CarFest South 2014
Discussion
Never been to FOS so can't compare but just got back from Carfest (we have been three years running)
We love it and I was gutted we couldn't get a camping ticket. The morning track session was an improvement with the burn outs, rally stage etc. was Webber driving today and if so was it the blue 911?
I think it's a great family day out, perfect mix for everyone. A Marshall told us the paddock was going to be opened at 17.00 so we went back so my son could take closer pics. James Martin was there letting people sit in his Ferrari.
Seeing the Lancasters was special.
We love it and I was gutted we couldn't get a camping ticket. The morning track session was an improvement with the burn outs, rally stage etc. was Webber driving today and if so was it the blue 911?
I think it's a great family day out, perfect mix for everyone. A Marshall told us the paddock was going to be opened at 17.00 so we went back so my son could take closer pics. James Martin was there letting people sit in his Ferrari.
Seeing the Lancasters was special.
Heading back now. On the car side, it doesn't compare favourably with FoS which has continuous paddock access and way more cars and is less reliant on motorshow-type stands. It is more festival and less about cars than I'd appreciated it was going to be but not a bad day out. I'd go again but see it in different terms now. FoS is something special though.
Our second year now, and really loved it. Friday morning is the best day to see the cars really close up. We were with the Karmann Ghia club and the highlight was driving up the track then round Overton with all the locals waving us by. Music great, food great. The only thing they need to sort out is the beer. Poor choice, no taps and expensive. A quick trip out to Tescos sorted that though.
toppstuff said:
The paddocks were opened to the public at set times through the day and everyone was welcome to come in and get close to the cars and talk to the owners and support crews.
It is very friendly. Even more accessible than FoS. There were some very rare and valuable cars there and no velvet ropes holding people back.
See if I'd known that I would have gone back to the area, but we just saw it fenced off and there were no signs or anything.It is very friendly. Even more accessible than FoS. There were some very rare and valuable cars there and no velvet ropes holding people back.
ThunderSpook said:
See if I'd known that I would have gone back to the area, but we just saw it fenced off and there were no signs or anything.
I also did not realise you could get onto the paddock.We were there for 3 days and as we had kids we found something to do all the time.
I'll definitely be booking next year. As people have said, perhaps it's not as car centric as other events, but it is just a name that indicates this is a festival that has plenty of cars, rather than a festival about only cars.
If you have kids and want a good weekend away but also love your cars, Carfest cannot be recommended enough. Be prepared to spend oodles of cash and you'll not be upset when you buy food and drink, but at least the food is not the normal festival fare.
It is not too crowded as they are limited to 25000 people (including everyone working/displaying). This made it an enjoyable experience without all the normal jostling and crowding, which drives me mad.
in fact, what am I saying, I want tickets next year. It's rubbish, don't bother booking.
Have to say that I missed the fact that the paddock was open too - was not obvious.
One other call out was the charity Sporting Bears - they bring along their cars and offer rides for a payment to charity - you get all sorts from a Lambo Aventador to a classic MBG. I had the family with me and we paid up for a ride in a spanking new Bentley Mulsanne driven by a marketing lady from Bentley. Well worth the money!
Highlight for me was the fly-past of the Lancasters flanked by a Spitfire and Hurricane - really evocative image
One other call out was the charity Sporting Bears - they bring along their cars and offer rides for a payment to charity - you get all sorts from a Lambo Aventador to a classic MBG. I had the family with me and we paid up for a ride in a spanking new Bentley Mulsanne driven by a marketing lady from Bentley. Well worth the money!
Highlight for me was the fly-past of the Lancasters flanked by a Spitfire and Hurricane - really evocative image
Well i went Sat and Sunday and cannot recommend this event highly enough , music cars pies beer whats not to like !!
Yes its not a true car event but with every thing else going on its nice to view other stuff and its great to be able to take the other half and her to have plenty to see and do .
I think the mix is about right , and i am sure a few more car clubs will look at coming to this event .
Plus its for charity
Yes its not a true car event but with every thing else going on its nice to view other stuff and its great to be able to take the other half and her to have plenty to see and do .
I think the mix is about right , and i am sure a few more car clubs will look at coming to this event .
