The boys were treated to plenty of toys on Father’s Day – and a virtuoso performance by petrolhead painter Ian Cook.
The artist used remote control cars instead of brushes to create a stunning picture of a a Mini WRC rally car at the Eagles Meadow shopping centre in Wrexham.
Ian, who says it was his first time working in North Wales, says the interest among Eagles Meadow shoppers and visitors was incredible.
He said: “I chose to do a painting of a Mini WRC as North Wales has such strong links with rallying. The crowds watching me work here at Eagles meadow has been amazing and I hope to work in North Wales again some time.
“The painting will be scanned and prints made for sale while the actual finished painting is going to Pro-Drive who own the Mini WRC and want to use it for some promotional work.”
Ian’s work certainly impressed Wrexham’s Michael Jones, his partner Christine Barrett and their children Abby Jones, seven, and Jake Jones, eight.
Michael said: “It’s fabulous and must take a huge amount of patience. It’s nice to see something different while your out shopping. I’m not sure I’d let Jake run his remote control car through paint though! I hope he doesn’t get any ideas.”
In addition, dads and their lads – and plenty of girls too – had the chance to give Del Boy and Rodney Trotters’ infamous Only Fools and Horses Reliant Robin the once over at at the Boys’ Toys event..
The bright yellow Trotters Independent Trading three wheeler sat flanked by Herbie, the anthropomorphic Volkswagen Beetle which has Hollywood iconic status after starring in a number of Disney blockbusters, and a scarlet £160,000 Ferrari 430 Spider.
There was also the opportunity to take on Lewis Hamilton and Jensen Button after getting behind the wheel of two F1 simulators.
University lecturer Daniel Nash, 25, of St Martin’s, Oswestry described the F1 simulator as “wicked”.
He said: “Amazing, you don’t get much chance to do things like this normally. It’s real quality although I wasn’t that impressed with my lap time and could have done better. I think maybe my tyres were going off a bit!”
Wrexham funeral director Tim Ryan went along to have a look at Trotters’ Reliant Robin with his children, Jack 11 and Abigail three.
Tim said: “To be honest we came along because Jack wanted to see the cars. He saw it a newspaper and wanted to come along. We have really enjoyed it.
“It’s nice to see something different. Well done to Eagles Meadow for putting it on.”
Lennon Stagg, 10, of Gwernymynydd was thrilled to sit in the driver’s seat of the Ferrari 430 Spider describing the experience as “cool” while Molly Cookson, 10, and Ben Cookson, eight, of Chester were delighted to see Herbie, and were even more thrilled to have their picture taken by the side of their favourite car.
Kevin Critchley, Manager of Eagles Meadow, says the event had something for every dad and lad.
He said: “We wanted to put on something for dads to enjoy this Father’s day although plenty of mums and daughters seemed to thoroughly enjoy the day too.
“The F1 simulators proved very popular while artist Ian Cook ended up with a terrific picture painted entirely with radio controlled cars and miniature tyres.
“And of course Herbie, Del and Rodney’s Reliant Robin and the Ferrari Spider we brought in for the day proved very popular with many people having photographs taken alongside such wonderfully iconic cars.”
