Eventually we'll be able to get back out there, so time to get planning
Ok, so 2020 isn't going so well at the moment. Coronavirus has hit the world in an unprecedented way and for now we're all aiming to do our bit by staying at home. Which is kind of boring unless you've got a well-stocked garage and a project car to get stuck into.
And that's why we thought we'd try to get the lowdown on which shows are still happening so we can get busy filling our weekends when this is all over.
With the help of show legend Andy Smith (the builder of the multi-awared-winning Almera from back in the day and Autoglym poster-boy) we've compiled a reasonably extensive list. There may be a few too many Kent-based of air-cooled VW shows below, mainly due to Andy living in Kent and having a camper van too, but don't let that put you off.
He's given some 'inside info' on a few of the events, but we've also added a few of our own thoughts too. Hopefully see you all at some of these later in the year!
APRIL
What: Festival of Power
When: 10th April - POSTPONED (new date TBC)
Where: Santa Pod
What: Car Audio Security Open Weekend
When: 25th-26th April - POSTPONED (new date TBC)
Where: Car Audio Security, Hayes, Middlesex
MAY
What: BHP Performance Show
When: 2nd-3rd May - CHECK CLOSER TO TIME
Where: Lydden Hill Race Circuit
What: Japfest
When: 3rd May - POSTPONED (new date TBC)
Where: Silverstone
What: Motors by the Moat
When: 9th May - POSTPONED UNTIL 2021
Where: Leeds Castle, Kent
What: Modified Live
When: 10th May - POSTPONED (new date TBC)
Where: Cadwell Park
MAXERS: We'll be keeping an eye on when this is rescheduled. With Time Attack happening around the track it's worth the trip just to see big bhp motors get air coming up The Mountain.
What: Fiesta in the Park
When: 10th May - CANCELLED
Where: Huntingdon
What: Big Bang VW Festival
When: 15th May - POSTPONED (new date TBC)
Where: Santa Pod
What: Supercar Fest The Runway
When: 24th May - POSTPONED UNTIL 2021
Where: Sywell Aerodrome
What: Modified Nationals
When: 29th-31st May - MOVED TO 14th-16th AUGUST
Where: Peterborough Arena
MAXERS: When the guy running it rocks a sweet R34 Skyline and has DJ Richie Don as a son-in-law then you know it's going to have some old school Max Power vibes. We're looking forward to this!
What: Early Edition
When: 31st May
Where: Sywell Aerodrome, Northants
June
What: FittedUK
When: 7th June - POSTPONED UNTIL 25th JULY 2021
Where: Stretford, Manchester
What: JapShow
When: 6th-7th June
Where: Santa Pod
MAXERS: Always looked forward to this show back in the Max Power days. Serious Jap motors rippin' and snortin' up the famous strip. We'll defo be there - virus misery permitting.
What: Cumbria VAG
When: 13th-14th June
Where: Westmorland Showground, Cumbria
What: BMW Show
When: 14th June
Where: Santa Pod
MAXERS: We've both got Beemers... we should probably go to this!
What: BHP Fuel Fest
When: 14th June
Where: Westpoint, Exeter
What: Tunerfest South
When: 14th June - POSTPONED (new date TBC)
Where: Brands Hatch
What: Players Classic
When: 19th-21st June
Where: Goodwood
What: Retro Show
When: 21st June
Where: Santa Pod
What: Fast Show Reloaded
When: 26th-27th June
Where: Santa Pod
What: Quex Park VW Show
When: 26th-28th June
Where: Kent
Inside info:Â Chilled out family camping, camper and air-cooled show in the South East.
What: Broke Boys at the Farm
When: 28th June
Where: Napton Holt Farm Campsite, Southam
July
What: Ford Show
When: 4th-5th July
Where: Santa Pod
Inside info: The Blue Oval takes over Santa Pod Raceway.
What: Gravity Show
When: 5th July
Where: Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire
What: Goodwood Festival of Speed
When: 9th-12th July - POSTPONED (new date TBC)
Where: Goodwood
Inside info: Biggest physical car show on the UK Calendar. A televised event where you can meet your petrolhead hero’s, see the red arrows display and watch legends of motorsport on the various tracks in the grounds of Lord March’s home.
What: Tunerfest North
When: 11th July
Where: Oulton Park
What: Dubfiction
When: 12th July
Where: Pikehall
What: London Cartel International Auto Show
When: 12th July
Where: Crystal Palace Park, London
What: Retrorides
When: 16th-17th July
Where: Goodwood
What: AutoFest
When: 10th-12th July
Where: East of England Arena, Peterborough
What: JapFest
When: 18th July
Where: Donnington
What: Stance Fever - The Show
When: 19th July - POSTPONED UNTIL 2021
Where: Braintree, Essex
What: WaxStock
When: 19th July
Where: Ricoh Arena, Coventry
Inside info: Europe’s largest detailing event which continues to grow from strength to strength. Hosts an outside show n’ shine competition for those arriving on the day
MAXERS: A show all about cleaning your car! Sounds dull as f*ck. Unless someone there cleans our cars for us, in which case we'll see you there!
What: Bug Jam
When: 24th-26th July
Where: Santa Pod
Inside info: One of the longest running events on the calendar. Started in 1987 and continues to be the number one event for air-cooled, campers and all things VW.
