Plymouth Roadrunner - Watford Village Car Show On Saturday 30th June, I attended two vehicle related events and thought I’d share some observations and photos.
The first outing was to Watford, the village associated with Watford Gap, the famous M1 services and the often-referenced dividing line between north and south.
On a green next to the village hall, a classic car show had been arranged. Not a large affair, approximately 40 vehicles, but with a decent variety of eras and countries of manufacture represented.
Some highbrow stuff was present including an Aston Martin DB6, a C-Type Jag, an E-Type Jag, a 50s 190 Mercedes. Then there were some more attainable things like 60s/70s Fords and Austins. Then there was my favourite car of all, a 1968 Plymouth Roadrunner.
This blue collar, aggressive sounding, Yank, V8 muscle car in bright orange had all the subtlety of a riot … but for me, it was the star of the show. I took as many photos of this car as all the others put together and went and told the slightly bemused owner that “I loved his car”.
Some eyebrows were raised by the more discerning classic car owners when the Roadrunner roared into the show space, but the sense of drama, power and petrol fuelled excitement was not bettered by any of those motors others might think were better.
From my soapbox to a whole event dedicated to them … Welton Village’s annual soapbox derby.
Regular readers will know that I have attended this event every year since 2014 (other reviews available – see below). The format followed that set in previous years, so nothing new to report from that perspective.
The derby is jolly good fun, it’s free to attend and the village is always packed with visitors that come to enjoy the show. This year was no different and, in the blazing sunshine, I spent a few hours watching the action and taking photos of the wacky racers; some shared below.
One unexpected celebrity type vehicle was on display … the fastest shed in the world. You can read more about it and owner Nick here - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-oxfordshire-40945974
In the derby, and in homage, a mini, non-V6-powered soapbox shed was competing.
One creation that I didn’t actually get to see take to the course was the pink, roadkill like design. If I am honest, the thought of taking it down the steep course terrified me. Whoever rode it must have been brave … or masochistic … or suicidal … or plain bonkers.
And on that point, if you live anywhere nearby, or even if you don’t and could get to it, you’d be bonkers to miss this event. It’s that good.
My thanks go to all those responsible for making it happen. For one day a year, Welton village is the coolest place to be in the whole of Northamptonshire.
It is a shame that Watford village’s car show clashed in terms of date – the attendee numbers at the soapbox derby were in the thousands compared to the dozens at the car show. At least Watford and Welton are only a few miles apart so it was possible for those so motivated (like me) to go to both. But, I bet Watford’s car show would have been more successful if it had taken place on the Sunday rather than the Saturday.
Click on any image below to enlarge. High resolution images available, if you'd like one, just get in touch.
The first outing was to Watford, the village associated with Watford Gap, the famous M1 services and the often-referenced dividing line between north and south.
On a green next to the village hall, a classic car show had been arranged. Not a large affair, approximately 40 vehicles, but with a decent variety of eras and countries of manufacture represented.
Some highbrow stuff was present including an Aston Martin DB6, a C-Type Jag, an E-Type Jag, a 50s 190 Mercedes. Then there were some more attainable things like 60s/70s Fords and Austins. Then there was my favourite car of all, a 1968 Plymouth Roadrunner.
This blue collar, aggressive sounding, Yank, V8 muscle car in bright orange had all the subtlety of a riot … but for me, it was the star of the show. I took as many photos of this car as all the others put together and went and told the slightly bemused owner that “I loved his car”.
Some eyebrows were raised by the more discerning classic car owners when the Roadrunner roared into the show space, but the sense of drama, power and petrol fuelled excitement was not bettered by any of those motors others might think were better.
From my soapbox to a whole event dedicated to them … Welton Village’s annual soapbox derby.
Regular readers will know that I have attended this event every year since 2014 (other reviews available – see below). The format followed that set in previous years, so nothing new to report from that perspective.
The derby is jolly good fun, it’s free to attend and the village is always packed with visitors that come to enjoy the show. This year was no different and, in the blazing sunshine, I spent a few hours watching the action and taking photos of the wacky racers; some shared below.
One unexpected celebrity type vehicle was on display … the fastest shed in the world. You can read more about it and owner Nick here - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-oxfordshire-40945974
In the derby, and in homage, a mini, non-V6-powered soapbox shed was competing.
One creation that I didn’t actually get to see take to the course was the pink, roadkill like design. If I am honest, the thought of taking it down the steep course terrified me. Whoever rode it must have been brave … or masochistic … or suicidal … or plain bonkers.
And on that point, if you live anywhere nearby, or even if you don’t and could get to it, you’d be bonkers to miss this event. It’s that good.
My thanks go to all those responsible for making it happen. For one day a year, Welton village is the coolest place to be in the whole of Northamptonshire.
It is a shame that Watford village’s car show clashed in terms of date – the attendee numbers at the soapbox derby were in the thousands compared to the dozens at the car show. At least Watford and Welton are only a few miles apart so it was possible for those so motivated (like me) to go to both. But, I bet Watford’s car show would have been more successful if it had taken place on the Sunday rather than the Saturday.
Click on any image below to enlarge. High resolution images available, if you'd like one, just get in touch.
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2014 review - http://www.adrianbaldwin.net/blog/derring-do-danger-design-and-descent-at-derby
2015 review - http://www.adrianbaldwin.net/blog/the-2015-welton-soapbox-derby
2016 review - https://www.adrianbaldwin.net/blog/the-2016-welton-soapbox-derby-a-review
2017 review - https://www.adrianbaldwin.net/blog/welton-soapbox-racing-and-the-british-grand-prix
Blog Library
Home
2014 review - http://www.adrianbaldwin.net/blog/derring-do-danger-design-and-descent-at-derby
2015 review - http://www.adrianbaldwin.net/blog/the-2015-welton-soapbox-derby
2016 review - https://www.adrianbaldwin.net/blog/the-2016-welton-soapbox-derby-a-review
2017 review - https://www.adrianbaldwin.net/blog/welton-soapbox-racing-and-the-british-grand-prix
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