Race Retro 23/25 February 2024
Discussion
I haven’t attended this since before Covid, when it was ok, but declining each year I visited in both the number of exhibitors and number of halls they filled.
After having a miserable trip to Autosport this year (a much smaller show with fewer halls and exhibitors, and missing the industry stalwarts such as Demon Tweeks and most suspension manufacturers), I don’t want to repeat a 400 mile round trip if RR isn’t worth visiting.
Would appreciate feedback from those who’ve attended in the last couple of years,
After having a miserable trip to Autosport this year (a much smaller show with fewer halls and exhibitors, and missing the industry stalwarts such as Demon Tweeks and most suspension manufacturers), I don’t want to repeat a 400 mile round trip if RR isn’t worth visiting.
Would appreciate feedback from those who’ve attended in the last couple of years,
Sadly last couple of years have been weak hence I will not be attending this year, last year was dire, only a few halls stuff crammed outside basically to accommodate an auction you were not allowed to walk around unless you were registered, huge own goal.
Take a look at the website, see the hall allocations and have a look, Ari is there this year and he is always good value, but it is also getting dear at nearly 30 quid a ticket, yes the stages are good but it does get bloody cold and having to basically take two sets of clothing is a pain in the arse, but as I say have a look at the exhibitors and perhaps a floor plan, depends what you want, a lot of people go for a social and would be there if it was in a car park but as a pure show it has been severely lacking recently, were it not for the stages it would be utterly awful.
Take a look at the website, see the hall allocations and have a look, Ari is there this year and he is always good value, but it is also getting dear at nearly 30 quid a ticket, yes the stages are good but it does get bloody cold and having to basically take two sets of clothing is a pain in the arse, but as I say have a look at the exhibitors and perhaps a floor plan, depends what you want, a lot of people go for a social and would be there if it was in a car park but as a pure show it has been severely lacking recently, were it not for the stages it would be utterly awful.
My dad bought me and him tickets for me as a birthday present a few weeks ago, but sadly and suddenly passed away two weeks ago.
It was a show we both loved attending pre covid, so i'm going there and taking my daughter with me. Feel a need to go, gonna try my hardest not to get upset.
It was a show we both loved attending pre covid, so i'm going there and taking my daughter with me. Feel a need to go, gonna try my hardest not to get upset.
You really should not take advice from people on here about going, I do believe it might be better this year than last, there are some decent guests, although fairly samey as usual, but the rally stage is worth it, depends where you are travelling from, I am guessing Wales!! I have been a regular there fior some time and simply decided last year was too poor to repeat this.
I've been to every Race Retro, including the same show with its previous title.
The show was already getting worse before Covid, but after Covid it's been a shadow of how it used to be.
Last year's Race Retro was the first time that I really wondered why I'd bothered to go. It really was poor. I vowed that I wouldn't buy a ticket for 2024.
If this year's Race Retro is the same standard as last year's show then I can't recommend it.
The show was already getting worse before Covid, but after Covid it's been a shadow of how it used to be.
Last year's Race Retro was the first time that I really wondered why I'd bothered to go. It really was poor. I vowed that I wouldn't buy a ticket for 2024.
If this year's Race Retro is the same standard as last year's show then I can't recommend it.
It's such a shame that both this and Autosport have gown so far down hill that folks don't want to go anymore.
In the US they've got SEMA and the PRI show which are both HUGE and well supported, you'd think if someone could make a show of a similar quality over here it would be incredibly popular. Maybe it's time for someof the shows to work together than against each other, bring motorsport, classics etc. all together under one major show and get back to shows as big as the motor show used to be in the early 90s, then overheads are lower, more chance of profit, more footfall etc.
In the US they've got SEMA and the PRI show which are both HUGE and well supported, you'd think if someone could make a show of a similar quality over here it would be incredibly popular. Maybe it's time for someof the shows to work together than against each other, bring motorsport, classics etc. all together under one major show and get back to shows as big as the motor show used to be in the early 90s, then overheads are lower, more chance of profit, more footfall etc.
Thank you all for your replies. As a long term visitor from their very beginnings to both Race Retro and Autosport (and the Racing Car Show at Ali Pali before that) I’ve found that each recent year has got poorer, no doubt made worse by the Covid crisis. I’d add the Kit Car Show too, which I don’t think is worth visiting any longer.
The Autosport show in January was dire, though in fairness to the motorsport industry the cost of setting up a stall was ridiculous: £6300 for the minimum area of 18 sqm rising to £7650 if you’d like carpet. The organisers have reduced the cost by over 50% in 2025 so hopefully it will pick up again.
I’ve attended SEMA twice, and I believe that Autosport has the potential to rival it, though the sales attitudes of the Yanks has become a performing art and something special to experience IMHO. Unfortunately, SEMA appears to be moving away from its Hot Rod and custom performance roots, and last November there were many jacked-up 4x4 pickups, sound systems, car detailing and a massive influx of Far Eastern tyres. That said, the build quality of the cars on show was mind blowing.
The Autosport show in January was dire, though in fairness to the motorsport industry the cost of setting up a stall was ridiculous: £6300 for the minimum area of 18 sqm rising to £7650 if you’d like carpet. The organisers have reduced the cost by over 50% in 2025 so hopefully it will pick up again.
