THERE ARE SOME IDEAS SO simple you can scarcely believe that no-one else has thought of it before, and, now that it has been thought of, that other people haven't taken the idea to heart.

And that idea is South Wales American Car Club's 'free beer' policy. That's right; for weekend pre-entries, you get free beer when you arrive on Friday evening. Genius. And believe me, after a long, hot haul down three very dull motorways with only the spectacular Severn Bridge to break the monotony, to arrive to a field full of friendly folks waiting to thrust a chilly tin of beer into your road-weary mitt is the most welcoming. Especially when it's followed by a free burger!

And 'welcoming' is the right word - from the second you arrive you're among friends. Friday is definitely a night for chilling out around the barbecue and catching up. And, given the fact that there was a heatwave happening at the time, it's probably best to conserve energy and ... erm, replenish fluids. Saturday, meanwhile, saw a long cruise-out to a pub with a Tex-Mex restaurant, a leisurely cruise back, and another afternoon of chilling in preparation for the evening's entertainment. Bearing in mind that the event is held at Cwmbran Stadium, a large leisure and sports complex, there were plenty of proper facilities for those staying over, plus plenty of indoor space for evening events. And a Rock band (thats not Fifties R 'n' R; we're talking proper head banging Rock here. Great stuff) can't half fill a huge sports hall with noise!

Sunday, as ever, is show day. And, despite the fact that the whole weekend had been millpond still and humid, the one gust of wind that did occur came at around 7.30am Sunday morning, and blew the Classic American marquee into a neighbouring garden. Many thanks to the club marshals who retrieved it, and apologies to the gentleman whose garden it was!

And the center of the running track filled up steadily and the cars kept coming. The SWACC club have plenty of other clubs displaying, which adds to the overall flavour - the Mini Club, XR Fords, etc - and there was even a couple 'Lordz' Euro lowriders to put on a display. Other than that it was yankee doodle dandy, and there was some top stuff to pick through. On the front row was a '74 Firebird with a ram-air bonnet, looking supurb in eye-searing red.

There was an early second generation Camaro in fresh blue paint, just in from California, with a reasonable £7000 price tag on it. Two modified motors that really stood out were a rare right-hooker Mustang fastback with paxton blower and a stunning lilac bathtub Mercury Kustom, both of whom took prizes home. A pair of '58 Buick's parked alongside 1959 and 1960 Cadillacs, each trying to out-excess each other, while some excellent examples of GM's forgotten A - bodies, a Buick Skylark and Olds 4-4-2 reminded punters that there are alternatives to Ford, Chevy and Mopar. In one corner, next to a pair of Hummers running on LPG courtesy of Avon Autogas, was the star of the show for me - club member Andy Iles's all-original 1971 Cadillac hearse, rust-free, and with the proper casket!