A change of venue for the main rally of the season this year made for a challenge for all the committee.  Although most set off in brilliant sunshine on the Friday, by teatime the skies had darkened and reports of flash flooding came in with almost every new arrival.  On retiring for the night on Friday the site was beginning to look like campervan city with but a few hardy tenters in evidence.

Thankfully Saturday dawned a little brighter and the assembled throng set off for a run to the nearby Bubblecar museum at Cranwell.  A round trip of about 80 miles was deemed to be about right, given that there was also the excellent food of the Byard’s leap café to look forward to.

More arrivals rolled up as the day wore on and by the evening there were several more units in attendance.  The evening’s entertainment consisted of “ Snail racing” a cartoon race meeting on video which brought out the punter in just about everyone – indeed several syndicates were formed and the bets flowed heavily.  More entertainment was provided in the form of videos with thanks to Steve Pepper, all this of course after the traditional Maniacs evening meal this year with the added advantage of a real kitchen!!!

The pies, newly sourced from a local baker, went down extremely well as did the vegetarian option provided this year by Alyson (or as some would say Alisony), a few drinks were partaken of and so to bed.

Sunday was a deviation from the norm in that there was another road run, this time to a “normal” classic car show at Louth, some 15 miles distant. Although the rain was persistent, about 30 cars set off on this run and joined one or two other micros and several other classic cars on a 1 in 3 slope outside Louth.  After an hour or so all returned to Market Rasen for the line up and prize-giving.

Unusual cars at the rally were Alan Hitchcock’s lovely Autobianchi Bianchina, Len Fox’s Empolini Triplet breakdown van and “The Pulse” a 2 or 4 wheeled (depending on how fast it was going) jet-fighter powered by a 400cc engine which was originally from America. Also in evidence were Mark Fisher’s disgustingly original (as in "not had anything done to the bodywork") Trojan and the much promised Reliant Rebel of John Horth’s which currently sports an equally non- paint job.  Although the event was much publicised in the Trabant / Wartburg / Ifa magazine, only 1 visitor from that club, David Pattison, turned up, and was taken pity on by way of your editor lining his Trabbi up alongside the newcomer to create a “Club Stand”!!!

New regalia lines were very much in evidence with the latest club fleeces proving very popular due not only to excellent selling from Tom and Lee but also the superb quality of the garments – in particular the reversible fleeces.  Watch out for more regalia items including scarves and picnic rugs all bearing the club logo and which can also be personalised with your name!!!

All in all, considering that this was the first time the maniacs had visited this venue, although there were some small issues we are confident that once people have become better acquainted with the facilities that the site has to offer, it will be a firm favourite for all. The location, whilst reasonably out on a limb is central enough to be accessible whilst the potential for road runs in “virgin territory” is vast (as Lincolnshire is mostly flat – that should help).

Most of the attendees to whom I spoke have said that apart from the uncertainty of where the facilities were the venue was excellent and next year we are looking into the possibility of providing hot drinks and possibly even breakfast butties as we have the use of the kitchen facilities – watch this space!