Gaydon 05--Comments Invited

Was a good day out - those in the group we came with had a great time, although the biggest let down were the trade stands - we'd expected there to be more than there were.

Perhaps the club could pressure some more of the dealers or indeed bmw uk to put back something into the club, we members spend a lot of money with the dealer network one way or another,  if they each contributed to a slush fund that could be used to prepay for some stands which the smaller companies could enter into a draw for then it may help.

If you go to a ford fair theres loads of smaller stands because the big fairs are officially recognised by ford. 

Either that or a change of venue to avoid the crippling costs, goodwood anyone?

I personally enjoyed gaydon this year as i have done for the last 3 that i have been too.

I did also note that there was not as many traders there as i would of liked but understand the problems and reasons for them not going.

Mind you i still managed too spend a few ££'s without much trouble.

I have been to "other" bmw shows not run by the club and they are nowhere near as well organised or give the variety of vehicles or quality of vehicle's on display.(the scottish region did the club proud,what a stunning display of car's you have!)

The gaydon show is THE bmw show of the year and to have support from BMW uk would be fantastic as they could give so much more to the day as we support them so they should return the favour,after all we are the one's flying the BMW flag!!!

All the region's provided good display's of various vehicles and every type of BMW was represented including some superb alpina's and some beautiful classic's right up to the magnificent new V10 M5.

Great day, thanks to all concerned! Great turn out, and some awesome cars! Couldn't have asked for better weather either!

Only thing that got to me was the que, we had to drive through the mud car park, waited there for half an hour, only for people who came in after to be let straight in

I understand the reason though to keep the cars off the road, but in that case, everyone should have been diverted through the car park until the que through the car park was no more.

Because of the above, I was late parking my car up, so only spent about 15 mins on the gate handing out E30 passes then I ran out, so wish I could have been more help!

With regards to traders, I'm venturing into car lighting and styling products, and enquired about a stand at Gaydon, and was shocked to learn that there was a price, I really thought the BMWCC would do it for free to get more traders to attend, as much as I'd love to offer a service, business is business at the end of the day, and it would have been totally pointless setting up a stand.

Edited by Simon325i sport

Simon325

The trade stands at Gaydon are realistically priced I think when compared to stands at some other car shows. Stand space at any decent show/exhibition of any sort is never cheap. My wife has a wedding related business and stands at a national show cost £4500!!!!!

Nigel

Some constructive criticism on the track event (which I understand was probably outwith the control of BMWCCGB?):

I turned up at the BMWCCGB stand and bought my ticket. There was no mention of maximum number of passengers, or minimum ages of those passengers. I returned to our stand and we agreed to take 2 other adults plus 2 kids (who were really excited about going out on track!). I arrived at the registration point, signed in 5 names, handed in 5 mobile phones(!) and then on the way back to the car I was stopped by a marshall who informed me that kids under 16 were not allowed on track. To say they were disappointed was an understatement, I think this fact should have been mentioned when we bought the ticket.

To be fair the marshall was very pleasant and even gave the kids free off road tickets (which their father took them out on later on).

The 3 remaining adults then attended the briefing to be told only 2 people allowed in the car! So yet again 1 more disappointed individual. However, when we drove in the convoy to the track the car in front of us had 4 people inside and yet was allowed to proceed! (No names, eh Tim? )

On the track all cars were lined up in each of the 4 lanes and then followed the pace car. However, this to me was more dangerous than a convoy, because cars ended up overtaking/undertaking, and then bunched up together at the corners. I felt safer at the Nurburgring

To sum up, and I appreciate BMWCCGB may have no control over this, I feel there was no valid reason for not allowing full cars onto the track, and allowing under 16s.

The rest of the show was great however, weather superb, good company and food was spot on

This was my first BMWCC show that I attended...

It was a good day out for myself and my partner. However, I also was a little disappointed at the lack of stands/sales stalls...I thought it was poor show that BMW GB weren't in evidence seeing that this was the annual CC show and that, as someone said, we spend loads with the dealer network...I felt that the traders who were there were selling stuff not especially cheaply, either, although that didn't prevent me spending a few ££s on things that were hard to find in the local shops.

I also concur with the "waiting in the car park/poor marshalling" comments....

I didn't do the "drive around the track" thing and am happy, given the comments both here and on the day, that I didn't! Why not a sprint or autotest or even just a 1/4mile "strip"?
Would have provided a little more excitment, I suspect, and some talking points, too....

Finally, I expected to see more vintage BMWs there....Fairly noticeable by their absence...As were section stands for most of the regions...

As I said, non of these things detracted from a good day out...helped by the beautiful weather...but I might think twice about going again.

Having said that, Donnington sounds the ticket! When is that, then and is there the chance to drive the race circuit?

Fushion Julz wrote: Having said that, Donnington sounds the ticket! When is that, then and is there the chance to drive the race circuit?

Donington is 23rd October


Edited by webweaver

 Thanks for constructive comments-------

Nigel--Said realistic Trade  Plot -Prices, this IS Very important, the price is Gaydons--NOT the Clubs.The club wants as many traders as there is space for them--BUT again--the club cannot tell punters to spend the ££££££ss---only attractive prices do that.

The problem of Access down to the Main area is a Major prob, I also thought why not use all one way IN routes--ala Gary---while I was following Instructions, in the middle of watching the Gridlock--we Must also consider that Gaydon has a daily Public visitor intake, so you cannot behave as if WE are the Only Cash inflow for ONE day.Steve ---- Agree, Age limits Should Have been stated at point of purchase/advice in Club Mag.Did the pre planning meetings ask this ??? and get discussed??.WE had to do follow ALL instructions given by Gaydon Staff on People Moving--So if they said " direct cars into the Carpark to clear Gridlocks" WE had to do as requested.

Mick--Sorry !!!!! you were NOT on Main "M" area--Mail to Richard B, and ask "Why".

The only way WE can improve the day and Future events is --YOUR positive feedback-----Thankyou.

This was our first Gaydon event, thoroughly enjoyed it, but for me the best bit was driving around the test track. THIS is what these cars are all about, having come off the track I ran to the club stand to see if I could buy another ticket, but they were sold out. I agree with the comments about the organisation of the test track drive - it was almost non existant. The briefing was "follow me, don't overtake me and don't be silly". So when the event car stopped in the middle of the track and then took off, the cars immediately behind thought it was a drag race and went for it, almost to smash into the back of the stationary event car (E30 M3 and ZM roadster you know who you are!). There was also much confusion over whether we should line up with the lane markings or cones initially. A few words of explanation from the marshal beforehand would have avoided this. 

In all, lets have more use of tracks at these events, so we can get in our cars and DRIVE them! Someone else has asked if there will be any use of the track at Donnington, but so far no answers. Please Please can we have more track/driving stuff at the events, I like looking at cars and buying bits but driving off our over policed roads is best of all!!!