SUMMER KIT CAR ACTIVITY
Discussion
How sad that when the sun comes out the normal kit car mass gatherings are all over until the end of the year when camping is only for the dedicated.
Stoneleigh weather was O.K and Newark was average but imagine how nice it would have been if held today instead, and we are only just into July.
The other point I have is the low level of entertainment at the normal kit shows, Westfield drifting at Stoneleigh and a stunt show at the Detling, that's about it isn't it?.
Donny was great as it combined track action with a display hall but clearly too expensive a venue to be sustainable. I would love to see an action weekend exclusively for kit cars. What do you guys think? Perhaps a drag strip and/or short handling circuit for everyone to take part in, it should also be in Aug or early Sept to encourage camping and hopefully some form of evening entertainment, BBQ and music.
So question. Are you happy with what we have on offer already or have you suggestions to improve the social scene of kit cars?
Stoneleigh weather was O.K and Newark was average but imagine how nice it would have been if held today instead, and we are only just into July.
The other point I have is the low level of entertainment at the normal kit shows, Westfield drifting at Stoneleigh and a stunt show at the Detling, that's about it isn't it?.
Donny was great as it combined track action with a display hall but clearly too expensive a venue to be sustainable. I would love to see an action weekend exclusively for kit cars. What do you guys think? Perhaps a drag strip and/or short handling circuit for everyone to take part in, it should also be in Aug or early Sept to encourage camping and hopefully some form of evening entertainment, BBQ and music.
So question. Are you happy with what we have on offer already or have you suggestions to improve the social scene of kit cars?
Hi Stuart,
I tend to agree. Being new to the kit car industry (still building a Rocket), my 1st event was Newark last year. The events seem to be close together, on the edge of summer and the events are very sales based - which is fine obviously for the manufacturers and new purchasers/looking at new models. For us that already have a kit each event for me was a walk around, burger then home, nothing realy to keep us there. Even though it is still a nice day out with the kids. Would be nice to have an event where we could run the cars, food, music etc. I think it would greatly help the industry for those who have cars and those looking into the market. Santa Pod could be good. They do all of the above including 'run what you brung' days. Camp site also, but never seen an event/time slot dedicated to kits. They may be out there but not come across one yet (other than what you have organised for MEV kit owners).
Just my 2p worth.
I tend to agree. Being new to the kit car industry (still building a Rocket), my 1st event was Newark last year. The events seem to be close together, on the edge of summer and the events are very sales based - which is fine obviously for the manufacturers and new purchasers/looking at new models. For us that already have a kit each event for me was a walk around, burger then home, nothing realy to keep us there. Even though it is still a nice day out with the kids. Would be nice to have an event where we could run the cars, food, music etc. I think it would greatly help the industry for those who have cars and those looking into the market. Santa Pod could be good. They do all of the above including 'run what you brung' days. Camp site also, but never seen an event/time slot dedicated to kits. They may be out there but not come across one yet (other than what you have organised for MEV kit owners).
Just my 2p worth.
Edited by Mabbx on Sunday 3rd July 20:00
The rotary community do something similar once a year at santa pod, camping is easy and free, the drag strip is obviously open and they have started doing a short timed sprint circuit which is popular. The Mazda club used to run the event but then santa pod themselves took it over. You could probably do something similar. IIRC it is quite cheap for vendors also. Just contact santa pod
Back in the 80s I went to Newark as a teenager, I remember a number of competitions that you could put your kitcar in for. There was a 1/4 mile drag strip on the old runway and an autotest on a grass track course that involved driving around cones at high speed. It got me interested in kitcars as a youngster , consequently the crowds seemed a lot more than these days.
I would imaging though that H&S and insurance requirement killed this aspect of kit car shows and reduced them to static events with the odd expert demo.
I would imaging though that H&S and insurance requirement killed this aspect of kit car shows and reduced them to static events with the odd expert demo.
I think a great concept for a kitcar show was the TotalKitCarLive! Events at Brands Hatch. But it was slightly flawed as not always well attended and no new "non kitcar blood" attending.
