38 replies to this topic

[roberts]

Think it's fair to say everyone is bored of the 1/4 mile now... it was great when MITP first moved to Santa Pod, but it's boring 10 years later.

 

We stopped trading at MITP a few years ago (this is the second year we havn't traded), the ownership of the show has changed hands a few times and it's fallen off a cliff.

 

What was the best show of the year (up until 2015 it was a great show) is now one of the worst shows of the year (hence why we don't trade at it).

 

It's now extremely overpriced for both public and trade (the trade pitch costs are ridiculous in comparison with numbers of people), but that's not the event organisers fault - they have to cover the costs of hiring Santa Pod for the weekend.

 

It won't be long until it's gone from the show calendar, or alternatively (fingers crossed) they move it to a more suitable (smaller/cheaper) venue, which should revitalise it.

Edited by roberts, 13 August 2018 - 04:08 PM.

[slayerofcows]

It's good to know everyone feels the same way.  I went along and brought all the family for what was our first visit to a mini show and was somewhat underwhelmed.  Having travelled down the night before to stay in a hotel so we could get there nice and early, the highlight of the trip was drinks at the hotel bar.

 

What other shows would you all say are better than this years mitp?

[blacktulip]

We have a local show called maldon classic car show and it's been out of this world for a few years now. Trouble is it's so far away if your not around East anglia.

[spraybeater]

A lot depends on what you want from shows, its very hard to please everybody! 

I have only started showing mine this year, the main reason that I take it to shows

is because it a rare car! and IMOP should not be hidden away in a Private collection

or a garage.

This years highlights for me have been MK1 performance day at Blyton and Beaulieu MCR day

I like it when Meet people and speak to them, it seems that a lot of folks park and lockup their car

and disappear! sadly some folks heads are so far up their backsides ie (don't speak to me)!!!!!!!!

The others have been Mini/Metro show at Gaydon, met and spoke to a lot of people at Bingley

at the start of the year, but I personally am not interested in doing Show and Shine or Concours.

If your into Classic Car shows in general there are a fair amount in the Yorkshire area.and there is

always a couple of Minis at Esholt the second Wednesday of the month, don't know about any local

Mini events,.

On a personal note I would hate to be an Event organiser been there done that and its a thankless task,

please feel free to PM me if you like.

[mab01uk]

It's good to know everyone feels the same way.  I went along and brought all the family for what was our first visit to a mini show and was somewhat underwhelmed.  Having travelled down the night before to stay in a hotel so we could get there nice and early, the highlight of the trip was drinks at the hotel bar.

 

What other shows would you all say are better than this years mitp?

 

Stanford Hall in September is usually a good Mini show and like Beaulieu is long established and has evolved over many years.......

Sunday 23rd September 2018:-

https://britishminic...ents/mini-fest/

Edited by mab01uk, 14 August 2018 - 11:39 AM.

[Steve220]

What other shows would you all say are better than this years mitp?

Any.

[CityEPete]

I prefer the nec classic every November.

Many Minis were in daily use, some were brand new still during the hey days of the shows. I think those days have gone forever.

[mini-mad-mark]

I also live in Northampton and I left at 11am having walked round twice and seen enough. Pretty sure I won't be going again 

When I arrived (8.30) I had 10 BINIs behind me and 10 in front and couldn't see another mini 

 

Like a lot of other folks I have nothing against the BINI but I'm not bothered about them (like I'm not that bothered about escorts or beetles or Vauxhalls or MGs or any other classic car)  and I would guess that BINI owners are not that interested/bothered about minis? 

 

I think everyone (mini or BINI) needs to face up to this idea (especially the magazines and club/show organisers) as then hopefully we will get a few (maybe less than now) quality mini shows wherever they are, and however many BINI shows are required - as I don't own one and am not in the "scene" I don't know how vibrant the BINI scene is - is it like the mini scene was in its heyday (1984 to 2000-ish IMHO)

 

My personal opinion is that the two should be divorced but just my opinion maybe others can see a way for it to work - I don't - Maybe some people have both and but could you be into minis and beetles...?

 

The mini scene has naturally declined since 2001 and will continue to do so as less youngsters can afford one (note: a BINI is well affordable now, so I can maybe see the attraction.... )  even I am shocked at the prices for minis/mini stuff now as I've been around a while - too many stories, but how about scrapping a Mk1 just for its engine...

 

Who thinks the two mini mags should amalgamate before too long - surely the advertisers (who fill a lot of the pages now) will not want to advertise in both for much longer and I guess the advertising revenue is quite important? 

 

Thumbs up for Stanford Hall as a mini show, but then there were quite a few BINIs there last year so who knows how that will go.

 

How does it work for Ford Escorts? I would guess if you're into Mk1 or Mk2 Escorts you might be a bit less interested in Mk3 onwards?

And Beetles? Anyone know how the traditionalists feel about the latest version? Fiat 500? probably too small a club?

 

I can't think of any other cars that generate the same interest and have a early/late version to divide opinion (I see vauxhall just bought out a new Viva.....  )

This maybe a unique and unusual situation.

 

The club I'm in specifically states "only for classic minis" as that is what the club is about, not because we don't like the BINI or want to exclude people directly

 

I cant think of a good analogy or situation where this situation occurs elsewhere.

Maybe like football supporters who think that men's football is the only one and the women's game is not valid......(oh-oh - can of worms opened!)  (NB not my opinion)

[mab01uk]

Shows like Beaulieu are expensive to run so need a certain number of paying visitors through the gate to 'break even' or make a profit, the MCR as a club cannot afford to run the show at a loss, nor can the commercial events business run shows like MITP run at a loss for long. With the reduction in cheap classic Minis on the road (daily drivers) and the end of Mini production in 2000 shows like Beaulieu needed the extra ticket sales generated by New MINI's to continue to run the big shows on the same scale and at the same big venues as before.

The problem with MITP is that it is no longer run by Mini/MINI enthusiasts and the Mini magazines can no longer afford the high sponsorship costs of shows and the possible financial losses if its not a success. Also many Mini enthusiasts like myself are now much more selective of what shows to visit and only go to 2 or 3 of the best established national or local Mini shows each year........quality not quantity!

Edited by mab01uk, 16 August 2018 - 11:35 AM.

[Cooperman]

I am a classic car enthusiastcand I go to a couple og general classic shows each year. There are always classic Minis there plus loads of other very interesting stuff.
I do get tempted by other makes and types and I quite fancy a Mk.3 Ford Zodiac. Now there is a ckassic which will easily keep up with modern traffic. Costs about the same as a 'mint' Mk.1 850.
Problem is too many Minis in my garage/workshop!

[Turbo Phil]

I went to Retro Rides Gathering in Worcester last weekend. Absolutely fantastic show. A huge variety of cars and watching the hillclimb was far more exciting than a drag strip.

Phil.

[nicklouse]

I went to Retro Rides Gathering in Worcester last weekend. Absolutely fantastic show. A huge variety of cars and watching the hillclimb was far more exciting than a drag strip.

Phil.

did you see the robin!

[panky]

Did you see the Commer camper going up the hill - even managed a burn out with the old original iron lump. Well the hand brake is on the front wheels

 

[minimat]

I remember when mitp was held at oxfordshire, was a good show then,

[Norfolk Boy]

Would the answer be to have a TMF show? I went to MITP last year and was underwhelmed,also left a local club as it seemed to be a competition on how much money you could spend on a Bini