|
|
|
This year it was held at Donington Park Raceway, 'cos the foot and mouth crisis had meant a move from Pentrich near Ripley in Derbyshire.
Hooray...Midnight Thunder is finally on the road!!!Friday We got to the site early as we had been told to be at the custom show meeting point by 10.00am. It seems there weren't that many people coming in early, as when I arrived to book in, there were only another four bikes there! Anyway at 11.30 we were all led down to the Exhibition Centre. Feverish polishing commenced straight away. The bike camp site was already being filled well but the cars site was only just being entered when I had to go and find my mates, Tim and Andy, who had hopefully put up the tents... Hooray, yes they had. Well then - off for a walk and a couple of beers to start the weekend properly. Unfortunately Tim had to go off and pick up the ladies, Angie and Paula, who could not get time off work 'til later. The drag racing was going well, with only a couple of spills to be seen - massive wheelies and falling back over seemed the way to do it... Plenty of trade stalls were around, all the usual stuff with no surprises around the corner. Absent this year was the Rock tent with bands and DJ's which was a shame as the stage entertainment began at about 2.00pm with some poor DJ's doing their bit and the compere (the lead singer from Dr & The Medics) who does this each year. Now he's great fun. You had to exchange your best earned pound notes for tokens if you wanted a beer, now this meant you really had to be sure that you drank what you could as there would be no refunds on tickets when the show finished. £2 a pint and £3 for a Bacardi Breezer or double Jack Daniels, which I suppose isn't a bad price. The beer kept flowing and the Jack D followed, only the Breezers ran out. The food wasn't that bad with plenty of international variety. My favourite? Patak's Indian Curry Bus, followed by the Chinese marquee/tent, though you could have as many burgers and bacon rolls that you could wish for. (burp!)
Saturday
Luke warm tea and two sugars was the order of the day - but no bacon rolls please, we're too full from the Chinese chili chicken last night! We finally got up and went into the show to see which bikes may have come in during the morning.
Excellent weather - best this year I think, and I should know, my arms have gone bright pink! Managed to catch up with Jed from Outback Seating and John Cooper who did the moulding and base paint on Midnight Thunder. More surprising was the indoor stunt bike show and a quick parade from some of the Adult Channel girls (oh, did I mention them already). Bands also played in the Exhibition Centre during the afternoon (Peyote and Stone, I think).
The Custom Show bikes were given their awards.
The Debbie Bonham band played the stage first (yes, she is John Bonham's brother - Led Zeppelin). The main arena was graced by a two plane air display from Livingston Hire at about 4.00pm which meant that, the very close, East Midlands Airport had to delay its flight schedules for approximately 10 minutes.
the Adult Channel girls again, throwing out loads of condoms to the audience.
After the show there was a VIP Party for Yellow armband holders only but we know some green and red ones that got in easy enough. Entertainment was by the Jake & Elwood Blues Brothers Tribute Show and the Adult Channel girls doing their thing again which I missed 'cos I went over the top on the beer. Oh well, guess I'll have to hear about from the grapevine eh?
See ya later at the Youth Bike 2001 competition and then at the Airman's Rest Custom Show both next weekend. |
|
Send mail to nick@nlappage.freeserve.co.uk with
questions or comments
about this web site.
|
Rock & Blues Custom Show 2001
The entertainment on the main stage included Stone, Eddie & The Hotrods, The Animals, Meatloaf 2 and Hawkwind and a couple of strips from the Adult Channel girls. All very good but they had to finish at just after 11.00pm which meant that you either shuffled back to your tent or moved swiftly into the exhibition centre to look at the custom bike show (which had thankfully grown over the day) and listen to dance music. Not my kind of thing, but you could still have a few more drinks etc.
Tribal vision won best American Hotrod and Best In Show. Curly's Joker won Best Paint and Runner up Best In Show. Vic Jefford won Best Jap, Best Engineering and Visitors Choice with his new Suzuki thick tubed lowrider.
A good show and suddenly it was time for A Company Of Snakes, which in case you don't know are mainly ex members of Whitesnake, Rainbow and they're great.
Wishbone Ash followed and then it was time for...
Then the Scorpions/UFO reunion. This turned out to be Uli Jon Roth doing some of his bits with UFO coming on a couple of times to do Doctor Doctor and Jack Bruce, the base player from Cream doing some great ex Cream and Jimi Hendrix numbers. Not quite what was billed but fun enough anyway. Then there was the Wet Tee Shirt competition and the presentation of the drag race trophies.