Stoneleigh weekend

[Stuart Mills]

Is the kit car show mould ever going to be broken? I doubt it, kit car drivers have become accustomed to free entry, a difficult one to change. I think we have the Newark show to thank, if my memory serves me right they were the first to offer free entry, a great show, free entertainment but sadly not sustainable now. The rest had to follow suit or risk having low attendance.
From our point it is always great to see the club areas full but as exhibitors it would be beneficial if everyone contributed to the show financially so that the organisers had a bigger advertising budget. We need newbies to be attracted. If everyone that attended already had a kit car they were happy with then it would be almost pointless for manufacturers to exhibit and the organisers would have no gate money. Then if everyone took a flask the caterers wouldn't turn up the following year either, thankfully we are no where near that stage and trade is currently buoyant to say the least. Long may it continue.

[spyder dryver]

I have instigated a poll on the LOCOSTBUILDERS forum.
"Would you pay £10 to get in to Stoneleigh in your kit car if it gave the event a better chance of survival?"

At the moment the "payers" are winning by 5 to 1.

[Stuart Mills]

Excellent idea. Perhaps we could call the move BREXKITS :- Builders Reform EXpenditure for KIT Shows.

[EddyP]

People would use the catering vans more if they were sensible prices but sorry there's no way I'm paying £6 for a bacon sarnie!

[renmure]

I didn't give much thought to the "free entry for kit car" thing.

As someone who goes to a few different Ferrari meets, or Italian Car meets or so called Supercar meets, I know that it can be bugging to be asked to pay money to effectively be part of the main display. The burger vans and small stalls are only there because the punters are there.. because the cars are there.

I viewed Stoneleigh totally differently where the kit cars in the paddocks were there because the show was there. To be fair, their presence made the show a whole lot better so I would have thought some reduced entry fee for kit cars wouldn't be unreasonable.

[big block]

Some very valid comments made. I have attended Stoneleigh since it's first show many many years ago, in recent years the Monday has tailed off compared to Sunday which is a shame as it was never like this reason's could be weather dependent or family commitments who knows. One thing for sure if it's not to end up like Newark or Exeter it has to be supported or the last largest show will bite the dust and it will be a struggle for the kit car industry to survive. The industry is changing that's for sure. Stoneleigh show is getting sold to another events organization I have heard good and bad about them and what their intentions are but time will tell. There were a few trade stands missing some through Ill health and with great sadness one regular passed away. I did notice like others have mentioned that some traders came with very little stock why? I can't make sense of it. I have always attended in the tin top stayed in Kenilworth and made the most of the 2 days buying parts catching up with old friends and making new ones,after all it's only 2 days out of the year and a long drive from Northumberland but since Newark went down hill rapidly before it ceased there isn't anything up North.I can understand people's frustration on some point's but having it all in one place for manufacturers, parts suppliers and more importantly us! The people who have built kits to share knowledge and pass on to people building or thinking of building is in my opinion invaluable. I hope the majority of you agree and will continue to support it. Cheers.

[OwenK]

I went on the Monday and for the first time in years came away hugely enthused! Normally I wander around for an hour and leave bored and disappointed.
My main interest is body conversions I have no interest in the caterfields, tube chassis super cars etc (unless they're very pretty)

Lots of new Z3 based classic Ferrari kits this year, all looking lovely and affordable builds. Great new donor car idea. Death of the MR2 Ferrari perhaps? Bertinis looking nice too.

Boxster into 991 GT3 kit - inspired! Not for me, but I hope the guy sells loads to wannabe rich people. Looked absolutely bang on, initially I didn't give it a second glance as I thought it was just an insurance company who had brought a real GT3 to draw attention to their stand.

Saw a few interestingly modified Ultimas and finally some new GD T70modas.

[Stuart Mills]

" Stoneleigh show is getting sold to another events organization I have heard good and bad about them and what their intentions are but time will tell."

Please let us have more info on this, I have not heard anything, very important we try to work with new owners if at all possible, unless this is just gossip?

[jamesG20V6]

Stuart Mills said:

" Stoneleigh show is getting sold to another events organization I have heard good and bad about them and what their intentions are but time will tell."

Please let us have more info on this, I have not heard anything, very important we try to work with new owners if at all possible, unless this is just gossip?

Do tell? Are Grovenor calling it a day? I would be interested to know the details. There is a new car launch planned for the 2017 show and it has been underdevelopment for the last 18 months already. That gives an indication of the time, costs & risk involved in bringing a unique, original kit form new car to the market, but it is a bit too early to start spilling beans....

[Equus]

jamesG20V6 said:

There is a new car launch planned for the 2017 show

These days, it begs the question whether Stoneleigh is the best place for a launch, anyway?

It gets very little coverage outside of the dedicated Kit Car mags (who will cover a new kit car launch pretty comprehensively wherever it happens, if you tell them about it).

You'd be seen by a lot more people, and stand a much better chance of being picked up in the press, internet and forums, if you launch at Autosports. Though of course the cost of a stand is much higher.

[Stuart Mills]

jamesG20V6 said:

Stuart Mills said:

" Stoneleigh show is getting sold to another events organization I have heard good and bad about them and what their intentions are but time will tell."

Please let us have more info on this, I have not heard anything, very important we try to work with new owners if at all possible, unless this is just gossip?

Do tell? Are Grovenor calling it a day? I would be interested to know the details. There is a new car launch planned for the 2017 show and it has been underdevelopment for the last 18 months already. That gives an indication of the time, costs & risk involved in bringing a unique, original kit form new car to the market, but it is a bit too early to start spilling beans....