Plus its for charity
We enjoyed it, fun for the whole family (4yo and a 3yo). Not that much of a car show as again we didn't realise you could get into the paddock. When we got there it was roped off.
Not enough loos. They could use some in each field, when a 3yo wants the loo they want it NOW and a long walk didn't help! Ok for adults and older kids I guess. Also I felt the announcements on the entrance side were a bit quiet. We missed all sorts as we could hear what was happening.
Plenty of space, queues were ok for stuff. The food and drink pricing took the p a bit but I expected that. Serious mistake not to take cards!
Would go again.
Not enough loos. They could use some in each field, when a 3yo wants the loo they want it NOW and a long walk didn't help! Ok for adults and older kids I guess. Also I felt the announcements on the entrance side were a bit quiet. We missed all sorts as we could hear what was happening.
Plenty of space, queues were ok for stuff. The food and drink pricing took the p a bit but I expected that. Serious mistake not to take cards!
Would go again.
Paddock area was closed when cars were on the move. Health and safety rules - this year even drivers were not allowed to have their kids inside the paddock area with them when car movements were underway.
The paddock was opened in the morning and later in the afternoon though for people to nose around and get up close.
The paddock was opened in the morning and later in the afternoon though for people to nose around and get up close.
Had the best time at carfest!!
Lovely people, great music, chilled atmosphere, good food/variety (expect to pay more - you're in the middle of a field!), nice collection of outlets/car stands etc - and showers/toilets were always clean/well stocked.
We certainly could have gotten more out of the weekend had we taken more notice of the itinerary/timings/activities and planned a bit better but we just wandered around taking it all in. Essentially the format is the same everyday - so if you miss something one day you can get round to it on another day.
Admittedly it's not for the hardcore petrolheads but as an all round 'something for everyone' event it ticks most boxes. Maybe Pistonheads could have their own 'Magnificent 7'?
Lovely people, great music, chilled atmosphere, good food/variety (expect to pay more - you're in the middle of a field!), nice collection of outlets/car stands etc - and showers/toilets were always clean/well stocked.
We certainly could have gotten more out of the weekend had we taken more notice of the itinerary/timings/activities and planned a bit better but we just wandered around taking it all in. Essentially the format is the same everyday - so if you miss something one day you can get round to it on another day.
Admittedly it's not for the hardcore petrolheads but as an all round 'something for everyone' event it ticks most boxes. Maybe Pistonheads could have their own 'Magnificent 7'?
Brass balls 
Had a passenger ride on the track Saturday Morning so was initially allowed access.
I twigged that you could easily access the paddock from the Sporting Bears Auction Area, whilst waiting for my track ride I wandered back out and met up with my good lady and my Nephew and basically walked them into the Paddock area, there was only one Security/Marshall on the gate They were talking to someone and I sidestepped them and walked confidently straight through the open gate and walked them straight to the Drivers Lounge.
I even managed to get the password for the Drivers Lounge Wifi
Public Wifi was dire, VIP area wifi wasn't much better - I popped back to the Drivers Lounge a couple of times to send some emails as the mobile signal was pretty much non existent.
In between the runs we wandered the Paddock checking out cars, as long as we cleared the track access/exit and kept clear of moving vehicles the Marshall's were fine.
They did open up the Paddock to the Public after the morning runs and I believe late afternoon.
Had a passenger ride on the track Saturday Morning so was initially allowed access.
I twigged that you could easily access the paddock from the Sporting Bears Auction Area, whilst waiting for my track ride I wandered back out and met up with my good lady and my Nephew and basically walked them into the Paddock area, there was only one Security/Marshall on the gate They were talking to someone and I sidestepped them and walked confidently straight through the open gate and walked them straight to the Drivers Lounge.
I even managed to get the password for the Drivers Lounge Wifi
Public Wifi was dire, VIP area wifi wasn't much better - I popped back to the Drivers Lounge a couple of times to send some emails as the mobile signal was pretty much non existent.In between the runs we wandered the Paddock checking out cars, as long as we cleared the track access/exit and kept clear of moving vehicles the Marshall's were fine.
They did open up the Paddock to the Public after the morning runs and I believe late afternoon.
Edited by Pagey on Wednesday 27th August 01:06
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