the show...

Author
Discussion

ALfooy

Original Poster:

331 posts

194 months

Saturday 14th January 2012
quotequote all
Is brilliant, not been for a couple of years and this was a last minute thing tbh, but I'm glad I came.
Better make the most of it, got work in just over two hours.

The LFA and the MP4 12C are my cars of the stand, but the Coys auction is amazing, spent at least an hour n half in there at least =D

LukeSi

5,753 posts

160 months

Saturday 14th January 2012
quotequote all
ALfooy said:
Is brilliant, not been for a couple of years and this was a last minute thing tbh, but I'm glad I came.
Better make the most of it, got work in just over two hours.

The LFA and the MP4 12C are my cars of the stand, but the Coys auction is amazing, spent at least an hour n half in there at least =D
Went for the first time, for me the M5 or the MP4-12C.

Those seats are comfy.

rob.e

2,861 posts

277 months

Saturday 14th January 2012
quotequote all
ALfooy said:
Is brilliant, not been for a couple of years and this was a last minute thing tbh, but I'm glad I came.
Better make the most of it, got work in just over two hours.

The LFA and the MP4 12C are my cars of the stand, but the Coys auction is amazing, spent at least an hour n half in there at least =D
I had a good time too.. some lovely kit in the Coys section - that allegretti 250 gto! wowsers. A mate of mine bought the tatty black 911 as a project car - will be interesting to see how that one pans out smile

Moley RUFC

3,609 posts

188 months

Saturday 14th January 2012
quotequote all
Heading up in the morning, looking forward to it

Biggriff

2,312 posts

283 months

Sunday 15th January 2012
quotequote all
Easily the worst Autosport show I've been too for years and as I have been every one since they started

Redlake27

2,255 posts

243 months

Sunday 15th January 2012
quotequote all
Biggriff said:
Easily the worst Autosport show I've been too for years and as I have been every one since they started
Agree. I think the show is in decline as it is because it is trying to be all things to all people.

I've attended every show since 1986. I've exhibited with three different companies at 17 of those 25 shows.

I don't blame the organisers, as the big problem is that the media/show environment has changed.

Social Media/Youtube etc satisfies those fans that want F1 gossip and interviews. You can get up close and personal with real racing cars at BTCC events and Goodwood much more easily than at Autosport, where you get excited about seeing a current F1 car then realise it is a fibreglass replica or an old car repainted. In 1986, even in 2002, the show was the only place you could hear an interview with Mansell/Button etc. Not any more.

I think the timing is the other problem.

The international racing season has started (Dubai 24h, Monte Carlo Rally, Official ALMS, F1 and WEC tests this month) so January is too late for the professionals to being doing deals.

The UK club racing season starts in March. Browsing the 750MC or BARC stand to choose a championship in January is a bit late.

For a business networking show, it needs to be in September/October.
For a Club racers shopping show, it needs to be in October/November
For a fans show, it doesn't really matter when it is, as long as it is a decent show. This year's show had very little for the fan. Too many widget stands full of exhibitors who want to talk to professionals but only see fans. Too few fan-orientated exhibits, being the fans can only look at gearbox internals and bearings instead.

We need a two day professional show in the Autumn. And a Superstar/car-sighting event at the weekend. Something like the Race of Champions, with an evening prizegiving/party and a consumer show at the same venue.


metro1

88 posts

154 months

Sunday 15th January 2012
quotequote all
thought last year was better thought there was less there this year might give it a miss next year

Shinobi

5,072 posts

189 months

Sunday 15th January 2012
quotequote all
First one I have been to and I am very imPressed, live show is fantastic and nice to get so close to do many legendary cars and current cars. Defiantly worth the money IMO. Not as good as good wood but then what is!

B3ndy

55 posts

182 months

Sunday 15th January 2012
quotequote all
I've been every year for the past 7-8 years, and yes, it is going downhill slowly. I think the timing comment is very appropriate, so many championships/events happening from now. Only 1 Fiesta WRC (not even real), 1 Mini WRC (Ohlins stand) and no DS3?! Luckily for me I'm off to Monte Carlo this week, so will see them there, but that's not the point!
We say every year 'we wont go next year' but we still end up going. Maybe next year we'll give it a miss!!

RobFerrari

793 posts

203 months

Sunday 15th January 2012
quotequote all
metro1 said:
thought last year was better thought there was less there this year might give it a miss next year
Wow, if this is the case I am definitely glad I didn't go this year. This year is the first time since 2005 I haven't been to Autosport this year, and honestly I haven't missed it. The photos I have seen haven't drawn me in, and I agree with other comments in here about it being in decline. Looks like I didn't miss much!

