Sports Car Club Events Review

Join us as we head out on the open road!

The Helluvit Sports Car Club meets for social get-togethers and monthly road runs (weather permitting!), often to a country pub or to a place of motoring interest.

The club has been operating since 2005.

Time to get the MX5 back on the road? Time to polish up the Porsche?  Come and join us: we’d love to meet you!

Please note that all of our sports car tours, trackdays and other motoring events are dependent on the weather and the general driving conditions: please check with the organisers before setting out!

To join the club and sign up for our monthly electronic newsletter, please send an email to David Jones at: info@reddragon.org.uk

We will then keep you posted about our sports car meets, tours and other motoring events.

Looking forward to meeting you at a Helluvit event soon!  Please drive carefully!

Here are some short reports about our previous events:

May 2017
Museum visit to the Haynes International Motor Museum, near Sparkford on Sunday 21st May, 2017.  We met in the museum car park at 11.00 hrs for a tour of this refurbished and remodelled museum.  The exhibits are well-displayed and better organised than they were.  Brownie points go to Phil for joining us in the last run out for his Vauxhall VXR8 super saloon before selling it.  The address of the museum is:
Haynes International Motor Museum, Sparkford, Yeovil, Somerset. BA22 7LH.  Tel: 01963 440804.
Entry prices are reasonable and some concessions are available.  Website: www.haynesmotormuseum.com

June 2017
Tuesday 13th June, 2017 – Music and chat night.  Quite a few members came along to hear local blues / rock band The Point of No Return play as part of the Jazz by the Sea Festival (although the band isn’t exactly a jazz outfit!) at Eden Garden Café Bar, Bournemouth.  Time: 7pm – late.  Several of the band members are also Helluvit members, which meant that they enjoyed a friendlier than average reception…..

Sunday 25th June, 2017 – Richard’s Boat!  We met at Lymington Yacht Haven for breakfast in the Haven Restaurant and then had tea / coffee on board club member Richard’s boat.  Thank you for hosting us and showing us around Richard.  Address: Lymington Yacht Haven, Kings Saltern Road, Lymington.  SO41 3QD.  Tel: 01590 677071.  Website: www.yachthavens.com/lymington

Sunday (17th September, 2017) for a sports car club meet at the Cliffhanger Cafe at 10.00 hrs.
Built in 2007, the café sits on the cliff top and enjoys a fabulous panoramic view of the sea and coastline.  We had a great turn out, with members bringing along cars such as: 3 Cobras, a Caterham 7, a Fiat X19, two MGBs, an Alfa Romeo Brera, a Toyota MR2, a BMW i8, a Porsche 911 (with very noisy exhaust!), etc.  It was great to see everyone!
Address: The Cliffhanger Cafe, Waterford Road, Highcliffe.  Christchurch.  BH23 5JA.  Phone number for the cafe: 01425 278058.

Sunday 29th October, 2017 for a sports car club meet at Sammy Miller’s Motorcycle Museum Cafe
Though we had to sit on several tables, we had some lively conversations (and a few members had some big news to impart!).  It was great to see everyone!
Address: Sammy Miller’s Motorcycle Museum Cafe, Bashley Cross Road, New Milton.  BH25 5SZ.
Phone number for the cafe: 01425 620777.

November 2017: The Beachcomber Cafe
Over 20 members joined us for a great breakfast meet at one of our favourite haunts: the Beachcomber Café in Barton-on-Sea.
Address: The address of the cafe is: Marine Drive East, Barton-on-Sea, New Milton.  BH25 7DZ.
Telephone: 01425 611599.

The Cat and Fiddle – Sunday 10th December, 2017
We met for a breakfast sports car club meet at the Cat and Fiddle pub, near Christchurch, at 10.00 hrs.  We were particularly thrilled that just-wed Helluvit regulars Jon and Fiona joined us, with some of their family for a post-wedding breakfast!
Address: Lyndhurst Road, Hinton.  (Near Christchurch).  BH23 7DS.
Tel: 01425 276050.

