Until a few months ago, I assumed my local ‘car scene’ didn’t exist. It was lost long ago, I thought, its reputation irreparably tarnished by attention-hungry teens in questionably modified French hatchbacks. Not so. As it turns out, it might be stronger than ever.
Desperate to break up the arduous winter months by visiting a car event, I stumbled across a group on Facebook who regularly organise meets about as close to my home as it’s possible to get. Known as Peterborough Modified, the page organises and runs a monthly meet at my local supermarket car park, which regularly attracts hundreds of like-minded petrolheads.
Within seconds of turning up, I knew I’d made the right decision. All the right stuff was there; from Supras, Skylines and S-bodies through to a classic Mini and a Mk.1 Focus RS. Most of them, too, were tastefully upgraded and clearly well looked after.
The cars weren’t the only thing that impressed about this meet, either. First off, the turnout was exceptionally good for what was a fairly small venue on a seriously chilly November evening. Admittedly, a fair few people spent a while in their cars, heaters on full blast, but the very fact so many people came along is a testament to this event’s popularity.
Just as you’d hope from a meet such as this, the atmosphere was extremely laid back; everyone gathering around each other’s cars and talking about what they love. It may have been my first visit here but not once did I feel out of place or unwelcome.
So why were my expectations so out of line with the reality? I spoke to one of the organisers of the meet, Lee Fountain, and asked him what’s changed in the car scene in the last decade, “the car scene has changed a lot in 10 years and it has grown massively. The amount of people that now have an interest and a passion in all things cars is huge.
“Also it is nice to see everyone come together, share their passion with each other and have a good time and good laugh with one another.
“One of the biggest issues all us clubs out here are faced with is the police and how strict the rules are now. But us and I know a lot of other clubs are starting to try and work with the police and come to agreements on holding our meets and scheduling them with them.”
All in all, the future of our hobby is looking remarkably bright. Despite all the talk of the motor car’s demise, this meet – and many others like it – serve as proof that passion for the automobile in the UK is at an all-time high. Long may it continue.
Within seconds of turning up, I knew I’d made the right decision. All the right stuff was there; from Supras, Skylines and S-bodies through to a classic Mini and a Mk.1 Focus RS. Most of them, too, were tastefully upgraded and clearly well looked after.
The cars weren’t the only thing that impressed about this meet, either. First off, the turnout was exceptionally good for what was a fairly small venue on a seriously chilly November evening. Admittedly, a fair few people spent a while in their cars, heaters on full blast, but the very fact so many people came along is a testament to this event’s popularity.
Just as you’d hope from a meet such as this, the atmosphere was extremely laid back; everyone gathering around each other’s cars and talking about what they love. It may have been my first visit here but not once did I feel out of place or unwelcome.
So why were my expectations so out of line with the reality? I spoke to one of the organisers of the meet, Lee Fountain, and asked him what’s changed in the car scene in the last decade, “the car scene has changed a lot in 10 years and it has grown massively. The amount of people that now have an interest and a passion in all things cars is huge.
“Also it is nice to see everyone come together, share their passion with each other and have a good time and good laugh with one another.
“One of the biggest issues all us clubs out here are faced with is the police and how strict the rules are now. But us and I know a lot of other clubs are starting to try and work with the police and come to agreements on holding our meets and scheduling them with them.”
All in all, the future of our hobby is looking remarkably bright. Despite all the talk of the motor car’s demise, this meet – and many others like it – serve as proof that passion for the automobile in the UK is at an all-time high. Long may it continue.
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