For The Win…
16th June 2010
Friday
I arrived at around 5 am that day in a city which appeals to me because it houses one of the best VW shows there is, that can only mean I arrived in Northampton.
I had spoken to a few local guys before I went to Northampton, so I knew I was in for a good weekend, without it even being the weekend of the E38 show.
Sam was going to pick me up to meet up with some other E38 members for a few drinks.
Upon arriving at the pub, might I say a true English pub with a good healthy bit of Dutch influence, I saw some familiar faces there. It is always good to see people you haven’t seen for a while, think the last time was the E38 show.
Simon, Becks, Tank and Steve were there, and we had some good laughs and a few drinks, later on Stephen and Greeny arrived as well to join us on this good evening.
I hadn’t eaten much since breakfast, so when someone mentioned dinner it sounded like music to my ears. A few of us went to the “Star of India” to have a proper dinner, and it was my first experience at an Indian restaurant, and I totally loved it. Always in for something spicy so asked the guys to find me something spicy and my oh my did I like it :D
After all of us where done it was time to find our way home, or in my case the hotel.
Saturday
After a good night out, I slept really well and didn’t mind I could sleep till around 10ish.
After I had a good breakfast it appeared to be a good and bright sunshiny day, so I decided to wait for Sam outside. A large coffee later Sam arrived and we went off to see TUK customs. Thanks again Sam for driving me around, much appreciated!
On route to TUK we came past a familiar park, Overstone Park, where they finally have finalised the gates, looks pretty good without the scaffolding I have to admit. Upon arriving at TUK Customs we were greeted by Wayne with his mk5 he just had been cleaning, liking the black on black on the car to be honest. Besides the mk5 there were a few interesting mk4’s, nice silver Beetle and a G60 syncro.
Met up with Marc, Andy, Sophie, Rob and the others that where there that day, and because it was really nice in the area there, because of the sun and without wind we decided to hang out there.
Greeny was there to look for some air or coilovers for the car, but he still needs to make his mind up, I can only say the Air would look proper nice on it mate (e38: "this is past tense. really you should have seen this a month and a half ago if it wasnt for some procrastination on the part of guess which one sweetland").
At lunchtime Andy came up with the good idea to get some lunch, and well we didn’t mind to be honest, we where in for some proper food as well. So thanks again for the lunch Andy, much appreciated.
Simon had arrived as well and needed the opinion of Marc on the colour of the wheels that were just painted. And he decided to hang out as well because of the nice weather, it was really nice without the wind on the Saturday!
Sam did end up with a polished centre cap in the end though, so to be honest that was all the work that was done between the likes of Sam and me. Oh well It was an enjoyable relaxing afternoon, and that’s what matters.
We decided to go to a not earlier mentioned pub to have some drinks, it did surprise me upon arriving that all the seats were in rows. It was explained that there was a big rugby game about to start, and people go to the pub to watch it. I do know of such events with football, but then everybody is excited and almost never quiet. Well let me tell you this, when such a rugby game is on, be quiet when the rest is as well. You will disturb them while they watch the special moments in the game.
After the quiet drinks we decided to have some dinner in a restaurant near my hotel, called “the Britannia”. It appeared to be really close to my hotel, but hadn’t seen it yet, but then again I hadn’t needed it yet.
But you can also have a big Tesco near you, and your navigation system shows you only the way to a Tesco express…… Food was good and we agreed to meet up in the morning to drive to GTI Spring Festival, with that said we ended the evening and all went our own separate ways.
Sunday
Early Sunday morning I woke up, hoping it would be good day the same as what it was on the Saturday. It turned out to be not so good as Saturday, but then again at least it wasn’t raining.
I waited for Sam to arrive and when he arrived we drove up to a little service on route to the Pod, and we were greeted by some familiar faces. We had breakfast with a group of 10 persons, because some others were running a bit late to join us.
Upon arriving at the Pod, it appeared people had enjoyed the good weather and all had been cleaning the cars, to show up clean at the Pod for the show. It did take a long time to go through the gates and to arrive ate the show area.
A quick scan through the show area revealed some familiar faces and their cars, so had a few chats here and there and did see some very nice cars in the show area.
After some chats, we decided all to get some drinks to warm up, because it was really cold and windy there. In the end, when we walked in to the street with food and drink stands, the sun came out and it seemed a good idea to have a pint. Well that warms you up a little bit, at least it almost felt that way.
When we were standing there, it appeared that the Jet car was going to drag up the strip, so we decided to look at the strip. I’ve never seen something like it so I was stunned by the sound and the speed of the car. It is really awesome to see and hear it.
Off all the cars that were at the show, my personal favourite was the green mk2 1.8T with all carbon fibre bits like the roof and the GT3 seats. It went as well as it looked, attention to detail was very good on that car as well.
After the judging was done throughout the day, the prices were about to be given away in the show area.
I went to see the other of the group to see which cars had won. There was a selection made of 20 of the best of the show. Ali, Rodders and Steve won a price in this category. Steve also won best paint for the paint that is on his mk3, so he received in total two Oscars. So am still waiting for the thank you speech. At one time we all decided to leave and head for a pub that would be warm, to get ourselves warm again. With a drink in the hand and the warmth of the room, it was a lot more comfortable than the rest of the day.
We spoke about the show, which cars were good and what the things were that we haven’t seen before or seen to much in the past already. Around 7ish it was time to all go our own separate way, and we said goodbye to each other.
Some of you I’ll see in one month time (e38: "again, that will be stephen's fault you're reading this after the fact"), others it will be in July at MIVW. Am already looking forward to it to be honest.
So that is the weekend gone, but one thing remains, the phrase “for the win”.
Some can say it is about winning prizes, some will say it is all about driving. For me that phrase stands for a very good weekend, with a bunch of good friends, laughs, drinks, cars, banter and very good fun!! So everyone, thanks for the very good weekend.
So once again “for the win….”
John.
by Edition 38