Petrolheads had plenty to see at this year’s CRC Speedshow in Auckland over the  July 22-23 weekend.

A clearly frustrated CRC Speedshow boss Ross Prevette wondered on a Facebook post on the eve of the event what he had to do to get even just the one nice cool, crisp, sunny day to draw Auckland’ s notoriously fickle and rain-averse crowds out of the house and to the ASB Showgrounds.

Sunday was better, but on Saturday a dull, grey blanket of drizzly rain clung to the Queen City like a limpet.

So why was there not a (covered) seat to spare in the grandstand at the Classic Cover Insurance live arena whenever an engine (from a Mad Mike Mazda rotary to a V-twin lawn mower!!) roared into life?

Because local car, bike, ute, truck (and anything else with an engine) are a resilient – not to mention inquisitive – bunch.

Even early on Saturday morning the adjacent car was close to full and you ha d your turn to check out some of the more popular exhibits.

Why those in the 4x4 Trials, Winch Challenge and even Tagalong worlds don’t put on displays I will never know because over the weekend they could expose their exciting but otherwise invisible activities to a targeted mass market of potential fans (not to mention sponsors).

Most of us are tarred with the same brush though so there was at least enough to keep the average four-wheeler interested.

For instance there were 24 brand new builds and/or imports on display in the Teng Tools Grand National Rod & Custom Show hall, including  John (JR) and Diane Rae's 1955 Chev Belair which took first place in the 2017 Grand National Roadster Show in the US, and Steve Clare's 1968 Austin Mini Ute complete with Leyland P76 V8 in the tray (see pic).

Rat Rods also had their own class at the show for the first time too with six entries, three of which (SemiRat, BellaRat and DieselRat came from the fertile mind and workshop of Christchurch’s Dave Jeffery of BellaRat Customs NZ).

With more and more stall holders keen to sell you stuff, it was worth making sure you had money in your Eftpos (or Visa) account.

And no matter how jaded you think you might be getting you will always find something that pops up to surprise and delight you.

Three years ago it was how trick, fast and fantastic sounding some of the racing Ride-On lawn mowers were. Last year it was drone racing, this year the radio control cars….

There’s also nothing like queuing for a freshly-made Mussel fritter and trying to eat it while you are watching something fast, loose’n loud in the action arena!

To read every story in the September 2017 issue of NZ4WD go to Zinio.com (August 18) or purchase your own hard copy at the Adrenalin store.