Fos 2015 verdict
Discussion
First time going and will be doing it again!
Only went on sunday and the crowds were not as bad as we were expecting, we stayed in a hotel 30 miles up the road and were parked up at 7:45, food prices were reasonable for this sort of event and ques were actually really short compared to Silverstone.
The only let downs for me other the day was:
1) Times on the schedule didn't appear to match up what was going up the hill. For example my wife wanted to see the super cars go up the hill that was scheduled for 11:55 (from memory) however they seemed to have started at 11:45 so we decided to just continue looking about and catch it in the afternoon.
2) The car park (M) getting out seemed to have no organisation, we decided to just stay in the car and sit it out but observed people jumping the que, driving to the top of the hill and forcing their way in or creating new lines of cars trying to merge into the existing que.
Only went on sunday and the crowds were not as bad as we were expecting, we stayed in a hotel 30 miles up the road and were parked up at 7:45, food prices were reasonable for this sort of event and ques were actually really short compared to Silverstone.
The only let downs for me other the day was:
1) Times on the schedule didn't appear to match up what was going up the hill. For example my wife wanted to see the super cars go up the hill that was scheduled for 11:55 (from memory) however they seemed to have started at 11:45 so we decided to just continue looking about and catch it in the afternoon.
2) The car park (M) getting out seemed to have no organisation, we decided to just stay in the car and sit it out but observed people jumping the que, driving to the top of the hill and forcing their way in or creating new lines of cars trying to merge into the existing que.
4th year for me, first time full weekend. Went with a group of mates and also took the wife and 1 year old daughter. We all had a great time, plenty to see & do and the atmosphere was amazing as usual.
Not as good as the anniversary the other year (was it the 21st?) But still well worth the travel and admission.
Not as good as the anniversary the other year (was it the 21st?) But still well worth the travel and admission.
I had a great time.
I'm surprised by some of the negative comments about the track and the use of cars for example:
The idea that 100 year old cars or 50 year old racing cars still get driven and are not simply sat with a 2m perimeter fence around them is what makes the show so special.
I'm surprised by some of the negative comments about the track and the use of cars for example:
GTIAlex said:
I think what they really need is to go back to having some more serious hill climb cars, driven hard and fast.
Motorsport fans go to events to watch cars get driven hard, not to tootle around on idle.
Yes I am a motorsport fan and love to see the cars driven well & pushing relatively hard which many are, but I think some need to understand that not all the runs are being timed, some are very much an opportunity to parade a rare/historic/priceless vehicle which is part of what the show is about.Motorsport fans go to events to watch cars get driven hard, not to tootle around on idle.
The idea that 100 year old cars or 50 year old racing cars still get driven and are not simply sat with a 2m perimeter fence around them is what makes the show so special.
Daston said:
2) The car park (M) getting out seemed to have no organisation, we decided to just stay in the car and sit it out but observed people jumping the que, driving to the top of the hill and forcing their way in or creating new lines of cars trying to merge into the existing que.
Guilty! But then everyone else was doing it so...
First time for me and I was blown away by the whole experience. One of the best days of my life.
Went with my 7 year old son on the Saturday. Arrived at 7am after a wonderful drive from Dorking on empty roads. No traffic problems.
Within 5 minutes of arriving my son was sat in the Audi R18 LMP1 #7 that came 3rd at Le Mans. We then wandered around in a daze, struggling to comprehend what we were seeing. Mazda 787B, McLaren F1 Long tail, P1, it was almost too much to take in.
Sat in a variety of grandstands so had a great view of all the action.
Only gripe would be the waiting for the tractor to/from the rally stage. In the end we walked up. Little lad was getting tired legs so we queued 20mins to get the tractor down.
Can't wait for next year's event.
Went with my 7 year old son on the Saturday. Arrived at 7am after a wonderful drive from Dorking on empty roads. No traffic problems.
Within 5 minutes of arriving my son was sat in the Audi R18 LMP1 #7 that came 3rd at Le Mans. We then wandered around in a daze, struggling to comprehend what we were seeing. Mazda 787B, McLaren F1 Long tail, P1, it was almost too much to take in.
Sat in a variety of grandstands so had a great view of all the action.
Only gripe would be the waiting for the tractor to/from the rally stage. In the end we walked up. Little lad was getting tired legs so we queued 20mins to get the tractor down.
Can't wait for next year's event.
Yeah I loved it. Last year was my first time so I was not as blown away as then.
I think the biggest disappointment is the rally area. I do not think it is worth the hike up after doing it both years. May they should store the paddock rally versions up there too so there is more to see?
I think the biggest disappointment is the rally area. I do not think it is worth the hike up after doing it both years. May they should store the paddock rally versions up there too so there is more to see?
Soupie69uk said:
I think the biggest disappointment is the rally area. I do not think it is worth the hike up after doing it both years. May they should store the paddock rally versions up there too so there is more to see?
