48 replies to this topic

[Ted Walker]

As always my stand is available as a meeting point all 4 days. Its in Hall 6

[garyfrogeye]

Not having been on these boards very long and also never knowingly having met any one from TNF before, would you mind if I popped over and introduced myself?
I've probably had a rummage round your drawers a couple of times in the past though.

[Ted Walker]

Gary. Please do. Always lots of Frogeye photos to look at.

[Giraffe]

With the obvious exception of Ted's stand, is it worthwhile making a visit to Autosport International at the NEC next weekend? At £29 for a standard ticket, and £35 for a paddock pass, it's a tad pricey for a historically motivated TNF'r.
Any tips on which ticket to get, and any all round advice available for a potential visitor out there?

[RS2000]

Originally posted by Giraffe
With the obvious exception of Ted's stand, is it worthwhile making a visit to Autosport International at the NEC next weekend? At £29 for a standard ticket, and £35 for a paddock pass, it's a tad pricey for a historically motivated TNF'r.

In my view it's the most disgraceful rip off in motorsport. Why should I pay to enter a place that is almost entirely a shopping centre? In my view also Stoneleigh is not an order of magnitude better but at least has guaranteed historic content and the grace to respond to crticism by reducing prices.

[ensign14]

It seems an attempt to subsidize the chav car-o-batics display, in which I have no interest and which added £15 or so to the ticket price in recent years. I am keeping an eye out for a show-only ticket, in case the numbers booking in advance are not huge, but otherwise I'm happy to wait for Stoneleigh.

[RTH]

I believe they will also take another £10 off you to park the car and if any of the other recent shows are anything to go by a normal sized cup of coffee is the best part of a fiver, then don't even think about a sandwich !! Most people are looking at £30 worth of petrol for the round trip as well.

At one time both trade and RAC competition licence holders used to get a free pass... not any more.

Pity really in the days of the shows at Royal Horticultural Halls at Westminster, Olympia, Alexandra Palace and even the Showboat , it was a January must go !

[Nordic]

If you book on line you should be able to use this link to get the promo code for a buy one get one free offer.

http://forums.moneys....html?t=1265435

[garyfrogeye]

Oops apologies as on re reading this. I realised that I will be at the Stoneleigh show not the NEC.
As an aside, I have always parked in the station car park to get to the NEC as it's cheaper (only a couple of quid though) and you have a covered wal all the way.
I've heard of other people parking at the station before and getting the train for one stop.
The NEC are also very stingy with parking for press (I've never managed to get one) and also club stands at the Classic car show in November. Where we had ten cars on show but they only gave us a a few parking passes.

[Giraffe]

Wow! I've recently moved to within 25 mins of the NEC, and was this morning seriously thinking of attending on Saturday when I posted on this thread; now I'm VERY seriously thinking of not going!
Has anyone at all got a good word to say about it?

[ensign14]

Stoneleigh is probably better for a TNFer. Less crowded, fewer burberry-cap-wearing zit-encrusted Max Power devotees and fewer people trying to sell you their overhead camshaft grinding solutions or getting you to purchase classic car insurance for your Marina. Albeit fewer babes draped over saloons.

Last time I went to the International I could barely stagger back, loaded up with Chateriana, but that ought to wait until I catch up on my six-year literature backlog. Best thing is that you can get quite close to some F1 machinery and the memorabilia stalls. Never been to the showcase racing things themselves, but television suggests they would be great for 8 year olds.

[Ross Stonefeld]

It always struck me as more BTCC-Billy angled than Max Power, since it's a racing show not a car show. There is quite a bit of Tit for Tat though.

[RTH]

Originally posted by Ross Stonefeld
There is quite a bit of Tit for Tat though.

Not much of the former and a hell of a lot of the latter !

[Ted Walker]

You chaps are making me depressed and Im exhibiting !!!!!!!!!!!!!! I DO hear what you say It could be a disaster for my bank manager.

[Tony Matthews]

I used to exhibit at the NEC, Ted, and although I have mixed feelings about the show I WILL BE THERE! I will come and say hello.

[RTH]

Maybe the organisers could do with a wake up call now from both exhibitors and the paying public to give it better content and better value for money. If the NEC are charging the organisers too much then they should look for another venue.

