Okay, so Rollhard x Bicester is, of course, a car show, but the truth is that most attendees don’t actually go for the cars. In this case, that’s a good thing.
It might have something to do with the timing, because Rollhard’s flagship event is held in August, by which point several major car shows have already come and gone throughout the spring and summer. The mad rush to blow the cobwebs off and pull the car out of storage has been and gone, which has calmed things down a little.
With the likes of Instagram and top-tier websites (I’ve heard www.turnpike.global is pretty cool!) offering in-depth looks at projects in real time, the pressure to spend an entire event chasing new builds and staring into engine bays is far lower than it used to be. While that may spoil things for the big, season-opening events, it works in favour of the more relaxed shows – à la Rollhard.
Location is key, and the leafy, tree-lined conduit roads and patinated former hangars at Bicester Motion in Launton, England, still feel as fresh as ever. Time flies, and it’s hard to believe that Dan Brian Allard and his trusted team have kept their show at the disused RAF airfield as interesting as it was seven years ago. The weathered walls and quaint garages make for a great backdrop.
Variety isn’t the car show draw it once was, with the steady decline of one-make events forcing mixed-marque shows to cast a wider net to draw enough punters through the gates. Rollhard x Bicester is one of the few events where it feels properly natural, however, and less cliquey than you might expect. There’s a real sense of respect amongst the attendees and exhibitors alike, with the collection of cars on display spanning around 100 years – taking into account some of the oldest bits and pieces that permanently decorate the historic site.
I mean, where else would you see a Spoon S-Tai-kitted Honda S2000 parked around the corner from a Ferrari 348 TS on air suspension, alongside a procession of lowriders and mopeds?
Upon reflection, I may have been a bit strong with my opener. People do go to Rollhard x Bicester for the cars, because the selection is always a hit, but the show’s real success is less tangible. It’s the vibe, more than anything else.
Attending Rollhard x Bicester is like going for a coffee or a walk in the park with your friends, because it’s as much a catch-up as it is a reason to check out some builds. Hell, I’ll be the first to admit I could have spent more time capturing cars, but even as it stands, I had to put my headphones in to get some proper quality time behind the lens.
It’s a good problem to have, and a prime example of why Rollhard’s relaxed recipe is so devastatingly effective year after year. Good job, team – I’ll see you again next year.
Amazing write up and pics