This year was the first time I didn't make it up to the rally area, which is a shame as it's usually one of my fave features of the FoS. The paddock is not quite comparable with the one down the hill, but it you venture into the forest stage there are some fantastic places to watch the action - including a small jump.17th year for me, been getting a little meh the last few.
Only went on Sunday.
In at 7am left at 7pm.
This was the best one I've been to in a while, things I really wanted to see.
Eg. VR - 46, the Talbot Lago (Figoni and Falashi bodied) and the collection of DS's.
Nearly everything else I'd seen before. In fact 722 was retired about 6 or 7 years ago and there it was again!
The larger paddocks helped and also moving a few things around, Supercar and Cathedral paddock.
I didn't bother going past Molcombe, I always fing the Rallye stage a bit of an anti-climax, ie. trekked all the way there and then nothong comes past for an hour.
I'm not bothered about the supercar run; except that Singer, give me racing cars that pop and bang and make more noise than Thor.
The shootout was good, 35 cars or so - made it almost like it used to be.......
A hill climb event
I thought that it was less crowded than previous years.
Only went on Sunday.
In at 7am left at 7pm.
This was the best one I've been to in a while, things I really wanted to see.
Eg. VR - 46, the Talbot Lago (Figoni and Falashi bodied) and the collection of DS's.
Nearly everything else I'd seen before. In fact 722 was retired about 6 or 7 years ago and there it was again!
The larger paddocks helped and also moving a few things around, Supercar and Cathedral paddock.
I didn't bother going past Molcombe, I always fing the Rallye stage a bit of an anti-climax, ie. trekked all the way there and then nothong comes past for an hour.
I'm not bothered about the supercar run; except that Singer, give me racing cars that pop and bang and make more noise than Thor.
The shootout was good, 35 cars or so - made it almost like it used to be.......
A hill climb event
I thought that it was less crowded than previous years.
Eric Mc said:
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 could have written that word for word, but usually when us 'old timers' get whistful we get told to pipe down! 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.
We have seen the same phenomenon at airshows over the decades. In the 70s and early 80s there used to be plenty of aviation memorabilia, model kit and aviation book/magazine stalls at airshows. It was a great opportunity to rummage and get hold of items that were hard to get in that pre-internet age.
The rot set in during the 80s as the airshow hosts started putting up their trader pitch fees and the aviation themed stalls declined as fudge, shonky clothing and bouncy castles took over.
The good news is that these aviation traders still turn up at other types of shows, such as aerojumbles or model shows - so all is not lost.
Maybe Lord March has increased the pitch fees to the point where the smaller specialist auto related traders can't really afford to be there any more. If that is the case that is a real shame. One of the pleasures of the FOS for me was the rummaging through the auto related stands and shops.
The rot set in during the 80s as the airshow hosts started putting up their trader pitch fees and the aviation themed stalls declined as fudge, shonky clothing and bouncy castles took over.
The good news is that these aviation traders still turn up at other types of shows, such as aerojumbles or model shows - so all is not lost.
Maybe Lord March has increased the pitch fees to the point where the smaller specialist auto related traders can't really afford to be there any more. If that is the case that is a real shame. One of the pleasures of the FOS for me was the rummaging through the auto related stands and shops.
Simes205 said:
I always fing the Rallye stage a bit of an anti-climax, ie. trekked all the way there and then nothong comes past for an hour.
The only time the rally stage was quiet for an hour was for the lunch break.Yes there were a couple of delays due to cars having problems or binning it but other than that it was pretty much non-stop action apart from the lunch break.
Shaoxter said:
Daston said:
2) The car park (M) getting out seemed to have no organisation, we decided to just stay in the car and sit it out but observed people jumping the que, driving to the top of the hill and forcing their way in or creating new lines of cars trying to merge into the existing que.
Guilty! But then everyone else was doing it so...
Rally stage was also nowhere near as good as previous years.
Silverstone classic is so much better IMHO.
This was my 4th year of attending and I have to say it wasn't the best of those 4. We always camp a few miles down the road, and this year we got there early (6.45am both days) and got straight in without any queueing. Took the stove and made a cuppa in the carpark whilst waiting for the gates to open! The worst bit for me is the rally stage. Too dusty and too much of a trek to get up there, when it rains its too slippy for them to negotiate at speed. Best stand by far was Jaguar Land Rover, although the 2 and a half hour queue for a trip round the off road track was a little frustrating to say the least! They didn't even open the stand on Sunday morning until nearly 8.30, by which time people had already been waiting over an hour. Enjoyed the Typhoon display, shame the Vulcan didn't attend this year. It seemed VERY busy on the Sunday as well, must have been all the Rossi fans!
I will go again next year, I like to see all the new supercars and prototypes that the manufacturers bring so its worth it just for that. Some better views of the actual hill climb would be great, I'm not paying £80 for a seat as that kind of means to get your moneys worth you are stuck there.
I will go again next year, I like to see all the new supercars and prototypes that the manufacturers bring so its worth it just for that. Some better views of the actual hill climb would be great, I'm not paying £80 for a seat as that kind of means to get your moneys worth you are stuck there.
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