Bearwood College car show

Last year I blogged about this event being the closest to home and nothings changed. Five minutes after pulling off the drive our little convoy was parked behind the huge school building at the college in a line up of around 200 cars. We decided at the last minute that we might as well get some use out of both the Dubs today as the big Volkswagen show DATP had been cancelled due to waterlogged grounds.



We set off on a walk, Lily straining at the reins to rush off down the field. we steered her back up to the cars in the end!





The South Field was really just a couple of rows of cars at the foot of the steps, there were a few clubs in attendance giving a good spread of classics and modern cars.





Walking up the steps we brushed past Reading FC chairman, Sir John Madejski. Who was guest of honour for the event, he opened proceedings and then walked round every single car during the afternoon before handing out the awards at the end. I couldn't resist "papping" him as he past the air-cooled corner.



Up on the terrace cars from the Barkham Club were arranged. They are quite small but have a huge variety of motors on display.







Bikes were also out in force, with several lines of old and new mounts.





We had a brief visit to the traders, but bought nothing except a pair of ice creams before carrying on round the North Court and driveway areas. More stunning cars had parked up.













We bumped into our friend Roy who was there with his Splitscreen van. He was in snapper mode too.



With everything seen we headed back to chat with Roy and Linda and relax before it was time to take the short cruise home.





And thats it, another brilliant day out that cost nothing more than a donation to charity. The rest of the photos can be found here

Steve.

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Jason Dodd Fashion shoot

For my birthday the other year, Kim bought me a car photography course. A chance for me to hone my skills behind the lens and shoot some interesting cars at a great location, Brooklands. I added Jason on FB and kept an eye on the courses he was holding and the other work he shoots. There is so really stunning work and it makes me realise I'm a very amateur snapper. A few weeks ago I noticed a fashion course coming up at Brooklands using the grounds and some interesting cars as a backdrop. I'd been meaning to offer one of our Dubs again as well as try and get my friend Davids unique Union Jack beach buggy used too. The shoot was a  60s theme ( I know both cars are technically 70s, but they fitted right in). Meeting up at Brooklands we had the introductions to the students and the models who were going to pose as well as a selection of drivers of some fine rides including a Morgan and a pair of 356 replicas.



We moved the cars out to various locations and then photographers paired up and picked a car and model to start the shoot. We hung around watching and ended up holding reflectors and helping the girls get into position on the buggy. All whilst parked under the nose of Concorde





Meanwhile in the aeroplane park the Beetle was in use so I wandered over to chat and take a few snaps.







Another model was heading for the Beetle and the words "can she sit on the roof" were heard so I thought it best to supervise! Taking great care and with heels off, Kelly inched her way onto the roof and later the bonnet. The shots against the massive VC10 and the blue sky were impressive.







Following a break for lunch and a chance for the models to change outfits we were back out there again. The Beetle nestled right under the back of the VC10 to shield the snappers from the now blazing sun the photography continued.





Back under Concorde they were in full swing with a fantastic red dress providing good contrast against a variety of vehicles.





By the end of the day a great collection of shots had been taken (I'm hoping a few will head our way over time) and we packed up, making sure to get a final shot under Speedbird1, not every day you get to drive under the nose of the fastest passenger jet.



And I couldn't resist a stop off at the Campbell Sheds as we left.



It was a brilliant day, really enjoyable. The snappers were interesting to watch, varying levels of experience showed, but I think they all gained along the way and the models were great, putting everyone at ease regardless of how silly a pose they were asked to perform. I'm seriously considering enrolling on the next course as it looked like so much fun. There are loads more photos available here, I hope to add some of the examples from the pros later on.

Steve.

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Jaguar Enthusiasts Club Day at Brooklands

I was heading up to Brooklands with the Beetle as it was to be used on a photography course. Also on site would be dozens of Jaguars at a club day. There were examples from all eras from 50s XK120s up to the latest XKS and everything in between. We didn't have a huge amount of time to wander round but it soon struck me that one marque shows aren't for me. I've noticed I've struggled to photograph at the countless Volkswagens meets and shows we go to and seeing lines of very similar Jaguars made it all hit home. I need a nice varied classic car show to see a wide selection of different marques. Anyway, I took a few photos to keep the camera busy.

















Steve.

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Damp Easter Monday at Combe

I've been to Castle Combe when its rained a bit, but today really took the biscuit. The weather forecast was spot on. Showers all day getting heavier in the afternoon. Phil and I set out from home in drizzle, when we parked up it was still lightly



raining so we opted for a bacon roll and paddock walk about. Todays racing was the season opener and featured lots of historic racing from GTs and saloons.







MG was celebrating 50 years of the MGB, with a whole race dedicated to them.





There was a lot of money in the paddock and the motorhome reflected this.





Modern racing was represented by the circuits three championships for saloons, Formula Ford and GTs.









Taking a break from the norm for me, we walked the track clockwise during the last few qualifying sessions (pre-empting an early departure that could mean missing the actual races) The track was soaked, standing water all over the place and very slippery.







Then after a brief lunch break the action began. We hiked back to Bobbies, the last chicane on the track as there is usually some good action here as people jump on the brakes to win the corner and run to the flag. The Combe GTs kicked thing off and 4WD was a clear winner.







Next up was a round of the ETCC from 1963, Jaguars heading the field as the Cortinas chased hard.







As we moved round the track the Combe saloons began. A packed grid of hothatches and saloons charged around in the ever worsening weather.





Before the two driver pre 66 GT race began. watching from Quarry, the long right hander a Big Healey was being ragged for all its worth, often arriving at the corner sideways with the driver hustling it around at the last minute. Some weren't as lucky.









The race featured a pitstop to swap drivers, so we headed there for the change over. Cars thunderung into pitlane before slithering back out again.







Then it was back on to the river that was now the race track.







The Healey finished a lap in front of everyone else and ended our day out. We were cold and wet as were the cameras and with four more races left neither of us had the stamina to carry on. We'd already walked a good five miles around the track and paddock and were ready for a sit down. Its a real shame as there were a couple of great looking races still to come. But we'd watched the qualifying sessions so didn't feel too disheartened. I don't think I have ever seen so much rain at Combe before.

The rest of the washout photos are here

Steve.

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