S Club Planning
S Club Planning
Author
Discussion

profstoff

Original Poster:

1,272 posts

256 months

Monday 2nd October 2006
quotequote all
It's that time of year when the nights are drawing in, TVRs are locked in the garage (not mine though) and Santa Claus is starting to panic about how much work he still has to do.

And we're starting to plan S-Club Heaven V

I have two questions for the mass S populace:
1 When? Do we stick with the May date we had last year or switch to early July? What is your preference?
2 Are there any willing owners out there that would be prepared to assist running the event? Its not hard work but very rewarding and more people helps to spread the load and share the fun.

Mr Sheen

1,346 posts

293 months

Monday 2nd October 2006
quotequote all
Personally I think May is to early in the year, July sounds good.

If you start organising now, I believe the interest will have dropped off by Jan/Feb next year – it did for me last year.

If you start in Jan/Feb I reckon you’ll get more people, IMHO

profstoff

Original Poster:

1,272 posts

256 months

Monday 2nd October 2006
quotequote all
Mr Sheen said:
Personally I think May is to early in the year, July sounds good.

If you start organising now, I believe the interest will have dropped off by Jan/Feb next year – it did for me last year.

If you start in Jan/Feb I reckon you’ll get more people, IMHO


Andy - Thanks for the feedback. There is a TVRCC events planning meeting in a couple of weeks time so we need to get our foot in the door for a date so to speak, otherwise we'll be lumbered with what's available or lose TVRCC support. Also, I want to get the venue booked. I agree with you that we don't want to start promoting the event just yet.

houghman

111 posts

265 months

Monday 2nd October 2006
quotequote all
Where will it take place, I'm in sunny Manchester, I guess not up here! cool

the gazman

1,686 posts

249 months

Monday 2nd October 2006
quotequote all
I'd just make sure you get in before the school holidays start to maximise numbers.
I will back you up of course.

GreenV8S

31,017 posts

313 months

Monday 2nd October 2006
quotequote all
July gives me more time to put the car back together. thumbup
Or September? (I'm getting more realistic with age!)

the gazman

1,686 posts

249 months

Monday 2nd October 2006
quotequote all
GreenV8S said:
July gives me more time to put the car back together. thumbup
Or September? (I'm getting more realistic with age!)


Blimey Peter, pull those stockings up

profstoff

Original Poster:

1,272 posts

256 months

Monday 2nd October 2006
quotequote all
houghman said:
Where will it take place, I'm in sunny Manchester, I guess not up here! cool

This year was at Ettington Chase nr Stratford on Avon and we'll aim to hold there again next year. It's a nice venue with a bar and you can stay overnight.

V8Smith

3,510 posts

282 months

Monday 2nd October 2006
quotequote all
Im hoping to make this years after missing the last one, I must say May is a bad month for me as I have many birthdays including my sons which I cant miss. July/Aug might be a better idea as weather is more likely to be good thus a better attendance.

Sadly Im still snowed under so cant offer any assistance, this is the reason I passed the reigns to Derek in the first place as I dont want to commit to something I may not be able to deliver.

Cheers

Mike

marz92

1,675 posts

266 months

Monday 2nd October 2006
quotequote all
I have to agree with the others, May still can prove dodgy with the weather, as proved this year! Not a good time for me either, I have to work 36 Saturdays and Sundays throughout the year, hence missing this years S Club Heaven and not offering to help 'behind the scenes.' Early July (before school holidays) sounds a better idea, more chance of sunshine, and quite simply - more sunshine means more cars. As for the venue, I have to say I was MOST disappointed with the level of service/refreshments at Ettington Hall when I took the S up to the Griff Growl, this year. They couldn't even provide any coffee and they ran out of bread for sandwiches. I still can't believe their management can allow that to happen, when they knew 100 cars could turn up! Incredible! It was a shame because Stratford On Avon was so well placed for us all.
One other point, quite a few people came and went early because there was little to do. As a suggestion would it not be good to ride 'piggy back' on some other large event, so there is something else for others, who do not wish to participate in the 'hoon' or 'kick tyres all day long' Having said that, it was good to see a fair few trade stands at the Griff Growl too. Don't wish to get too political, but just adding some 'food for thought' Regards to all - Paul

the gazman

1,686 posts

249 months

Monday 2nd October 2006
quotequote all
I agree with all the previous comments, this year was disapointing on the weather front and having 3 letdowns on the trader front (probably because they saw the weather forecast) it left things flat, the griff growl would have been better if Joo could have got the rolling road working, but that's life.
I'm going to take a step back this year and maybe just look after the traders and exhibitors this year (subject to Prostoff's approval) and will give it my full attention, I quite like the idea of the 4 wheel alignment demo they had at the Wedge fest and maybe we could hook up a proper power supply and convince Joo to have another try with the rolling road.

