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Ever since I recovered from last years Japanese Auto Extravaganza at Mersea Island in Essex, I have been looking forward to JAE 2009. The combination of cars, mates, beers, bbqs and sunshine makes it such a laid back and enjoyable weekend that its hard not to love it. JAE 2009 had a new home (Wicksteed Park in Kettering, Northamptonshire) but was superb! Unfortunately this year I was unable to camp due to other commitments on Friday and Saturday night but seeing as the new home of JAE is only 20 minutes from home I was back each day.
JAE 2009 had sensational weather on Friday and Saturday with Sunday being a little cooler and overcast (see the PS13 photo above) but was still warm enough for mid-September. Friday and Saturdays awesome weather meant that BBQs and Beers were on the go all day each day, which as JAE is a static show means that its a great chance to unwind and take a weekend to relax with mates and chill out.
The quality of cars at the show this year was simply amazing with some stands (like those crazy Scots @ JDMyO) rocking only awesome cars with no duds whatsoever! Seriously, I loved their stand and as I was on the next stand over spent most of Saturday staring and drooling…. The trade area was pretty small and weak this year with only a few stands such as Tegiwa, Sumo Power and Banzai really showing some hot cars (Banzai had the new Mugen FN2 Civic Type R on their stand). In truth the trade stands served a purpose and didnt detract from the event at all, but it would be nice to see some more traders next year.
The new venue worked well, apart from having monster speed bumps on the entrance and exit with good facilities on site and plenty of space for campers and stands. Seriously though, for next year please run a route across the grass so that those with low cars don’t have to scrape on EVERY bump! My Civic isnt actually that low yet I scraped on all the bumps apart from one.
So what did those of you who attended JAE this year think? Leave a comment or drop me an email.
If you would like to see the rest of my JAE 2009 Photos click any of the photos above or here
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