Fos 2015 verdict
Discussion
Contrary to davek, I fell in love with the FOS BECAUSE it was originally all about competition cars and bikes. I've lost some interest over the years because it has become a bit "Flash Harry" with mega expensive road and concept cars in which I have little interest.
I haven't been for about six years now (I went for about ten years on the trot from 1994 to 2004 and intermittently after that).
I'd like to go again but it's the famous and often unique racing cars that make it for me - not uber expensive motoring bling.
I haven't been for about six years now (I went for about ten years on the trot from 1994 to 2004 and intermittently after that).
I'd like to go again but it's the famous and often unique racing cars that make it for me - not uber expensive motoring bling.
davek_964 said:
First time we've been, and it seems I'm in the minority - I came away wondering what all the fuss has been about all these years. I think perhaps my expectations didn't really match what it's all about.
I'm far more interested in road cars than race cars. The classic stuff in front of the house was great, gorgeous cars that I've never laid eyes on before. But there was much less of that than I expected.
To me, there was plenty of race cars to see but I've never been a big follower of F1 or any other race series. Once I've seen one Gilles Villeneuve car, I wasn't really that interested in seeing other very similar cars with his name on - it was just variations on a theme. If you're into that though I'm sure it was great.
I was very surprised by the amount of space taken up by regular car manufacturers. Toyota, VW, Seat, Ford etc. Seriously? If I wanted to buy a Toyota Aygo, I'd go to a Toyota dealer and book a test drive! How was all that an attraction? Although they did seem strangely popular with the public. Bizarre.
Even in the stands selling 'stuff' there was a fair amount that had nothing to do with cars (Virgin holiday anybody?)
Food we had was pretty good - priced as expected but surprisingly tasty.
The bike display (Gas works) was great - probably the same as I've seen on tv shows in the past but seeing it live was much more impressive. The motorcycle riders are insane!
It was difficult to get anywhere close to the hill climb on Saturday afternoon - my girlfriend isn't particularly tall so visibility was a problem. I think that if I did ever go back, we'd have to book grandstand tickets.
Overall, it seemed like a huge commercial event but far too little of it was special for me.
So just to clarify, you're into road cars but your complaint is road car manufacturers had stands??I'm far more interested in road cars than race cars. The classic stuff in front of the house was great, gorgeous cars that I've never laid eyes on before. But there was much less of that than I expected.
To me, there was plenty of race cars to see but I've never been a big follower of F1 or any other race series. Once I've seen one Gilles Villeneuve car, I wasn't really that interested in seeing other very similar cars with his name on - it was just variations on a theme. If you're into that though I'm sure it was great.
I was very surprised by the amount of space taken up by regular car manufacturers. Toyota, VW, Seat, Ford etc. Seriously? If I wanted to buy a Toyota Aygo, I'd go to a Toyota dealer and book a test drive! How was all that an attraction? Although they did seem strangely popular with the public. Bizarre.
Even in the stands selling 'stuff' there was a fair amount that had nothing to do with cars (Virgin holiday anybody?)
Food we had was pretty good - priced as expected but surprisingly tasty.
The bike display (Gas works) was great - probably the same as I've seen on tv shows in the past but seeing it live was much more impressive. The motorcycle riders are insane!
It was difficult to get anywhere close to the hill climb on Saturday afternoon - my girlfriend isn't particularly tall so visibility was a problem. I think that if I did ever go back, we'd have to book grandstand tickets.
Overall, it seemed like a huge commercial event but far too little of it was special for me.
I think your perfect car show is a weekend at a rover dealership.
Edited by ecsrobin on Monday 29th June 21:17
pipes said:
Having been to every FOS since the start I came away feeling that it was an average show, quite a few changes were made this year, so a a new team organising the event must be in place.
Fewer formula 1 teams (there used to be 7 in attendance) and no showman ship from the drivers.
Since the departure of John Felix and team the runs were no so well organised with longer clear up times after incidents.
The moving of vehicles to the Formula 1 paddock was not given any thought, these cars having very little steering lock plus crowds of people made it very difficult to get cars back into garages causing bottle necks of people and cars.
Many of the trade stand this year were aimed at the the wrong audience for the majority in attendance.
