How Far Will Folk Travel For The BBWF.

[Jonny weggie]

This has croped up every year regarding how far folk are willing to travel, for the last 5 years we have supported the Wedge fest by travelling just under 700 mile round trip [which we enjoy] 6 hrs road trip [one way].
So my question is for the chap's living down South how far are you willing to travel up North to support the Wedge fest so that whoever is orginising the event next year can find a location thats suited for all Wedgers.

[carob]

Even further south by the looks of it marra.

Rob

[carob]

Which is not a bad thing as we nothern and lads and lasses from over the border get to drive in the wedges a bit further, which is what these cars where built for.

Rob

[ElvisWedgely]

100 miles is my limit, which is about the distance I travel to Ettington. We must not forget that our Wedges are over 25 years old and most have mechanical issues. Not everyone has a Wedge that has had a nut and bolt rebuild. I can think of better things to do than spend my time on the back of the AA trailer. Also, I don't believe for a minute that it's the attractions at a Wedge festival such as rolling road, competitions, entertainment or even the bar that draws in the punters, as these are just a minority, and such attractions are available elsewhere. I believe most travel up to meet with fellow Wedgers for a chat and look over each others cars to see what improvements can be made on their own vehicles and so on. In my opinion the main attraction is the Wedge socialising and not much else. In the case of the BBWF at Ettington most are after a relaxing weekend meeting fellow Wedgers rather than a meet in the middle of some field, and I believe that has been achieved for most.

Tony. TCB.

[mrzigazaga]

Respect to those travelling hundreds of miles for a weekend of food..Rusty..More food...More rusty..More rusty..More food..Admiring some wedges...And then more food..More rusty..Maybe a pint of fizzy..Then more food..More rusty..Just MORE.....You were sadly missed the weekend "Ya bastids"..Especially by me..I ended up talking babble to the bar staff again at 3am..So i went off to bed which was an early night for me....Hope to see you at next years BBWF where ever it is...If not before...

[carob]

Who mentioned fields. More than fields up north you know.100 miles is like nipping for a pint of milk to us northerner boys.

Rob

[PHJayV8]

Wherever it is, will be a fair spin for me from West Wales.... but hey, all cars were designed to be driven....

[Jonny weggie]

[quote=ElvisWedgely]100 miles is my limit, which is about the distance I travel to Ettington. We must not forget that our Wedges are over 25 years old and most have mechanical issues. Not everyone has a Wedge that has had a nut and bolt rebuild.

Would be nice to have a nut n bolt rebuild but hey ho, i know the cars are 25 yrs old with robust engines hence the reason we do around 4000 miles a year in them and have no problems [because there being used] we trust our cars and so far they havent let us down and i'm talking about 10-15 cars that travel with us on likes of the nail run.
We've had minor problems but sorted them on the spot.
Regarding fields dont know where that came from, if we end up by the sea then we'll travel there.

[Oz2]

Well I'm hoping to get to BBWF one of these years, so better get a furthest traveled trophy organised.
When I had me 350 I went to Scotland twice lakes twice and did a 4week Europe tour as far as Italy. As for a venue,
Mania was in Nottingham, midlands would be obvious.
For those in far north Scotland and down in Cornwall a little extra effort is needed.
Never the less I look forward to my first BBWF when ever that is....
Adam

[mrzigazaga]

Well all i can say about that is that i was so determined to get to my fisrt wedgefest that i would of even got there on the back of an RAC low loader which i very nearly did..Wedges are tougher than you think..I did around a 1000 miles and drove to stratford upon avon on 5 cylinders and a blown head gasket and fuel pi55ing out an inch from a very hot exhaust..100 mph all the way!..Had the gasket sorted then drove around 700 miles to the BNG with a worn cam still pi55ing fuel and with worn wheel bearings and shagged trailing arm bushes..And i mean shagged!..I also had a bent trailing arm pin but delilah still got me there and back..And did two runs up a runway getting canned..Admittedly it finished her off but hey ho off we go!..It was all worth it and i loved every minute of it....Ziga

Edited by mrzigazaga on Thursday 18th July 15:53

[jon haines]

Being a northener and travelling 145 miles to ettington is ok but dont want to travel any further than that really unless its somewere special. When the fest was at blackpool a few years ago the turnout was poor but the place was exellent. That suggests that it was too far for the southerners to travel which is why ettington has worked so well. For the rusty's its a long way to ettington and if we go further north then its a long way for the londoners so someone is going to be unhappy!!

