Hayriding. And Tripping Out.

We sponsored a couple of UK events this summer, and both were way cool gigs, where everyone had a great time. Now in its 8th year, the Hot Rod Hayride is well known all over the world as one of the best traditional hot rod/rockin’ music parties around. The ‘Trip Out’ was a new event, aimed at a slightly different crowd, but with the same laid back vibe.

Rather than the circle track or the drags, this year, the Hayride tried something new in the shape of a Hillclimb event through a nearby forest, managed by the Detonators Car Club. Hillclimbing has been a key part of British motorsport since the dawn of motoring, so it’s not surprising the old style hot rods and hot rodders had at it like their lives depended on it. Check our buddy Keith Harman’s blog for some good action pics. The Stromberg-sponsored Soapboxes went the other way, of course. Downhill, but with equal conviction

With a little more of a modern edge to the music, a slant towards two wheels over four, and endless things to keep us occupied over the weekend, the Trip Out is sure to become another must-add to the UK event calendar. DICE magazine launched their September issue on the Friday night. The bands and DJs were awesome. There was a small, but perfectly formed, indoor (in-tent) show for the show bikes, and a full-on custom prize draw give-away bike, won by the perfect recipient. I mean this geezer didn’t just look like he stepped off a Dave Mann picture, he was wearing an original tie-dye T-shirt, for Chissake…by choice…And talk about overwhelmed. Found riding his Boneshaker Choppers-built prize around the venue late on Sunday night, he said it was his ‘victory lap’. Priceless. The Stromberg draw prizes – two new 97s – luckily went to a hot rodder.

Ok, I admit it, this old feller hasn’t had so much fun in quite a while. And to top it off, we found another dude with a proper Stromberg 97 tattoo, albeit work in progress. Can’t wait to see the finished thing next year. Mark your diary for 2013.

Hotrod Hayride 2011

The Hotrod Hayride is the year’s ‘must go’ weekend for many UK traditional hot rod guys and gals. Held at a real old-timey venue, just to the west of London, and combining cars and bikes with art shows, circus freak show, Burlesque, airfield drags, the infamous Wall of Death and two nights of rockin’ entertainment, it’s little wonder it has grown in popularity each year, dragging folks in from all over Europe. For the past three years, Stromberg has sponsored the Sunday morning Soapbox Derby, handing out a pair of brand new Stromberg 97 carbs to the winner, with signs, shirts and other collectibles for the runners-up. It’s a simple deal. They set up a ramp at the top of the hill. Folks build great soapboxes in wild and whacky styles and shoot it out to be first to the bottom.

To be honest we’ve never made a huge deal out of our involvement, mainly because we really go just to chill out, meet old friends, neck a few beers and enjoy the scene. Sadly this, (ie. a raging hangover), is also why my pictures of the event were few and far between and include no Soapboxes at all. So I have added a few from 2009 (didn’t remember to take any in 2010) so you can see what the heck I’m going on about. Still, I’m sure you’ll enjoy them just the same. Wanna go next year. Set your Tardis for 27th-29th July 2012. And click here for more info and tickets.