Fuel Fest

NSVA Truck-In

Words and pics: James Webber

Once again, I find myself writing about one of the most incredible, insane and action-packed shows of the year. Organised by Jay Dennison, partner Sam and the incredible team behind the brand BHP, the aptly named Fuel Fest was once again staged at the amazing Westpoint Arena in Exeter.

This show is a one-day extravaganza, and for 2022 Jay once again knocked it out the park, upping the ante something fierce to make sure his visitors got plenty for their money. The indoor arena was home to 60 of the best cars in the country (possibly the county, or largely anyway), then outside was home to a heap of clubs and individual cars of all varieties.

On top of that, there was a large arena for drifters to put their cars sideways and give us petrol heads the wondrous smell of burnt rubber and the sound of screeching tyres we love so much at multiple intervals. Another performance team was extreme bike battles, which had a large green area to showcase the incredible talents on two wheels from the best in the country.

Traders and sponsors were arranged indoor and outdoor and included Bristol Detailing Supplies, Kids Car Mods, Corbeau Seats, Shedwerx boot installs and Comp Brakes. Despite the cost of living crisis, Jay kept entry costs to a minimum – which meant £20 entry on the day for adults, while 13’s and under went free.

Indoor applicants had a maximum of 60 spots in which to display their pride and joy. Despite our best efforts, with various other shows taking place on the same day the selection of American cars and Hot Rods was limited – but Jay did stress on socials that everyone could apply and would be made to feel welcome to the show. So hopefully more will attend next year.

Although it was a one-day show, indoor participants were invited to park up on Saturday and detail their pride and joy to the max. Public visitors on the Sunday were invited into the show as of 10am, then come about 2.30pm awards were given out.

These included a prize for a young lad with a Cobra-based tot rod; Best Interior to a Volkswagen T4 UPS based van; an American pick up winning best paint; Best Engine for David Bond and his incredible Mk1 Golf; Anthony Fryett and his unique Grumman shop van winning Best Bagged; and an amazing out-of-this-world Volks rod winning Best of Show.

The whole day is an experience like no other, and for Jay and his team to come back bigger and better each year is an incredible feet of planning and organising, the likes of which most of us could only ever contemplate creating. The BHP brand

isn’t just restricted to Devon, either – the team host shows across the country with a couple of new events on the way including Weekend at Jay’s at Bath and West Showground and BHP Race Wars at Spitfire Raceway in Perranporth.

All details, pics and info can be found on all the usual socials as well as by visiting www.bhpshows.com. And once again, a polite reminder for anyone who feels this show is aimed at a specific style of car – ALL ARE WELCOME! CC

‘With various other shows on the same day, the selection of hot rods was limited – but everyone was welcome’

This Moggy doesn’t look like much at first glance, but get under the bonnet and it soon turns rude Anthony Fryett of Autostyl took Best Bagged for his one-of-a-kind Grumman LLV. He’s since put it up for sale, with a view to returning it home to the US