Sunday 26th January, 2018 – Helluvit Meet at Highcliffe Castle
There was quite a good turn-out for the first meet of the year at the Castle Kitchen Tea Rooms at Highcliffe Castle.  We met at 10.30 hrs for light bites and chit chat!  We also had the chance to admire Colin and Ann’s new purchase: a lovely Bentley Continental GT convertible.
Address of the venue: The Castle Kitchen Tea Rooms, Highcliffe Castle, Rothesay Drive, Highcliffe,  Dorset. BH23 4LE.

Sunday 25th February, 2018 – Helluvit Meet at the Cliffhanger Café, Highcliffe.
Again, we were blessed with some good weather – perhaps against the run of play!  Thank you to everyone who joined us!
Address: The Cliffhanger Cafe, Waterford Road, Highcliffe.  Christchurch.  BH23 5JA.  Phone number for the cafe: 01425 278058.

Sunday 25th March, 2018 – Helluvit Meet at Compton Abbas Airfield.
Given the recent snowy weather, we were lucky to enjoy some sunshine on the drive to and from the airfield.  The sun had brought everyone else out too, so we had to grab tables wherever we could.  Around 25 members joined us for this event.

Sunday 22nd April, 2018 – Helluvit Meet at the Beachcomber Café, Barton-on-Sea
Quite a good number of members turned out for a sports car club meet in the Beachcomber Café at Barton-on-Sea at 10.00 hrs, including the youngest member of all, Henry (aged just over 3 months!).  Star car was Mike’s Aston Martin V12 Vantage.
For reference, the address of the cafe is: Marine Drive East, Barton on Sea, New Milton.  BH25 7DZ.  Telephone: 01425 611599.

Sunday 20th May, 2018 – Helluvit Meet at the Highcliffe Castle Tea Rooms
We assembled once more for a sports car club meet in the Castle tea rooms at 10.00 hrs.  (NB. From 11.00 hrs, there was a display of cars put on by Classic Cars on the Prom, including several Helluvit members’ cars).  Make sure you get there early enough to secure parking.  Address: Highcliffe Castle Tea Rooms, Highcliffe Castle, Rothesay Drive, Highcliffe.  BH23 4LE.  Telephone: 01425 270924.

Sunday 24th June, 2018 – Helluvit Meet at The Cat and Fiddle
Around 20 members joined us for a breakfast sports car club meet at the Cat and Fiddle pub, near Christchurch, at 10.00 hrs.  It was great to see Simon’s classic Porsche roadster, Brian’s new BMW Z4M and Richard’s barnstorming Jaguar F-type convertible – and lots of other smiley faces besides!  Our youngest member (3-month-old Henry) also popped along to keep an eye on his parents for us.  Address: Lyndhurst Road, Hinton.  (Near Christchurch).  BH23 7DS.  Tel: 01425 276050.

Sunday 29th July, 2018 – Helluvit Meet at The Hotel Collingwood, Bournemouth
Again, around 20 people joined us for a breakfast meet, despite the wet and windy weather!  The hotel has recently been refurbished to a high standard by its new owners and it was interesting to try it out as a possible new base for some of our meets.  e met in the lounge area (straight past the Reception desk) – in an area that was kindly reserved for us.  We were able to park in the hotel’s allocated spaces, though we needed to get car park tickets from reception and place it our car’s windscreens.  The hotel created some special menu combinations for us, which were shown in specially-printed menus at the bar and on the tables in the lounge  / bar area (in front of the windows).  Eytan, the owner of the Hotel Collingwood, and the General Manager, Jana, were keen to welcome our club to the hotel and produced the following menu for Helluvit club members:
– English breakfast with a cup of coffee of your choice or pot of tea £10.00.
– Bacon roll with a cup of coffee of your choice or pot of tea £6.00.
– Sausage in a roll with a cup of coffee of your choice or pot of tea £6.00.
– Slice of cake with a cup of coffee of your choice or pot of tea £3.95.
– Croissant, butter and jam with a cup of coffee of your choice or pot of tea £3.95.
It was great to see everyone!

