Good evening. I would certainly support an event at Donnington and probably still go to Beaulieu!
As an aside my late father in 1940/41 was stationed at Donnington whilst in the REME and his job was dismantling A7 scout cars.
Regards
Stuart

Location: Staffordshire, the creative county.

Firstly Ian I must apologise for suggesting that numbers of car attending seemed down. I can only try to explain why it felt like there were less cars this year if numbers were roughly the same. I can only guess that many people brought their jewels, meaning numbers in many (not all) of the other classes were less. This combined with the fact that all of the jewels were moved out of main rally field to the feature display, made the main rally field look a bit bare in comparison to previous years where there have been less feature cars. Last year I think had a similar effect with the racing cars. I don't know if keeping all of the cars on the rally field would be of benefit, maybe making the front row the feature display and having the feature cars do a parade of the driving test area?

Again I have only massive thanks for all of the hard work you and your team put in to make Beaulieu a magical day. I completely agree if there is to be an extra central rally, then the dates would need to be far enough apart to maintain participation at Beaulieu and ensure good numbers at the new event.

Tony,
Some great suggestions there. The valve changing contest is genius, trying to get the cotters in under pressure, brilliant. I would be happy to pitch in with any part of the project if you wanted to spread the load Tony. I would also volunteer a couple of hours on Sunday to help run it if it goes ahead. Trophies would be great to get the winner to come back next year, a simple card certificate for the winner to keep as well would be good.
Like the idea of the most improvement needed class for projects. Great place to get advice on your project as well.

Would having more people around generally on Saturday be of help to the atmosphere? I don't know how it all works, whether local entrants would be able to bring their cars on site after the run, just for the evening food and entertainment, without paying to camp?

All the best
Timothy

Location: New Forest

Hi Timothy,

Any changes or additions, will have to be ok'd first by the 750. Of course.

But if they do take on change, and ask for these things to be done. Yes I welcome help.

I think the tent needs livening up, and yes as you say something outside the tent on saterday evening could help.

Again these decisions are the 750s

I used to do a stall at Enfield padgent, and the years I done it. Many people talked about the quality of the stalls dropping each year. However the evening beer tent and entertainment pulled a huge crowd.

One thing that drew everyone to the beer tent wasn't necassarily the beer. They parked two steam engines outside, running. Brilliant.

Sadly as usual the few spoiled it for the many. With fits breaking out.

I've attended this event since they stopped the entertainment, and I'm sorry to say, unless you go to bed at 6pm, there is nothing.

Tony.

Location: Huncote on the pig

FYI
Andy Lowe's suggestion from the thefts thread

Another suggestion as an alternative to Beaulieu could be Donington Park racing circuit. The 750MC have their offices there. They have classic car clubs in the centre for the Historic meeting, which could be used for camping. There is already a campsite attached to the hotel next door. Maybe it could be combined with a 750MC race meeting with an A7 race. There is the museum on site, and an airport next door to encourage overseas club members(!)Handy for the motorways.

Location: Ripon

Its a great idea from Andy and should be given serious consideration by whoever looks after these things.
I'm repeating my view from the 'thefts' post as its more relevant here.
I would consider traveling from Edinburgh to near Nottingham but not the south coast!
What do others think?

Paul N-M

Location: Midlothian

Thanks Ian, I was beginning to think it was discontinued. A second check of the 750MC website revealed that the list of winners was for 2016.

Thank you, Duncan!

Location: just going out to the garage

I think the idea of investigating new venues is worthwhile.

The Triumph Register frequently uses The County Showgrounds at Malvern and Harrogate, both interesting towns in their own right.

Camping and showers basic but OK and other accommodation options available in or bear the two towns.

Great giant Sheds at both locations which the traders like.

On the other hand I've just come back from 4 days of corporate hospitality at Goodwood Festival of Speed, along with 200,000 other!

The FOS does themes, can we apply for 2022 , 100th anniversary
Of the Baby Austin ? Perhaps that year it could be Festival of Slowness? The only Austin 7 there this year was Mrs JO JO who cast a sprocket driving the supercharger. The 999 cars there were mostly all a lot, lot faster, faster .

Check out Malvern, nice side trips to the Morgan factory and some Testing hills too!

Regards
Bill G
Scottish Border

Location: Scottish Border

probably too far south, but Lord March has a strong Austin 7 connection from his ?grandfather racing - I bet he'd jump at the chance of getting a big Austin meet at Goodwood sometime when the FOS isn't on.

Their Sunday morning breakfast clubs once a month are very successful - free entrance, communal, and they just make their money on food sales and publicity for events.

I enjoy beaulieu and have been doing it every year for the last 17 since I restored my 1925 chummy,usely stay from Friday till sunday afternoon,sat always have a drive out around the new forest,used to camp in a tent but now have a motor home which is a lot easier,there have been some good years and some not so are group are getting smaller and I notice lots missing who used to go.The drive up this year took over 5 hours with lots of slow moveing traffic on the a361 a303 and through Salisbury early July being peak holiday time.Ive always wondered why the Austin rally is at Beaulieu as shurely the home of Austin is Birmingham and longbridge still has Cofton Park,closer to the center of the country plenty of rooms/pubs shops etc and where they were all made.
worth thinking about?The rally there in 2005 was good and why not have the rest of the Austins there as well

Location: North devon miles from anywhere