Who's up for going to Donington on the 23rd October?

I have not been before, but I understand that last year was run by TotalBMW, but not this year.  It is being run by Andrew Greenwood who did the Stonleigh show in the spring.

http://www.classicshows.org/donington_park.htm - http://www.classicshows.org/donington_park.htm

http://www.bmwcarclubforum.co.uk/forum_posts.asp?TID=21199&PN=1 - http://www.bmwcarclubforum.co.uk/forum_posts.asp?TID=21199&a mp;a mp;PN=1

This won't be like Gaydon, ie we won't have a display, but there will many more trade stands etc than there was at Gaydon.

What's your thinking people?

it looks as if it may be worth a look especially if it has been taken over

the other half likes to have a week away last week in october ;but if were not going at the ens of october then iam going to go

a freind of mine went last year and came back a lot lighter in the pocket ...theres plenty of impluse buying on them stalls.

It is backed as BMW Car Club event,so why not get a stand?

It`s your club!

I thought about it for Scottish Region,but to far after Gaydon

We're up for it

Mick

Make sure you tell people it's:

"Donington"

and not

"Donnington"

Otherwise they'll be going to the wrong place!  I say that because I know someone who did just that!  Donnington with two 'n's is different from the circuit Donington.

Coasting wrote: Make sure you tell people it's: "Donington" and not "Donnington" Otherwise they'll be going to the wrong place!  I say that because I know someone who did just that!  Donnington with two 'n's is different from the circuit Donington.

Thank you!

Who's up for going to Donington on the 23rd October?

I've just joined the car club and i live in Castle Donington and would love to go along.

It is backed as BMW Car Club event,so why not get a stand?

Would be great to go to Donnington

Hopefully the 530 will be out of the garage by then.

ill be there count me in cant be no worse than last year more going on outside

wayne

yep i will be there with family and friends just joined club hope it will be a good day

I may be going to the Newcastle v Sundrland game.  I'll only be going as it will be free, in the directors box, with free food & beer, and as a neutral, I wouldn't mind going for the crack!!!

However, as this is not 100% confirmed yet, I will be going to Donny if this doesn't come off.

So, in an effort to put some organisation into this..... 

How about selecting a service station on route somewhere, and all those from the NE meeting at an agreed time and traveling together?

All those in favour..  say "AYE" !!

There is a good service station on the A19 just south of A179 Hartlepool turn off. Has an American diner and decent size car park.

Hey Mick!!!

The 530 is back from the shop and looking good.

Drives like a dream with the Bilstiens on

See you at Borobridge for the Whitby run.

hey guys it will be my first time to meet u all, we need to meet before we set off to say hi an all

"AYE" !!

Im up for this, me and lilcartman will be going and it would be great to have a meet up on the way down...

That's if I can get my breaks sorted!

How much is it to enter?

Thanks, Mark

Mark, it's £8 on the door, £6 in advance (but you could only book up to yesterday).

As it's now only a week away, we need to sort out what we're doing. Last few years, we've met at Washington Services and stopped at the Esso services at Scotch Corner for any-one from Teesside. Is that ok with you guys, or are you going down the A19?

Cheers

Mick

8.30!!!!!!   God doesn't get up till 9 on a Sunday you know!!!

Okay 8.30 it is ....

Floody wrote: O.K, Bull by the horn's Scotch Corner 08.30????? All reply's to this thread

What it is it with you and all these EARLY starts !?!?!?!?!?

You just love to get me out of bed in the morning don't you !!!!!!

hi guys iwill there on sunday meet up with calv on A19  and Mick at scotchcorner 

see you there Al

If we're planning to be there for opening time, don't you guys think leaving 8.30 at Scotch Corner is too late?

Working backwards, if it starts at 10.00 we need to be there for 09.30 at the latest to get parked and in the que. 1 hour to do about 130 miles is pretty impressive.

