The NSRA Hot Rod Supernationals is always one of the highlights of the ClassicLine Insurance events calendar, and this year’s 35th annual Supernats certainly didn’t disappoint. As the official insurance partner of the National Street Rod Association (NSRA), we’re proud to support this fantastic weekend, from sponsoring the goody bags to having a strong presence throughout the event.
So, what was it really like to spend the weekend at Old Warden Park? Our roving reporter was there to find out…
The alarm went off at 2.15am, leaving home at 3.30am, with fellow participants picked up along the route before we arrived at Old Warden Park just after 6am. The gates don’t open until 9am, but for many NSRA members, the weekend starts right here. In the queue, chatting to friends, eating pastries and drinking coffee.
There’s such a great atmosphere as everyone looks forward to the weekend ahead. Thursday is a pre-booked members only day, so if you’re not already an NSRA member, joining the club gives you the chance to get early access to one of the best weekends in the hot rod calendar. Once through the gate, wristband on and ready to roll, it was time to set up camp. If you’ve been coming to the NSRA Hot Rod Supernationals for many years, you’ll know that everyone tends to have their favourite spot on the campsite. Our roving reporter is no exception, so it was straight to our usual tree to unpack the cars and set up what would be home for the weekend.
Thursday is usually a fairly laid back day, unless, of course, you want to take part in the karaoke! Soulful voices and anyone willing to give it a go are welcomed with open arms. We spent the evening listening, occasionally cringing at the crooning, but thoroughly enjoying ourselves as the weekend’s entertainment got underway.
Friday morning was a chance to explore the trade stands and pick up those parts, accessories and treasures that you never knew you needed until you saw them! The afternoon brought Rock ‘n’ Roll Bingo, which was great fun. Two rounds of bingo, plenty of singing along to the songs and a few hours spent with great friends, what’s not to like? There was plenty more live music on the main stage, while visitors could also enjoy a delicious cream tea hosted by NSRA Committee Treasurer Anne Owen, raising money for Macmillan Cancer Support.
Meanwhile, the ClassicLine Insurance stand was open in NSRA Hospitality, where Darren had a steady stream of clients and enquiries about our specialist hot rod insurance and the dedicated NSRA Members insurance scheme with ClassicLine Insurance.
The weather was certainly on the hot side this year, with the heatwave bringing plenty of sunshine but also incredibly dry conditions around the site. With hundreds of vehicles and plenty of people moving around the parkland, the dry ground soon turned to dust, which seemed to get absolutely everywhere. Keeping the cars clean was almost a pointless exercise, you could wash one and have it looking dusty again within minutes!
As the evening arrived, everyone gathered in the Party Tent for a moving tribute to Ian Armstrong, who sadly passed away earlier this year. Ian, along with his wonderful wife Julie, was a lifelong NSRA member, a great friend to many of us at ClassicLine Insurance and would usually be spotted at shows with his iconic Ford Pop or one of their other cars. Ian was remembered in the best possible way, with a selection of his favourite Northern Soul tracks played by DJs Badger, Barbara Biddulp and Steve Bockin. It was a fitting tribute to someone who had given so much to the NSRA and the hot rod community.
Saturday is always a busy day at the Supernats because it’s cruise day. The show field starts filling early and, by 11am, everyone is ready to head offsite for the cruise. This year’s destination was the Mopar Nationals at Santa Pod Raceway, with the cruise organised by the good folk at the Cannibals Car Club.
Unfortunately, our roving reporter didn’t quite make it as far as Santa Pod. Part way along the route, the fan on the car decided to pack up. With the engine temperature climbing towards critical levels, we pulled over and began diagnosing the problem. An electrical issue was identified, and after an hour of head scratching, we managed to come up with a workaround that should be sufficient to get the car home on Sunday.
The plans for Santa Pod were abandoned, but every cloud has a silver lining. We found a nearby watering hole for a cold refreshment and, as luck would have it, bumped into some other Supernats participants at the pub. One of them happened to own a classic car racing engineering workshop just around the corner and invited us back for an impromptu private tour. What could have been a frustrating afternoon turned into an incredible opportunity to see behind the scenes of a fascinating engineering business. That’s one of the great things about events like the Supernats, you never quite know where the weekend will take you!
Back at Old Warden Park, the ClassicLine Insurance stand was open throughout the day, this time with our very own hot rod driving colleague Greg at the helm. Greg was kept busy with renewals and enquiries, while NSRA Valuations Officer Chris Smith worked hard throughout the day helping club members with agreed valuations for their insurance renewals.
