On Show (again)

Last weekend (22nd June) Humphrey attended his second show. This time we aimed our lunacy at Mondello Park Racetrack in Naas, County Kildare for their Classic and Vintage show. As usual Humphrey tore up under his own steam and we made camp at Micks house in the Wicklow Mountains. Good old Humphrey is at the stage where he needed little more than a quick polish and off like stink for the show. We frightened the life out of the poor soul at the gate (who had seen Humphrey the day before to collect his stickers) with the klaxon. We have arrived.

We pootled into position in the Featured Cars section right in the heart of the show and locked up the beast. The weather was relatively malicious but the turn out was great. Lots of hardy souls who don’t mind taking out their expensive machines in all weathers to show the public. Proper order, we like their style. The day was mostly spent mooching around and generally getting our heads in, under and around the different types of machinery there.

The time then came for Humphrey to hit the track. Now we were aware of a slight water leak up front but we knew it was no biggy, just a water pump seal, we’ve a new one waiting in the bunker. So we topped up and got in the queue. 5 minutes of idling then flapflapflapflap charge light on. Bugger. Bob hopped out and pulled a snapped fan belt out of the engine. Bugger again. Still it could have happened on the track. Back to our spot and 10 mins later new fan belt in and we’re good to go.

Track Chance 2 was upon us and this time we took our place at the head of the field. Our mate John who looks after Operations in Mondello was grinning from ear to ear at the sight of our mighty contraption amidst the mega-bucks machines. Funnily enough they stayed away from our bullbars.

We pottered out onto the track and had great craic following the safety car and squirting and farting about the place. We ended up beside a lovely BMW 3.0 CSL and even managed to stay ahead of him on the start-finish straight as we gunned Humph before he knew what happened. Plenty of klaxon work for the crowd and daft cornering for the cameras. At one point a dickhead in an old Merc who was cutting everyone up tried his luck against us and almost met his maker. I don’t lift and we sure as hell weren’t letting him through. He got the message very quickly that you don’t mess with Team Suspect Device.

After the hilarity of the track we filed back into the paddock and had a good laugh and discussion about the few laps. In the interest of camaraderie we parked beside a pristine Morris Minor and took a few photos. Only for the owner to come along with a scowl and move his car to another spot. And people wonder why some classic car bods suffer from stereotyping???!! All through the day we had guys with seriously expensive machines having the laugh with us, enjoying the craic and wishing us well. Then this guy. We don’t offend easily though. We realise that this particular chap who looked to be in his 50’s probably still lives with his mother, keeps the car in a carpeted and heated garage, washes it with shampoo while wearing marigold gloves and can talk at length about production line statistics from the Morris factory over a glass of Guinness in his favourite anorak for hours. Fair play to you mate, you’re a credit. I bet you’re the life and soul, and nothing like the invalid specimen of a man first impressions would convey. You do Morris Minors your way and we’ll do them ours.

Team Suspect Device - always outnumbered, never outgunned.