Mick

Floody wrote: Take it you have not been in Tim's car

No Mark, but I did see your faces at Gaydon following the trip around the circuit

Mick

baur320 wrote: If we're planning to be there for opening time, don't you guys think leaving 8.30 at Scotch Corner is too late? Working backwards, if it starts at 10.00 we need to be there for 09.30 at the latest to get parked and in the que. 1 hour to do about 130 miles is pretty impressive. Mick

08.00 that means gettimng up @ 06.30.......

any chance of a tow then as I'll be asleep at the wheel....I'll have to get the missus to talk to me to stay awake..

You'll have to get up the night brfore won't you mick..

Well sounds like it will be a good turnout ans worth it! 

how about scotchcorner 7.45 for sharp start at 8.00  . sorry calv even earlyer to meet me on A66  layby b4 Yarm road exit at7.20 . any one else from Teesside want to meet  let me know

Regards Al         &nbs p; 

Sod it, lets make it 6:00am

Carpetbagger wrote: how about scotchcorner 7.45 for sharp start at 8.00  . sorry calv even earlyer to meet me on A66  layby b4 Yarm road exit at7.20 . any one else from Teesside want to meet  let me know

still have to 130 miles in 1hour 30 thats averaging 90mph

to save time I think best meet at scotch corner @ 7.30 rather than 2 meeting places.  Gives us time for any traffic probs on the way down.

How long did it take last year?

I must admit I would be happier meeting Scotch corner for 8.00

Just don't know what its like getting in and such......

I'm in for 8.00

count me and darkspirit in for 8:00am meet at Scotch Corner

Last year, because Donington opened at 0900, we left Washington at 0500 but we stopped at Woodhall for 30 mins.

The thing about getting there early is you'll get in the car park, if you don't you're on the grass. When it was run by the Drivers' Club this event was always busy, with the car park full but because last year was so badly attended most cars got in the car park. A couple of years ago some cars got bogged down in the grass after heavy rain and had to be dragged out.....

Anyone going to the F1 museum while they're down?

Mick 

5.00am............

I'm sweating now!

think I could organise the kids and stuff for 8.00

we need to know who is turning up at 8:00 only two days before donington 

From reading through this thread, I have come to the conclusion that the following will be at Scotch Corner, for 0800:

Floody

Calv8

Lilcartman

Darkspirit

Carpetbagger

Baur320 (if Mick is ok with such-a-late-start!)

RM2186

And me, but only 'cos Floody told me he loved me. (Must be all these BMW drivers he's flashing at!) 

So, I will see y'all at the services for 0800.  In the first car park on the left as you pull into the services.

Anyone else, just put your name on here, or just turn up.  But if we don't know you're coming, and you're not there at 0800, we won't know we need to hang around for you!!!!!

As for everyone else, see you at Donny!!!!!!!

 I will be there  7.30 ish  if we are all there for 8.00 for a sharp start ,

be please be on time Guys pm me for  my mobile no   or give me yours to contact if   we loose any one I have hands free

Regards Al  

yeah yeah yeah

Hi gang,

We are planning to go to Donny too, so will see you all at "ahem" 8am at Scotch Corner.

Mike & Gill

Silver E30 325i

Sorry guys, but I'm still going down earlier - 0715 at Sctoch Corner for 0730. I'm not parking in the field/grass/acres/whatever it is. We've been the last four years and there's always been problems if it rains.

Also been working away this week so didn't get a marginal tyre changed and will have to keep the speed down a bit if it's still raining, so I'll need an earlier start.

Either way, I'll either see you on the road, or down there. 

Cheers

Mick

Have a good time chaps and esses, enjoy your "bun" Mark

I start work at 8pm, so need to get my sleep in order, thats why I can't attend, otherwise would have been there. This 8pm start on a Sun is a problem for me.