_Leg_

2,798 posts

210 months

Sunday 15th January 2012
quotequote all
Biggriff said:
Easily the worst Autosport show I've been too for years and as I have been every one since they started
Just got back and I thought the same. The live show was awful, messy and half arsed. I walked out after just under half an hour to be honest. The show itself was ok but same old same old, in fact many of the same cars were parked in exactly the same spots as last year. No imagination applied by anyone IMO.

Won't be going again, it's 120 miles each way for me and simply not worth it.

Edited by _Leg_ on Sunday 15th January 17:28


Edited by _Leg_ on Sunday 15th January 17:29

kimi1

51 posts

223 months

Sunday 15th January 2012
quotequote all
i agree with everyone else it is going downhill unfortunately,
we go because we are local its only around 10mile away for us,if it was a distance
away we would not waste our petrol.

we have been going since 1994.

The live action was pretty flat if I'm honest,and didn't give the WOW that it promised to.

We wondered into the pistonheads part without even knowing we were there!

I dont mind scantly clad girls on the car stands, however when they are posing for 20/30 guys
to take their picture and blocking off the complete area..it does get on your nerves and you end up
walking away and not seeing the products/cars.

i guess we will go again next year...as long as we can get the BOGOF offer !
but its not the highlight show it used to be.

eskidavies

5,342 posts

158 months

Sunday 15th January 2012
quotequote all
first time to go dont think ill bother next year the live show was ok ,£21.50 for my 11 yr old was taking the piss a bit,also i couldn't find a ph shop if there was one.

Edited by eskidavies on Sunday 15th January 19:23

Blib

43,793 posts

196 months

Sunday 15th January 2012
quotequote all
The show felt smaller somehow this year. In fact, as we left, I double checked the map with the ticket lady on the barrier just to make sure that we hadn't missed a hall.

Furthermore, I didn't see the point of the Pistonheads area, TBH. A few cars, the Lexus being a novelty, and a couple of screens surrounding some sofas. Just a bit half hearted, in my opinion.

Oh well, I'm sure to be back next year anyhow. smile

cirvy

2,329 posts

262 months

Sunday 15th January 2012
quotequote all
I enjoyed my day there today.

A few interesting cars, and some lovely Lycra!!

Live show was dreadful though. Who do they think they're kidding with that tosh. Everyone around me was grumbling. I'm amazed the organisers thought that was acceptable!

Must do better!

TVR500Morgan

1,183 posts

151 months

Sunday 15th January 2012
quotequote all
The show itself wasnt too bad I agree it's definatley not what it used to be, but the live action arena is just terrible every year I say I wont go but end up watching it. Every series did about 2 laps in a circle and then dissapeared ? the only entertaining bit was the FMX bix for all of 60 seconds and the vans were quite funny at the end. They really need to sort that out for next year IMO.

555 Paul

782 posts

148 months

Sunday 15th January 2012
quotequote all
I've been going to the show since the late 80's early 90's and every year the show gets smaller and the live action gets worse. I stopped going to the show 4 years ago because it'd got so poor but a couple of mates suggested going so we got the half day deal from groupon and we still paid too much rofl I can't comment too much on the live action because we were told that the last show of the day at 16:45 included the oval racing section but it turns out it was only oval racing and only 3 different formulas! frown Everyone was getting up and leaving because it was so boring and we also left before the end.

Sad to say I really can't see ever going back after that frown There was no structure to the show, the F1 display was very poor, hardly any touring cars, hardly any rally cars, no karting hall, the oval hall was sh!te etc etc etc frown

I thought we'd missed the pistonheads hall but it seems we saw all of the pistonheads bit!

Biggriff

2,312 posts

283 months

Monday 16th January 2012
quotequote all
We thought we had missed the normal manufaturer stands, but they weren't there. I have never left the show with no brouchures and not having spent a penny. For £32 poor value!

Wont be going again and certainly couldn't recommend it to anyone now.


Moley RUFC

3,609 posts

188 months

Monday 16th January 2012
quotequote all
This picture sums the show up.

The show seemed quieter than the last few years and we felt the Samta Pod bit was almost empty of stands and useful bits.

Can't imagine how it can continue like this. The Senna Tribute was good but the long queues showed that it was probably the only thing worth queuing or waiting for sadly.

y2blade

56,029 posts

214 months

Monday 16th January 2012
quotequote all
Moley RUFC said:
This picture sums the show up.
Was the person holding the camera quivering with excitement? hehe