It seems to be gossip at the moment but the show is obviously a real success, it must make money, it will stay on our calendar no doubt. We always do other shows such as Autosport and Classic shows, if show orgnaisers were looking to expand they would pick up the slack and devote a section to kit cars. Silverstone Classic is massive, I can just see a kit car zone working well for all concerned. Wonder if the organisers haven't noticed we are down to one show yet? Don't panic James, and good luck with your project, we need new products.

[Equus]

Stuart Mills said:

...we need new products.

There's a definite gap in the market for you left by the GTM Libra, too, by the sound of it... expanded by the fact that Lotus seem intent on taking the Elise upmarket and out of the Libra's former territory.

That would be another good reason to aim at a wider target audience, though, IMO.

[dom9]

Equus said:

Stuart Mills said:

...we need new products.

There's a definite gap in the market for you left by the GTM Libra, too, by the sound of it... expanded by the fact that Lotus seem intent on taking the Elise upmarket and out of the Libra's former territory.

That would be another good reason to aim at a wider target audience, though, IMO.

A few of us have asked for a small, mid-engine coupe in the mould of the Libra for some time.

I've even considered the MR2 Mk.3 RS200 bodykit but would rather something with a bespoke chassis.

speed3automotive.co.uk are going in the right direction, I think.

[Stuart Mills]

I would love to create a Coupe, I have played around with the idea, came up with the MEVX5, it was fairly successful in the styling dept but not earth shattering, sold 2 ! Set up costs to budget kit standards can approach 100k.
Good topic though, so please start a new thread if you feel it's got legs, we can all chip in with donor ideas, styling Q's and layout suggestions, and who knows I may be drawn in again.

[jamesG20V6]

dom9 said:

Equus said:

Stuart Mills said:

...we need new products.

There's a definite gap in the market for you left by the GTM Libra, too, by the sound of it... expanded by the fact that Lotus seem intent on taking the Elise upmarket and out of the Libra's former territory.

That would be another good reason to aim at a wider target audience, though, IMO.

A few of us have asked for a small, mid-engine coupe in the mould of the Libra for some time.

I've even considered the MR2 Mk.3 RS200 bodykit but would rather something with a bespoke chassis.

speed3automotive.co.uk are going in the right direction, I think.

If you can wait 12 months there is one on its way... It is purposefully happening behind closed doors but it will be brought to market when ready, which is programmed for April 2017 and so far it has hit the development programme milestones to date. Making a bespoke new product that fits that bill is a massive amount of work, to achieve an acceptable level of finish and ease of build these days - look at Ginetta who have just withdrawn sales of all road cars again for that reason.

[dom9]

Stuart Mills said:

I would love to create a Coupe, I have played around with the idea, came up with the MEVX5, it was fairly successful in the styling dept but not earth shattering, sold 2 ! Set up costs to budget kit standards can approach 100k.
Good topic though, so please start a new thread if you feel it's got legs, we can all chip in with donor ideas, styling Q's and layout suggestions, and who knows I may be drawn in again.

I may well start a thread! I am sure that it wouldn't be cheap to tool up, especially if anyone was considering a GRP monocoque like the Libra but it would be nice to have the option in the market. Now the Elise has moved upmarket, if someone was looking for a cheap(ish, potentially), NEW (I know Boxsters and alike can be cheap 2nd hand) mid-engine coupe then there isn't much at the bottom end!

jamesG20V6 said:

If you can wait 12 months there is one on its way... It is purposefully happening behind closed doors but it will be brought to market when ready, which is programmed for April 2017 and so far it has hit the development programme milestones to date. Making a bespoke new product that fits that bill is a massive amount of work, to achieve an acceptable level of finish and ease of build these days - look at Ginetta who have just withdrawn sales of all road cars again for that reason.

Please post up more when you can, James

[jamesG20V6]

The difficulty is that making anything relatively small scale is expensive, especially if you factor in roof, doors, windows and everything else that comes with such a design, making anything to a good level is never going to 'bottom end' with the costs involved. Having said that it is hoped that it will be within reach and offer a genuine alternative to a 7.

Enough said for now. Back to the main topic.

[dom9]

jamesG20V6 said:

The difficulty is that making anything relatively small scale is expensive, especially if you factor in roof, doors, windows and everything else that comes with such a design, making anything to a good level is never going to 'bottom end' with the costs involved. Having said that it is hoped that it will be within reach and offer a genuine alternative to a 7.

Enough said for now. Back to the main topic.

Thread has started - let's talk it through over here: http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

[EddyP]

big block said:

Some very valid comments made. I have attended Stoneleigh since it's first show many many years ago, in recent years the Monday has tailed off compared to Sunday which is a shame as it was never like this reason's could be weather dependent or family commitments who knows. One thing for sure if it's not to end up like Newark or Exeter it has to be supported or the last largest show will bite the dust and it will be a struggle for the kit car industry to survive. The industry is changing that's for sure. Stoneleigh show is getting sold to another events organization I have heard good and bad about them and what their intentions are but time will tell. There were a few trade stands missing some through Ill health and with great sadness one regular passed away. I did notice like others have mentioned that some traders came with very little stock why? I can't make sense of it. I have always attended in the tin top stayed in Kenilworth and made the most of the 2 days buying parts catching up with old friends and making new ones,after all it's only 2 days out of the year and a long drive from Northumberland but since Newark went down hill rapidly before it ceased there isn't anything up North.I can understand people's frustration on some point's but having it all in one place for manufacturers, parts suppliers and more importantly us! The people who have built kits to share knowledge and pass on to people building or thinking of building is in my opinion invaluable. I hope the majority of you agree and will continue to support it. Cheers.

If you don't mind me asking, which regular was it thats unfortunately passed away?

[tombs]

rdodger said:

I seem to remember that show being a fail as there were only 1 or 2 manufacturers there and when I was there no more than a dozen kit cars in the car park.

You must have been there at 7pm Sunday evening.