Enjoy

Well, first meet for me and this club. Nice to put some faces to names. Very dissapointed with the car show/boot sale. Was not worth the 2hour plus drive and £8 per person entry (what was that for?!?), ended up leaving after about an hour, bored! Would have been much better if it has been linked up with the track especially with those race prepped E30 M3's in there...

Hope the next time will be better but as mentioned, nice to put some faces to names...

Mark

I agree, my first time at Donny.  Didn't think too much of it.  There were some trade stands selling used parts, and there were some very nice cars there (some pigs as well).  But there were quite a number of cars that did not deserve to be in the hall, or even the outside display stands.  Why do the club not approach the regions for display stands???  All the regions have a very high standard of car, and could easily have provided 4/5 excellent examples!! As for the £8, for what you got, quality, number of cars, etc. not worth it! Should also have been better sign posted from the M1!  Not sure I would go again......

Although, it also gave me some ideas for 'Project Tim', so not a complete waste of time.  But overal, quite disappointed.....

For our part, it was the first show we had been to.

I agree that you got pretty short value for £8, but it was nice to see a few tasty examples of our beloved steeds.

Unfortunately, I came away with £1.30 to my name having bought some food and an ale!

Still, I did also get an interior mirror, a la M3, with map reading lights and wiring loom, so no more dark in the front due to having an ellecy sunroof. Assuming I can find time to fit it before the nights close in dark!

See you guys that are going at the monthly meet,is it at Bowburn Hall?

Cheers,

Mike & Gill 

There's no pleasing some people.

If you had the misfortune to attend Donington last year, you would have been waxing lyrical about yesterday.

Horsetan wrote: There's no pleasing some people.If you had the misfortune to attend Donington last year, you would have been waxing lyrical about yesterday.

I agree also! This year was a vast improvement over last years disaster, and all thanks should go to Andrew for this.

I'm sure he will take all constructive comments on board, and next year will be even better, and getting back to the 'good-old-days'

I've always thought of Gaydon as the 'Show-off Show' and Donington as the 'Bitza Show', so was especially pleased to see FAB were back.

As far as sign posting from the M1, I thought the signs for "Donington Motor Racing Circuit" were a permanent fixture from all routes? 

p.s. If you paid in advance it was only £5 (And I didn't buy my ticket until last Tuesday, and it arrived the next day!) then not only did you save £3, you could park in either compound adjacent to the building in relative safety.

p.p.s. and get in show early!

p.p.p.s. Oh yes! and try and sell your car for FREE!

Overall - a bargain!

D4BMW wrote: Ivan  I totally agree (incidently - didn't get a chance to speak to you yesterday - I presumed you weere there...) ....

I was there.

The primary purpose was to bring Ben Marks up to the show - it's his first one; he's the fella who's been having extreme difficulty getting his 1985 635CSi to fire up. Ross (Harris) reckons it could be something stupid like a corroded earth strap......

The admission fees are steep - but last year's tenner wasn't much more than the £8.50 charged on the door in 2002.

Thing is that here in WC UK we expect to get something for almost nothing - if you want a good example of this, look no further than certain railway modelling magazines - and when we don't, then loads of "green crayon" letters are generated. I note that South-East and North-East people seem more prone to whingeing (and I'm no exception, before you all start chuckin' the oul rotten tomatoes) than any other region.

I seem to remember that Donington Park does charge quite substantial fees to hire out its exhibition hall (complete with weird "leisure centre" lighting and dodgy catering), so I would be thinking that the organiser of this year's show would come out with very little profit when all the calculations are done.

If Donington 2006 were to have an admission fee of, e.g. £5, whilst we might be happy, I hardly think the organisers would want to run at a potential loss. Consider also that there are loads of us who say before the due date that we will be in attendance, and loads of us who then can't be fagged to turn up on the day. Let's face it: we're notorious for it. All this has to be factored-in to the bottom line.

Note to self: next year, bring packed lunch.

