Forge Action Day 2013 - The best one yet

This year’s Forge Action Day on the 13th September proved to be the best one yet, with more big brands on show, and an even more diverse selection of track and show cars, as well as literally non-stop circuit action all day.

Now in its 3rd year, the eclectic gathering at Castle Combe has quickly become known for its ability to attract the most diverse range of cars and enthusiasts on the UK show calendar. It’s hard to think of another event where classic and retro tin – and their respective owners – rub along happily with Japanese and Euro cars, race and drift machinery, and even kit cars and specials. Put frankly, if it’s got an engine and wheels, it’s welcome at Forge Action Day.

Someone at Forge had clearly done a deal with some higher power, as despite some fairly appalling forecasts, the weather chose to play along all day; not only keeping the track mercifully dry and temperatures warm, but even bathing Castle Combe in sunshine for good parts of the day. The result was a relaxed and happy vibe from the show-goers, with a healthy showing of clubs and petrolheads out on track, in a series of packed 15 minute sessions.

Thanks to Forge’s unique standing in the marketplace, many of their technical partners chose to support the show and exhibit in the ‘Trade Village’. Blue Chip names like Cobra Seats, Milltek, Scorpion, Eibach, Bilstein, Meguiars, Owen Developments, Hans Seat, Powerflex, Wheel Whores, Airlift and Litchfield Motors all lined up to show off their latest wares, as well as networking and swapping tales of derring-do on track. Many put on special show offers throughout the day, and show-goers were keen to grab a bargain whilst they were there.

As hosts, Forge Motorsport naturally pulled out all the stops to make this year’s show something extra special. Due to the diversity of its portfolio, the Forge stand showcased everything from a track-prepared Volvo 240 estate, through to the Time Attack Honda CRX of Romaine Levesque and even a fully-specced WTCC Seat. Show cars ranged from a ‘bagged Golf to many of the Forge team’s own projects. The firm’s world-famous Mk1 Golf ‘Berg Cup’ tribute car was also out charging hard on track throughout the day, as part of Forge’s passenger ride fleet for delighted guests. Forge also handed out beautifully engineered trophies to the 5 best cars of the show too, with the quality of many exhibits being simply breath-taking.

Many clubs took the opportunity to take an exclusive session out on the challenging circuit, with sponsors Meguiars even allotting an exhibition run for the air bagged and custom-painted showcars that don’t normally get to pound the track in anger. Offsetting these somewhat ‘careful’ laps however, were the insanely talented drifters, who were drifting at well-into-three-figure corner speeds and filling the venue with plumes of acrid smoke. As well as the usual Jap and BMW suspects in these sessions, it was great to see Triumph Dolomites and Ford Pops in the sideways selection, proving that the diversity of Forge Action Day content even extends to the track!

Catching up with Forge MD Peter Miles after the show, it was clear that he was happy with the way the event was developing. “I’d like to give my heartfelt thanks to all the owners, clubs and enthusiasts that have supported us today,” he said. “We keep trying to build this event every year, but without changing the mix of what makes it feel so right. We have always tried to make it the most welcoming of shows where every genre and car is welcome, and looking across the paddock and car parks today, I think we’ve achieved it. Thank you to everybody that makes it all possible, especially the amazing efforts of my team at Forge and the hard-working staff at Castle Combe. More of the same next year, I promise!”

For more information on Forge Motorsport, visit forgemotorsport.co.uk.