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Car Craft 2002
- SHOW PREVIEW
THE SEASON SETS OFF AT STAFFORD MARCH 9TH
/ 10TH
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Don't forget - kit car drivers get in free!
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Hells bells,
it's about time we cast away those winter blues and
started getting positive again with the buzz of a
good kit car show. What better than the season's first
event, Car Craft 2002 at Stafford County Showground?
Here's the latest news...
Time for the kit car scene to come alive again! As
ever, the Car Craft 2002 exhibition at Stafford in
mid-March will ignite yet another buzzing season of
kit car action, social fun and fascinating automotive
creativity. With winter fading into the distance and
temperatures rising, a brilliant kit car extravaganza
is just what we all need.
Stafford County Showground, just north of Stafford
itself, is the place to be over the weekend of March
9th & 10th. The venue's huge Bingley Hall and
all its various annexes easily contain all the kit
car manufacturers' displays, trade stands, club displays,
special attractions and parts and accessories stalls
that make Car Craft such a large event. With carpeted
stands, good heating, a decent restaurant, a well
stocked bar and refurbished, modern loos, this is
as comfortable a show as you'll go to at this time
of year.
Reflecting its title, Car Craft 2002 aims to present
the whole phenomenon of car building in as broad a
way as possible. Displays by most of the kit industry's
leading names will, as usual, form the core of the
event but there'll be much, much more to see and be
entertained by. Even outdoors there'll be large numbers
of kit cars parked up to browse through and inspect.
So let's take a closer look at it all...
Kit manufacturers
on display: Along with Stoneleigh and Donington,
Car Craft sits comfortably in the top three kit
car shows and is always supported by most of the
industry's big names. That means the likes of Westfield,
GTM, JBA, Dax, Blackjack, MK Mechanical, Midas Cars,
Tiger Racing, Robin Hood Engineering etc.
Many of the smaller operations that regularly attend
will be there too, while there's normally the odd
new name to spice things up. Right, here's a look
at some of the stands that are launching new models...
Wild Westfield:
Leading kit car brand Westfield is again putting
on a large and varied display of its models but
we've an inkling that most public interest could
well be focused on the awesome new XTR2 road racer.
The little Suzuki Hayabusa powered rocket is making
its kit car show debut at Stafford and will surely
attract the interest of almost every enthusiast
there.
Kerb weight is a mere 380kg for the XTR2 and its
175bhp powerpack should see it blast to 60mph in
a little more than 3 seconds. Sensational stuff,
so don't miss it.
Parallel presents:
At the other end of the spectrum from the XTR2 is
Parallel Designs' amazing Lamborghini Diablo SV
replica, the Torero S. Remarkably authentic in the
bodywork and cabin departments, the car (featured
in Which Kit? last month) has a full spaceframe
chassis, purpose designed suspension and Rover V8
power with a Renault 21/25 transaxle.
Finished in yellow and adorned with full SV decals,
the Torero S is a stunning achievement for a small
company. Check it out for yourself: it's as close
as dammit to the real thing.
Return of the Python:
Great news for Cobra enthusiasts, particularly those
over 6ft tall, is the fact that the much respected
Python Roadster is returning to the industry. Difference
with the Python is that its wheelbase is 2in longer
than other Cobras, the additional length injected
into the cockpit - and thus the doors, making it
easier to get into and more comfortable for big
drivers.
The Python is being relaunched at Car Craft, so
be sure to take a look because the car boasts a
superbly strong chassis and top quality throughout.
It also boasts an interesting new donor vehicle
option. While chassis will naturally be available
for the classic combination of Jaguar running gear
and Chevy, Ford or Rover V8 power, the new option
will use BMW 5-series parts throughout.
Generally considered better engineered than Ford
Sierra parts, the BMW donor bits also offer a decent
range of unbreakable 4-cylinder and straight-six
engines. If this all catches your fancy, check it
out on the Python stand at Stafford.
