Weather and shows
Discussion
Depends... I don't go to many shows, and those I do, I've often promised to be there. And if I've promised - I will be there.
Bit of May/June/July/August/September rain is usually just wet, cold is for other times of the year and as long as the dehydrator is on, the car doesn't take too long to dry out once put away and sponged off.
Bit of May/June/July/August/September rain is usually just wet, cold is for other times of the year and as long as the dehydrator is on, the car doesn't take too long to dry out once put away and sponged off.
Forget the weather - Sadly shows for me are a thing of the past - [too many greedy organisers] We now have entry fees etc. 
and way too many 'trailered queens' - methinks why bother paying to put my car in a muddy field for the show organiser to make a fast buck out of my efforts, taking my car for people to look at what do I get out of boring shows - Sweet FA - I'd rather drive it and avoid the ratty out of control kids who want to jump on/get in my car - strange maybe to all the anoraks, but wern't cars even Classics mean't to be driven 
and way too many 'trailered queens' - methinks why bother paying to put my car in a muddy field for the show organiser to make a fast buck out of my efforts, taking my car for people to look at what do I get out of boring shows - Sweet FA - I'd rather drive it and avoid the ratty out of control kids who want to jump on/get in my car - strange maybe to all the anoraks, but wern't cars even Classics mean't to be driven That's told me
I go to about 2 or maybe 3 shows a year providing it's not raining.
There has to be something else there to be of interest and it has to be free and fairly local (at only 12mpg it costs to much to go far!)
I like the odd show, it's nice to chat to other owners (and often I'll pick up a tip or two) and I like to see other cars.
Anyway, where else would me and the Missus get to wear our matching anoracks
Edited to add: who said it's normally warm in June, July? I nearly died oh hyperthermia at Silverstone Classic last year!
I go to about 2 or maybe 3 shows a year providing it's not raining.
There has to be something else there to be of interest and it has to be free and fairly local (at only 12mpg it costs to much to go far!)
I like the odd show, it's nice to chat to other owners (and often I'll pick up a tip or two) and I like to see other cars.
Anyway, where else would me and the Missus get to wear our matching anoracks
Edited to add: who said it's normally warm in June, July? I nearly died oh hyperthermia at Silverstone Classic last year!
Re the fees for exhibitors. I wonder, based on experience elsewhere, how many organisers introduced fees not to make money but to make exhibitors commit to the shows? (When I used to run funded training courses for small businesses (so they got it all free) we found that we had horrific non-attendance rates, often running in excess of 60%. We introduced a £5 advance fee for "lunch" and non-attendance dropped to below 10%.) For the shows local to me, it's usually a nominal fee anyway and the organiser makes sure that there's plenty of activity in the ring + a plaque for everyone who turns up in addition to the judged prizes.
Personally, I only object to the fees if a) they're excessive and b) they still require us, as a club, to have our own PL insurance over and above anything the organiser has.
As for attending in bad weather, if there's a group of us booked I'll make a point of turning up and we'll assess the situation as the day progresses. Lack of public and too much mud usually means an early exit. Nothing more than drizzle + marquee + barbecue means we'll stick around for a while.
I rarely bother going as a solo exhibitor, but if I do - the decision is not mine. The navigator has the final say.
Personally, I only object to the fees if a) they're excessive and b) they still require us, as a club, to have our own PL insurance over and above anything the organiser has.
As for attending in bad weather, if there's a group of us booked I'll make a point of turning up and we'll assess the situation as the day progresses. Lack of public and too much mud usually means an early exit. Nothing more than drizzle + marquee + barbecue means we'll stick around for a while.
I rarely bother going as a solo exhibitor, but if I do - the decision is not mine. The navigator has the final say.
We have a particularly good local show which attracts in excess of 300 cars. I like that you can turn up in a classic car on the day and you can park up with all the other classics. This to me is the best way to run a show and invariably encourages more classics to attend. What's the point of attending in your classic car if you're parked among a load of modern tin boxes ?
I only book into one show and that's to support the local area Jaguar club. Sitting with my car all day isn't generally my thing.
I don't have a problem using any of my classics in the wet and if I'm booked in, the rain won't stop me attending.
I only book into one show and that's to support the local area Jaguar club. Sitting with my car all day isn't generally my thing.
I don't have a problem using any of my classics in the wet and if I'm booked in, the rain won't stop me attending.
On the whole, my yardstick is, is somebody making money from me being there? So shows like Harpenden Classics on the Common, run by the Rotary club for charity is fine, but one organised by a company, probably not. I am though in the position of being able to chose from a lot of shows as with a 1930 three wheeler, most old bike shows are open to me as well as car ones. Hell, some prat in Europe thinks it is a motorbike from a licensing perspective.
Edited by Slidingpillar on Saturday 18th June 18:39
New Year's Day 2013 might give you a clue. Horizontal rain but we went to the New Forest for the meeting. But never again. Was asked to show my car at Carfest (?) But had to pay, had to be there at 8 am or right of entry refused and couldn't leave before 7 pm. I won't show again and my days of driving in ice and snow to a meeting are behind me.
I agree with much of what has been said. I will support our local charity shows and throw money in a bucket but I refuse to pay to show my car and be forced to sit all day in a field because some officious idiot in a fluorescent jacket says I can't move my car. I've been asked through my club to support a show about 50 miles away. All in it would cost me about £50 to go and sit in a field and risk my car being damaged. I'd rather brim the tanks and blast around the countryside for a day.
