Cheshire Kitcar Show 2001

Capesthorne Hall, Macclesfield, Cheshire
20th May 2001

A personal account by Duncan Hurst

Several members of the DROC attended the Cheshire Kitcar show at Capesthorne
Hall, Macclesfield on Sunday 20th May 2001.

John, Steve & Graham had already crossed the Pennines when I arrived, after picking up my friend Rob, at midday. Rick Clapham turned up shortly afterwards from Stockport. The Cheshire show is a very small, informal and friendly affair run by the Rochdale Owners Club. There were only a couple of  manufacturers present and only half a dozen accessory stalls.

As well as displays of assorted American cars there was a sizeable collection (a bloat?) of Honda Goldwing motorbikes, many with trailers and hundredweights of chrome. Although to call "motorbike" anything with four wheels, ten times the luggage  capacity of a Dax, less power, speed & handling and a CD autochanger is stretching credulity a bit!

There were several hundred kitcars, which were the main attraction. We saw everything from a clapped-out shed of a Rochdale, via many Se7ens of all  kinds, to an   immaculate Sherpley Speed Six which was indistinguishable from  a 1930s blower Bentley.

Highlight of the day was when our own John Cellier (Yorks & Humberside DROC  Sec.) won Best Car In Show for his blue Dax Rush V8 Quadra. A well-deserved but completely unexpected win. Well done John! Peter Filby from Which Kit?   was snapping pictures of everything so expect to see John in next month's (July 2001) issue.

We left Capesthorne Hall in convoy and John and Graham peeled off  Northeastwards towards home. I led Steve (Cosworth Turbo) for a quick blat  along the famous A537 Macclesfield->Buxton 'Cat & Fiddle' road. Beloved of  bikers, this is one of the best driving roads in the country, having 90  degree turn after 90 degree turn, linked with short, fast straights, all hugging the hillsides of the Cheshire moors with excellent long-range visibility. We stopped for a restorative at the C&F to let the adrenaline  and red mist subside a bit before parting company to make our separate ways  home.

After having a very agreeable pub dinner (The Poacher, Bollington - recommended :) and dropping Rob home, I finished the day with a blat home over the Peak District hills on dry, clear roads with a brilliant red sunset in my mirrors. A most excellent driving day   which impressed me again with  the Dax's performance.

If you have any pictures or tales of the Cheshire show that you would like to donate to this page, please email them to post@rushowners.co.uk. All contributions will be acknowledged.

UPDATE: The following weekend, the same crew attended the Great Yorkshire Kitcar show at Harrogate, where John once again won "Best Car in Show". Well done again!