NSRA Fun Run: A tale of Hot Rods & wellies

Why the 2019 NSRA Fun Run was still great despite the weather

Words by Darren Ansell, ClassicLine Operations Director

We always look forward to spending time with the NSRA committee and its members and we only had a little trip over to The Rutland Showground this year for the for this fabulous event. Rutland Showground was a new venue for the fun run this year as it was decided to move the event to a more central location for 2019. It’s a great location set in Rutland’s beautiful countryside.

The weekends activities included a well turned out cruise of over 75 cars on Saturday to some local beauty spots, two nights of live entertainment with some great bands, competitions for the kids and a few more for the big kids! There was an impressive presence from the NSRA Pre-29’s, who as the name suggests are actively promoting the club and its lifestyle to all people under 29 years of age. Not even the terrible weather could stop these hardy hot rodders getting together to celebrate their lifestyle and the love of the amazing cars.

A big shout out goes to all the committee, crew and helpers that have put this amazing event together, this event is definitely one to put on your 2020 calendar.

Words by Hannah Thomas, NSRA Public Relations Officer

We had spent the week leading up to this year’s NSRA Fun Run glued to the weather forecast. Every time you checked the app showed something different, but we remained optimistic…

Set up began for the event on the Wednesday with the site being marked out, signage and gazebos put up. It had actually stopped raining by this point and the ground was drying out nicely. Then Thursday happened and the rain made itself well and truly known! Thursday was spent organising the hospitality marquee, the trophies, the registration goodies and merchandise. Until you help at an NSRA event, you don’t realise how many bin bags we have to fold and put in the event mugs!

By Friday, the rain had eased slightly, but the ground was very muddy. The gate crew did a fantastic job of coordinating the arrivals and getting people into the campsite safely – with the help of a couple of 4×4’s and a tractor.

Saturday’s cruise was fantastic, 75 cars left the Showground, but over 80 turned up at Rocks By Rail, our destination, so we must have picked up a few along the way!

It was great to trial a few new features at the event too. The Pre-29’s vinyl chillout lounge went down a treat and many enjoyed the Scalextric shootout. The Orange Pop Racing team raffled a seat in their 7-second drag racing Fordson Van. It was a priceless moment seeing the smile on the face of the gentleman who had the winning ticket as he sat in the Fordson and it fired into life.

The Mayor and Mayoress of Oakham, who are no strangers to the hot-rodding world, were our special guests at the show. On Saturday they were taken out on the cruise in Graham Rexon’s 1948 Chevy Business Coupe – just for fun, Graham decided to drive with open headers! Sunday, the Mayor and Mayoress returned to pick their favourite car and present a trophy.

Due to the sensitivity of the main show field, we restricted vehicle movement Friday and Saturday, doing all we could to preserve the ground. Fortunately, this meant by Sunday we were able to use the showfield and the show ‘n’ shine went ahead as planned. The weather did have an effect on the number of cars on the showfield, but we did everything we could to put on a great show and everyone who was there, was in high spirits.

Sunday afternoon, after receiving a report of a storm less that 20 miles down the road, we decided to bring the prize giving ceremony forward by an hour. However, halfway through prize giving we had a sudden downpour, lasting no more than five minutes. Everyone packed into the marquee and as soon as the rain passed, it was all back outside to continue the trophy presentations. You do have to take the light-hearted approach sometimes!

As the NSRA’s official insurance provider, we would like to thank ClassicLine for their continued support and for sponsoring the Trick Truck award at the show. We look forward to seeing you at the NSRA Hot Rod Supernationals in August.

Thank you too all the participants and traders who supported the show and braved the weather conditions.

We are really looking forward to next year’s event, which will hopefully be dry!