Devon Performance And Modified 2008
I'm doing this write up straight away as soon as I have got home because I'm still buzzing about it & have so much to write down.

The day started gloriously with blue skies & not a single cloud in sight. This was the pattern for the rest of the day.

We all met at the services where I handed the tickets out said a quick hello (because I was running later than intended... whoops) Then we set off for Exeter racecourse. The problems of last year were resolved marvelously by the organisers, we barely queued and our stand was nice & flat. So my thanks go to Sean & his team for listening to the problems and taking the time to iron them out.

It didnt take us long to get the cars in position but we missed Jaffa's expert organisation!! None the less we were soon concentrating on getting out the much needed gazebo, banner, bunting & flag. Soon we were relaxing or polishing as the temperature starting rising.

Its at this point I seem to have lost some hours.... so many people came over to chat, it was fantastic but it meant I didnt finish polishing the car until about 12!!! Ah well it was worth it. It did lead on to many discussions about how you had to be the right type of person to be into blinging & excessive polishing.

It wasnt long before we took turns to wander off and have a look round the show... the only person who had to keep coming back was Steve... his orange escort was having a grand unveiling (pre ford fair at least) but it still had a few teething problems and soon its alarm was disconnected to guaranty peace for the rest of the day.

No-one was feeling particularly energetic as the weather continued to get hotter and hotter but I found a way to get them up and about quick. On my travels I bumped into two really lovely girls who were working on the Turnbulls Stand. They happily agreed to come over to our stand for a few photos in return for a donation to the charity they were collecting for. I agreed and they said to come find them when ready. Later I found them but instead of the two girls I was expecting they all came!! I must say they were really sweet & brilliant, posing with each car in turn and keeping all the members happy posing as asked of them. I have never seen so many cameras suddenly appear!!! Hee hee

Happy with my achievement I didnt think I would top that little adventure but at the end of the day I went and chatted with Nikki Lee, a really great model who Jaffa & I love to pieces. She came over to the stand and let us takes some pictures. I chatted to Midge from Fast Car magazine & Shelbie fell in love with Midgey (Nikki Lee's little dog) and it wasnt long before Nikki Lee, Midge, Midgey & Alex (Nikki Lee's photographer) were sat relaxing and chatting with us before we packed up for home.
I must say Nikki Lee really made my day... shes a great person to get to know, down to earth and a good giggle too.

What I have failed to mention so far is as well as the usual motley crew we were joined by Snoopaloopa from the South West branch who came down with his Sierra XR4x4 and also we welcomed new members Elvin & his wife (sorry.... in my excitement the name has evaded me!!) with their cracking Escort XR3i.

Enough of my witterings.... I'm still working on the video, but here are photos of the day. Hope you like them!

Write up by Loz
Photos by Loz, Brian & Elvin
Video by Loz
Tying the bunting together is a good idea... but it helps when you get the second piece the right way round.Thats just charming!!!Shelbie full of energy despite the heatRelaxing at base campShelbie in training in the art form of polishingSteves alarm had a mind of its own... until he took a spanner to itNikki Lee, me, and my XR2i.... how chuffed am I!! Thank you so much!!!!I wander if we can get Nikki Lee to sign up... the branch logo has never looked so good!Nikki Lee with ShelbieMidge (from fast car) trying to show the girls how its done.
XR antics:
The rest of the show: