The Growl V 2007 Despite the forebodings about poor weather, we were blessed over the weekend of 17th – 19th August this year with record numbers for the 5th annual Griff Growl. Add to this number the 37 ‘other’ TVRs who turned up and the whole weekend became a record. In 2006 we were happy with 127 Griffs but to get 153 in the rain...we were overwhelmed! Notwithstanding that we still need to speak with Jeremy and Nick about giving up our traditional Growl weekend for Rockingham...look at the weather there!! That should have been ours...

The weekend started with the ‘early bird’ arrivals on Friday who helped the organisers in marking out the vendor pitches and getting all the signage in place for the weekend (these included Lindsay Durbin who, for the 3rd year running, has flown in from Sydney Australia for the Growl as he owns what is believed to be the only Griffith in Sydney). Following this very strenuous activity for all of 20 minutes, a very much deserved drink was taken at the White Horse (pub next door) and a spot of lunch ready for the evening onslaught.

By Friday evening in excess of 20 Griffs had arrived prior to the now traditional curry run into Stratford. 40 Griffters enjoyed a very pleasant meal at Chutneys restaurant with great food and good company. The evening was only marred by Paul Bennett’s eagerness to grab the onion bargees and in doing so burning his fingers (bless him!) and jeffsy’s singing on the coach on the way back to the White Horse. He has promised more verses of the Yogi Bear song for next year!

Saturday started early - rather than bright and early - as the warned clouds were well gathered over the venue. Indeed it looked as though it would rain at any moment and did on many occasions through the morning. We were lucky that the real downpours only came after around 2.00pm. This was still enough time for some naughty Chimaera owners to claim that the Griff Growl was the true LidFest...which was one in the eye for us Griffters who had invaded the Chimfest two weeks before anointing it “Lidfest 2007 – Feel the Draught”.
A steady stream of beautiful cars came through the gates and it soon became apparent that we were onto something special. By 10.30 we had over 50 Griffiths and the 100 mark was passed around lunchtime with the arrival of Martin Cliffe’s very special 1965 Griffith 200. We were very privileged that Martin brought this beautiful car out (previously seen at last years pre-80s meet) and it was poetic justice that he brought up the 100 mark.
We passed the old record of 127 Griffiths by mid afternoon and ended the first day with 134 Griffiths. Sunday promised more...as did the weather forecast.

In terms of vendor activity we were blessed this year with the biggest and best turnout of vendors that we had ever mustered – in excess of 20 companies were represented and without any exceptions ALL were exceptionally generous in their donations to the raffle, charity auction and to our nominated charity – The Air Ambulance. This was chosen by way of thanks for saving the life of Jackie van Loock who, along with her husband Paul, crashed en route to the Growl ‘06; the Air Ambulance saved Jackie’s life so we all felt we owed them something.

After last years failed attempt, we managed to get a Rolling Road up and running which ran until around 2.00pm on Saturday until the heavy rain came. Whilst there was no competition in place for this, the biggest bhp figures came out for jeffsy’s modified 500 which were only topped by a 346bhp Tuscan S on Sunday. All in all in excess of 30 cars managed to get on the rollers over the two days with some 20 runs pre booked. It certainly was a great centre piece and has generated some hefty debate since! Many thanks to Gary and the team from Crazy Horses of North London. It is also worthy of note that Derek (a great Growl supporter) from Absolutely Shocks was there all weekend with his geometry equipment doing free geo checks to anyone who wanted them (for a small donation to the charity).

Activity was brisk around the vendor tents although there is some thought that the attendees kept their hands in their pockets due to the rain! Those traders who had promoted before the Growl succeeded in securing pre orders which helped. Opie Oils, for example, had provided some very special prices on the slippery stuff for pre order and collection at the Growl and were happy as a result. Those who stayed for Sunday enjoyed some better trade as the hangovers probably loosened wallets! Next year we will be looking for more vendors to stay over both days – some 6 or so packed up at the end of Saturday – as it is a 2 day event and we need to make sure that those Regions who come on Sunday (thanks to Bristol and the WWM Regions) get full value, as well as those Griffters who make a full weekend of it. We must extend a great big thank you to all the traders however as without them we wouldn’t have half the show we have, plus they provide great places to shelter from the rain whilst getting some TVR banter in at the same time!

Saturday nights saw the traditional BBQ at the White Horse in Ettington for, in excess of 145 brave souls. The weather we had hoped wouldn’t arrive, did, and it did become a little damp. Notwithstanding this, most people were prepared for this and brought their jackets and umbrellas. Jeffsy gave a truncated speech (thanks for small mercies!) and the raffle and charity auction commenced. There were so many prizes from so many generous people – these ranges from a set of 4 dampers/fitting/geometry from Absolutely Shocks; Leven gear knob and silver keyring; a vented bonnet and splitter (Fibreon); champagne(Option1); Steve Heath droplinks, 4 in 1 kit and tankard; a Pair of speakers from Carl Baker; Money off from ACT, TVRCC and TopGear Automotive; 7” headlamp upgrade kit from Sportmotive; Geometry set up (TVRFix); 5 litres of oil (Opie Oil); track day silencers (TVRCarParts) and a half day Ridedrive . We also had a very special donation of some premier Cornish wine, chocolates and spirits form our very own Griffter Bruce “2Munkys” Rowarth – who didn’t even want his name mentioned! The charity auction raised £361 towards the overall figure raised over the weekend which was £1,012 and all the traders the organisers spoke too said that they would be back next year...

Competition winners from the Saturday were Pasco in his unfeasibly loud, modded, Griff at 126Db and Dave McKendrick in his much more sensible unmodded, with 108Db. The concourse winners (as voted for by their peers rather than a judging team) were Nigel Smith for his ‘New’ Griff and Sean Lacey for his ‘Used’ – both, interestingly, were red cars! All these winners enjoyed prizes donated by Sportmotive (alloy splitters), engine mount restraints (SC Power), champagne (Option1), Oil (Opie Oils), money off (V8 Enhancements) and a service manual (ITS). We had also run a sealed bid auction in the weeks prior to the Growl for a full detailing donated by Mike from The Car Polishing Company, this raised over £200 towards the charity figure – many thanks to Dean Hays for this and we hope he enjoys the experience of watching Mike in action – a real pro!

Sunday dawned to the promise of better weather. Whilst still overcast it did hold off for most of the morning which allowed some hangovers to cure and some money to be spent. Numbers continued to rise and peaked at 153 Griffs and 37 ‘others’. What was interesting was that, despite advertising it before hand, there was very little interest in any ‘runs out’. I suppose the weather played a big part in that but it is pleasing to note that there is enough to do at the Growl without automatically thinking of driving off somewhere.
The weekend ended early afternoon with the last of us leaving at around 4.00pm. This event has rapidly placed itself as one of the ‘must do’ events and is also one of the biggest. A great deal of hard work goes into its organisation and credit is due to the 4 organisers plus their immediate families who support in other ways. It is a labour of love. Thanks as always are due to everyone else who helped - marshalling and giving out the Welcome Packs; setting up and packing away; the trade vendors who are such great supporters and to you – the attendees! What makes the Growl great we believe, are the people. It is a great social event and where many people meet up for their yearly outing: like minded people from all walks of life with a penchant for a very classy motorcar and having a good time.

t’s a great mix.

Now about next year....

Thanks to Peter Schofield for his pictures also David Bolton who has more pictures here.  Roger Thomas who also has a gallery with more pictures Here