RV Dynamics on full
song: Established for several years now with its
Jaguar V12 or V8 powered Nemesis supercar, RV Dynamics
of Essex is challenging hard for a bigger slice
of the market this year and has chosen Stafford
to put on its biggest ever show display.
A quite sensational performer, the yellow, V12 powered
Nemesis will be on show alongside RV's other model,
the on/off-road Bugrat fun machine. Using the Skoda
Rapid or Estelle as its single donor car, the Bugrat
is a capable and versatile device that can be built
for as little as £2500 and is thus going to attract
a lot of interest. As will RV's new model... but
our lips are sealed. Just be sure not to miss the
RV stand.
Robin Hood surprises:
Robin Hood Engineering, arguably the country's most
prolific kit maker during 2001, can generally be
relied upon to show something new at Stafford, and
this year is no exception.
A company spokesman was understandably cagey about
revealing too much before the show as RH's policy
is to encourage people to visit the event to check
out the new car for themselves. But after a lot
of prodding we finally discovered that RH's large
stand (it's bigger than ever this year) will host
the launch of what's called the Sub-K kit - i.e.
it will cost under £1000. Is that cheap or is that
cheap?
Amazingly, this sub-£1000 will get you not just
a kit but a comprehensive kit including everything
needed other than a Sierra donor vehicle. OK, we
would imagine that means you might have to spend
a bit extra on decent cosmetics but who'd complain
about that? New GRP bodywork and a new tubular chassis
will distinguish the Sub-K and you'll also find
much more on the stand in the form of exciting new
chassis and kit packages for the Lolocost made by
RH's associate operation. How can you afford to
miss seeing this lot?
Tiger bites hard:
Loads of stuff will be on the Tiger stand as usual
but, with the company now challenging hard in the
budget market, most interest could be centred on
the new Tiger Avon which is making its first-ever
show appearance as a completed prototype. Finished
in red gelcoat, the Avon's GRP bodywork features,
for the first time, cycle wings and looks better
than ever. Power for this car is Ford 2-litre Pinto.
Sold as individual components at highly competitive,
low prices, the Avon's quality engineering and easy
assembly make it terrific value for money. Have
a good look at it at Car Craft 2002.
Chester Sportscars:
This company is Tiger's north-west agent and naturally
specialises in building Tigers. No prizes for guessing
what the company will have on display!
The Future is Midas:
2002 promises to be a landmark year for Midas Cars.
The company has undergone a major transformation
and the results of this process will be on show
at Car Craft where Midas will have a significant
presence. They are displaying their entire range
of cars including the stunning new 2+2 Convertible,
and the new branding the company has adopted promises
to make their stand one of the most eye-catching
at the show. Owner Mark Bailey is confident of his
company's future: "We turn Metros into sports
cars and we're about to turn Midas into a major
force in kit cars."
Classic car display:
Organised by the Stoke on Trent Classic Car Club,
this superb display will contain around nine magnificent
cars from past eras. Models will include a 1874
Jensen Interceptor, 1963 Mercedes 220SE, 1965 Singer
Gazelle, 1981 Bentley Mulsanne, 1974 Rolls Royce
Silver Shadow and a 1956 Morris Minor. Come and
feast your eyes on an amazing collection - and talk
to the owners.
Smart selection:
A new idea which we think will be great fun brings
to Car Craft a dazzling selection of something like
ten variably coloured Smart cars - machines that
are very different indeed and always bring a smile
to your face. Organised by the UK Smart Club, this
will be a fascinating display which you won't want
to miss. Representatives of the club will be on
hand to discuss the cars.
Balcony displays:
As it's difficult for most types of cars to reach
the main hall's spacious balcony area, machines
with high ground clearance get priority. No surprise,
then, that the main displays up on the balcony will
be from the Jago Owners Club and Rickman Owners
Club. So, all being well, there'll be plenty of
Jago Geeps and Samurais and Rickman Rangers occupying
the balcony and available for inspection. Hopefully,
a smattering of Dakars and Rotraxes will also be
present.
For future shows, the balcony is going to be made
exclusively available for off-road style and utility
vehicles as a big special feature of the weekend.
