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The NSRA Hot Rod Supernationals is an annual event that we look forward to year after year. As ClassicLine have been the official insurance partner for the NSRA for almost 25 years, we have watched this show go from strength to strength. This year’s event surely has to be the biggest yet!

As well as welcoming unprecedented numbers of participants through the gate, the team were also having to manage a new, modernised, entry system. A few teething problems aside, the NSRA crew did a fantastic job of getting everyone checked in. Some of you may have even spotted our Darren helping out with marshaling and on the registration gate!

As expected, there was a full programme this year. With live music every night, movies on the big screen cinema, jive dancing lessons and even a rodeo surfboard. It was great to see that many embraced this year’s ‘surf’ theme and rocked up at the ‘Supernats Surf Bar’ with grass hula skirts and Hawaiian flowers. There was even an impromptu showing of the 1979 cult film Hot Rod complete with Willys Coupe line up.

Saturday’s cruise saw over 150 hot rods drive to a scenic parkland area near Luton for a picnic lunch. This was preceded by a surprise landing of the East Anglia Air Ambulance. No, they were not attending an incident, but as the NSRA chosen charity, the air ambulance helicopter landed on the show field to show the NSRA members and participants what their donations go towards.

Above all, we love the chilled out, family, atmosphere of this event. It’s great seeing all the car clubs camped up together and cars cruising the site of an evening.

The highpoint of our weekend has to be Sunday’s show and shine – and what a display it was this year! We have heard that by 11am the show field was full, with cars being parked in an overflow area of the field. Our full team joined Darren to assist with the hot rod and custom car insurance questions. For us, it’s always great to catch up with new and existing clients. We had the added benefit of being able to offer live insurance quotations there and then as well.

This year we were delighted to be choosing the winner of the Best Pop award. When our eyes fell on the 1953 Ford Pop with airbrush artwork, we knew this was the one. At the time we did not realise that the couple behind this incredible car was in fact legendary custom car builders, Maxime Xavier and Andy Saunders. Keep an eye out for our upcoming feature on this Ford Pop!

Finally, we close our event report with a few words from Sue Ayres, NSRA Chair, “What an amazing event! The sheer number and quality of cars was remarkable. The Supernats just seems to be going from strength to strength”. Sue, we couldn’t agree more!

Thanks to the NSRA team for another great show.

Here is the full list of show winners:

Participants Choice Winner: 1931 Ford Model A – owned by Eric Tremblet

Top Ten Winners:
1965 Ford Corsair – owned by Gary Tripp
1925 Singer Sport – owned by Paul Bacon
1937 Ford 5 Window Coupe – owned by Eva Beutler
1938 Chevy COE – owned by Tom Parry
1937 Rover 10 – owned by David Newman
1950 Chevy Styleline – owned by Pete Horne
1947 Ford Coupe – owned by Colin Parkinson
1929 Ford Model A – owned by Andrew Gissing
1934 Ford 5 Window Coupe – owned by Anni Merilainen
1941 Willys Coupe – owned by Andy Crockett

Young Rodder Award: Model A 5 Window Coupe – owned by Laurence Parsons

Spirit of the NSRA Award: Craig Dixon, in recognition of his contribution to the hobby and support of fellow hotrodders

Special Award: Doug Armstrong, who was instrumental in setting up the NSRA website and forum and is still an administrator behind the scenes supporting the club

Special Award: Merv Barnett, for his contribution to hot rod rodding and drag racing

Best Tot Rod: Lexie Jackson

Traders Pick, chosen & presented by American Auto Mags: 1932 Ford model B – owned by Jimmy Stubbs

NSRA Pre-29’s Pick, chosen & presented by NSRA Pre-29 member Laura Ayres: 1932 Ford Model B Coupe – owned by Christopher Newham

Best Model T: 1970 Ford Model T – owned by Keith Branch

Best Traditional Hot Rod: 1929 Ford Model A – owned by Andrew Gissing

Best Pop, chosen & presented by Darren Ansell from ClassicLine Insurance: 1953 Ford Pop – owned by Maxime Xavier-Saunders

Shuttleworth Pick, chosen & presented by Hannah Lack from Shuttleworth: 1942 Chevy COE – owned by Calvin Evans

UK Rodder Pick, chosen & presented by Ross Elliott of UK Rodder Magazine: 1930 Ford Model A Coupe – owned by Neil Etasse

Photo credit: Tim Horsfall

You may also be interested in reading:

NSRA Fun Run 2019 – a tale of hot rods and wellies
A ClassicLine guide to American car insurance
NSRA Members insurance scheme