But there were also positives, I did enjoy but not as much as previous years, will probably attend again next year.
A very good summary. I have been going since 1994 and I'm now a GRRC member. Fewer formula 1 teams (there used to be 7 in attendance) and no showman ship from the drivers.
Since the departure of John Felix and team the runs were no so well organised with longer clear up times after incidents.
The moving of vehicles to the Formula 1 paddock was not given any thought, these cars having very little steering lock plus crowds of people made it very difficult to get cars back into garages causing bottle necks of people and cars.
Many of the trade stand this year were aimed at the the wrong audience for the majority in attendance.
But there were also positives, I did enjoy but not as much as previous years, will probably attend again next year.
The event felt like it was lacking this year. As mentioned not a big F1, LM attendance and gone was the burn outs and the like from the F1 cars. The shootout last year had an incredible battle between a few cars whereas this year it didn't seem there was much of a battle just some expert driving Daracq was easily car/drive of the weekend.
The supercars do not interest me in the slightest however the moving of the paddock seemed to be just to accommodate the large Michelin building. I was also shocked when they closed the paddock to get the cars out?? That never used to happen?
I also noticed no magazine attendance in the retail village normally I'm able to pick up a few Motorsport magazines and classic and sports car for a few £1 and they keep me going throughout the year. I also noticed on the bridge a banner for auto car and PH but didn't see a stall?
And finally with only 2 track crossings at the bottom of the circuit I'm amazed they only allowed people to cross the track after a run was completed but not whilst cars were travelling down to the pits the opposite way? I watched people standing for a very long time just to cross yet there was easily suitable time to allow people to cross.
Overall I enjoy going but it was missing something this year.
Watching the Mercedes blokes warm up the 50s SLs was really special for me, going on my own allowed me the luxury of spending 30 mins just marvelling at how meticulous they were at warming up the cars. They hold a certain number of revs for a time, flare the accelerator a small amount and then gently increase the revs with each push of the accelerator. A bloke then holds all the pipes and checks for leaks, finally holding his hand over the exhaust!
This process was done for all the cars in exactly the same way. I was amazed that these blokes had driven from Germany solely to look after theses wonderful cars.
In sharp comparison the Clienti Ferrari blokes got into the FXX cars and just revved the nuts off them, and my word! What a sound!
The Germans and Italians lived up to their stereotypes , I'm not saying they are right or wrong but just different.
The amount of different accents was interesting, people must have come from all over Europe...
In terms of new cars the AMG GT is a thing of beauty and I'm sure will tempt some out of their Porsches, mind you that GT3RS looked spectacular, not that you can buy one.
This process was done for all the cars in exactly the same way. I was amazed that these blokes had driven from Germany solely to look after theses wonderful cars.
In sharp comparison the Clienti Ferrari blokes got into the FXX cars and just revved the nuts off them, and my word! What a sound!
The Germans and Italians lived up to their stereotypes , I'm not saying they are right or wrong but just different.
The amount of different accents was interesting, people must have come from all over Europe...
In terms of new cars the AMG GT is a thing of beauty and I'm sure will tempt some out of their Porsches, mind you that GT3RS looked spectacular, not that you can buy one.
This year was my second visit to Goodwood after going last year for the first time. We went on Saturday and Sunday and in terms of getting in and out, we arrived at 7am both days and left at 4:30-5pm which meant we hit no traffic at all (approaching from A27 East). No complaints whatsoever about the organisation of access and parking etc. Only issue we had was finding where the car was parked on Sunday as we didn't make a mental note of the row number, schoolboy error 
I love everything about the event and don't have any particular preference about what I want to see. I thought the crowds were actually worse on Saturday although we deliberately stayed away from the busiest areas on Sunday as we expected them to be overcrowded. We watched most of the action from Molecombe and, like last year, I didn't feel like I needed a grandstand ticket. We also walked up to the rally stage which was fantastic and as a 20-year-old, it really gave me an insight into how incredible rallying must have been when the Group B cars were competing.