With the afternoon spent at the engineering workshop, it was soon time to head back and get ready for Mexican Party Night. And yes, we did get dressed up. Sombreros, Mexican blankets, Day of the Dead face paint… you name it, it was there. We and plenty of our fellow Mexican compadres were invited onto the stage to welcome the absolutely brilliant Beato Burrito ahead of their evening set. It’s been a number of years since Beato Burrito last played at the Supernats, and it was fantastic to have them back. They certainly didn’t disappoint, with the party atmosphere continuing well into the evening.
Sunday seemed to come around in the blink of an eye. And if you think Saturday is busy, Sunday is even busier because it’s Show ‘n’ Shine day! The show field started filling early, with dedicated parking areas for Ford Pops, Fordsons and Model Ys, alongside a fantastic display of NSRA Pre-29 members’ cars.
The NSRA Pre-29s is the club’s young members’ division, aimed at encouraging younger enthusiasts in their hot rodding journeys and providing an active community for them to be part of. It’s fantastic to see the next generation of hot rodders getting involved and enjoying the scene.
As pre-1972 hot rods, street rods, customs and American cars stretched as far as the eye could see, it was time to choose the winner of the ClassicLine Insurance Award. Janey and Lindsay picked an absolutely stunning 1966 Chevy C10 Stepside Long Wheelbase pickup, owned by Jason Hinson. What a choice! The burgundy paint and ghost flames were eye catching and clearly made an impression on the judges too, as the pickup also went on to win the Paint Perfection Judges’ Choice Award at prize giving.
There was another particularly poignant display on the show field too. A ‘Tribute in White Ford 100E’, where visitors could write a message on the car remembering rodders and friends who are no longer with us. It was a lovely way for the community to remember those who have played a part in the NSRA and the wider hot rod scene. Another car attracting plenty of attention was the iconic Pinball Wizard Ford Pop, making its Supernats appearance after restoration and paint. It’s always fascinating to see how cars evolve, and even more exciting to see the car return to its 70s guise.
With an afternoon spent wandering around the cars and plenty of visitors stopping by the ClassicLine Insurance stand, it was soon time for prize giving. You can find a full list of the trophy winners below. And we’d like to add a big thank you to Graham Thompson for providing the photos of the ClassicLine Insurance Award and Best in Show trophy presentation. Then it was time to pack up and head home, tired, dusty, a little bit sunburnt, but buzzing after another brilliant NSRA Hot Rod Supernationals.
As the official insurance partner of the NSRA, ClassicLine Insurance is proud to support the club and its members, helping NSRA members to continue to enjoy their hot rods, street rods, customs and American cars. We hope you enjoy some of our favourite photos from the weekend below. If you’d like to find out more about the NSRA members insurance scheme with ClassicLine Insurance, including the specialist benefits available to NSRA members, get in touch with the team on 01455 639 000 or visit our contact page.
Photo credit: Graham Thompson
NSRA Hot Rod Supernationals Award Winners 2026
NSRA Hall of Fame Induction announcements:
NSRA Member – Ray Christopher
Street Rod – Mr Torquer Fordson Van
Individual – Keith Andrews
Supplier/Organisation – Santa Pod Raceway
ClassicLine Insurance Award: 1966 Chevy C10 Pickup owned by Jason Hinson
Shuttleworth Pick: Jaguar Atlantis Shooting Brake owned by Steve Cook
Tony Robinson Award, picked and presented by Mid Surrey Roadsters: Fordson Van owned by Trevor Springall
Introduced for 2026, the following awards were selected by a judging panel:
Special Awards: 1954 Chevy Pickup owned by Clive Hardy, ‘Lethal 3’ Ford Zephyr owned by Ray White, Pinball Wizard Ford Pop owned by Pete Harris, Chevy Pickup owned by Chae Pinney, and Jaguar Atlantis Shooting Brake owned by Steve Cook.
Driven Not Hidden: Rover 10 owned by Dane Newman
Survivor Award: ‘Fanta C’ C Cab owned by Colin Wood
British Steel: Ford MKI Cortina owned by Mick Payne
Home Built Hero: 1930 Ford Model A owned by Graham Weekes
Engine Bay Elite: 1941 Willys owned by Andy Crockett
Interior Excellence: 1930 Ford Model A owned by Graham Weekes
Engineering Excellence: MKI Zodiac owned by Michael Hamilton
Paint Perfection: 1966 Chevy C10 Pickup owned by Jason Hinson
Commercial Crown: Fordson owned by Trevor Springall
Kustom King: Volvo 122 Amazon owned by Mick Anderson
Street Rod Trophy: 1933 Roadster owned by Colin Parkinson
Pre 49 Trophy: 1939 Willys owned by Dave Spreadbury
Pop Festival Choice: 1955 Ford Pop owned by Ian and Julie Armstrong
Tot Rod: Model A Pickup owned by Albie
Next Generation (Under 29): Ford Model A Pickup owned by James Black
Spirit of Hotrodding: Andy Park
