Autosport show - taking the **** now....

[Flat-6]

I used to go the the Autosport show (its on this weekend at the NEC)
And haven't for a few years so though i'd go this year for a look around as i live reasonably close.

So I had a look at the tickets, it appears the ONLY option is some bks "Added value" package including a live arena seat, which I don't want - I just want to have a browse for an hour or 2 and go back to the pub.

£35 minimum, + £10 minimum parking

...and they wonder why these sort of shows "struggle"

(I'm not even an old grumpy guy!!!!!!!!!)

[James_G]

Agreed, I was going to make the 5 hour trip by train to go and try on helmets rather than because I was interested in the show, but at that price no way.

[jlee]

Used to go, dont bother anymore. The parking is a joke. The show isnt that great.

[Sump]

Same, I wanted to go for a browse, I don't have interest in the live arena.

[Benmac]

Very similar story here. I'm free tomorrow afternoon and I only live about 50mins away. Had a quick gander at the price and erm, no thanks.

[dibblecorse]

Flat-6 said:

I used to go the the Autosport show (its on this weekend at the NEC)
And haven't for a few years so though i'd go this year for a look around as i live reasonably close.

So I had a look at the tickets, it appears the ONLY option is some bks "Added value" package including a live arena seat, which I don't want - I just want to have a browse for an hour or 2 and go back to the pub.

£35 minimum, + £10 minimum parking

...and they wonder why these sort of shows "struggle"

(I'm not even an old grumpy guy!!!!!!!!!)

I don't disagree but on one point, they don't struggle, they are banged out with new money, thats why they can run the enhanced ticket only option because if you don't buy the ticket someone else will.

[wack]

I went to the classic car show late last year, parked in the new shopping centre just outside the arena, got there at 8:30 ish, left a 5 ish , don't know why but the parking charge was £2

[unpc]

I used to go to this and the motor show (remember that?) at the NEC and also the bike show but I now thoroughly object to spending my own hard earned on a glorified indoor market.

[AdamIndy]

Me and a friend went yesterday. The ticket prices were a bit much but we had a really good day so I can't complain. The live action show was good, a good mixture of different cars though there were far too many skylines/gtrs. Lots of scantily clad ladies so that was a win.

The only complaint I would make is the price of food/drink. £23 for 2 burgers and chips and 2 bottles of Pepsi. The Pepsi alone was £2.50 per bottle!

I'll go again next year but take my own food.

[SteveO...]

James_G said:

Agreed, I was going to make the 5 hour trip by train to go and try on helmets rather than because I was interested in the show, but at that price no way.

Same here, except it would have been a 1 hour journey. Ridiculous ticket prices.

[Aidancky]

I went on Friday for the 2nd time.
Overall really enjoyed it, but the £12 parking charge is ridiculous and the food is a joke.

Next time i'll bring food/drink in and try parking elsewhere.

[Dave Hedgehog]

so £100 for 2 people if you eat there

i could think of a better use of £100 tbh

[andye30m3]

I gave it a miss this year, to be fair it's not the ticket cost itself that puts me off as I usually get a full days entertainment, this year I just didn't seam to find time.

Food from memory has always been expensive and not up to much but I guess thats more to do with the venue than anything Autosports organisers have a say on so I just take my own.

Car parking is a bit of a piss take after paying a reasonable sum to get in but again I suspect this is venue rather than Autosport.

[George111]

Step son wanted to go - first time he's been to a show and was keen to see modern super cars.

Tickets very expensive, train was OK experience, Virgin Trains are better than I remember trains being except for the journey home with the football cretins shouting and swearing. Show was dire - I felt sorry for him. Last time I went I had an MSA sprint license so went on a trade day and saw some fascinating equipment and companies, but the weekend show seemed to be basically a bunch of car clubs and suppliers. If you have access to the Internet you've got most of the info from your office. The live show was a bit of a non-event, not sure what exactly was supposed to be happening. The one exception was the 50 years of motor cross.

The NEC is terrible - looks tatty, smells of chip fat, very expensive and poor quality food. The world has moved on but the NEC is stuck in the 80's. We chose to go by train rather than car and that was a good choice I think.

He won't want to go again and neither will I. I had the same experience at the NEC bike show last December, really not worth making the effort for.

[Flat-6]

DELETED: Comment made by a member who's account has been deleted.

well if youre going to factor in flights..

I only live 20 mins away and dont know how people can drag it out for a whole day looking round, 1-2 hours and ive been round twice...

[Jimmy Recard]

I was there on Sunday with a mate. The last time the two of us went to anything like that, it was a Top Gear live show in about 2007 at the NEC and it was crap.

I didn't want to watch the show, but I was glad it was included. Chatted to a few car owners, saw some interesting stuff and overall had a great day.
£36 per ticket, £12 for parking.

[Joe5y]

Benmac said:

Very similar story here. I'm free tomorrow afternoon and I only live about 50mins away. Had a quick gander at the price and erm, no thanks.

Snap.

Been about 6 times before. What with fuel, food, tickets and parking you're looking at £200+ for 2.

[jamoor]

For parking park at the genting shopping mall

It's way che

[George111]

Nanook said:

George111 said:

Last time I went I had an MSA sprint license so went on a trade day and saw some fascinating equipment and companies, but the weekend show seemed to be basically a bunch of car clubs and suppliers.

I've been a few times, but only ever on trade days, are some of the stands and displays different on the general public days?

I've always went on the Friday because I can, no kids allowed, and figured it'd be quieter than the weekend, never occurred to me it'd be different though.

I believe so - not sure if this was always the case but the previous time I went there were engineering companies - one of which was creating a cylinder head with a CNC machine. Ideal example for a young chap as to why he really does need to do well in maths, physics, computing etc for a job and not just for exams. But nothing like that this weekend, plenty of companies selling rubbish like off cuts of hosing, drill bits, squeegees, tee shirts and books - just stuff you can buy anywhere.

[PhillipM]

DELETED: Comment made by a member who's account has been deleted.

We'd walked around the interesting stuff in an hour. Spent a lot longer there mind as was waiting to meet people.