ADVENTURE OVERLAND SHOW

Taking place at Stratford-upon-Avon’s Racecourse, to say that the late Spring Adventure Overland Show was popular is an understatement.

In fact, a few days before the event, whilst the team were out sorting the campgrounds, due to both great weather being forecast and people suddenly realising that it wasn’t going to be cancelled, they had an almighty surge in bookings. This in turn took the organisers by surprise, and as Tom later admitted, he and his team were a little overwhelmed!

Being the first proper outdoor show of the year meant that everyone was out in force, and another reason for the show’s success was that it also included the International Campervan Show, and with visitors having access to both shows all weekend, essentially it was 2 shows for the price of 1.

With national Covid restrictions and positive staff tests, it meant there were around 20 trade stands that sadly couldn’t make it, though it was still incredibly busy, and it didn't stop anyone from having a great time.

Wandering around the trade stands it was great to chat to both Karen and Tim from Aquaforno. Not only were they selling their latest model, but for the entire weekend they were tirelessly making free pizzas for everyone showing the diversity of their latest Aquaforno 2.

A few stalls away was Larry and his team from LVB Overland. If you aren’t aware of him, not only does he supply Ridge Monkey and Iron Man products, but he’s also the UK stockist for The Bush Company roof top tents and awnings. Amusingly, when I suggested he should buy a round or two for all his helpers for selling a bunch load of roof top tents and awnings, he replied “Steady on, I’m from Yorkshire!”

I could only make it to the show on the last day, and even at 10.00am there seemed to be a buying frenzy happening as folks were walking back to their caravans, tents and 4x4s with goodies packed in each hand. In fact, Sam from Gear & Go told me that she had to call in favours on Saturday night to get her parents to drive up from Devon to deliver more stock as they’d sold out. Pretty much everyone I spoke to had the same story to tell.

For me, the show is about the huge diversity and innovative 4x4 campers, from and old BBC camera van to a MAN 8x8, and pretty much everything in between, and I spent most of the day wandering around in awe and planning my own camper.

Above the chatter of social interaction that we’ve sorely missed over the last two years, I could hear the roar of an almighty engine in the distance, and on investigation it turned out to be a huge purple monster truck. With a fully blown methanol engine producing 1,800bhp that gulps one gallon of fuel for every 54 yards, Slingshot, who are one of the premier Monster Trucks based in the UK, were offering rides up and down a closed-off part of the ground. It was an impressive sight.

Equally impressive was what Benjy and his family from IR Cradock & Sons had organised a huge and magical collection of Toyota Land Cruisers, from 1979 - 2020, that included a BJ40, FJ40, FJ45, HJ60, KZJ70, KZJ71, HZJ76, HZJ79 and a HDJ79.

Then there was a VDJ79, single and dual cabs, some HDJ80s, HZJ80, KZJ75, some HDJ100s and a VDJ200 - phew! Not all were from Benjy’s stable, some were from Rowlands & Hordon and West Coast Offroad.

Not only that, but his brother had brought along his girlfriends Mk1 SWB Shogun that he’d fitted a Lexus 4.0ltr V8 to. As you can imagine, it sounded fantastic.

Being the first major event in almost two years, the atmosphere was electric, and by all account, the evening entertainment, beer tent and it’s chilled-out music festival vibe was excellent, too. At some point I’ll arrange to camp over, maybe at the next show that will be the 'Late Summer' edition held on September 18th19th this year, we’ll see.

more at » adventure-overland-show.com