What: Kulturschock
When: 26th July
Where: Gateshead International Stadium
What: Silverstone Classic
When: 31st July - 2nd August
Where: Silverstone
Inside info: Huge event open to pre-90’s cars held at the home of UK motorsport, Silverstone Circuit.
August
What: Festival of Wheels Day
When: 1st August
Where: Trinity Park, Ipswich
What: BHP Race Wars
When: 2nd August
Where: Perranporth
What: Ultimate Street Car (USC)
When: 7th-9th August
Where: Santa Pod
Inside info: Legendary Ultimate Street Car event with a rave/festival feel in the evening
MAXERS: Should probably book the week off work after this one to recover.
What: Ford Fair
When: 9th August
Where: Silverstone
MAXERS: Cosworth and RS overload. Always impressive how own make of car can fill so much space with enthusiasts.
What: The Ultimate Show
When: 15th August
Where: Exhibition Centre, Liverpool
What: JAE
When: 15th-16th August
Where: Royal Norfolk Showground
Inside info: Relaxed Japanese only event in Norfolk which for the first time switches to an all car event on the Sunday.
What: Tunerfest Midlands
When: 16th August
Where: Donington Park
What: Norfolk Auto Extravaganza (NAE)
When: 16th August
Where: Royal Norfolk Showground
Inside info:Â First time event open to all vehicles on the Sunday.
What: Japanese Performance Show
When: 16th August
Where: Stoneleigh, NAEC
What: Das Auto Show
When: 16th August
Where: Santa Pod
Inside info: The UK’s first all-encompassing German Car Show complete with dragstrip.
What: Volksweald
When: 21st-23rd August
Where: Penshurst Place, Kent
Inside info: Chilled out family camping, Camper and air-cooled show in the scenic grounds of Penshurst Place.
What: Automotive Lifestyle Show
When: 23rd August
Where: The Sharnbrook, Bedford
What: Edition 38 #20
When: 29th August
Where: Overstone Park, Northampton
MAXERS: Always liked the chilled vibe of this one. If the sun's out it's basically like a picnic surrounded by very clean VWs.
What: Cruise Culture
When: 30th August
Where: Swansea
What: Supercar Fest - The Hill
When: 30th August
Where: Worcestershire
September
What: Wheels Day
When: 5th September
Where: Rushmoor Arena, Aldershot
Inside info: New date from April’s postponement.
What: Fitment Junkies
When: 6th September
Where: Bruntingthorpe
What: Goodwood Revival
When: 11th-13th September
Where: Goodwood
Inside info: A chance to relive the classic era of racing with numerous stars racing millions of pounds of classic race cars. Dress pre-60’s to fit in with the theme.
What: CleanFest
When: 12th-13th September
Where: Edinburgh
What: Festival of Fuel
When: 11th-13th September
Where: Towerfields Sports Ground, Northants
What: Go Japan
When: 13th September
Where: Brands Hatch
MAXERS: This is a new one but we've been promised some pretty special things. And it's been officially recognised as some part of celebration of Japanese culture. Which is, weird, but somehow most honourable too.
What: Players Show
When: 13th September
Where: North Weald Airfield, Essex
MAXERS: Well, that's a dilemma. Same day as Go Japan show. We were at the first ever Players Show and it certainly broke the mold a bit. What to do?!
What: VW Stonor Park
When: 20th September
Where: Henley-on-Thames
What: OhSoRetro
When: 27th September
Where: Margate, Kent
Inside info: Pre-90’s car show in the South East. Getting bigger every year – though last years weather was one to forget.
October
What: Volksworld
When: 3rd-4th October
Where: Sandown Racecourse
Inside info: new date after postponement in March.
What: JapShow Finale
When: 4th October
Where: Santa Pod
Inside info: Jap season finale held at Santa Pod – your last chance before Christmas to light up the tyres on the strip.
What: TRAX
When: 4th October
Where: Silverstone
Inside info:Â If ever there was a car club car show this would be the one. A huge car show for all vehicles, shed loads of car clubs on display and one of the few you can race around the legendary F1 circuit in your own motor!
MAXERS: If you love modified cars but aren't all anal about one make or country of origin, this is for you. Doubt any country in the world could get such an ecclectic mix of awesome cars together in one place.
What: Vee-Power Sunday
When: 4th October
Where: Goodwood
What: Modified Live
When: 11th October
Where: Snetterton
What: ExtremeBHP Annual Illuminations Convoy
When: 18th October
Where: Blackpool
MAXERS: We have no idea what this is about, but a convoy sounds cool... and Blackpool had some pretty legendary cruises once upon a time!
What: 100% Tuning
When: 23rd October
Where: Ahoy, Netherlands
Inside info:Â One of the few on-going Euro car shows, well worth a visit to see what the rest of Europe is modifying. Various car clubs arrange large convoys making for a great run to the infamous flat roads of Holland.
November
What: Ultimate Stance
When: 1st November
Where: Telford International Centre
What: SEMA
When: 3rd-7th November
Where: Las Vegas
MAXERS: OK, so this is a 'trade only' show and it's freaking miles away so a lot of you probably won't go. But it remains one of the best ways to spend four days of your life. Period (as they say over there!).
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