Sunday 26th August, 2018 – Helluvit Meet at The Beachcomber Cafe, Barton-on-Sea
Only a handful of hardy souls were able to join us on Sunday 26th August, at 10.00 hrs for a sports car meet at the Beachcomber Café in Barton-on-Sea as the weather was shocking.  Who could blame everyone?!  The wind was howling and the rain unrelenting: it was probably a day to stay inside!  Thank you and well done to those who braved the elements!  (If you visit the Beachcomber, you can park on the road near the café – if you can find a space – around the corner, or in the pay car park just along the road from the café).
Address: The address of the cafe is: Marine Drive East, Barton-on-Sea, New Milton.  BH25 7DZ.
Telephone: 01425 611599.

Sunday 16th September – Helluvit Sports Car Club Display at the Motors by the Sea Festival (Boscombe Precinct) – a new motor show for Bournemouth.

Sunday 23rd September – Wimborne Wake Up
In spite of the very nasty weather, a good number of members met up at Mark Keniston’s car storage facility in Wimborne to have a chat, a tour of the premises and watch a car valet demonstration.  A big thank you to Mark for laying on some coffee and croissants, bacon butties and hotdogs, with samples of artisan beer supplied by Steve Farell, brewer and founder of the Eight Arch Brewing Co.

Sunday 28th October – Sports car meet at the Cliffhanger Cafe, Highcliffe
Around 20 people joined us for this get-together over some very welcome breakfasts.  Good to see a few new faces and also admire the older classics that another group of car enthusiasts had brought along – by coincidence!
Address: The Cliffhanger Cafe, Waterford Road, Highcliffe.  Christchurch.  BH23 5JA.  Phone number for the cafe: 01425 278058.

Sunday 18th November – Sports car meet at the Cliff (pub), Canford Cliffs
Address: The Cliff, 6 Ravine Road, Canford Cliffs, Poole.  BH13 7HX.
Phone number for the cafe: 01202 492921.
Website: www.thecliffcanfordcliffs.co.uk
Parking is free.

Sunday 16th December – Sports car meet at the Woodpecker Café, Queen’s Park Golf Course
Another good turn-out for the final meet of the year.  Thank you to Jon and Fiona for suggesting this venue (which was where they held their Wedding Reception).  Plenty of free parking and friendly, welcoming staff.  It was good to see David Wallman and his Maserati Merak and Brent, with his Lotus Esprit.
Address: Queen’s Park Pavilion, Queen’s Park West Drive, Bournemouth.  BH8 9BY.
Tel: 01202 309229.

January 2019
Sunday 27th January – Sports car meet at the Beachcomber Café, Barton-0n-Sea
It was good to meet some new members (cars included a Ford Capri and a Jaguar XK – special edition) on this lovely sunny – if windy – day.

February 2019
Sunday 24th February, 2019 – Helluvit Sports Car Club Meet at The Highcliffe Castle Tea Rooms, Highcliffe
Quite a few members joined us for a sports car club meet in the tea rooms at 10.00 hrs – it was great to see everyone and their cars, which this time ranged from Brent’s Lotus Esprit to Colin’s Bentley!  Colin’s Marcos looked gorgeous too (probably the car of the day!) and Maurice decided to come on his very rare Harley Davidson motorcycle…..
Address: Highcliffe Castle Tea Rooms, Highcliffe Castle, Rothesay Drive, Highcliffe.  BH23 4LE.
Telephone: 01425 270924.

March 2019
Sunday 24th March, 2019 – Helluvit Sports Car Meet at the Forest Inn at Ferndown Forest Golf Club.
We had some great weather and therefore a great turn out for a chat over breakfast at the Forest Inn at Ferndown Forest Golf Club.  Address: Forest Links Road, Ferndown.  BH22 9PH.  (This is next door to the large Police station off the roundabout that feeds onto Ferndown Industrial Estate.  Given the proximity of the Boys in Blue, I would advise against drifting around the roundabout!  Please drive like you didn’t steal it!).

