Three Kinds Of Retro Show

Well here it is, show season is under way, with the flurry of shows at the start of April until we brave the rain and wind at the end of season shows in October.  We could pretty much find an interesting car event to go to every weekend, and occasional week day, of the summer.  In recent years our particular niche of 'retro' as a show description has grown, whilst the word pops up all over the place in show names there are really three main shows in the UK aimed squarely at 'us'.

Retro Mania - 5th and 6th June, Weston Park, Shropshire.
Price - Weekend, on the gate £15.00 Adult / Child £6, in advance Adult £12 / Child £5 , Sunday only Adult £7 / Child £3.
The most northerly of the shows in the calendar is also the first and the newest.  Running in parallel to the Dubmania event Retro Mania promises a weekend of all kinds of modified classics, with camping available on the 5th and evening entertainment it is a great excuse to meet up and have a party before the main show day on the Sunday.  The team behind Retro Mania are also the people behind the excellent Ultimate Dubs, so they know how to put a great show on.  Last year was sadly a victim of our inclement summer weather in the UK, with the met office promising a long hot summer this year we're sure this is going to be a roaring success.  You can check out more information on their website.


Retro Show - 17th and 18th July, Santa Pod, Northamptonshire.
Price - £15 per person on the gate £12 in advance for Sunday, Weekend £25 on the gate, £20 in advance.
In some ways the oldest of the shows here, it evolved from the defunct Retro Cars Show and had a few format changes over the past couple of years.  Last year it return to being a Sunday event and has proven to be a reliable show to visit for track action and club stands.  With the Saturday being a RWYB day as well it means if you head up for the weekend you can get your car down the strip until you shatter your diff or smash a piston through your bonnet, nice one.  Additionally to the cars Retro Show also has scooters and bikes in attendance, as well as evening entertainment for those staying the weekend.  www.retroshow.co.uk


Retro Rides Gathering - 8th August, Haynes Motor Museum, Sparkford, Somerset.
Price - £7.50 per person on the gate, £5 in advance
It is difficult for me to be unbiased about The Gathering as we're quite involved with it, but I will try.  After a few years shifting from venue to venue The Gathering has finally settled at The Haynes Motor Museum, with a good sized show field, a track and the museum it has found a good home.  Action comes courtesy of the track with RWYB sessions running all day, there is a good diverse range of club stands and invited cars to keep people happy.  For the past few years the weather has been kind to The Gathering making for a nice relaxed weekend in the sunshine.  Camping is available but not widely advertised, so check their Facebook page for details. www.retroridesgathering.com



The great thing about these three shows is that they are far enough apart that you can pretty much easily attend each of them, also they are each such a different type of show that you won't be having repeated experiences.  Whatever you do make sure you get to at least one and support your UK show organisers, it really is hard work!