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The Fun Run, the National Street Rod Association’s longest running event, has been given a new lease of life as it begins a 5-year plan of touring the country. Last held in 2022, the street rod club has formed a new partnership with Away Resorts which will see the event move around the UK, visiting scenic destinations in Wales, Scotland and England. And first up was Cornwall!

The event held over the May half term week saw NSRA members descend on the Cornish coast to join fellow rodders at the St Ives Bay Beach Resort in Hayle, for a week of sun, sea, and cruising. With tremendous help from the fantastic folk at the Proper Cornish Cruisers, an action-packed program of drive outs, cream teas, beach parties, and shows were planned, all with the intention of highlighting the outstanding beauty of the area and giving NSRA members an opportunity to enjoy their cars.

The NSRA Fun Run is almost as historic as the club itself. The Fun Run first premiered in 1973 with just 22 cars and resided at Billing Aquadrome until 2017, before briefly moving to Great Yarmouth and Rutland Showground.

The Fun Run grew from a Saturday night BBQ with a Sunday Swap Meet / Show into the car show that we all know now, and has remained at the heart of the club for over 50 years. It is great to see it back on the show season calendar and as the insurance provider for the NSRA, we were delighted to support the event and to have been on hand to assist with members hot rod, custom car, and American car insurance related questions.

The event got underway on Tuesday 27th May, with those arriving early enjoying a short run out for a Cornish tin mining history cruise and cream tea. Wednesday 28th May saw participants descend on

Falmouth where a cruise through the cobbled historic town and parking in the Maritime Square had been arranged.

Our time at the Fun Run began on the Thursday 29th May, as our roving reporter joined the cruise out to the Healeys Cornish Cyder Farm – the home of Rattler Cyder. Despite taking a wrong turn and getting briefly lost – there is always someone who gets lost on a cruise! – we arrived at the Cyder farm, parked up in the overflow parking field and enjoyed exploring the museum. From there, the route back to the Resort took us along the stunning north coastal road from Perranporth, Portreath, and Gwithian. Thursday evening was Beach Party night! Watching the sun go down over Hayle Beach, chatting to friends and party music vibes from the NSRA’s Public Relations Officer, Grant Pinney, was hard to beat.

Friday 30th May took a more relaxing tone, with optional activities including go karting and crazy golf. Our roving reporter took the opportunity to visit some local friends, stopping for a round of crazy golf on the way back. That evening, the NSRA hosted a pool party, ‘It’s a Knockout’ style, with prizes and DJ Grant on the decks again!

Saturday 31st May was the main cruise out for all participants. Departing the show field at 11am, 88 cars left the site for a scenic coastal cruise to Land’s End. Special permission had been granted to the parade to drive through the usually out-of-bounds high street of St Ives and along the harbour. The steep roads, tight turns and pedestrian holidaymakers certainly added to the adventure! Once at Land’s End, parking had been arranged in a field, and everyone headed off to explore the visitor attraction, the views, and take the obligatory Land’s End sign post photos.

A special mention must go to the fantastic motorbike riders who marshalled junctions along the route – these chaps were the stars of the day!

Rumour has it that Paddington may now be an NSRA member…

Sunday 1st June was show day! The event field filled up a vast array of pre-1972 hot rods, custom cars and American cars. It was brilliant to see so many local NSRA members and rodders join the event, making the most of a national show being right on their doorstep. The show came to a close early afternoon with the traditional prize giving ceremony, with winners awarded bespoke surfboard trophies. This year also saw the return of the historic NSRA Fun Run Participants’ Choice trophy, which was presented to Paul Tresidder, the owner of an outstand 1954 Ford F100 Pickup – a very deserving winner!

We would like to say a big thank you to the NSRA team, all their helpers, and the Proper Cornish Cruisers for a fantastic time in sunny Cornwall. The Fun Run is likely to be held on the Isle of Wight in 2026, so keep an eye out for the details. We’ll be catching up with the NSRA team next at Dragstalgia and then the NSRA Hot Rod Supernationals in August.

NSRA Fun Run 2025 Trophy Winners

Hard Luck Award – The Stapleton / Cole Family
Miles of Dedication Award – The Montgomery Family from Cromer, Norfolk
Best Custom Award – chosen by Blackout Autofab Vehicle Repairs – 1951 Chevy owned by Rob Drage
Best Hot Rod – 1932 Ford Roadster owned by Mark Oxford
Top 5 – 1962 Chevy Corvair Van owned by Chris and Alison Tranter
Top 5 – 1934 Coupe owned by Martin Curbishley
Top 5 – 1932 Coupe owned by Scott McHattie
Top 5 – 1934 Coupe owned by Gary Bennett
Top 5 – 1949 Ford Pick Up owned by Mark
Away Resorts Pick – 1970 Ford Mustang owned by Chris Grundy
Proper Cornish Cruisers Pick – 1960 Zodiac owned by Kevin Smith
Best Commercial Award – 1954 Ford F100 Pick Up owned by Paul Tresidder
Participants’ Choice – 1954 Ford F100 Pick Up owned by Paul Tresidder

Enjoy the 2025 NSRA Fun Run photos!