April 2019
Sunday 28th April, 2019 – Sports Car Meet at Vesuvio Restaurant, Alum Chine
A good number of members joined us at 10.00 hrs for a coffee or a breakfast and a chat at Vesuvio on the sea front at Alum Chine, Bournemouth, BH4 8AN.  Tel: 01202 759100.  There is a pay car park nearby.  (Thank you to Fidel for his hospitality).  Simon brought along his new baby: a sporty and sleek Lotus Evora and there was an interesting mix of other sports and GT cars.

May 2019
Sunday 19th May, 2019 – Sports Car Meet at Compton Abbas Airfield
Another good turn out, following a great drive, at one of our favourite club destinations.

June 2019
Sunday 23rd June, 2019 – Sports Car Meet at the Barn Farm, Lytchett Matravers
A few new faces joined us in the café at 10.30 hrs for a coffee or a breakfast and a chat at this highly-recommended café.  The address of the Barn Café is Bere Farm, Lytchett Matravers.  BH16 6ER.  The Barn Café is 6 miles from Poole on the A35 (heading towards Dorchester).

July 2019
Sunday 28th July, 2019 – Sports Car Meet at Highcliffe Castle, Highcliffe
We met at the tea rooms at Highcliffe Castle and then toured the display put on by the Classic Cars on the Prom crowd with their great set of classic vehicles ranging from old Ford Mustangs and Alpine Tigers to E-type Jags and VW Campers…..  It was great to see so many club members, young and old…….

August 2019
Sunday 18th August, 2019: Sports Car Meet at the Cliffhanger Café, Highcliffe
We postponed the convey that we had planned and decided instead to go for a regular meet at 10am in this cliff-top café, from where we could watch the waves crashing onto the beach…..  Of course, in the event, the weather was fine!!!  Thank you to everyone who came along, including Howard in his Lotus Elan.  Address: Waterford Road, Highcliffe.  BH23 5JA.  Phone number for reservations: 01425 278058.

September 2019
Sunday 29th September, 2019: Sports Car Meet at Sammy Miller’s Motorcycle Museum
We met at 10am in the café, as the wind and rain closed in on us……  The Motors by the Sea festival had been cancelled due to organisational issues, so we decided to put on a simple event quite close to home – somewhere we could hunker down for breakfast and avoid the worst of the poor weather that’s forecast!  It was good to see a lot of familiar faces and catch up over some huge slices of cake!  Address: Sammy Miller’s Motorcycle Museum Café, Bashley Cross Road, New Milton.  BH25 5SZ.  Phone number for the cafe: 01425 620777.  (NB. You can enter the café without having to pay for museum entry) and there is normally plenty of parking…….

October 2019
Sunday 20th October, 2019: Sports Car Meet at The Cliff, Canford Cliffs
We met at 10.00 hrs for a coffee / breakfast snack and a chat – it was great to see everyone!  As the weather was fine and everyone felt like it, we also went for a quick drive around the Sandbanks peninsula when we left (and several of us had another coffee at Coast café in Whitecliff).  Address: The Cliff, 6 Ravine Road, Canford Cliffs, Poole.  BH13 7HX.  Phone number for the cafe: 01202 492921.  Website: www.thecliffcanfordcliffs.co.uk

November 2019
Sunday 24th November, 2019: Sports Car Meet at the Beachcomber Café, Barton-on-Sea
Again, a good number of members joined us at the café for a breakfast-time chat, including new members Stephen and Mandy in their Porsche Boxster GTS.  Jon and Fiona also came along and brought our youngest member Henry!  The address of the café is Marine Drive East, Barton-on-Sea, New Milton.  BH25 7DZ.  Telephone: 01425 611599.

December 2019
Sunday 8th December, 2019: Sports Car Meet at The Cranborne Manor Garden Centre, Cranborne
This was a change from our previously announced date – apologies once again!   (This was due to David getting posted overseas on business with little warning…..). A good number of people joined us at 10.00 hrs for a coffee / breakfast snack and a chat – it was great to see everyone!   Address: The address of the cafe is: Cranborne Manor Garden Centre, Cranborne.  BH21 5PP. Telephone: 01725 517248.  There is normally plenty of free parking, but watch out for the uneven ground at the entrance to the car park…….  It doesn’t suit very low cars / cars with long, overhanging, frontal air dams / spoilers.  Thank you to Mark for bringing along his friends in their McLarens!

