Hi gang!

Slightly later getting started on this event this year, but I'm hoping to "get on with it" a bit more, so actually have more time for planning...!

I thought last year's event was excellent (despite me having a few problems with my car). For those who don't remember / didn't attend, here's a summary of what we did (thanks to Speedy & Andy)...










So...that brings us to this year. So far, I've got as far as "in the north", as the first one was in the midlands (Crich), the second was in the south (Beaulieu)...and we have a significant number of members oop north, especially in the north east. However, we had two guys come down from the north west last year, and it'd be great to see some of the Irish guys joining us.

There, I'm afraid, I draw a blank, and I would like to consult local knowledge. We want two things, I think - 1) good roads for a drive (perhaps meet in one place, and drive to our campsite / dinner venue, rather than a round trip like last year?). That could be quite a distance, so a trip across Pennines or similar further north is certainly possible. 2) An interesting attraction. Previously, a strong preference for a motoring-related venue was expressed, and I think we really hit the nail on the head with Beaulieu. However, if we really can't think of anything, some other sort of attraction will do (such as Crich, in the first year).

Over to you guys...I would appreciate your thoughts and ideas. What I don't want is for me to do what I did last year, and let the "consultation" phase drag on for 2-3 months. Hopefully we'll have enough to go on within a month.

cheers

James

Beamish, or Cars of the Stars?

Don't have anything to suggest apart from could the venue be car based?

Croft?

Think Ive said it before and got shot down though.

roads up weardale - Alston sort of area are pretty good

there must be some sort of automotive things round here, can't think of anything off the top of me head though, beamish is good mind!

Its late and i've been busy - me mind might work better tomorrow lol

What about the peak district - snake pass? I know the speed restrictions are crazy on there now but the scenery would be nice.

how about a weekend at oulten park? maybe choose a good race weekend or even time it with a track day event for some people that may want to try it?
theres also a motoring museum pretty close by (however ive never been), just an idea

seannaayy

I like that idea! I could perhaps come if it was at oulten park

oulton park sounds good

I'm now back from America, and pleased to see you've made some suggestions

Oulton Park is an interesting one, but what do you see us doing there? Unless people are willing to pony up some serious cash (probably circa £200 each), we're unlikely to be able to get on the track ourselves, and if we want exclusive use of the track, we'll need around 40 people to sign up. Exclusive use is probably what we want - a load of (in fairness) pretty slow cars on a public track day would be something of a menace. I guess we could go to a race meeting...is that what you had in mind?

The same thing applies to Croft...although it might be cheaper, as it's not such a 'developed' circuit.

Cars of the Stars shut a few months ago, but I believe it was in the middle of Keswick anyway, so not ideal for us. Good idea though - I had the same thought until I was told of its location (and demise).

Beamish is something which obviously springs to mind, although I'm not sure how keen they'd be on cars being put on show...out of era, and all. Crich were fine with it, so we can ask. The other place I know of in the area is Locomotion at Shildon, but neither of these are exactly motoring related.

Any more thoughts, folks?

cheers

James

Pity about the 'Cars of the Stars', I wanted to take Jack to see that sometime , I did go many years ago when I was at college up there. It was too central as a venue anyway due to parking restrictions.

Yeah, sounds like it wasn't in trouble as such...the guy just got bored, and didn't sell it (for whatever reason). Seems a shame when a popular attraction closes for seemingly no good reason (even if there is one, behind the scenes). The destruction (that's just about the only word for it...that or desecration!) of Dobwalls is an even better example.

cheers

James

I went to cars of the stars a while back qnd wasn't that impressed. Had the normal selection of a Mr bean mini, trotter van and interesting bits of a kitt rep and flintstones car. Just ggot some fast and the furious too I believe. Thing is, most car places have the first two, and there wasn't that much there for a fairly steep entry cost

Anyway....steam things are always good or coal mines, never seen one of them!

Hi lads.
Sorry to have a blonde moment but could someone please tell me
where these places are
Cheers Mark.

You're familiar with how to use Google maps, right Mark?

Oulton Park: http://g.co/maps/g2gzz
Croft: http://g.co/maps/bk52n
Beamish: http://g.co/maps/bexzv

Cars of the Stars was in Kendal.

Any other thoughts, folks? I will drop a message to a few of the "NE massive"...

cheers

James