I know some people don't think the manufacturer stands add much to the event but I really enjoyed looking around at the stuff they had on display - only gripe was that on some stands we were being bothered by staff trying to get us to enter a competition etc, which you expect, but still a tad annoying. Top marks to Honda for such an original design and the Jaguar Land Rover stand was brilliant - we went in an RRS on their off-road course which was very impressive. I thought VW's stand was very disappointing, especially when Audi's was huge with a wide range of cars so it wasn't as if VAG group decided not to bother making an effort at all.
Overall I thought it was just as good as last year, and as has been said, as a petrolhead FoS is as good as it gets.
I love everything about the event and don't have any particular preference about what I want to see. I thought the crowds were actually worse on Saturday although we deliberately stayed away from the busiest areas on Sunday as we expected them to be overcrowded. We watched most of the action from Molecombe and, like last year, I didn't feel like I needed a grandstand ticket. We also walked up to the rally stage which was fantastic and as a 20-year-old, it really gave me an insight into how incredible rallying must have been when the Group B cars were competing.
I know some people don't think the manufacturer stands add much to the event but I really enjoyed looking around at the stuff they had on display - only gripe was that on some stands we were being bothered by staff trying to get us to enter a competition etc, which you expect, but still a tad annoying. Top marks to Honda for such an original design and the Jaguar Land Rover stand was brilliant - we went in an RRS on their off-road course which was very impressive. I thought VW's stand was very disappointing, especially when Audi's was huge with a wide range of cars so it wasn't as if VAG group decided not to bother making an effort at all.
Overall I thought it was just as good as last year, and as has been said, as a petrolhead FoS is as good as it gets.
First time I've been since about 98 despite having been to the MM and Revival and Breakfast Clubs.
I REALLY enjoyed it. Was disappointed at the absence of donuts and grandstanding from the F1 crowd but access was great, JLR stand was superb, some of the hill attacks were full on and it;s just felt like a full day out. Probably good for every three years in my book.
MM is far, far better for the cars, FoS for the family and Revival for the beers.
I REALLY enjoyed it. Was disappointed at the absence of donuts and grandstanding from the F1 crowd but access was great, JLR stand was superb, some of the hill attacks were full on and it;s just felt like a full day out. Probably good for every three years in my book.
MM is far, far better for the cars, FoS for the family and Revival for the beers.
I've been to every FOS apart from my wedding year. This year I went on Sunday, the crowds seemed much smaller than the last few years. There was also a notable absence of a certain type of visitor, those who spend their day sitting on the grass drinking all day, perhaps they were at Glastonbury.
The Mad Max display was great, despite the comedy "security" people who tried to tell my Dad not to get too close to take photos. For the last few years we had enjoyed the Audi stand every with free strawberries and drinks. This year they decided to segregate the stand, you had a choice of free drinks and no view or no drinks and a view. We chose the BMW stand.
Highlights were the drift cars, Ken Block nearly hitting the bales with the Earl of March aboard and the drag racing motorbike. Another good year.
The Mad Max display was great, despite the comedy "security" people who tried to tell my Dad not to get too close to take photos. For the last few years we had enjoyed the Audi stand every with free strawberries and drinks. This year they decided to segregate the stand, you had a choice of free drinks and no view or no drinks and a view. We chose the BMW stand.
Highlights were the drift cars, Ken Block nearly hitting the bales with the Earl of March aboard and the drag racing motorbike. Another good year.
Weird how many different perceptions there are about how crowded it was. For me it was more crowded on Sunday, and I certainly wouldn't have wanted to be there if it was busier than that.
My first time, and a couple days on have slightly mixed feelings. In some ways it's amazing, but it's pretty intense - I'm still looking forward more to Silverstone Classic in a few weeks; more relaxed, at least as good access, and cars doing their stuff in their natural environment (and in company).
