The Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show, with Discovery+, made a ‘triumphant’ return to Birmingham’s NEC over the weekend after last year’s pandemic postponement. The TR Register Car Club certainly returned to the event with a bang scooping multiple awards over the course of the weekend at a show that attracted 63,328 visitors over the course of the three-days.

The big news of the show was that the 1969 Triumph TR6 owned by Gary McVeigh won the coveted Meguiar’s Club Showcase trophy for Concours D'Elegance. Gary who had won his class at the Triumph and MG Weekend, Malvern earlier in the year was invited along to compete for this 'champion of champions' accolade and scooped the first win for a TR in the show's over thirty - year history. Gary, from Loughborough said; 

"It's a great honour to see all the hard - work and preparation for this car recognised at such a prestigious show. I even had to cover the tyres in cling-film to roll them over the display gravel on the stand, such was the attention to detail required!" 

The award winning continued on Friday evening when the annual Classic and Sportscar Awards took place in the Atrium facility above the halls at the NEC. Presented by Classic and Sportscar Magazine Editor Alastair Clements and Associate Editor Lizzie Pope, the coveted awards recognise many aspects of the classic car world and the contribution of clubs and individuals. 

This year the TR Register won “Best Car Club Event” from a joint nomination shared with the MG Car Club and the TSSC for the Triumph and MG Weekend held at Malvern in August 2021. The judges remarked on how unique the event had been to bring the enthusiasts of two rival brands together and to combine the energy and resources from multiple clubs – a model for the future of the classic car movement.

The big surprise came when just moments later, the TR Register team were back on their feet and heading to the stage to collect the prize for “Best Large Club Stand”, an award that is decided upon at the show, as the judges wander around the many halls and exhibits. 

The judges noted the professional but welcoming atmosphere on the club stand with its unique selection of works TRS, which won the team prize at Le Mans in 1961, a works rally TR4 (5VC) driven by Jean-Jacques Thuner in period and the Le Mans Twin-Turbo TR8 seen for the first time at a UK show since the 1970s, alongside the announcement of the dates for the postponed Round Britain Relay Tour that the club’s ‘TS2’ would embark upon in 2022. The TR4 anniversary theme was strong with chassis number 214, a very early example of the model completing the line - up. The car has been perfectly presented as it would have been in 1961, right down to the cross-ply tyres. 

The stand also celebrated the club's activities throughout the year with the TR Pyrenees Rally winning TR6 of Dave Burgess on display, complete with numbered stickers and rally plates still intact. The car won the Spirit category at the event, took the Team Prize and Best Driver with the full story out now in TR Action Magazine. 

Alex Riley (The Car Years C4) and Jon Bentley (Gadget Show C5) stopped by the 1980 Le Mans Twin Turbo TR8. 

Furthermore, they absolutely loved what the TR Register’s Youth Group had laid on including an interactive driving simulator allowing kids of all ages to drive a TR7 computer game from the cockpit of an actual TR7!

It was this interactive feature that really impressed the Classic and Sportscar Award judges alongside the celebration of clubs collaborating with the appearance of Grace Pease’s MGB on the stand and the encouragement of younger members with Jake's Triumph Spitfire being displayed front and centre. The Youth line-up was completed by the TR6 of Will Chignell, a regular attendee at Youth events throughout the year. 

With around 3,000 cars on show across seven halls, 270 car clubs showcased various marques and models.

Show Director Lee Masters said: “We were thrilled to be back at the NEC and want to send our heartfelt thanks to all the sponsors, traders, exhibitors, car clubs and visitors who have supported us. The goodwill and love we have received has been beyond our wildest dreams. It has been an emotional show for all concerned.”

Jake Clappison – a new member of the TR Youth followed in his dad Paul’s footsteps to win the public vote in the Lancaster Insurance Pride of Ownership competition with his 1979 Triumph Spitfire. On two - wheels, John and Jackie Cotterill won the Bike Pride of Ownership award with their Triumph Speed Twin motorcycle.

Silverstone Auctions secured a whopping £8.3million worth of car sales across auctions on all three days. It was a difficult auction though for TRs with a TR3A going under the hammer for just £17,000 plus fees and an unrestored TR6 survivor failing to meet its reserve. However, elsewhere TRGB were receiving strong interest in their TRs for sale, including an incredibly well presented TR5 and TR Enterprises found a new home for their Concours D’ Elegance winning TR5.

Andrew Evanson, Senior Operations Manager of headline sponsor Lancaster Insurance, said: “It was amazing to see the classic car community reunite over the past three days. The show is always a calendar highlight but was something special this year. Thank you to all involved and we can’t wait to do it again next year.”

Other show highlights included the discovery+ Live Stage, where host Mike Brewer was joined by his Wheeler Dealers co-stars Marc ‘Elvis’ Priestley and Ant Anstead. Other stars appearing included Jimmy Doherty and Jimmy De Ville from Jimmy Doherty’s Dream Builds, Paul Cowland from Salvage Hunters Classic Cars, Helen Stanley from Motor Pickers, and Ant Partridge from Goblin Works Garage. TR Action Editor Wayne Scott presented the Future of Classic Cars panel with Classic Car Weekly at 2.30pm each day to answer questions and concerns from the classic car community on legislation, fuels and the health of the classic car industry.

The heroes' celebrating another award-winning stand build! Charles (left) and Nigel Clueley (right).

The next Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show, with Discovery, will be held at Birmingham’s NEC from Friday 11 to Sunday 13 November 2022. Check the website www.necclassicmotorshow.com or sign up for the newsletter for the latest updates at www.necclassicmotorshow.com/newsletter.