So if you've got something that fits the bill, bring
it along - especially if it's a Jago, Rickman, Dakar,
Rotrax or whatever. Be advised, though: all vehicles
using the balcony have to be in place by 9am each
morning and can't leave the show until after 5pm.
The CML Shoot-Out:
Of course, car craft doesn't just mean building
full-size cars; it also means model kits of smaller
size, some of them capable of pretty decent performance.
Yes, we're talking about the CML Shoot-Out which
involves the racing of one-tenth scale, remote control
Nitro Trucks capable of scale speeds equivalent
to up to 500mph. Furthermore, their nitro-methanol
burning engines produce the equivalent of no less
than 400bhp per litre at up to 35,000rpm. Sounds
amazing, doesn't it.
You'll find all the action going on in the Prestwood
Centre hall (linked to Stafford's main hall by a
covered walkway) and it's said to be highly entertaining
stuff. Many of the country's top drivers and machines
will be competing, so don't miss it.
Loads and loads
of parts and accessories stands: This is one area
for which Stafford has long been famous - it always
seems to have hundreds of parts, accessory, autojumble
and odds 'n' sods stands. It all adds up to the
sort of area which can keep the patient parts-searcher
entertained for ages; when you start looking, it's
amazing what you can buy there.
As ever, Car Craft's organisers are expecting trade
stands to increase over 2001's show. Bookings are
already very strong so it's looking good for this
fascinating feature of the show.
Kit car club stands:
Stafford's Bingley Hall complex is such a large
place that there's always room indoors for some
clubs. Guaranteed a slot as usual will be the local
Potteries Kit Car Club, whose members are incredibly
keen and supportive of the event. This year they've
promised another of their excellent displays of
varied models and are delighted to talk to and advise
anyone who wants to know more about kit car building
at ground level.
Another club you'll find inside the main building
is the Italian Replica Car Club run by the lads
who own all those beautiful Lamborghini Countach,
Lancia Stratos and Ferrari Dino, Daytona, P4, 250
GTO, 308GTB and 355 replicas. These cars always
make an exotic, mouth watering sight, so don't miss
them. Many other clubs have also already booked
for the grass areas outside - more news on them
next month.
Cars for sale area:
The established selection of second-hand kit cars
on display at Stafford has become one of the show's
outstanding features. There were about 40 well varied
machines on offer last year, ranging from the sublime
to the soppy and including a few bargains, so it's
a vital area to check out if you haven't got the
time or ability to build a car yourself. If, on
the other hand, you're in the market to sell, all
you have to do is fill out the coupon on the right
and book your space.
Kit cars outside:
Loads of 'em! Yes, there's plenty of space and always
plenty of cars on both the grass areas and the drive
leading to the main hall. Both privately owned cars
and club displays will be there to be inspected
and admired. What's more, Stafford invariably plays
host to a few fascinating one-off and rarities both
ancient and modern - the sort of things that are
well worth a look.
The Which Kit? stand:
Your favourite magazine will as usual have its large
stand just inside the main hall and round to the
right. A very tasty car will be on display to attract
your interest and you will be able to buy our latest
issue, back issues and your choice of technical
and specialist car books.
A big attraction is always our Bargain Basement
tables selling back issues, old guides and various
other odds and sods at only £1.50 each, so come
and have a good browse. Several of our staff will
be present to meet you, advise you and, hopefully,
sell things to you! See you there.
Final details: You'll
find the Stafford County Showground located just
north of Stafford itself. From the M6 motorway,
go off at junction 14 and head east for a couple
of miles until you see the Showground signs. Entrance
prices for this big event are £8 for adults, £4
for senior citizens and children under 14, and £18
for family tickets (2+2). Toddlers get in free,
as do drivers of kit cars.
Car parking is also free and, as ever, the venue's
restaurant and bar will be well stocked. Show opening
times are 10am - 5pm both days. If you have any
further queries about what's shaping up as another
brilliant event, contact the organisers: Limelight
Exhibitions on Tel: 01737 225857
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