ShedFest was an event organised by a YouTuber called AutoAlex. It was a car show, which for its fourth running would be taking place at the Bolesworth Estate in Cheshire on the 2nd May 2026. Alongside the car displays, live music, and trade stalls, a select few cars would be running a demonstration course along an 800m section of the internal roads of Bolesworth Castle.

A real eclectic mix of cars ran demonstrations, from a Nissan GT-R, to a highly modified and lifted Mazda MX-5s, to NASCAR trucks, a Ford Fiesta Junior race car, and even a Renault Espace! Some of the creators also took their turn on the course, such as AutoAlex in his V6 engine Mazda MX5 (AKA “Phil”), Edwin Klinkenberg in his TVR Tuscan, and Taylor Hetherington in his V10 BMW M5. One of the highlights of the demonstration were the drift cars, which ran in tandem down the course, putting on a great show for the crowd and marshals alike.

The cars were split into batches, with road cars, race cars, rally cars, and drift cars forming each batch. The paddock and batch marshals would organise these batches, before sending them to the wristband check marshal. After this, the cars entered the burnout zone, a chance to show off and create some smoke before reaching the startline. This marshal point then ensured that the course had no cars on it before allowing the next car to begin. Marshal points 2 to 4 would then monitor the cars as they navigate the course, reporting any incidents and indiscretions via radio, as well as manning the yellow and red flags out on the course. Marshal point 5 would then contact the startline informing them the course is clear, and the next car can be released. Finally at the crossing point, the marshal assigned there would direct the cars to the exit area (and share a bit of light-hearted banter with some of the drivers, more on that later.)

This demo course needed marshals and the BMMC North West was approached by Octane Junkies, contracted to run the demonstration course, to provide them. A group of 10 marshals were chosen to do this, covering areas such as the paddock, batch queue, wristband check, startline, marshal points (MP) on the course, donut zone, cooldown area and the pedestrian crossing.

Below we hear from these marshals, get their take on the day, and hear their experience.

What the marshals thought

Natalie Edwards – Paddock marshal

ShedFest was a wonderful opportunity to get to know cars and drivers in diverse categories. I was posted in the paddock and spent the day making sure all the drivers were at the start line in good time. The drifters and NASCARs were my favourites to get to know but I was also impressed with those who registered to drive their own cars up the course. The enthusiasm of these drivers was infectious.

Tom Gibson – Paddock and batch queue marshal

I’ve had some pretty cool experiences as a marshal, and this was one of them. I’ve never been a paddock marshal, I’ve never marshalled a sprint course, and I have never (really) met anybody I have watched on TV before, and I got to tick all of that off in one day! It was so refreshing to be amongst drivers and car owners who were just out for a good time. The most surreal experience though, was chatting to Taylor Hetherington as he was cycling between his cars and having a laugh about how long it would take for Edwin Klinkenburg’s TVR to bite him on the course (and it almost did bite him on the way out of the venue). Like any marshal, I have a few events every year that are a ‘must attend,’ and ShedFest has earnt a place on that list.

Sam Collinson – Wristband check marshal

When the opportunity came up to volunteer as a marshal for ShedFest, I decided to take it. Being a fan of the AutoAlex universe, I was hugely excited to be part of this event. I was allocated to the wristband check part of the sprint course, which meant my job for the day would be to ensure the drivers and their passengers had the correct wristband and had their helmets on and securely fastened, before allowing them into the burnout zone before the start of the sprint. Being able to interact with all the drivers was great fun, and having the opportunity to meet and chat with YouTubers I have enjoyed content from for years was fantastic and surreal in equal measure. ShedFest is up there with as one of the best days I have ever had as a marshal, and hopefully I’ll be able to do it all again next year!

Will Ledson-Banks – Startline marshal

I’m relatively new to marshalling having only started in August but I’ve gotten to know and speak to regular faces. The day started a bit hectic, but I spotted a few familiar faces and got the idea of the layout.

The lads from Octane Junkies were very welcoming from the off and it continued through the day. The Octane Junkies member I was with, Steve, was full of energy. His history in these events meant he was very knowledgeable which made the day all the better.

I spent the day on the startline checking the cars were all good to go after their burnouts and looking for anything that could stop them from doing their run. Sweeping the hay or anything that could have become an issue between one car to the next. The mix of cars was a really cool feature, from NASCAR to rally, to a random MX5 on stilts, to experienced drifters. Made for a great variety and a great laugh.

As far as ShedFest as an event goes, again, very welcoming crew. It was nice to meet some of the creators I usually only see through my phone screen and find out they’re no different off camera to on it.

All in all, a great day with great people, looking forward to attending next year’s already.

Josh Walters – MP 2 Flag Marshal

ShedFest was a great event to be part of! I’ve been watching the AutoAlex universe since they originally started, and to be there in the middle of the action was a fantastic experience. It’s great to get away from a usual circuit for the day, and the display at ShedFest was no exception – a wide range of cars, enthusiastic spectators, and fantastic company meant ShedFest was an event to remember.

John Edwards – MP3 Marshal

I was posted halfway along the track on the bend before the straight to the finish line. The dual tandem drift cars were brilliant and really made you appreciate the car control at such close distance.

The crowd were fantastic and really well informed about the cars that were on track. I was very impressed with this, and the event as a whole.

Jenson Boyd – MP3 Flag Marshal

I was posted mid-circuit close to the action and spectators. A different experience to what I am used to on a main circuit. A great atmosphere with many passionate petrolheads. Many of whom were keen to learn about the people in orange, I even managed to get a few to register for a taster day! Great variety of cars, some fast and some drifting sideways. There was a lot to see!

Kim and Tony Grogan – MP4 and MP5 Flag Marshals

ShedFest was a very different type of event to what many people would traditionally associate with motorsport marshalling, but that was part of what made it so enjoyable to support. I am a marshal based in the North West and regularly marshal alongside my husband Tony, who was also at the event. BMMC North West were approached by Octane Junkies to provide marshals for the sprint course and donut arena and, despite it being a busy weekend elsewhere in motorsport, we were able to help put together a fantastic team.

There was a brilliant atmosphere throughout the day, a huge variety of cars and lots of interest from the public in what the marshals were doing. What stood out to most of us was how many people wanted to know more about marshalling and the role marshals play at events like this.

It was also great to see marshalling being visible to a younger audience through an event connected to AutoAlex and his team. Most importantly though, it was simply a great day with a fantastic team of marshals.

Lara Jones – MP6 Crossing Marshal

Marshalling at ShedFest was a great experience and something totally different to my usual setting of race circuits. The day started with a detailed briefing and the brief horror of being given the responsibility of a radio!

I was posted at the end of the 800m sprint track and was paired with a friendly member of Octane Junkies. I also got the opportunity to remind AutoAlex we would be charging him for the cone he had just run over. (This is the banter we mentioned earlier)

I then spent the day watching the stream of cars enter the donut zone. Being so close to the tandem drifting sessions, with only hay bales between myself and the mega machinery on show, was a real highlight.

I headed home smelling of burning rubber, safe in the knowledge I’d created a core memory of my marshalling career.

Summary

Thank you to everyone who shared with us their experience of marshalling at ShedFest. We’re glad you had a great time.

Branching out and trying new things is an important part of marshalling, and something we hugely recommend. Hearing such testimony from the marshals at ShedFest is indicative of this. Next time an opportunity comes up to get a different experience, give it a go.