The Brentwood International Racing Car Show 2003

This "Nippi" little bike saves a certain fan the bother of trying to find a lift...

This year's show was pretty busy on the Sunday, though more than one exhibitor told me that Saturday was somewhat quieter. There was the usual range of noisy beasts on show outside, this year seemingly from the unfeasibly large engined Sprint contingent, which was well represented this year in the continuing efforts to raise the profile of this formula by the folk behind the Rolling Thunder Show, who had a fair sized stall in the main hall.

There was also a fair cross-section of the racing community, with most of the major promoters in the area on show including Spedeworth, PRI and RDC, plus Alwalton and even some evidence of TSR/Skegness and Incarace. A good turnout from the grass folk also graced the hall as well as some bigger stuff including dragsters.

Uh, do you think ye might want ta rephrase that, laddie? Garry Browns' Freeserve piggy.

Another view of the same car, sponsored by Freeserve (and no, I'm not making a big thing of it just because I'm making use of their promo myself!)

Have a squint at the bonnet on this beauty. If you can't make it out...

...how about now? :)

One last shiny job. The shame is that the usual result of racing pigs is that they shed fibreglass all over! But then what pig doesn't like rolling in the mud?

A good example of how shiny the average Rod can look at the start of its life...

Another shiny. Peugeots are popular donor cars for mid-range Rods such as the Outlaw and National versions. However, the cost means that sponsorship is essential.

This was a surprise for me this year! The new Stu Hammond Audi, following a successful run in his previous Outlaw Pug 206.

The low end of the Hot Rod scene is dominated by the domestic 1300/1600 formula such as the PRI Group A, in which Chris Smith was a late entry last year after a good run in the Ministox, though his car often let him down. Perhaps the new paintwork is matched by some work under the bonnet?

Vic Bilkey finally seems to have splashed out on a new Lightning Rod! This mostly Sierra based formula is nationally run, but also enjoys domestic support around the country.

The name "Ahern" has been around short circuit racing for quite a long time, from the days of the old Ahern Rat banger team to the exploits of Richie and Darren. Here's the latest piece of Ahern hardware for the season ahead.

The Lightning Rod English Champion hails from mid-Essex. This looks somewhat better than the wreck that finished the season in 2002, but that is hardly unusual!

As already mentioned, the lower end has an awful lot of variants. Here is one example.

Dave Vincent has been a dominant driver at RDC almost since the promotion first started up. This sturdy tool should provide some good wrecking action.

2002 saw the loss of one of banger racings' most controversial characters. Mark Boulden (known to many as "Polo") provided some spectacular moments, picking up several titles before being banned (some say unfairly). His return to the track saw him change formulas where he continued his success until his accidental death. The 2003 Unlimited Shootout at Arena Essex will include a memorial final...

A tribute to Polo...

A Richard Ahern Jag. As mentioned in the non-contact section, the Aherns certainly make their presence felt; not just with material, but with a sizeable crowd that follows them!

I did have a little bit of bother taking a shot of Sparky's Merc! Ah well...

...at least it gave me a good chuckle when I saw how the bonnet was decorated!

Sometimes it can be difficult to talk of Formula 1 without people mistakenly thinking of the overpaid procession racing, rather than these 7-litre jobbies.

This one is hardly going anywhere, but then all cars have to start somewhere!

No, this isn't actually a stock car. It's a sprint car, on show outside the event.

Fancy a trip? This sort of tryout car isn't that unusual these days.

Smaller stock cars are popular as a domestic formula.

It isn't just hot rods that dole themselves up!

Derek Mortimer (or "Delbert") shows his new 1300 Saloon. Delbert has been busy at Arena Essex over the last few years.

This is an example of the Superstox formula, these days mostly confined to Spedeworth where it has been souped up a bit since its old National days.

I've got a bike! Well, actually, you might have a few problems riding this on the road, but think of how fast you could get away from the lights!

The biggest stuff at the show wasn't the kind of thing you would normally find on a short oval.

Another big beast.

Hi guys! Part of the centre stage show involved a quiz between the doers and the watchers. Not something I'd like to be involved in, personally; I'm not sure whether it would be worse to lose and suffer the embarrassment, or win and suffer the wrath...

The Legends make a return to the UK racing scene this year. This small replica car series has plenty of support and has provided some excellent action.

Matt Bull takes a quick break! Matt currently covers PRI and some RDC meetings, but can often be found anywhere there is a good meeting in prospect. See the Links page for Matt's site.

The Spalding & District contingent...

E-e-e-verybo-o-o-ody... needs somebo-o-ody...

My car's bigger than your car! Another motor from the straight line folk...

From the biggest stuff to some of the smallest. Ministox are the starting point for many drivers. Starting at age 11, the Ministox formula has produced many of the most promising talent for many of the other formulas. They do get a little overenthusiastic sometimes!