Seaside towns come to life very early but before very much else was stirring, the promenade was busy with marshals laying out cones, barriers around three bays for the scrutineers as well as parking for competitors.  The first arrivals came around eight o clock at which point the skies were decidedly grey. Competitors sign in at Rally HQ and complete the documentation process before presenting their cars to the scrutineers. They complete the necessary checks working under cover on the promenade. This year it was regrettably not to shield them from fierce sunshine but a very light drizzle that seemed to be having an effect on indicator and side lights, which kept the Brit Assist mechanics engaged tracking down loose connections into which the moisture had crept but the faults were all minor and resolved without drama.  Within an hour though the weather was being far kinder, sunshine and blue sky showing through the cloud.  That became the pattern for the rest of the morning, sunshine interrupted by occasional fine drizzle that did little to dampen spirits. 

Cars entered in the concours competition, which is entirely optional, park close to the scrutineers on the promenade.  The judging began at around ten thirty whilst a little further along the promenade, those with their focus on the competition to come completed a display of cars that is always enjoyed by residents and visitors, the rally providing them with an entry list containing the year, make and type of car.  The towering 1924 Bentley, the oldest car in this year's rally, generated a lot of interest as did its neighbour, the Aston Martin from 1934. Perhaps surprisingly though it is not always the ancient, rare or exotic that elicits the biggest response. Spectators are very often as likely to be engaged by some of the more familiar marques and models, recalling their own motoring memories from a time before the cars on show became ‘classics’.  The wonderfully presented Sunbeam Imp entered by Robert and Timothy Carr received a lot of attention for exactly that reason, Helen Proffit and Graham Wild taking the concours ethos to heart, dressing to match the car, the bright yellow Volkswagen Cabriolet.

The static car show comes to an end when the Prologue begins but until then Llandudno takes the chance to remember.