I also was at Donington and have to say that overall my daughter and I had a good day. I would have liked to have paid less but whats £8 in real terms, about 3 pints of beer or 8 litres of optimax, I can drink the beer in 1/2 an hour or use the optimax in a similar amount of time, so my six hours of looking at some nice BMW's (and some dodgy ones) and the chance to buy a couple of things from one of the traders was pretty good value in my opinion. My disappointment was, despite a couple of posts on the forum there was no response from guys in the NW area. We had a solo drive down until we hit the A50 when we spotted a nice silver E30 318is and tagged behind it the rest of the way.

PS Horsetan we did take a packed lunch that we would have shared with anyone.

Totally agree with D4BMW and Horsetan theres no pleasing some people.

As for the comments about linking the show to track action, Don't you think that the 5 BMW better driving days that the club orgainise are enough?

This show is all about everyday people bringing their cars together and having fun.

By meeting new people we may learn a thing or two about certain problems that we may have had with our/their cars.

As D4BMW rightly said instead of all the negative comments lets have some positive and constructive feedback to help with next years show.

I wasn't at Donny last year, so cannot compare.....  I wasn't expecting Gaydon, but I was expecting a little more.

Having trade stands, in particular the used parts, I think is an excellent idea.  I don't run an old car, so they weren't of any service to me, but they were busy, and I intend to acquire an older model soon so will reap the rewards in future.

I was mainly disappointed at the overal quality of the cars on display, and the relatively low numbers of them.  There were some exceptionally good cars there, but not enough to make up for the poor ones.

And as for moaning...... This forum is for discussion, coments, debate, sharing information, etc.  If we don't voice our opinions, how would organisers determine what had been sucsessful, and what had not?  After Gaydon feedback was invited, and responded too. And there were genuine reasons given that addressed some of the issues raised. These shows are for us, the Car Club members and marque enthusiasts, so we have a right to express what we like, and what we don't like.  The organisers do work very hard, so I am sure they would welcome feedback.  If they didn't get honest feedback from a range of visiters, how would they be able to improve?

thepits wrote: steven.seed wrote: PS we did take a packed lunch that we would have shared with anyone. Bit late now, should have made an announcement over the tannoy whilst you were there!

Maybe next time. By the way I love spam butties

oooookkkkkkkk then.......

I was expecting the event to be bigger.  Not on a Gaydon scale, just bigger (but that's the same with most things in life!)

Trade stands: Good.  There was something for everyone.  Although I wasn't too sure about some of the clothes and jewellery stands..(something for the ladies?)

Alpina's:  Excellent.  This could be the start of a 'main theme' every year? M power? DTM? Schnitzer? (biased opinion on that one!) 

Dispaly cars:  As previously stated, there were some excellent examples, and a varied range.  But there were some sheds. In particular on the outside display's.  I don't wish to name any examples, but there were cars that you wouldn't have looked at in the car park, let alone want to see on a display stand.

Regions/Registers: Maybe the organisers could liaise with the regionial co-ordinators to each have a small display.  This not only promotes the club as a whole, but the regions/registers as well. 

Signposts:  I don't think the venue was very well signposted.  This is obviously down to the venue owners.  But there could have been some 'show' directions, as there was within the grounds.

I don't think that the £8 on the door is excessive.  But I would have wanted a little more for my money.

I know that this is the first year 'under new management', and that a lot of hard work had clearly gone into the organisation and I applaud all the hard work and commitment, but these are just my observations.  I am not suggesting that was a 'bad' show, I just felt that it could have done with a little more. I gather that this was a huge improvement on last year, so I hope the trend continues.

But when all is said and done.  These are just the opinions of one member, and I could of course be completely wrong, and everyone enjoyed the show!

E46ACS wrote: Trade stands: Good.  There was something for everyone.  Although I wasn't too sure about some of the clothes and jewellery stands..(something for the ladies?) Alpina's:  Excellent.  This could be the start of a 'main theme' every year? M power? DTM? Schnitzer? (biased opinion on that one!)

