WELCOME TO THE 8TH HOTROD HAYRIDE

We would just like to point out that by reading the following website, you may suffer giddiness and a sudden rush of blood to the head, which may result in you recklessly throwing your money away on a ridiculous weekend, with stupid old cars, funny looking old bikes and no one polishing anything properly. It’s just not on. It’s not a proper car show; in fact it’s more like a giant outdoor mental hospital where every inmate is allowed an old car or bike. The fact that it’s considered by thousands to be the friendliest and most fun grass roots gathering of old tin and roots music in the world should not sway your opinion. Don’t do it. Take out a subscription to buff and polish magazine and buy yourself a lawn chair. It’s quieter and safer. (Unless you get your fingers shut in the lawn chair).

Get Your Kicks Pre ’66 The Hayride is not a ‘shiny cars win prizes’ type of event. We do like shiny things... pie wrappers glinting in the sun for instance... but if you spend a million pounds on your car, no one will care. What Hayriders care about (apart from beer & pies) is having fun with that traditional style, and old skool attitude. It has often been called a cult event. At least I think they called out ‘cult’ as I walked past... We welcome ANY kind of car at the Hayride, but only the pre’66 stuff goes into the centre of the site. Let’s face it no one wants pictures with your mum’s Corsa in the background do they? (Depending on how good looking your mum is... you can send in pictures...)!

Stuff that in your ears... We’ve added some ballsy roots r’n’b to your musical diet of rockabilly and bluegrass. This year sees a truly International line up playing in the Pavilion Ballroom, which features a huge spring dance floor, (not a small uneven square of plywood thrown down in a damp marquee) so that you can jive, bop & stroll without breaking your ankle. You may break your ankle at the Hayride, but that’s because you are too old, fat and drunk to bop all night like you could when you were 16... (16 year olds take note: these fat wheezy boys are your future... if you’re not careful!)

We have a Fire Tender and Paramedic permanently on site for ankle injuries... or choking incidents involving pies... or a blocked pie causing you to choke and trip and injure your ankle. They probably do other medical stuff as well.

Look away now... The Circus Freak Show is back. If you are wondering what else the nice lady sword swallower could get down her throat – before you get a well deserved slap from your better half – you sound like a Hayride customer. If you dream about lying down with the nice lady... and getting her to help you bolt the sword to the bottom of your hot rod – you’ll be on our mailing list already... We also have a fantastic Burlesque Show involving Knife Throwing. Not so keen to jump onstage and bend over to pick up frilly underwear now are you?

Mad Max is back... we are flying in world renowned alternative Hot Rod Artiste Max Grundy from the USA, to sign and sell his amazing art. He is also designing a limited edition Hayride T Shirt, using his unique approach (and by that you know I mean his off the wall, mechanically insane, nightmarish visions – ohbless, we’d like to keep him as a pet).

Wall of Death Weddings... Last year we had our first Hayride Wedding, the happy if slightly ‘touched’ couple having got engaged at the Hayride the year before... Everybody say aaahh...

They then had their Wedding photos taken inside The Demondrome Wall of Death... everybody say aaarrrggghhhh!!!!!!!

The Demondrome returns this year subject to them not having been forcibly restrained in padded cells 'for the safety of themselves and anyone who might come into contact with them'.

The much loved Stromberg Soapbox Derby takes place on Sunday afternoon. First Prize Stromberg Carbs donated by the nice people at www.stromberg-97.com. This year in a fit of insanity, every entrant will be rewarded with Hayride T Shirts and the much awaited first official Hayride DVD, for their superb and often ridiculous efforts. Anyone can enter. Anyone who is really silly that is... Click here for the Soapbox Derby rules...

Far more people attended The Detonators Drags last year, than had ever attended our previous tracks... so much so that we have had to extend the viewing area for this year! It is worrying, taking Hayriders anywhere but you clearly loved the eighth mile flag start traditional drags... and what a great day out it was, with the unexpected bonus of an aeroplane/hot rod race!!!

This year we have added a display of traditional style Gassers running off in our Gasser Wars Class. You love the sound, you love the smell. Get up close and personal with the beasts at the Hayride!

We did ask Dunsfold Park what would happen in the event of heavy rain... don’t worry they replied, you can use the Skid Pan. They’re as barking as you lot. I shudder to think what other little surprises The Detonators might have in store for you this time.

Saturdays Drags take place on the runway at Dunsfold Park, Cranleigh, Surrey, GU6 8TB. Admission by wristband, strictly Hayride customers only. (NB: In the event that Dunsfold is used as an Olympic Runway during the Hayride Weekend, we reserve the right to change venue - so please check the website before you travel)! Want to take part? Certifiably insane? Rules & Regs can be downloaded here...