BBWF 2014 - what do we want?

[Henry Harris]

It is time for us to consider how we can work together to plan and run BBWF 2014.

I would like to contribute in some way as I am sure a number of other people would. How to do this is the first issue, hence this post.

For any project, product or service we should consider the customer and what they want. So, let us make this post a cumultaive list of wants. Amongst these wants will be some other aspects, for example, funding.

Finally, I believe following the successes of previous BBWF, it is time for a refresh or revamp, for example, the best quarter mile time or something similar.

OK everyone, BBWF 2014 needs you.

Edited by Henry Harris on Thursday 15th August 11:43

[JVaughan]

How about a less formal approach ... I know it might be nice to see all cars of a particular colour shade parked together, but mixing it up adds variety. You can look at the significant changes between models etc. And if people want to park together, let them shuffle about in their own time. .. Plus there is no need for a reliance on someone being responsible for doing it

[JVaughan]

More commitment from specialists or specialist part suppliers would be nice ... Those offering aftermarket "pattern" or replacement parts.

[ElvisWedgely]

'What we want' is someone to step forward and take on the responsibility of organising the BBWF 2014. The way I see it, until that happens it would be difficult to decide on what, where and how. We need a project manager, an organiser, someone to lead the team for others to follow and help out. Unfortunately, as far as I am aware, that hasn't happened yet, and unless it does soon the future of the BBWF is not looking good. Places get booked up early and any other companies needed to attend would need to know soon. We all have families, commitments and responsibilities, so it is understandable that people are reluctant to step forward. Once the organiser is sorted, I think we are half way there.

Tony. TCB.

[Henry Harris]

ElvisWedgely said:

'What we want' is someone to step forward and take on the responsibility of organising the BBWF 2014. .

Any volunteers? They could be a single "figurehead" or a small group of say unto five people.

Edited by Henry Harris on Thursday 15th August 14:39

[V8 GRF]

JVaughan said:

More commitment from specialists or specialist part suppliers would be nice ... Those offering aftermarket "pattern" or replacement parts.

You get commitment by adding attendees, you get attendees by adding... you get the picture. Vicious circle.

The problem that has been reported back to me when asking traders to attend events is that it often isn't worth their while, yes you can argue that handing out cards and just being there is promotion but it doesn't stack up well in costs to attend, time etc when an advert in a magazine is cheaper and seen by more owners.

Not easy.

[B@man]

On the subject of traders, are they relevant to BBWF ?

Most of the wedgers I know do their own repairs, servicing and upgrades. In which case the additional business from attending such an event must be minimal ?

[V8 GRF]

B@man said:

On the subject of traders, are they relevant to BBWF ?

Most of the wedgers I know do their own repairs, servicing and upgrades. In which case the additional business from attending such an event must be minimal ?

Exactly

[mrzigazaga]

Unfortunately traders do not supply a great deal of parts anyway for the wedge..ACT could possibly bring hoses and some serviceable items..But again its all about supply and demand!..The auto-valet and rolling road are a good thing to have but also a back up of each to avoid any dissapointment might be wise..I still think a BBWF stand selling memorabillia and possibly printing T-Shirts and mugs on the day may be a worthy cause..And maybe should be kept seperate from the BBWF gazeebo..There needs to be food supplied during the day..Perhaps a "Beef Burger With Fries" van is needed..This all depends on the hotel agreeing to this but if its put to them that everyone chipped in..Scuse the pun..to purchase the burgers, Sausages, Bun's etc and all the van does is cook it..Or there is a sandwich company in stratford that will deliver and we could have a BBWF picnic behind the hill over looking the car park..I think the friday night meal was a success and no-one needed to pre-pay or pay a deposit and thats the way the saturday night meal should be organised..Maybe even a self catered BBQ..This of course depends if the next BBWF is to be held a Ettington..Or if its to be held at all..Ziga

[dixiebabes]

Albeit nice to catch up and chat with fellow wedgers, it does get a tad boring walking about from car to car for what seems like an age, they are more or less pretty much all the same at the end of the day. A few more driving/use of the car/blasts round the countryside hours to be in place instead of standing and waiting for the night time p&$$ up. Just my opinion though.

[Henry Harris]

dixiebabes said:

A few more driving/use of the car/blasts round the countryside hours to be in place instead of standing and waiting for the night time p&$$ up. Just my opinion though.

Can we have some Specific, Measurable, Achievable. Realistic and Time driven SMART suggestions?