Totally agree with you about the jewellery/clothing stalls!!!!!

Also agree about the Alpina's but then I've got an biased opinion on that one!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This is the kind of feedback and comments that were looking for. People to be more specfic, so as next year the event can be bigger and better.

It was difficult for me to be too specific about my views on standards of cars etc at the show .... but I do think that 'there is no pleasing some people' is a bit harsh in reply to someone's comment on their first ever BMW show having just started to relive my youth and got an old E30 325i.

I did however, rightly or wrongly, assume that the classic car enthusiast scene is a little more mature and professional in all that it does, than the preserved bus scene in which I am also involved.

My comment was based, as a newcomer to this scene on that experience alone.

I have to say that a few of the owners I spoke to tended to look down their nose a bit at me....a mere enthusiastic novice and some of the trades folk were too busy re-acquainting themselves with old mates to bother with selling their wares.

That said, I agree that £8 is not an enormous sum to have to lay out, and I look forward to bigger and better shows in the ensuing years. Who knows? I amy even have a go at displaying my own car...... if I can get it looking anywhere near as good as some of the machines there!

Best wishes and happy motoring, irrespective of your opinion of the meet.

Mike

D4BMW wrote: The 8 quid on the door could have been negated by the £5 disounted rate.. trouble is that the main adverts where in the club mag and this was delayed due to a cock up at the printers and so by the time we all got our copy it was too late to prebook (hardly the organisers fault)

Not quite right - this show had been advertised for ages, and mentioned on this forum for ages, so there was plenty of time to get the tickets at a discount

And when I forgot, and only phoned Andrew Last Tuesday after being reminded by the advert in the October Magazine, I STILL got my £5 ticket the next day!  

So no real excuse there then!

D4BMW wrote: even the ones wit hthe bling chrome wheels - not my cup of tea but still relevant... BTW You don't need to say the ALPINA's were excellent if they weren't I too can take constructive critiscim. Venue signposts.. I think it's just a case of knowing that you're heading to Donington park and following the brown signs.. easy for me to say I live 15 miles from it - so could do it with my eyes closed...

I agree, anything that is directly aimed at the marque or cars in general; wheels, mods, parts, tunning, graphics, cleaning products, etc., is good.  We all have different tastes, so there should be something for everyone. (except hippy clothes!)

The Alpina's were excellent.  It was good to see so many different one's there.  Maybe a Schnitzer display next year?  Not that I have a biased opinion towards Schnitzer in any way, shape or form. Ahem...

I know my way now!  But I know I wasn't the only one to encounter an unplanned detour en route!!!!!  

RM2186 wrote: I did however, rightly or wrongly, assume that the classic car enthusiast scene is a little more mature and professional in all that it does, than the preserved bus scene in which I am also involved. My comment was based, as a newcomer to this scene on that experience alone. I have to say that a few of the owners I spoke to tended to look down their nose a bit at me....a mere enthusiastic novice and some of the trades folk were too busy re-acquainting themselves with old mates to bother with selling their wares. That said, I agree that £8 is not an enormous sum to have to lay out, and I look forward to bigger and better shows in the ensuing years. Who knows? I amy even have a go at displaying my own car...... if I can get it looking anywhere near as good as some of the machines there! Best wishes and happy motoring, irrespective of your opinion of the meet. Mike

As I said in an earlier post I enjoyed my day but I must say that I agree with some of what Mike has to say. Some of the owners were a little difficult to talk to but fortunately I was happy just to look.

Some of the cars on display were not brilliant but whatever, they are someones pride and joy and we do not all have the time or money to lavish on our cars so we do our best. (I should have displayed mine as it was the only E36 318is saloon that I could see and its condition is probably better than 50% of the cars displayed) I would love to do lots of things to mine but I am an average Joe on average wages. But I still enjoyed looking at all the cars and having daydreams of finding that old neglected classic and giving it some TLC but until that day I will try to get to as many BMW shows as I can Donington included.

