the Boxer Bruce also arrived in the evening. That was about it for the first night, only a handful.
We had the standard amount of BBQ goodness provided by Alex as normal, and again as normal, he did a sterling job of sorting the food out. Thanks!
Some action was seen due to Mark bringing along a quantity of weapons that a true American ******* would have been proud of - 14 Nerf Guns with a few hundred darts. THis was genius, as it turns out 6y.o Charlotte can be pretty shy until she is pointing a Nerf Gun at you and warning you she is about to get you. Cue a good hour or more of Stand based warfare between a number of members!
The evening saw us get involved with JPs BBQ Bucket - almost offensive to Alex until it was understood that it was solely for the roasting of Marshmallows.
Saturday;
A moderately early start for most at around 7am ish. Hot already. Get the BBQ going for some breakfast Bacon. This saw the concoction of Marks special sauce marinade, which proved a hit, and would be used every time the BBQ was fired up afterwards. The day was fairly slow, with not a lot happening overall. A small waterfight occured in which Mark claimed victory after emptying a bottle of water over Rachel. This was later followed by 3 people trying to swap a Door Mirror on the Club Zafira, which was a little bit of a faff.
It was really hot today, as already said, the TOTAL opposite of last year. It was at the point of complaining that it was too hot. But after last year, it wasn't the right thing to do!
The evening saw the arrival of daz82 & his partner (really sorry but forgot her name - apologies!), shortly followed by himselfunknown and then by Matt-SRI & Jo, all within a 15min window!
We repeated the previous night and got the BBQ Bucket out to do more marshmallows. We were casually sat there when we heard a pop from the lamps and promptly saw one smoking - investigation found it to be half covered in baked, dead Craneflies and other insects, resulting in some overheating and a shattered lens. Exciting times.
Sunday;
Another earlyish start, more BBQ breakfast etc etc. A slightly cooler start that was very welcomed too, until the sun broke through! Today saw the arrival of long lost members Sy & Trish, who have found their way out of the Northern wilderness & back to civilisation. Today was spent wandering around the majority of the site taking in the cars on display. The VXR Sponsored Drag Car Red Victor 3 was present, and very impressive. Noisy too!
A few bits were bought by some at the Auto Jumble - not much though, as there wasn't a great deal around for the newer cars that were present on the stand.
VxON didn't participate in the Parade run due to poor turnout, and we didn't enter anything to the Chairmans Cup either. Some people suggested my Vectra, but I personally didn't want to, it is nowhere near a level where I would be happy to put it on that slight pedestal.
After all the VBOA programmed events had finished, the remaining members present all pitched in and helped to pack everything away - MANY thanks to those involved!
We also had a couple of visitors from other stands - GREYDJ, lowrider dave & blitz9994 - good to catch up with some other members!
And that was that; a fairly relaxed, if not a bit quiet, VBOA Rally.
I seriously hope that we can turn things around for the next one.
Pics to follow
Scorching hot temperatures, plenty of sunshine and a full 3 days attendance!
However, on the downside, we had the WORST turnout ever experienced by VxON at this event. This is somewhat disappointing, and a little depressing. We hope it was just a one off and that future events draw larger attendance. If not, then a re-evaluation of what we do as a club will be required, as the attendance seen this weekend isn't atall sustainable.
Anyway, moving on...
Friday;
Alex arrived on site in the late morning, and proceeded to wait for the arrival of Mark & myself. We had stopped via Costco in Bristol to do the food shopping as normal. Slightly less stuff than normal meant we could fit it between our 2 vehicles with ease. We set off and gently cruised up to Northampton, arriving at around 1.30pm and immediately proceeding to get on with setting up of the Gazebos etc. VauxMad_Kris was already on site, but staying in a Caravan this year due to the attendance of his young daughter for the first time! DAWN68 also popped over later in the evening to introduce herself & Phil better than the brief encounter last year. jps1 with Rachel, daughter Charlotte & the Boxer Bruce also arrived in the evening. That was about it for the first night, only a handful.
We had the standard amount of BBQ goodness provided by Alex as normal, and again as normal, he did a sterling job of sorting the food out. Thanks!
Some action was seen due to Mark bringing along a quantity of weapons that a true American ******* would have been proud of - 14 Nerf Guns with a few hundred darts. THis was genius, as it turns out 6y.o Charlotte can be pretty shy until she is pointing a Nerf Gun at you and warning you she is about to get you. Cue a good hour or more of Stand based warfare between a number of members!
The evening saw us get involved with JPs BBQ Bucket - almost offensive to Alex until it was understood that it was solely for the roasting of Marshmallows.
Saturday;
A moderately early start for most at around 7am ish. Hot already. Get the BBQ going for some breakfast Bacon. This saw the concoction of Marks special sauce marinade, which proved a hit, and would be used every time the BBQ was fired up afterwards. The day was fairly slow, with not a lot happening overall. A small waterfight occured in which Mark claimed victory after emptying a bottle of water over Rachel. This was later followed by 3 people trying to swap a Door Mirror on the Club Zafira, which was a little bit of a faff.
It was really hot today, as already said, the TOTAL opposite of last year. It was at the point of complaining that it was too hot. But after last year, it wasn't the right thing to do!
The evening saw the arrival of daz82 & his partner (really sorry but forgot her name - apologies!), shortly followed by himselfunknown and then by Matt-SRI & Jo, all within a 15min window!
We repeated the previous night and got the BBQ Bucket out to do more marshmallows. We were casually sat there when we heard a pop from the lamps and promptly saw one smoking - investigation found it to be half covered in baked, dead Craneflies and other insects, resulting in some overheating and a shattered lens. Exciting times.
Sunday;
Another earlyish start, more BBQ breakfast etc etc. A slightly cooler start that was very welcomed too, until the sun broke through! Today saw the arrival of long lost members Sy & Trish, who have found their way out of the Northern wilderness & back to civilisation. Today was spent wandering around the majority of the site taking in the cars on display. The VXR Sponsored Drag Car Red Victor 3 was present, and very impressive. Noisy too!
A few bits were bought by some at the Auto Jumble - not much though, as there wasn't a great deal around for the newer cars that were present on the stand.
VxON didn't participate in the Parade run due to poor turnout, and we didn't enter anything to the Chairmans Cup either. Some people suggested my Vectra, but I personally didn't want to, it is nowhere near a level where I would be happy to put it on that slight pedestal.
After all the VBOA programmed events had finished, the remaining members present all pitched in and helped to pack everything away - MANY thanks to those involved!
We also had a couple of visitors from other stands - GREYDJ, lowrider dave & blitz9994 - good to catch up with some other members!
And that was that; a fairly relaxed, if not a bit quiet, VBOA Rally.
I seriously hope that we can turn things around for the next one.
Pics to follow
