Thousands of modified car enthusiasts will converge on Kirkcaldy this evening in what is expected to be one of the biggest “cruise” events ever seen in Scotland.
But the Fife esplanade gathering will go ahead on open roads after organisers of an event that has packed the area for the past two years faced a large four-figure bill to stage the programme they originally planned.
The promenade event has grown from a tribute to actor Paul Walker, a star of the Fast and Furious film franchise who died in the passenger seat of a high-performance Porsche involved in a crash in California in 2013.
Modified car group N/A Nonsense Racing had plans to close off the esplanade tonight for events including a drifting display but said the costs involved were just too great.
James Stephen of N/A Nonsense said: “We’ll now be holding an open cruise and it’s a massive attraction, not just for the owners of the cars but also for the many businesses who supply the industry.
“The event on Kirkcaldy prom has been hugely popular with locals every year we have run it. We are disappointed that, in spite of discussions with the police, we were unable to allay their concerns about the drifting element.
“This live entertainment, carried out by professional drivers, would have allowed us to fund the large amount of money needed to meet the substantial costs of the road closure, security personnel and safety barriers we had planned for this year.
“We have always had great support from the local community and we attract exhibitors and enthusiasts from all over the country to this free event that benefits local businesses.
“We hope that, as car cruises are not illegal activities, the success of this year’s event and those of previous years, as well as our emphasis on the safety of participants and spectators, will allow the restart of productive discussions with Police Scotland to allow a formal event to take place in 2016.
“As always, people will be coming from all over Scotland to the event and the indications are that there could be a few thousand there.”
N/A Nonsense is also finalising plans for the Paul Walker tribute, scheduled for Knockhill circuit on September 20.
“That’s going to be a huge event and probably the second biggest car show in Scotland this year,” James added.
Police Scotland was asked to comment but had not responded by the time of going to press.