One concept I think MIGHT work is to couple a TotalKitCarLive! Style event with a 750mc round racing at Brands. All the manufacturers could display in the big marquees Brands have erected behind the grandstands, and the public can view the stands and also watch kit cars racing in anger on the circuit.
Also it may be possible to effectively have a Saturday evening trackday after the racing has finished to let manufacturers give rides on the circuits to interested parties.
All the various clubs etc can display in the huge car parks along the edge of the main straight.
Killing two birds with one stone, making the show more interesting than Detling and having kitcar racing going on while being a first class venue. I'd rather pay £12 to get in Brands than Detling. I have been pretty much to Detling every year since buying my kit in 02 but let's face it it is an overpriced s
thole.
Maybe too race car manufacturers and tuning companies would be keen to exhibit at the same show too, and open
up the audience to people who would not always consider kits.
One concept I think MIGHT work is to couple a TotalKitCarLive! Style event with a 750mc round racing at Brands. All the manufacturers could display in the big marquees Brands have erected behind the grandstands, and the public can view the stands and also watch kit cars racing in anger on the circuit.
Also it may be possible to effectively have a Saturday evening trackday after the racing has finished to let manufacturers give rides on the circuits to interested parties.
All the various clubs etc can display in the huge car parks along the edge of the main straight.
Killing two birds with one stone, making the show more interesting than Detling and having kitcar racing going on while being a first class venue. I'd rather pay £12 to get in Brands than Detling. I have been pretty much to Detling every year since buying my kit in 02 but let's face it it is an overpriced s
thole.Maybe too race car manufacturers and tuning companies would be keen to exhibit at the same show too, and open
up the audience to people who would not always consider kits.
Stuart
As ever thinking outside the box!
I assume the shows avoid the summer months due to people being on hols? I would have thought many people would welcome a show during kids school hols, anything to occupy the little darlings & remove them from the X box or whatever the latest electronic computer toy is! But it would have to offer a lot more general entertainment than a "normal" kitcar show.
Venue such as Mallory or Santa Pod would be reasonably central & why not open up any events to tintops, Fezza's & the like, that would enable the kit industry to demonstrate that when it comes to performance we can compete with anything
I would have thought offering a dragstrip would be popular, as would sprint circuit, I think you could very easily get some vendors such as simulator rides etc along & if you could persuade them to offer prices somewhat lower than their usual extortion then they'd prove popular. I think the problem would be getting the whole thing organised as I'm sure someone like John Cooke would tell you there's a massive amount of work in putting on & marketing a show.
Just to add further food for thought, the Sporting Bears Dreamrides type of thing could also prove popular with punters getting a road ride in kitcars, I'm sure plenty of people would be happy to show off their pride & joy & perhaps a few bob could be made for charity at the same time?
There is of course a big difference between a bunch of kitcar bunnies meeting in a field for a few bevvies & camping to organising the sort of thing being discussed above & as already said the organisation could prove a nightmare!
Just my two penn'orth
Russ
As ever thinking outside the box!
I assume the shows avoid the summer months due to people being on hols? I would have thought many people would welcome a show during kids school hols, anything to occupy the little darlings & remove them from the X box or whatever the latest electronic computer toy is! But it would have to offer a lot more general entertainment than a "normal" kitcar show.
Venue such as Mallory or Santa Pod would be reasonably central & why not open up any events to tintops, Fezza's & the like, that would enable the kit industry to demonstrate that when it comes to performance we can compete with anything
I would have thought offering a dragstrip would be popular, as would sprint circuit, I think you could very easily get some vendors such as simulator rides etc along & if you could persuade them to offer prices somewhat lower than their usual extortion then they'd prove popular. I think the problem would be getting the whole thing organised as I'm sure someone like John Cooke would tell you there's a massive amount of work in putting on & marketing a show.
Just to add further food for thought, the Sporting Bears Dreamrides type of thing could also prove popular with punters getting a road ride in kitcars, I'm sure plenty of people would be happy to show off their pride & joy & perhaps a few bob could be made for charity at the same time?
There is of course a big difference between a bunch of kitcar bunnies meeting in a field for a few bevvies & camping to organising the sort of thing being discussed above & as already said the organisation could prove a nightmare!
Just my two penn'orth
Russ
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