[Jonny weggie]

Oz2 said:

For those in far north Scotland and down in Cornwall a little extra effort is needed.

Adam

Adam [a little extra effort] as it's been said 5 years we've supported the fest so dont how much more effort we need to give.

[hallsie]

ElvisWedgely said:

100 miles is my limit, which is about the distance I travel to Ettington. We must not forget that our Wedges are over 25 years old and most have mechanical issues.
Tony. TCB.

Youre new car must be a right old stter then!!
worried about doing more than 100 miles?? you had better reconsider getting a Tuscan because every mile will be worrying about a chocolate engine going pop.

V6 and V8 wedges will go forever with just a minimum of maintenance.(Mechanically mine are more reliable than my old oil burner!!)

I would happily drive my silver V6 2+2 or my 350 2+2 across the country, top to bottom or side to side!

Stu

[mrzigazaga]

Jonny weggie said:

Adam [a little extra effort] as it's been said 5 years we've supported the fest so dont how much more effort we need to give.

An extra bottle of rusty........I might be wrong but i read Adams post as..You are putting in more effort to come all that way..And therefore a little more effort is needed...Although it took me 4 hours to get there this year and 1.5 hrs the last two??..May i just say that sometimes the forum can mis-represent the way things are said purely because its one dimensional..The smilies can sometimes help..i:e

"I was at a....the other night having a good....when i saw an....walk in the room..She was.....her......and.....me... ..so i acted......and asked if she wanted to.....on my......she said....and called her........over who proceeded to....with me so i gave him a.....I then said....All i wanted was a dance..Unfortunately i use the.....for step and......for toes....

[Oz2]

Jonny weggie said:

Oz2 said:

For those in far north Scotland and down in Cornwall a little extra effort is needed.

Adam

Adam [a little extra effort] as it's been said 5 years we've supported the fest so dont how much more effort we need to give.

Sorry Jonny,
I ment purely because of your location you guys and those at the other end of the country HAVE to put in the extra effort to get to a venue, I didn't at all mean you don't put in enough effort.......

Adam

[Henry Harris]

In my opinion there is at least one fundament issue that requires some resolution. Is BBWF a once a year event? Answer that and then we can move on.

Edited by Henry Harris on Thursday 18th July 16:26

[Number 7]

If the numbers really are falling surely it would be more viable as a two yearly event? Personally about 150 miles would be my limit for this event and I guess for day visitors it would be a lot less.

[pk500]

It was 150 for me this year !

Number 7 said:

If the numbers really are falling surely it would be more viable as a two yearly event? Personally about 150 miles would be my limit for this event and I guess for day visitors it would be a lot less.

[pwd95]

2.5 hours for me, bin 4 times now, only stayed over once in 06. The drive up & back in convoy is a major part of the fun for me. Being in a Wedge convoy is just awesome.

[adam quantrill]

Yeah we did that to Blackpool which took the edge off it.

Also coming back from BBWF after the racing.

For my part I don't mind going as far as Leeds as it's straight up the A1 for me. West is less desirable (sorry Wyn! sorry Chedder!) but if BBWWFF happened I'd still go.

This year much like Zig it was fingers crossed on the way up and the heater on full whack to keep the cooling going as long as possible. Luckily the coolant spitting out hit steady state and only just filled the overflow tank, although I do 200 miles a week it isn't all in one go usually.

I know where Tony's coming from but sometimes you just have to bite the bullet, fill the tanks and go for it.

Top marks though to the Jocks who have a long drive wherever we end up, especially from the Highlands.