My first time, and a couple days on have slightly mixed feelings. In some ways it's amazing, but it's pretty intense - I'm still looking forward more to Silverstone Classic in a few weeks; more relaxed, at least as good access, and cars doing their stuff in their natural environment (and in company).
i left at 7pm sunday and having been for at least 12 years in a row, I felt this was one of the busiest days Ive ever seen. Even between 6-7pm was still massively busy and when I got back to the car park it was still very busy which of course meant a 15 -20min delay getting out. Im astounded as usually its almost dead by just after 7pm.
f1ten said:
i left at 7pm sunday and having been for at least 12 years in a row, I felt this was one of the busiest days Ive ever seen. Even between 6-7pm was still massively busy and when I got back to the car park it was still very busy which of course meant a 15 -20min delay getting out. Im astounded as usually its almost dead by just after 7pm.
yes, i was surprised it was still busy at 6 when i left, i think its because the red arrows were there and 5:30-6 and quite a few people stuck around... IMHO this year was another good show, something for everyone with petrol in their veins!
I have been going since the very first show, in fact I have only ever missed one and I agree that it has become a huge commercial event. However, bear in mind the original driver to the FoS was Lord March trying to save his estate from bankruptcy, so although we view it as a spectator motorshow it is a commercial venture (as is the Revival), the aim of which is to make a profit! From an exhibitors perspective they are paying a LOT of money to be there, so it is no surprise they are all competing for the biggest and best stand in the best possible location. While tickets to get into the event are not cheap, they offer a hell of a lot more vfm than the NEC or London motorshow when you consider what you get in return!
Two negatives (come up every year), cost of food (so bring your own or shutup and putup!), and parking! It took me an hour to get out of my car park onto Kennel Lane, mainly due to the fact the exit I went through was only 1 car wide and caused a huge bottleneck. Also, while the public were trying to exit, numerous exhibitors in huge trucks were trying to get IN - total chaos! Once out of the car park everything flowed fine and it took me less time to get back to Bracknell than it did to get out of the car park!
My overall verdict; good show but the hillclimb format could do with an extra something - maybe a fast-ish parade climb, an exhibition climb (tyre burning and general silliness), and a fast/hard timed climb with a kudos prize for the top 3 to make it competitive again.
Revival beats the FoS hands down though..........
I have been going since the very first show, in fact I have only ever missed one and I agree that it has become a huge commercial event. However, bear in mind the original driver to the FoS was Lord March trying to save his estate from bankruptcy, so although we view it as a spectator motorshow it is a commercial venture (as is the Revival), the aim of which is to make a profit! From an exhibitors perspective they are paying a LOT of money to be there, so it is no surprise they are all competing for the biggest and best stand in the best possible location. While tickets to get into the event are not cheap, they offer a hell of a lot more vfm than the NEC or London motorshow when you consider what you get in return!
Two negatives (come up every year), cost of food (so bring your own or shutup and putup!), and parking! It took me an hour to get out of my car park onto Kennel Lane, mainly due to the fact the exit I went through was only 1 car wide and caused a huge bottleneck. Also, while the public were trying to exit, numerous exhibitors in huge trucks were trying to get IN - total chaos! Once out of the car park everything flowed fine and it took me less time to get back to Bracknell than it did to get out of the car park!
My overall verdict; good show but the hillclimb format could do with an extra something - maybe a fast-ish parade climb, an exhibition climb (tyre burning and general silliness), and a fast/hard timed climb with a kudos prize for the top 3 to make it competitive again.
Revival beats the FoS hands down though..........
Edited by MadDad on Tuesday 30th June 12:38
I think what they really need is to go back to having some more serious hill climb cars, driven hard and fast.
I totally agree that the organisation of the hill really did seem poor, with long stoppages and gaps between the classes.
Iv'e been going for years but spent considerably more time look round the manufacture stalls and stands rather than watching the hill because of this.
Motorsport fans go to events to watch cars get driven hard, not to tootle around on idle.
I totally agree that the organisation of the hill really did seem poor, with long stoppages and gaps between the classes.
Iv'e been going for years but spent considerably more time look round the manufacture stalls and stands rather than watching the hill because of this.
Motorsport fans go to events to watch cars get driven hard, not to tootle around on idle.
Said this last year, and felt the same again this - why don't they have a bridge crossing towards the top of the hill climb? Surely this would alleviate some of the crowding/waiting to cross the track.
As for the show itself, I enjoyed it as usual but will probably take a break next year having been most years since it began. Echo the comments on the Revival being a better event.
As for the show itself, I enjoyed it as usual but will probably take a break next year having been most years since it began. Echo the comments on the Revival being a better event.
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