Cheers Steve.

From a traders point of view, I'll not be back. Turnout was about as low as the GT Tuner battle at Rockingham and that was free trade space on a first event of it's type there. We wondered if we had the right sort of products on sale or if it was an older age group (not really into nitrous), but both the traders adjacent to us had the same results. It can't be a BMW thing, as we already have BMW customers running nitrous.

£8 to get in you say? count yourself lucky £75 for us (on the smallest stand space available) and we didn't even sell enough to cover the diesel to get there.

You may have noticed a lot of the traders packing up early too, but I think the one jewellery stand sold a few items - two to my wife! lol

steven.seed, 6 hours!!!

My god, did you walk around the room 40 times?? Slowly!

I have been to many a show and have paid upto £40 for a ticket sometimes, its not that the £8 is a lot of money but I kinda expexted more for it.

OK, we have lots of track days, but when a carshow is on the doorstep of a track it seems rude not to!

Trade stands, overpriced second hand tat on a lot of them (ready for flaming), at least the girly shops kept the girls from going spare!

I understand the guy who organised this is new to club organising so things can only get better in the future, big thumbs up for the task!

Car quality, there were some lovely cars there and it was good to see a Z1 (always curious about that one) but no where near enough cars to justify a carshow.

Perhaps its a little too early in my forum days to be providing negative feedback but I was left feeling a little pissed off on the long way home.

Rant over, look forward to next meet!!

Mark

hi guys if you dont think yesterday was not worth it you should have been there last year, i think the show had inproved leaps and bounds and could be made much better, the space given to cars could be much better utilised if you want to make this a show to go to then lets have some good ideas rather than criticism which kills these events.

thanks to jeff and andrew for inviting me and the car

i enjoyed every minuit of every video bring back proper touring cars

wayne

darkspirit wrote: steven.seed, 6 hours!!! My god, did you walk around the room 40 times?? Slowly!

maybe not 40 times but it was a sunday, no work, no rush, I was chilled out and took my time to have a good look at everthing I could. One thing I will say is that compared to NEC,Earls Court or M.E.N. centre it was probably one of the few shows I've been to where there were few enough people there so as to allow you to move around without being pushed from pillar to post.

Went to Donnington Overall had a good day with the family..

Some cracking cars  That Black E3 3.0 SI ........droooooolll

the blue 840 .....even Bens outragious e30 drop top...wow

also went to the museum .. well worth the money and time to see my heroes cars and bikes..

Not a bad show as I see it. Even the car park was worth a trip around..See the white E21 with all the bling....Nice to see other peoples interpretation of their cars.

My 2 teenage boys enjoyed the sights and we even managed to tire them out..bless thier cottons.

I must admit I was wondering why the main dealers were not represented . After all it is a national show.

Anyway nice day .. but it's what you make of it.

calv8 wrote: Went to Donington. Overall had a good day with the family.. Some cracking cars  That Black E3 3.0 SI ........droooooolll Anyway nice day .. but it's what you make of it.

Glad you enjoyed it - that's the whole point "It's what you (want to) make of it" It isn't meant to be Gaydon!

When the 'Drivers Club' (god bless it) ran the show it was for the average BMW driver of an older model to get those hard to find bits!

I've never thought it as being aimed at the BMW owner of a "car still serviced by a dealer"

I've said it before - so I'll say it again! - its "The Bitza Show"!

D4BMW wrote: as others have said the show used to be the national event for the now extinct BMW drivers club (their gaydon if you like,...)......

....and might have continued in that vein had the prime mover / organiser of the DC not suddenly dropped dead. I went in 2002, and the inability of the organisers to control the bass-heavy ICE "exhibitors" spoilt what was otherwise a reasonably good effort.

.....also and this is the main point this is NOT a CAR CLUB run event.. it's an independant show in which the car club had a large stand at...