[Rob]

I'm going.

Classic Team Lotus have a big display and I'm sure I read that there will be a historic F2 and F3 display.

[Tony Matthews]

I can't buy tickets on-line Ted, can you pay at the door, do you know. ASI web page unavailable. TA

[elansprint72]

Originally posted by Giraffe
Wow! I've recently moved to within 25 mins of the NEC, and was this morning seriously thinking of attending on Saturday when I posted on this thread; now I'm VERY seriously thinking of not going!
Has anyone at all got a good word to say about it?

I've got press access and I can't be arsed going; even on the "press days" it has turned into a cattle-market, goodness knows what it will be like when they let the great unwashed in to shop for their over-sized Corsa exhausts and turquoise wheel nuts, not to mention the illuminated screen-wash jets.

Stoneleigh is a much more Gentlemanly affair, especially now they have moved the date and invested in heating!

[bigears]

Originally posted by elansprint72
Stoneleigh is a much more Gentlemanly affair, especially now they have moved the date and invested in heating!

I would love to go but in my opinion, it is too isolated and far away from Coventry city centre.

[Sebastian Tombs]

but in my opinion, it is too isolated and far away from Coventry city centre.

Those unfortunate enough to have been to Coventry city centre consider Stoneleigh is not far enough away from it!

[Ted Walker]

Im sure tickets csn be bought on the day.

[Giraffe]

TNF does have it's uses; since posting on Monday to ask if it's worth a visit, I've gone from a 90% probability of attending, to a 100% definately not! Thankyou TNF for saving me the best part of 50 quid at the very least!
I attended Stoneleigh last year, & whilst I enjoyed it and will most probably go again this year, I left feeling slightly underwealmed, though I'm sure it wouldn't take much to put that right.

[Ian Smith - Diz]

Originally posted by Ross Stonefeld


It always struck me as more BTCC-Billy angled than Max Power, since it's a racing show not a car show. There is quite a bit of Tit for Tat though.

Originally posted by RTH


Not much of the former and a hell of a lot of the latter !

There's plenty of the former on Thursday and Friday Trade Days.
It makes an old man very misty eyed.

Stop off at the BRSCC Stand 7030 in Hall 7 and say hello

[dank]

Originally posted by Nordic
If you book on line you should be able to use this link to get the promo code for a buy one get one free offer.

http://forums.moneys....html?t=1265435

That offer has unfortunately expired now.

[Twin Window]

For what it's worth, I found the show surprisingly pleasant yesterday. The attendance was down so getting round was far more comfortable and to my mind there were more historic cars on display than I can remember in recent years, including a decent number of F1, F2 & F3 chassis.

[Phil Rainford]

I can concur that there was plenty to catch the eye.....











Will post some more later ........unless Mr Arron who was attempting shots from all angles beats me to it ;)

[Phil Rainford]

Originally posted by Ian Smith - Diz



There's plenty of the former on Thursday and Friday Trade Days.
It makes an old man very misty eyed.

Stop off at the BRSCC Stand 7030 in Hall 7 and say hello

Mr Arron and I wanted to talk motor racing and all Ian wanted to talk about was the fish that got away ;)



Copyright Shirley Woodall Photographics ( Stockport ) Ltd

[Rob]

Originally posted by Phil Rainford
I can concur that there was plenty to catch the eye.....

Fantastic, that's really whet my appetite

Heading along tomorrow and looking forward to it.

[Phil Rainford]

Managed to convince a work colleague to ignore the modern cars and take pictures of some classics....

The least I can do is post some of her pictures











...last one is a bit modern but thought it was a nice shot

Copyright Shirley Woodall.

[ensign14]

The number 1 looks a bit wonky. Or, in Ronspeak, there is a numerological signifier misalignment.

[Ian Smith - Diz]

Talking of Ron, I attended the Watkins lecture today and he fielded Murray Walker's - carefully selected - questions like a politician. IMHO It wasn't very entertaining.
I suppose the highlight was the first questioner from the floor when Muddly said "you look like Tim Parnell", and it was him. He mentioned that it took about a day and a half to get out of Silverstone in 1948 and Ron piped up wait till you get to Donington then. A bit of laughter was followed by, but it doesn't bother me as I'll be in a helicopter.