I’ve attended SEMA twice, and I believe that Autosport has the potential to rival it, though the sales attitudes of the Yanks has become a performing art and something special to experience IMHO. Unfortunately, SEMA appears to be moving away from its Hot Rod and custom performance roots, and last November there were many jacked-up 4x4 pickups, sound systems, car detailing and a massive influx of Far Eastern tyres. That said, the build quality of the cars on show was mind blowing.
Just had an email to say that Race Retro has been cancelled because of flooding on the site and surrounding roads as well as rain forecast for later this week.
I'd been really looking forward to going so I'm a bit cross to say the least.
https://www.raceretro.com/?fbclid=IwAR34q0qtamrqMv...
I'd been really looking forward to going so I'm a bit cross to say the least.
https://www.raceretro.com/?fbclid=IwAR34q0qtamrqMv...
Edited by Paul Dishman on Monday 19th February 18:38
Idiots! There will have been some risk assessment done that drove this decision, and this will have messed-up so many peoples' plans and expenses that we're going to attend to cancel at such short notice. Either that, or they figured they were going to make a loss this year and were looking for an 'out'.
It does not bode well for the future of the event, which, to be fair, if you know what you are getting, is well worth the trip.
I have been there in previous years when it was very later logged and muddy, and they still carried-on with it.
Well hoping people won't be too put out by this.
Cheers
It does not bode well for the future of the event, which, to be fair, if you know what you are getting, is well worth the trip.
I have been there in previous years when it was very later logged and muddy, and they still carried-on with it.
Well hoping people won't be too put out by this.
Cheers
Blue One said:
Idiots! There will have been some risk assessment done that drove this decision, and this will have messed-up so many peoples' plans and expenses that we're going to attend to cancel at such short notice. Either that, or they figured they were going to make a loss this year and were looking for an 'out'.
It does not bode well for the future of the event, which, to be fair, if you know what you are getting, is well worth the trip.
I have been there in previous years when it was very later logged and muddy, and they still carried-on with it.
Well hoping people won't be too put out by this.
Cheers
It's interesting you mentioned them having an "out". This was my first thought too. With Clarion having the rights to the PC show at the NEC next month, whether its in their interests to drive the revenue of spectators and stalls to that instead with better transport links, all indoors, hard surface car parks etc. It does not bode well for the future of the event, which, to be fair, if you know what you are getting, is well worth the trip.
I have been there in previous years when it was very later logged and muddy, and they still carried-on with it.
Well hoping people won't be too put out by this.
Cheers
I did see the photos and like yourself, I've been there when it's been raining, muddy, frozen!
I hadn't attended since 2019, but I was looking forward to blowing some cobwebs away. I was even planning a trip to the auction. Autosport was the traditional curtain raiser for me but I haven't been in about 10 years now, and it just sounds worse every single year.
The site is bounded on three sides out of four by the River Avon, and it would appear water levels are very high and access roads are blocked.
I've not been to either Autosport or Race Retro for several years, but it was a declining event then - although both events have huge potential.
Autosport catered for current machinery and Race Retro was obviously aimed at the historic side but also club events for modern cars. The January and February timing meant that both was a good precursor for the season ahead.
Always thought the venue at Stoneleigh Park was a bit lacking, with some of the outer sheds being very very cold!
I've not been to either Autosport or Race Retro for several years, but it was a declining event then - although both events have huge potential.
Autosport catered for current machinery and Race Retro was obviously aimed at the historic side but also club events for modern cars. The January and February timing meant that both was a good precursor for the season ahead.
Always thought the venue at Stoneleigh Park was a bit lacking, with some of the outer sheds being very very cold!
RobFerrari said:
It's interesting you mentioned them having an "out". This was my first thought too. With Clarion having the rights to the PC show at the NEC next month, whether its in their interests to drive the revenue of spectators and stalls to that instead with better transport links, all indoors, hard surface car parks etc.
I did see the photos and like yourself, I've been there when it's been raining, muddy, frozen!
I hadn't attended since 2019, but I was looking forward to blowing some cobwebs away. I was even planning a trip to the auction. Autosport was the traditional curtain raiser for me but I haven't been in about 10 years now, and it just sounds worse every single year.
I’ve seen the photos and the flooding is quite extensive.I did see the photos and like yourself, I've been there when it's been raining, muddy, frozen!
I hadn't attended since 2019, but I was looking forward to blowing some cobwebs away. I was even planning a trip to the auction. Autosport was the traditional curtain raiser for me but I haven't been in about 10 years now, and it just sounds worse every single year.
zeb said:
RobFerrari said:
It's interesting you mentioned them having an "out". This was my first thought too. With Clarion having the rights to the PC show at the NEC next month, whether its in their interests to drive the revenue of spectators and stalls to that instead with better transport links, all indoors, hard surface car parks etc.
I did see the photos and like yourself, I've been there when it's been raining, muddy, frozen!
I hadn't attended since 2019, but I was looking forward to blowing some cobwebs away. I was even planning a trip to the auction. Autosport was the traditional curtain raiser for me but I haven't been in about 10 years now, and it just sounds worse every single year.
I’ve seen the photos and the flooding is quite extensive.I did see the photos and like yourself, I've been there when it's been raining, muddy, frozen!
I hadn't attended since 2019, but I was looking forward to blowing some cobwebs away. I was even planning a trip to the auction. Autosport was the traditional curtain raiser for me but I haven't been in about 10 years now, and it just sounds worse every single year.
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