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The NSRA Fun Run is almost as historic as the club itself.

Following the NSRA’s formation in 1972, the first Fun Run premiered in 1973 with just 22 cars. As the NSRA’s original rod run, the Fun Run resided at Billing Aquadrome for many years until in 2017, the event moved to Great Yarmouth Racecourse, and then eventually on to Rutland Showground. The Fun Run grew from a Saturday night BBQ with a Sunday Swap Meet / Show into the show that we all know now, but it has remained at the heart of the club for almost 50 years. There aren’t many events that can look back on such a long and significant history.

As the NSRA celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2022, this year’s NSRA Fun Run at Rutland Showground on the 17th – 19th June 2022 was packed full of commemorative displays and nostalgia.

The club paid homage to a British hot rodding favourite, the Ford Pop. The Pop Festival has long been associated with the Fun Run and this year saw a relaunch with the help from the Popstalgia team. There was also a display of Jago based rods. The JagoRama celebrated UK hot rodding pioneer Geoff Jago and his company that produced Model T and 1932 Ford kits. Other commemorative displays were dedicated to previous Fun Run Participants’ Choice winners as well as a display of iconic cars of significance featuring This Mini and That Mini custom Mini’s, Andromeda, and the Plum Crazy Fordson.

Reminiscing on the past 50 years, the NSRA’s 50th anniversary working group had set up a nostalgic display in the event hospitality marquee. With a collection of NSRA Fun Run T shirts spanning the past five decades, as well as historic event trophies, club magazines of the past and other collectible club memorabilia, NSRA members were transported back to times gone by.

As well as the special displays, all the usual fun took place. Saturday’s cruise took the cars on a lovely scenic drive to Burghley House, with the Ford Pops and the Jago’s leading everyone out of the showfield. Saturday evening there was fun and games in the main marquee and Sunday’s show and shine even featured a crew vs. participants tug of war competition!

But as always, the stars of the show are the cars and despite a damp forecast on the Saturday, Sunday turned out to be a fantastic day. The show field filled up with pre-1972 hot rods, modified and custom cars, and American classics creating a fantastic display. The highlight of the day is always the prize giving ceremony and the quality of the cars in the winner’s circle this year was outstanding – take a look at the winners list below. The ClassicLine team were also delighted to present an award and our NSRA Fun Run 2022 Pick went to Pete Horne and his fabulous 1950 Chevy Styleline. Keep an eye out for the full feature on this car coming soon!

As the NSRA’s official hotrod insurance provider, we’d like to say a big thank you to the NSRA committee, crew and helpers for putting on another great event. The NSRA’s 50th anniversary celebrations continue in August at the NSRA Hot Rod Supernationals, and we look forward to hopefully seeing you there.

2022 NSRA Fun Run Winners:

Participants Choice: 1932 Ford Roadster, Owned by Martin Nortcliffe

Top Five: Bedford CA Van, owned by Ryan Dearing
Top Five: Matford Woody, owned by Mick Harle
Top Five: 1941 Willys Coupe, owned by Andy Crockett
Top Five: 1955 Chevrolet, owned by Bryan Whitfield
Top Five: 1932 Roadster, owned by Shirley Sharman

Under 29’s award: 1956 Chevrolet, owned by Wade Nortcliffe
Traders Pick: Ford Popular, owned by Terry Newton
Best British Tin: 1974 Thames Van, owned by Simon Sargeant
Best American Muscle: Chevrolet Nova, owned by Pete Sendteck
Rutland Pick: 1932 Ford Roadster, owned by Carl Powles
Mayor’s Pick: 1952 Ford F2 Pick Up, owned by Clay Kinsell
ClassicLine Pick: 1950 Chevy Styleline owned by Pete Horne
Pre-29’s Pick: 1932 Ford 5 window, owned by Phillip Lovell
Best Pick Up: Dodge Pick up, owned by Mick Dearing
Pop Festival: Ford Popular, owned by Elliot Garrard
Pop Restival Runner Up: Ford Popular, owned by Steve Wood
Popstalgia Award: Ford Popular, owned by Elliot Garrard
Tony Robinson Award: Ford Popular, owned by Steve Wood
Jagorama Award: 1932 Sedan, owned by Bill Wittkopp