BRILLIANT BRITISH RIDES ROLLED INTO FIELD MEET
Last weekend, I spent a very hectic Saturday driving into Vancouver twice, but as I love to drive — even in this city! — I am not complaining.
First it was to the All British Field Meet for a 6:30 a.m. arrival to snap photos of all the cars entering the show. There were 500 cars on display, 497 classics and a baker’s dozen new British cars from the local dealers.
I had a fellow come up to my booth and ask me if I kept my old photos of the cars entering the show. Turns out, I started taking photos of him driving in with his little kids and this year his son drove the car in. I am going to find all the old pics for him to create a truly special photo album.
I have to say one of the highlights of the show was Nigel Matthews being handed the annual Lewie Award for his outstanding contribution to the classic car hobby. The Richmond resident was the guy at ICBC who helped get the collector plate program off the ground and these days he works with Hagerty’s Insurance in Canada. He also travels the world as one of the pre-eminent show judges.
Jonathan Parker’s 1966 Austin Vanden Plas Saloon won Best Original Unrestored Classic, while Phil Sandham, who drove 1,732 kilometres to the show in a 1969 Jaguar E Type, took home the Long Distance Award. Entrants Choice overall went to Craig Wallace’s 1964 Aston Martin DB5.
Other highlights were the Healeys, as they always are, and the big number of Rolls-Royces and Bentleys. Not quite brass-era cars, but just so cool looking with lots of great details.
On Saturday, I’ll be at the Tradex for the swap meet and on Sunday I’ll be doing the rounds, as there are a number of really cool shows to see in the Lower Mainland. First a stop at Maple Ridge High School, then a drive into Vancouver for the show at the Whip Restaurant, then over the bridge to North Van for the Mustang show.
I won’t be taking a kid to any car shows this weekend, but how about a kid brother?
SHOWS
TODAY AND SATURDAY
What: 49th annual Coastal Swap Meet
Where: Tradex, 1190 Cornell St., Abbotsford
When: Friday: 2 p.m. to 9 p.m.; Saturday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Admission: $8. Children under 16 accompanied by an adult get in free. Parking $6
Registration: $45 per stall first come first served
Info: 604-540-6141 or info@coastalswapmeet.com Website: coastalswapmeet.com
TODAY UNTIL SATURDAY What: 16th Annual Saanich Firefighters’ Rock & Roll for Little Souls Invitational Car Show
Where: GR Pearkes Recreation Centre, Victoria
When: Friday 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sunday 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Admission: By donation
Info: 250-592-9207 or mcm3@shaw.ca
Website: rockforlittlesouls.com
SATURDAY AND SUNDAY What: 45th Annual Northwest Corso Econo Run Car Show
Where: Run starts at Harrison Hot Springs and cars will be on display at Gardner GM Chevrolet Buick GMC in Hope
When: Saturday noon to 2 p.m. at Gardner GM; Sunday morning at Harrison Hot Springs, Esplanade Street between Maple and Chehalis. Admission: Free
Registration: Open to Corvairs
Info: 205-203-5574 or info@westerncanadacorsa.ca Website: westerncanadacorsa.ca
SUNDAY
What: GVMA’s 34th Annual Spring Show
Where: Harbourside Place, North Vancouver
When: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Admission: Free
Registration: 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. $20 and open to Mustangs and Ford-powered vehicles.
Info: 604-858-6763 or gvma@telus.net
Website: gvma.org
What: The Whip Restaurant and Gallery East Van 10th Annual Vintage Bike and Car Show
Where: 209 East 6th Ave., Vancouver When: Noon to 4 p.m.
Admission: Free
Registration: 10 a.m. Minimum donation $10 for cars $5 for motorcycles. All proceeds go to Ronald Macdonald House
Info: 604-874-4687 or info@thewhiprestaurant.com Website: thewhiprestaurant.com
What: 7th Annual Maple Ridge Secondary School Show ‘n’ Shine Where: 21911 — 122nd Ave., Maple Ridge
When: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Admission: Free
Registration: 9 a.m. $15. All proceeds toward MRSS Dry Grad Evening Info: 604-463-4175 or trevor_randle@sd42.ca
What: VI Cruises Rendezvous & Spamfest
Where: First Nations Campgrounds, Old Island Highway, Qualicum Bay When: 10:30 a.m. start time Admission: Free
Registration: No cost, no prizes, no trophies, just good times
Info: 250-338-6134, flleigh@telus.net, 250-248-7384 or vicruises@gmx.com
What: Mopar Car Show
Where: Coombs Fairgrounds, 1014 Ford Rd., Coombs
When: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Admission: Free
Registration: 9 a.m. $10 and open to Mopars and AMC only
Info: 250-927-5744 or westcoastmopars@gmail.com Website: westcoastmopars.proboards.com
What: Lakers Car Club Spring 24th Annual Spring Round-up Show ‘n’ Shine.
Where: 3rd Avenue, Downtown Williams Lake
Admission: Free
Registration: 8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. $10 and open to all vehicles
Info: 250-267-6772, 250-392-2155, noslowsled@yahoo.ca or sljdschell@gmail.com
Website: lakerscarclub.ca
COMPETITION
TODAY
What: Night drag racing
Where: Mission Raceway Park Drag Racing
Info: 1-877-826-6315
Website: missionraceway.com
SATURDAY
What: Vancouver Flat Track Club Motorcycle racing
Where: Pemberton Speedway, Pemberton
When: Practice at 5:30 p.m.; Racing at 7 p.m.
Admission: $10
Info: 604-329-0757 or vancouverflattrackclub@gmail.com Website: vancouverflattrackclub.com
What: Oval track racing
Where: Agassiz Speedway, Agassiz When: Racing starts at 7 p.m. Info: 604-792-FAST (3278) or agassizspeedway@telus.net Website: agassizspeedway.com
What: Oval track racing
Where: Saratoga Speedway, Saratoga When: 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Info: 1-250-337-5024 or race@saratogaspeedway.bc.ca Website: saratogaracing.ca
SATURDAY AND SUNDAY What: Drag racing
Where: Mission Raceway Park Drag Racing
When: Racing starts at 9 a.m. Weather permitting
Info: 1-877-826-6315
Website: missionraceway.com
SUNDAY
What: Sunshine Coast Drag Racing Association ‘Dennis Munson Memorial Drag Race’
Where: Sechelt Airport, Sechelt When: Gates open 7 a.m. Racing at 9 a.m.
Admission: $10 per adult, Children under 12 are free when accompanied by an adult
Info: 604-230-5067 or cnaustin@telus.net
Website: scdraonline.ca