One show that has got it right is Wadebridge Wheels in Cornwall. Very relaxed, they ask you to pre-register but are equally happy if you turn up on the day, don't charge owners, just the public, and you can come and go as necessary. It's all for charity and is getting bigger and better every year with more and more owners turning up in some fantastic cars. Some of these "pro" organisers should take note, the cars are the show, more cars means better show and more paying public.
One show that has got it right is Wadebridge Wheels in Cornwall. Very relaxed, they ask you to pre-register but are equally happy if you turn up on the day, don't charge owners, just the public, and you can come and go as necessary. It's all for charity and is getting bigger and better every year with more and more owners turning up in some fantastic cars. Some of these "pro" organisers should take note, the cars are the show, more cars means better show and more paying public.
I went to the show in Loughborough town centre today.
I have to say the great unwashed were very respectful today regarding cars on display, and there were some very nice ones. Missus had a look around the shops, daughter had lunch at McDonald's, I saw cars, it was free and it didn't rain.
Win, win
I have to say the great unwashed were very respectful today regarding cars on display, and there were some very nice ones. Missus had a look around the shops, daughter had lunch at McDonald's, I saw cars, it was free and it didn't rain.
Win, win
Slidingpillar said:
And if I've promised - I will be there.
That's my outlook - if I've said I'll go, then I go, unless it's so bad that the organiser has cancelled it. And because most of the shows I attend are at stately homes and the like, with display areas on fields, it's more likely the venue will cancel before I do. I've been at some stinkers, where it's started raining as I arrived and carried on all day, but they're quite unusual on the whole.I frown on entry fees, but I consider it based on the show. Around here (Cheshire area) there are very few shows that I want to attend that have no cost involved. Usually it's a small fee, sometimes it's a bit higher but I make the decision based on what I'll get out of it, what else is going on for me during the day.
56Lotus said:
One show that has got it right is Wadebridge Wheels in Cornwall. Very relaxed, they ask you to pre-register but are equally happy if you turn up on the day, don't charge owners, just the public, and you can come and go as necessary. It's all for charity and is getting bigger and better every year with more and more owners turning up in some fantastic cars. Some of these "pro" organisers should take note, the cars are the show, more cars means better show and more paying public.
They must have phenomenally understanding insurers for their PL cover.marshalla said:
56Lotus said:
One show that has got it right is Wadebridge Wheels in Cornwall. Very relaxed, they ask you to pre-register but are equally happy if you turn up on the day, don't charge owners, just the public, and you can come and go as necessary. It's all for charity and is getting bigger and better every year with more and more owners turning up in some fantastic cars. Some of these "pro" organisers should take note, the cars are the show, more cars means better show and more paying public.
They must have phenomenally understanding insurers for their PL cover.Like many I'm not a fan of Shows and will not pay commercial organisers to be one of their exhibits, and will actively encourage others to take that attitude.
If there is a problem with exhibits not turning up, it is surely more appropriate to pay a participation fee, which of course is only actually paid to those which do turn up.
As far as rain goes I and my cars have been wet and muddy many times but I wouldn't say I enjoy it and particularly don't enjoy it when we are just parked in a field for a show.
If there is a problem with exhibits not turning up, it is surely more appropriate to pay a participation fee, which of course is only actually paid to those which do turn up.
As far as rain goes I and my cars have been wet and muddy many times but I wouldn't say I enjoy it and particularly don't enjoy it when we are just parked in a field for a show.
stuartmmcfc said:
At what point would you not bother taking your car to a show?
Or would you go regardless?
A few drops? Dodgy sky and forecast? Drizzle? Wet roads but no rain coming in?
And why? The cleaning? The " rust issue"? Or just not fun wandering around with an umbrella?
And you own an Alfasud ?Or would you go regardless?
A few drops? Dodgy sky and forecast? Drizzle? Wet roads but no rain coming in?
And why? The cleaning? The " rust issue"? Or just not fun wandering around with an umbrella?
We like country shows & steam rallies where classic cars get free entry.
The whole point of the trip is driving with the hood down,showing off your pride and joy,picnic in the sun all that sort of thing.If the forecast is rain no point in going.
Unless we have booked accommodation that is.One year we drove all the way to Devon for a show and stayed in a nice hotel.The next day was like a monsoon,drove to the event through floods to find it had been abandoned,fields water logged.Then I realised the battery was going flat.I`d drowned the dynamo and buggered it.That put me off taking my classic out in all weather for good.
Left the car in Devon,got a lift home and went back with a trailer.
The whole point of the trip is driving with the hood down,showing off your pride and joy,picnic in the sun all that sort of thing.If the forecast is rain no point in going.
Unless we have booked accommodation that is.One year we drove all the way to Devon for a show and stayed in a nice hotel.The next day was like a monsoon,drove to the event through floods to find it had been abandoned,fields water logged.Then I realised the battery was going flat.I`d drowned the dynamo and buggered it.That put me off taking my classic out in all weather for good.
Left the car in Devon,got a lift home and went back with a trailer.
If owners didnt attend shows then I suppose we would never see these wonderful classics at all. You rarely see owners use them the way they were originally intended - on the road and in regular use; they're just shoved into a heated garage over most of the year and never see the outside world. Too many super pristine classics at shows these days with no dirt or rust anywhere and ultra clean engines and engine bays, so clean you could eat your dinner off of it.
Edited by Jukebag on Monday 20th June 20:31
Slidingpillar said:
On the whole, my yardstick is, is somebody making money from me being there? So shows like Harpenden Classics on the Common, run by the Rotary club for charity is fine, but one organised by a company, probably not.
The Doncaster Rotary Club's show (it's next Sunday, actually) is similarly good. Always a huge number/variety of cars, cheap entry for the public, and for charity.Gassing Station | Classic Cars and Yesterday's Heroes | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff