NSRA Supernationals, Old Warden House, England

Posted by pikesan on Sep 13, 2009 in Shows & Events, Vintage Rides | 1 comment

Words and Pics  by Keith Harman

Over here in the UK, the NSRA Supernationals has quickly risen to be the biggest and best rod run of the year on the British calendar. Its popularity is probably down to a combination of things, one certainly being the great venue, the run is in the grounds of Shuttleworth House, a stately home in Bedfordshire some 60 miles North of London, the site boasts plenty of shade, a great camping area and the added attraction of a vintage aircraft museum and preservation trust on the adjoining airfield. The run also attracts a great variety of rods and customs since the NSRA in the UK is not part of the American organization and is a volunteer- only non profit making proper club run by the members and for the members. To this end, faced with a smaller scene in a much smaller country, the club does not apply a pre-’49 rule but encourages members to run pre-72 cars, more like the Goodguy runs in the states.

Despite thunder storms and heavy showers on the Friday of the weekend, there were plenty of rodders in attendance from all over the UK and Europe too, even if it meant quickly setting up camp between the showers! As well as the many trade stands or vendors as you know them, the event featured giveaway prizes, a cruise to nearby Santa Pod Raceway where the Mopar guys were having a muscle car event, plus the Friday and Saturday night marquee parties which are always popular since nearly everyone stays on site so having that extra beer or three isn’t a problem! Certainly the American guest over for the event was nursing a sore head the next day, next time you see Jimmy Shine, ask him how we party over here!

Sunday was show and shine day and the field was full as usual, swelled by extra cars just visiting for the day. The Sunday show is open to the public too and the shows central location means plenty of paying visitors without who it would be difficult to put on the event every year. If you were planning a trip to the UK on vacation, this would be the show to visit, many US ‘celeb’ hot rod names have been before, Norm Grabowski, Pat Ganahl, Ron Covell, the guys from Radir wheels and journalist Chuck Vranas to name a few, so you’d be following in some familiar footsteps. Come on over and see what we’re doing on this side of the pond, you’re more than welcome.

Everyone from the UK and anyone in Europe driving a classic hot rod or tuner or cars we’ve never heard of in the United States… you’re all welcome at MyRideisMe.com.  1300+ members can’t be wrong so why not sign up today by entering your member name and email, that’s it!