Over 100,000 people descended upon Northamptonshire last weekend to behold the spectacle that is Silverstone Classic, and PH took pride of place among them. The hottest week of the year gave way to what can only be described as a bloody miserable forecast over the weekend, with incessant rain and bitter wind replacing the blue skies and sunshine. That wasn't enough to dampen the spirits of the PH contingent, though, who still put on a great show of what makes PistonHeads such a unique community.
With the vast majority of other displays being held by single-make or -model owners' clubs, to see a Series III Land Rover, Lamborghini Gallardo, Volvo 850R and Ford GT40 sitting alongside a range of equally unique machines was thoroughly refreshing. That a good number of the cars there were in better condition than the show queens on display elsewhere, despite often fulfilling daily-driver duties, just goes to show the pride which PHers take in their cars.
It's impossible to single out one attendee, but there are a few who are extra deserving of special mention. Bannedbiker's immaculately restored Mk.1 Mazda MX-5 proved a huge draw, with passers-by seemingly constantly beguiled by it. Some wonderful personal touches and hand-made details, including an excellent retro JDM badge, meant that there was something new to spot every time they passed.
Daveeatonr4 is another PHer worthy of admiration. He attended on all three days, along with his incredible 'Icon 917K', a homemade, hand-built tribute to Porsche's famous Le Mans racer. Gamely spending many an hour talking awe-struck onlookers around his creation, he also took to the track at the head of our PH parade lap alongside ruf55 in his GT3 RS. Huge thanks also goes to Jimbo Bott, for coming to our flat-batteried Megane's rescue with a pair of jump leads and his awesome XK120, and to 850R as well, for letting us store our PH clutter in the capacious boot of his fantastic Volvo.
Alongside our 20 PH Icon cars - boasting almost 8,000hp between them - we also had space for members to park, all within a stone's throw of the National Circuit pits. Before heading over to peruse the racers, however, forum veterans and non-members alike were able to seek food and shelter in the reborn Pie & Piston. With over 500 pies and 1,000 full-english breakfasts sold across the weekend, the famous PH pub was perpetually packed - apologies, though, to the many people who apparently missed the joke in our 'Soup of the Day: Biere" sign and were disappointed to find that no such dish was available...
Finally we must congratulate the winners of our competition. Mal Hudson got within one with their guesstimate, our long-term Megane in fact containing 81 yellow balloons; well done to runners-up Alisha Stewart, Jacob Boyle and Adam Ware as well. Thanks to everyone who came along, and of course to all at Silverstone who helped to put on such a fantastic weekend, despite the weather. Apparently some classic racing happened at some point, but we were too busy in the PH paddock to see it. I suppose we'll just have to go back again next year!
PHers are busily discussing Silverstone Classic in the forums - join the chat here.
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