Howdy chums! Well I suppose it's time to start thinking about our "big bash" for this year.

Last year's event (here and here) was a huge success. I was very pleased indeed with how it went, and very grateful to all who turned up...and to Rupert who sorted out a few minor details...



So we should do it again! First question is about location. The national event executive committee (me, Rupert and Chris C) discussed matters in an important high level meeting at our office complex in the midlands (or, as it's better known, we talked crap for an hour over a pint in a nice pub) and decided that a discussion about the venue is a good place to start...hence I've created a poll.

I thought that last year's venue was really excellent...and definitely deserves to be revisited...but I'm concerned that going back every year would soon get dull. So our idea was to kill two birds with one stone - choose a new venue, and also move the base to a different part of the country. This is always a controversial subject. Do you pick venues in the midlands, as it's the fairest option for most people (and, having grown up in Devon, I always accepted that I would have to travel long distances to major events...that's just part of the deal), or do you at least make an effort to move around?

Our longer term idea is to alternate between a northern and southern venue, with a year in the midlands in each direction....so north, midlands, south, midlands, north, midlands, etc...

What do you think? Is that a good idea, or should we just try to find another venue in the midlands? It's your event, my people, so have your say!

Our provisional plan was for a drive / cruise / hoon on the Saturday, camp over that night, then go to an attraction (Beaulieu was mentioned...) on the Sunday for our "show", and try to arrange a line-up of cars somewhere prominent...essentially exactly the same as we did last year. Does that suit everyone?

The date is yet to be set, but I expect it'll be a weekend in the first half of September. If memory serves correctly, it's the 35th anniversary of the launch of the 300 series this year, so it'd be good to get an even better turn-out than last year (which was bloody good, to be fair). I might even make the effort to bring a 300 myself this time

cheers

James

middle makes sense, but we'd run out of venues in a few years, so alternation may be the future.

Guessing the nest ones gonna be in the south then?

I thought doing it in the midlands was another way of forcing Steve to turn up and therefore forcing Steve to be taken the piss out of?

I'm not bothered on the location as such, only the venue. Something more specificially car based would be better such as Ace Cafe, Beulieu, National car show, racing circuit etc. As much as I enjoyed the train museum I still felt we didn't do much else with the day.

So I vote for alternate locations provided we go to more car specific meets in future. How about a more sporty location?

Sure, can do. I'm open to suggestions when it comes to venues, but it needs to be somewhere we don't have to hire ourselves, as the cost is prohibitive...

My initial plan for "the north" was somewhere like Beamish...but Speedy's very fair point as put the kibosh on that one. I'm keen to do something up in that corner though...it's quite the hotbed of 300-series activity.

cheers

James

foggyjames wrote:Sure, can do. I'm open to suggestions when it comes to venues, but it needs to be somewhere we don't have to hire ourselves, as the cost is prohibitive...

My initial plan for "the north" was somewhere like Beamish...but Speedy's very fair point as put the kibosh on that one. I'm keen to do something up in that corner though...it's quite the hotbed of 300-series activity.

cheers

James

Croft Nostalgia weekend?

Croft

Run across the moors to Whitby for chips etc?

Speedy88 wrote:I thought doing it in the midlands was another way of forcing Steve to turn up and therefore forcing Steve to be taken the piss out of?

Sorry, who are you?

Last years meet was great, especially the driving route. However I also feel the Sunday got a little boring. Museums are all well and good but the majority of 300 owners are younger and want something more involving. Therefore a track/car related venue is definitely a good plan. But if you get a good driving route again, that makes the weekend imo.

The problem with 'action' is budget. There are very few options I'm aware of (besides Haynes) where there's a "free" track attached to a cheap venue...although I'd be happy to be corrected on that point!

cheers

James

The other problem is watching a track is a heck of a lot more boring than watching a museum IMO Playing on the track on the other hand...

Trying to find something that has a tarmac square for an autotest is a possibility...

Indeed,don't forget this is the Sunday event we're talking about which will be more VOC based given that they are providing the funds. Something for families is needed, or at least something else for people who don't want to natter about cars all day.

Chris_C wrote:Trying to find something that has a tarmac square for an autotest is a possibility...

THIS.


Sorry steve, was just jumping on the brummie abuse bandwagon.

I don't mind watching the track...but last year's event did have a good 'general interest / family' feel to it. Given that we're talking about the south, should we talk to Haynes? That has both...

cheers

James

Isnt Beauleighughoughu in the southern lands.
I'd be well up for there or Haynes.

This is true. I don't know much about it though...are they 'play' opportunities...?

cheers

James

There is a "demo arena" at Beaulieieeieieieieieieiei.

Mention to them it would be an MSA sanctioned event with full permits and insurance, not open to the general public only club members. It's a long shot, but sorting out the legal side and such is something that I've done lots before... and from memory the VOC is MSA. If it isn't, then I'll talk to my club about a joint event with day membership, but that's not the way I would wish to do it.

Then I'll work out how to deal with the paperwork if there is a yes.

Haynes is easier, they have the technologies for certain.

both haynes and beauliebeaulie are very very south
would anyone be going down the m1 on the way?