[Paul Jeffrey]

I will be going and have been to all of the NEC shows, but then I live in Solihull so I have no excuse. I agree that not having the option of not paying for the live action show is poor - and certainly adds to the ticket price. However, the historic stuff in recent years has been very good, especially the century of Grand Prix cars in 2006 followed by a Le Mans display in 2007 and the BTCC last year. It is also an excuse to be tempted to buy something with various model car traders, Chaters, the autojumble etc etc. If you like taking pictures the lighting is normally decent, especially for the bigger displays, which is where Stoneleigh and the NEC Classic Car show suffer.

[Paul Jeffrey]

Don't want to be picky but the picture of the Matra labelled 'MS80' looks more like an MS10 but I will look more closely tomorrow.

[Simon Arron]

I can't add a great deal to the shots posted hitherto, but here are a few details...













Plus, the world as seen by...

Nelson Piquet (Ralt RT1)


Derek Bell (Brabham BT30)


Jim Clark (Lotus 25)

[sterling49]

Originally posted by Sebastian Tombs


Those unfortunate enough to have been to Coventry city centre consider Stoneleigh is not far enough away from it!

I spent a week there in the '90s, a looong week-end

[sterling49]

Originally posted by Phil Rainford
I can concur that there was plenty to catch the eye.....



Will post some more later ........unless Mr Arron who was attempting shots from all angles beats me to it ;)

Great photo Phil, of THE CAR

[Alan Cox]

I like the wood rim-effect wheel on Keke's Chevron. Nice pics, chaps.

[Phil Rainford]

Originally posted by Ian Smith - Diz
Talking of Ron, I attended the Watkins lecture today and he fielded Murray Walker's - carefully selected - questions like a politician. IMHO It wasn't very entertaining.
I suppose the highlight was the first questioner from the floor when Muddly said "you look like Tim Parnell", and it was him. He mentioned that it took about a day and a half to get out of Silverstone in 1948 and Ron piped up wait till you get to Donington then. A bit of laughter was followed by, but it doesn't bother me as I'll be in a helicopter.

Murray from later in the day......





....where he tipped Kubica for the 2009 Title ( I think that is a TNF member on the left of the balcony )

Kind regards

Phil

[David McKinney]

Motors TV has coverage of the show at 5.30pm today

[Phil Rainford]

A few more......

























Kind regards

Phil

[Macca]

Not a good weekend to go to the Donington Collection then.........most of the cars appear to be at the NEC!

Paul M

[David McKinney]

Originally posted by David McKinney
Motors TV has coverage of the show at 5.30pm today

Profuse apologies to anyone who might have believed me - it was on at 5pm, not 5.30
But fear not, it's repeated at 10pm
And if it makes you feel any better, I didn't tune in till 5.20...

[Rob]

Thoroughly enjoyed it today. Could have spent a fortune but the bank would never have agreed the overdraft! Opted instead for a 1:18 model of a Lotus 49 with NGH at the wheel.

Only complaints would be that the food was a bit expensive (as always at these places) and the weather was bloody cold! (not as though Haymarket could have fixed that...)

[Ross Stonefeld]

I found the weather (and people) became more pleasant as the train traveled further and further away from London

[Ted Walker]

It wasnt that bad was it ?????????????? Met a lot of nice people including a nice Frenchman who owns a couple of F1 cars and a couple of F2s as well. Visitors to my stand included Nigel Roebuck,Howden Ganley,Whizzo,Jeff Bloxham,Twinny and lots of other people spending money ps I hear that Donington has been granted planning permission and hope to get over the car parking problem by shutting east Midlands Airport for the weekend !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!,

[Giraffe]

I live within half an hour's drive of the NEC and had every intention of attending, but didn't in the end directly as a result of this thread! The power of TNF!!! :

[Ted Walker]

You wouldnt have been allowed entry anyway !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Giraffes are too tall .

[Giraffe]

I wish that was the case, Ted; I have to do the Furniture Show and then the Spring Fair at the NEC, so by this time next month, I'm usually sick of the effing sight of the place. In fairness though, the NEC has improved immesurably since I started having to go there regularily 25 years ago, but it still haunts me............