January 2020
Sunday 19th January, 2020 – Sports Car Club Meet at the Cliffhanger Café, Highcliffe
In spite of the dodgy weather leading up to the Sunday, a good number of members joined us for breakfast / coffee and a chat.  In fact, the weather turned out fine in the end!  Address: Waterford Road, Highcliffe.  Christchurch.  BH23 5JA.  Tel: 01425 278058.

Sunday 16th May, 2021 – Sports car meet at the Cliffhanger Cafe, Highcliffe
A bunch of us met at the Cliffhanger Cafe, Highcliffe, and sheltered from the wind and rain under the canopy.  We just about managed to keep ourselves and our breakfasts warm and dry…..

Sunday 12th June, 2021 – Compton Abbas Airfield
We enjoyed a fabulous drive out to Compton Abbas Airfield, with the sunshine blazing down on us.  Just as well we brought along our hats!  A great turn-out: 28 members came along this time.  Well done!

Sunday 27th June, 2021
We met at Sammy Miller’s Motorcycle Museum (in the cafe) for our second June meet.  The dodgy weather meant that there was only a small number of hardy souls along for the ride this time, but we still had a great chat.  Thank you for braving the elements!

Sunday 22nd August, 2021 – Cat and Fiddle
We assembled in the car park of the Cat and Fiddle, Hinton Admiral before heading inside for breakfast.  It was great to see everyone after a bit of an enforced lay-off!

Sunday 19th September, 2021
We met at 10.30 hrs at the Rainbow Garage Cafe, East Knighton Lane, Winfrith. DT2 8LF. Tel: 01305 853796.This was a new venue for the club, suggested by Mark Keniston, but we all soon felt at home due to the great welcome that we were given.  A little off the beaten track, but still an interesting place to visit.  We could see why it’s popular with bikers and car clubs (even if the car park is up a fairly rough slope).

Sunday 24th October, 2021 – Beachcomber Cafe
We met at 10.30 hrs at the Beachcomber Cafe in Barton on Sea for a breakfast chat and welcomed several new members aboard.

Sunday 21st November, 2021 – Cranborne Garden Centre Cafe
We assembled at the Cranborne Garden Centre cafe in Cranborne for breakfast and a natter.  We also stood around admiring one member’s lovely little Fiat 500 and another’s Maserati, demonstrating that there’s love for all kinds of special vehicles in the club!

Sunday December, 2021 – Highcliffe Castle Cafe
We got together for a low-key Christmas natter at the Highcliffe Castle cafe.  Thank you to all those who were able to join us.

Sunday 30th January, 2022 – 10am meet at the Cliffhanger Café, Highcliffe. There was a good turnout, including the first visit by a few new members – and also by one member who’d signed up ages ago but not actually made it along to a meet before. As always, everyone was welcome. David wasn’t able to attend due to Covid in a family member.

Sunday 27th February, 2022 – 10 am meet at The Cliff, Ravine Road, Canford Cliffs, Poole. BH13 7HX. Another good turnout, with lovely weather and a great selection of cars: Neil’s Ferrari 308 GTB, gorgeous Jaguar E type and a sparkling Lotus Exige. Trevor’s Alvis hillclimb racer lead the charge on the classic side of things…..

Sunday 27th March, 2022: Sports Car Meet at Sammy Miller’s Motorcycle Museum Cafe
Thank you to all those who joined us at the café at 10am for breakfast / coffee and a chat – some new faces and some very old faces…..  (That’s a bit cheeky, isn’t it?!).  Address for future reference: Sammy Miller’s Motorcycle Museum (Café), Bashley Cross Roads, New Milton. BH25 5SZ.