[Henry Harris]

mrzigazaga said:

.Or if its to be held at all..Ziga

Please let us be positive, assuming we want a BBWF.

I intend to summarise this post on a weekly basis. I hope this meets expectations.

[mrzigazaga]

Hi Henry..I only say that as it was discussed last year that maybe a different suitable venue could be found but it was hard to find somewhere similar to the Chase..There is an option of taking it to yorkshire to the sherburn aero club where last years BNG was held...There is food and drink on site..Nearby hotels and a runway to hold time trials or sprints on..Im sure trickie would help organise it as he is a dab hand at running events.. ..I guess it all depends again on how far will people travel to an event..Ziga

[Henry Harris]

mrzigazaga said:

I guess it all depends again on how far will people travel to an event..Ziga

This is key to BBWF. Any ideas other than Mark's?

[assynt road]

My thoughts, for what they are worth ~

I think the extra dimension of a runway our similar would perhaps encourage people to travel further, its very hard to find though, unless Trickies up for it!
I agree also about its not really worth the traders time to turn up, the guys from David Gerald seemed to be marooned in the corner all alone at the fest this year, with everybody keeping away....
If you did find a venue further north it might encourage some more of the northley based wedgers to turn out, but at the expense of some of southley ones not coming. 60 wedges attending is probably the max turnout, wherever their from.

My perfect fest then would have a rolling road for entertainment, a runway for 1/4 mile sprints, fast runs etc. A bring and buy type stand for wedge bits, camping and nearby hotel accommodation for those who want it and a real ale pub.

Trouble is how on earth are we going to acheive all that?
Sorry I don't have any answers either.
Perhaps if we held a poll of how many people would travel to say somewhere like Leeds, for the want of a better idea, we might gauge the amount of support a venue might get? I for one would definatley go.

Steve.

[Henry Harris]

assynt road said:

My perfect fest then would have a rolling road for entertainment, a runway for 1/4 mile sprints, fast runs etc. A bring and buy type stand for wedge bits, camping and nearby hotel accommodation for those who want it and a real ale pub.

This looks like a plausible shopping list. How about it?

[V8 Fettler]

Should start the event by thanking Mr Tank for previous efforts.

Master mechanic class (Adam Q!), with a couple of Ziggy's female friends prancing around in the dry ice to some 80's poodle rock (Def Leppard would be ideal), handing Adam his tools under a rotating disco ball. Sorry, bit carried away there.

[Number 7]

Definitely agree that an airfield or similar for some serious rubber shredding action would be great. Obviously the location of any such venue and the proximity to somewhere that affords decent accommodation / food / drink with a reasonably secure large car park would be a challenge, but I'd certainly be prepared to drive further for that.

[mrzigazaga]

V8 Fettler said:

Should start the event by thanking Mr Tank for previous efforts.

Well that goes without saying really but yes a massive well done to Andy for three years of BBWF....

V8 Fettler said:

Master mechanic class (Adam Q!), with a couple of Ziggy's female friends prancing around in the dry ice to some 80's poodle rock (Def Leppard would be ideal), handing Adam his tools under a rotating disco ball. Sorry, bit carried away there.

Sounds good to me...Although most of the stunning asian letter lickers got deported due to me leaving the curtains open on a steamy hot night opposite an old people's home...Bugger!..Mind you i have replaced some of them with some gorgeous eastern european beauties who can polish a wedge very well with their microfibres..

Number 7 said:

Definitely agree that an airfield or similar for some serious rubber shredding action would be great. Obviously the location of any such venue and the proximity to somewhere that affords decent accommodation / food / drink with a reasonably secure large car park would be a challenge, but I'd certainly be prepared to drive further for that.

Sherburn is ideal for that..There was two hotels to choose from..One was very plush with very nice food and the other had small rooms..School dinners and needed a cranking handle to start the evening..I know which one i will be staying at this time..Just got to remember the cranking handle..

Edited by mrzigazaga on Thursday 15th August 20:14

[keatsie]

Before being shot down - I haven't made it to any of the BBWF events but, suggestion on location.

Would it not be interesting to have at somewhere like Millbrook where thre is access to everything from 1 mile straight, through to off road courses. No speed limits, instructors on tap if required, and an event venue for any presentations etc.

Other areas such as brooklands, have similar facilities close by. So, it could be one day at a venue, back to pub/hotel and bar evening, and social day/what ever on the second day.

Again, only suggestions so please ignore if out of place.

As for past events, big pat on the back for anyone who has given up there time to help organise or run, it's never as simple as one hopes -

Happy to help in anyway needed.