<< View all Events ISTS DONNY NORTH 2009 Date: Saturday 11th - Sunday 12th April 2009 Location: Donington Park Report Author: custom_corsa

Well its that time of year again. Donny North returned to Donington Park for the 5th year and it was another awsome weekend.

The hectic weekend started for me on Thursday night at around 6pm. I arrived at glasgow airport to catch my quick flight down to East Midlands airport. It was far from quick though as the plane was delayed by an hour so there was a frantic phone call to Elmo to tell him about the delay. But Elmo being Elmo is as cool as you like “don't worry man i’ll wait its not a problem” so all good and I started to relax. So an hour later we boarded the plane and was on our way. 45 minutes later we touched down in the East Midlands and I was met by the legends that are Elmo and Laura.

After a blast down the motorway to Raunds Football Club we met up with Steve, Andy, Maitiland and a few other people off the site but due to us running late they where leaving as we arrived. So after a brief introduction me, Maitiland, Titch, Elmo and Laura headed off to get our supplys for the weekend. £100 later we came out of tesco with a mountain of food and drink.

The Friday saw an earlyish start, everbody met up at the legendery Unit 9 and we were met by most of the SL lot and also some proper crazy cars such as Steve’s Corsa, Tegboys EK9 and Andy’s Evo. After having a wee nosey round we all loaded up the van with the marquee, flags and everthing else we needed for the weekend.

At around 3pm we left for the show ground (in convoy of course), the convoy moved quite briskly but we still managed to get some decent rolling shots of the car’s. It took us about an hour to get to the show and we eventually all got sorted out with out tickets and stuff and where told where the club stand would be. By looking at the map it was clear to see we got the largest spot of the whole show. Our reputation must procede us. So we went up to our spot and unloaded the van in the rain but surprisingly it didn't dampen (excuse the pun) anybodys mood, everybody was very upbeat and looking forward to a crazy weekend. In no time the marquee was set up as everybody chipped in helping in true SL spirit - besides AJ who just got drunk and helped a wee bit.

Friday night saw us setting up our tents in the camp site, luckily the rain had stopped so this wasn't as bad as we were expecting and Ed let me sleep in the other half of his tent so a massive thanks to him aswell. The banter at the camp site was awsome, everybody had such a laugh and the atmosphere was so chilled it was unreal.

So onto Saturday and this was the first proper day of the show we got up nice and early (well I never as I was last up) but everbody else got up and went up to the stand to set it up and had it looking awsome when I arrived later on. The stand was flocked with people having a look round and it was understandable - you couldnt miss it!!

After sitting at the stand for a bit I went a walk round the show and had a look at the rest of the club stands, it was a very good standard this year and it was good to see the whole area packed with stands competing - 92 in total.

The best in britain was also running at ISTS this year - 12 of the uk’s finest show cars parked up, competing for the title of Best of Britain 2009, the most prestigous trophy in the modified car world. Tony’s stunning Fiesta (MentalZS) was in there repping SL. Over the course of the weekend the cars would be scrutinised by 3 judges, and the decision would be made on the Sunday as to who was the Best of Britain 2009.

Saturday night saw what can only be described as complete carnage, everybody who was with SL got well and truly smashed. We started off at the campsite and as the drink started flowing everybody had such a good time. At around 11pm we headed up to the Cream rave tents where we heard some awsome trance mixes, it wasnt to everyones taste but I loved it. We left the rave tents at about 1am and its safe to say everybody was totally smashed.

On Sunday it was Elmo’s birthday so it was back to the campsite for yet more boozing and celebration. Maitiland being the lightweight that he is KO’d when we got back so we spent the next few hours terrorising him with things such as putting fags up his nose, and battering him with the top of cooler boxes. Also we phoned every single contact in my phone and just gave them so much random abuse it was unreal, eventually we all fell asleep about 4-5am not good when you have to be up at the stand in just a few hours.

After a few hours sleep it was up to the stand for the last day of the show, as per usual it started getting the cars all parked up well done to Maitiland for some awsome organisation which had the stand looking awsome. Over the course of the day the stand was yet again always a hive of activity. As the day went on and the show drew to a close it, was time for the awards. The first awards to be annouced were the Autoglym Best of Britain, so everybody packed into the arena to hear who got the awards. You could cut the tension in the room with a knife. The awards went as follows:

• Polo – Best Interior
• S2000 – Best Engine Bay
• Fiesta – Best Engineering
• Hyundai – Best ICE
• 206 – Best Paint & Bodywork
• Subaru – BEST OF BRITAIN

Around an hour later it was time for the club stands, all of SL made there way down to the monster energy stand to hear the results. The awards went as follow’s:

• 3rd place – Fast n Modded
• 2nd place - Street-Stylers-Southwest
• 1st place – STREET LEGAL

To say we where happy was an under statement, when it was announced we all piled over the barriers to get the trophy and it was presented to Andy and Steve along with a cheque for £750. It was the best end to an awesome weekend. After a few big group pictures it was back up to the stand to pack up everything, but we didn’t pack up early, the show didn’t finish till 5pm so everything was left until then, to give everybody a chance to see it. We where first to arrive and last to leave, now that’s dedication.

After 5pm it was time for everybody to chip in again and get the van packed up it was done in no time and again everybody had a good laugh doing it. Once the van was loaded it was time for the convoy back to Unit 9, we left the show ground and took it easy on the roads on the way out, then it was out onto the motorway for some rolling shots of the cars. We agreed that the convoy would be around 60mph, it didn’t stay that for long but we still managed to get some sick rolling shots which involved me hanging out of maitilands golf to get them.

One of my highlights of the weekend was when over £100k worth of Maserati flew past our convoy, Steve dropped a few gears and totally destroyed it, the owner didn’t know what had happened and for anybody who hasn’t seen or heard Steve’s Corsa go, one word - WOW! Its out of this world how awesome and quick it is. After the brisk convoy back to unit we unloaded the van and packed everything back into the unit until next time.

All in all, an awesome weekend with a great bunch of people, and good to see we got a reward for all the effort everybody puts into the club. Its hard to believe that it takes so much effort and planning, and its over so quick. Another year till Donny seems like ages away but I’m sure it will fly by and we will be there defending our title again. Look out for us!!