Sunday 24th April, 2022: Sports Car Meet at Compton Abbas Airfield
A resolute gaggle of members met up at the airfield at 10.30 am for coffee and a chat (and one or two pieces of cake).  Address: Compton Abbas Airfield, Ashmore.  SP5 5AP.

Sunday 22nd May, 2022: Sports Car Meet at Wilton House near Salisbury (Wilton Wake Up)
Address: Wilton House, Wilton, Salisbury. SP2 0BJ. Tel: 01722 746700.

Sunday 26th June, 2022: Sports Car Meet at the Cliffhanger Cafe, Highcliffe
It was good to see some familiar faces for coffee / breakfast and a chat.  Address: the Cliffhanger Cafe, Waterford Road, Highcliffe.  BH23 5JA.  Tel: 01425 278058.

Sunday 24th July, 2022: Sports Car Meet at the Fox & Hounds, Wimborne
Please join us for brunch / a coffee and a chat.  David has booked a table for 6 people.  You can also roll up and grab a table in the garden.  Otherwise, you’ll have to take your chances…..  Address: the Fox & Hounds, Fox Lane, Wimborne (near Canford Bottom roundabout).  BH21 2EQ.  Tel: 01202 872881.

Saturday 20th August, 2022: Music night at ETC International College, Bournemouth “ETC Rocks!”
7pm – 10pm. All Helluvit members were welcome to come along to an evening of pop and rock music at the ETC cafe. Free entry to Helluvit members. Those that came along were able to check out the Point of No Return band, incorporating a couple of Helluvit members (on drums, keyboard and bass).
Running order:
7pm: A-OK (one or two tracks by new covers band).
7.20pm: Gin Tinker (rock and pop covers band).
8.30pm: Poetry performance by published poet, John Kay.
9pm: The Point of No Return band.

Sunday 21st August, 2022: Sports Car Meet at the Cranborne Garden Centre Cafe, Cranborne
A good number of members joined us for breakfast / a coffee and a chat.
Address: the Cranborne Garden Centre Cafe, Cranborne. BH21 5PP. Tel: 01725 517546.

Sunday 25th September, 2022: Sports Car Meet at Compton Acres Cafe, Canford Cliffs
A good number of members joined us at the Compton Acres Cafe in Canford Cliffs at 10am for coffee and a chat – including Maurice and Lesley in their Rolls Royce and Roan in his chap finery!
Address: The Main Cafe, Compton Acres, 164 Canford Cliffs Road, Canford Cliffs, Poole. BH13 7ES.

Sunday 20th November, 2022: Sports Car Meet at Compton Abbas Airfield (Cafe)
A hardy bunch of members joined us for a drive out to Compton Abbas Airfield Cafe at 10.45 am for breakfast and a chat (NB. Last orders for breakfast are taken at 11.30 hrs.  Lunch orders are taken from 12.00 hrs until 14.00 hrs).
Address: Compton Abbas Airfield (Cafe), Ashmore.  SP5 5AP.

Sunday 18th December, 2022: Sports Car Meet at the Cliffhanger Cafe, Highcliffe

Sunday 22nd January, 2023: Sports Car Meet at the Woodpecker Cafe, Queen’s Park
A good number of members joined us at the Woodpecker Cafe at 10.30 am for breakfast and a chat. It was great to see everyone for the first meet of the year!
Address: The Queen’s Park West Drive Queen’s Park Pavilion, Bournemouth.  BH8 9BY.  Tel: 01202 309229.

Sunday 26th February, 2023: Sports Car Meet at Sammy Miller’s Motorcycle Museum. 
Another great showing: 21 cars and 30 people came along.  Thank you everyone!

We hope you can make it – it would be great to see you!

Have fun but drive carefully!  Best wishes!

David.

Helluvit Sports Car Club
Email: info@reddragon.org.uk
Phone: 07966578999.
Website: www.helluvit.co.uk

Please let us know if you would like to come to any of our club meets or other events by contacting David: info@reddragon.org.uk or mobile phone: 07966578999 (so that we have an idea of likely numbers).