Rods on the beach: Pendine Sands.

Rods on the beach: Pendine Sands.

Words & Photography: Daniel Allard

In two months time one of our favourite events of the year returns to Pendine. This is our coverage from last years event and will hopefully persuade you to attend this unique event in June.
For one weekend a year the Vintage Hot Rod Association (VHRA) roll into a quiet town called Pendine in Wales and bursts into life with the sound of rumbling V8's. For those that don't know Pendine, it is home to a hallowed piece of the UK's automotive history Pendine Sands. In the 1920's Pendine sands was used for a number of land speed record attempts including the 150mph speed record being broken by Malcolm Campbell in the infamous Blue Bird. After a brief closure due to the sands being 'unsafe' they're now open for a set few to use.
Being our first time we arrived early Saturday morning and managed to catch the cars coming onto the beach. Around 150 cars rolled onto the beach ready to have a bit of fun, break their own records from the previous years or try and enter the 100mph club. 

Once the last of the cars hit the beach we started the short walk up to the pit area and start line. Me being a complete noob, i didn't request a pit pass so sorry folks we didn't get many close ups.

With the cars warmed up and the marshals in place it was time for the first car to hit the half mile course, the king of the beach from last years event. As long as the tide allows it each car gets three timed runs over the weekend then the fastest is recorded and will be their best time from the weekend, simples.

A very clean 1947 Chevrolet Panel van hitting the course at the start on Saturday.

Chris Rawlins awesome 1932 Ford Model 18.

Paul Coleman's from Coltech Classics 1937 Ford Cabriolet before he sold it on to a very lucky customer.

Ive always preferred the rat or tatty rods but one of my personal favourites from the day was this 1934 Ford Model 40 van.

Gregory Gray's 1930 Ford Model A ripping up the sand on its first run of the weekend.

With most of the cars having a successful first run it was time for them to take a steady cruise along the sands back to the pits to start it all over again. This is the first time a lot of spectators got to see the cars up and personal and felt more like a parade. 

Before the end of the day and the tide could catch us out we headed back to the pits to see which cars were in the car park. Often the most over looked part of a car event you sometimes find some gems in and amongst the rough. 

Sadly a part of the game we love to hate but thats what friends are for and one day it will be a great story to tell. I didn't see George Martin's Model A out on the Saturday but looking at the result he managed to recored two times which i hope means the car made it out on Sunday. 

Pendine sands was hands down one of the best events we've attended. It is a very unique event and the only one like it in Europe. We suggest you put the 24/25th of June in your calendars and get some Welsh fresh air.

 

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