On the food front, why not have the BBQ at lunchtime and those that want to stop over can make other arrangements, like go to Stratford etc.

BTW the Heaven event will always be lacking in resources as long as you guys sit on your hands and leave it to one or two people, please commit to helping out in some way, no matter how little.

Edited by the gazman on Monday 2nd October 18:16


Edited by the gazman on Monday 2nd October 18:20

longers

4,505 posts

257 months

Monday 2nd October 2006
quotequote all
I was unable to go to S Club this year due to family hol's but my rambling views are.....

I love all things TVR but as has been said above, I find that kicking bocensoredx and talking tyres for a whole day can drag a bit. That's why I liked going to Silverstone when the GT racing was on. With the TVR race series running now can't we arrange something with one of the circuits to host us for the day? I have been to Donington for race days in the past when there have been owners meets on the infield parking areas (one year about 15 Marcos owners and another year there was about 60 BMW Z3 coupes there having a chin wag). This offered the owners a full day of activity to watch and also generated a lot of interest from the general public. There was nothing fancy, just a roped of parking area so should be easy to sort (and yes, they did all leave the circuit at lunchtime for a hoon!) Downside is that we may have to pay some kind of admission fee to the circuit but it'll be a full days entertainment......and we may be able to do some "parade" laps during the day?

Alternatively what about a motoring museum like Haynes or an aircraft museum like Duxford or the Shuttleworth collection or a stately home like the TVR meet at Chatsworth earlier in the year or the Crich tramway museum where the classic met.....?

As for overnight accom, I'm not sure how many used it this year but I'd be happy with a day out rather than an overnighter - depends on individual circ's so each to their own, and also where the event is being held

As regards timing, I'd agree that it'd be good to get the TVRCC support so arrange the date asap, but don't actively publicise until next year. Personally I think that the later in the year the better.

Subject to work / family commitments I'd be try to help out where possible, either in advance or on the day

Longers

Edited by longers on Monday 2nd October 22:51

V8S

8,582 posts

266 months

Tuesday 3rd October 2006
quotequote all
longers said:
I love all things TVR but as has been said above, I find that kicking bocensoredx and talking tyres for a whole day can drag a bit. That's why I liked going to Silverstone when the GT racing was on. With the TVR race series running now can't we arrange something with one of the circuits to host us for the day?


Yes I prefer that format. And perhaps we could arrange some kind of parade around the circuit during the lunchtime break. Or a run up the strip if it's held at somewhere like Santa Pod.

I think this might get more people attending if, say, for £20 all-in you get entrance to the circuit and a parade lap or two - much more of a draw than 6 hours feeling envy at the condition of Mr Sheen's V8S.

Mr Sheen

1,346 posts

293 months

Tuesday 3rd October 2006
quotequote all
V8S said:
longers said:
I love all things TVR but as has been said above, I find that kicking bocensoredx and talking tyres for a whole day can drag a bit. That's why I liked going to Silverstone when the GT racing was on. With the TVR race series running now can't we arrange something with one of the circuits to host us for the day?


Yes I prefer that format. And perhaps we could arrange some kind of parade around the circuit during the lunchtime break. Or a run up the strip if it's held at somewhere like Santa Pod.

I think this might get more people attending if, say, for £20 all-in you get entrance to the circuit and a parade lap or two - much more of a draw than 6 hours feeling envy at the condition of Mr Sheen's V8S.

...better start polishing

I think we are going down the right route, Santa Pod, Donnington, Silverstone all sound great.

profstoff

Original Poster:

1,272 posts

256 months

Tuesday 3rd October 2006
quotequote all
Mr Sheen said:

...better start polishing


Too right, we need you and V8Smith there to stop doddze scooping all the silverware again

Thanks for the feedback everyone. It's given me some food for thought. One other thing I want to incorporate is something for the ladies. We get a number of other halfs and it would be nice to encourage them a bit more so we need some more female focussed activities.

longers

4,505 posts

257 months

Tuesday 3rd October 2006
quotequote all
profstoff said:
We get a number of other halfs and it would be nice to encourage them a bit more so we need some more female focussed activities.

Perhaps use somewhere like Chatsworth as I suggested above....?

In case we wanted to use a race meeting as a venue I spoke to Donington Park earlier who said it would not be a problem to arrange an area for us. They gave me an email address we'd need to write to once we're in a position to confirm dates/ numbers etc.

Perhaps find out from the TVRCC the proposed date for next years TVR race series (may be a while before they are available yet) and take it from there?

Longers

marz92

1,675 posts

266 months

Tuesday 3rd October 2006
quotequote all
I definitely believe we should hold it on the back of 'another' event, whether it be a race meet or something like Chatsworth. Something to get many traders involved in and worth while for them to come. I'm sure it could become befinicial to us 'S' owners.
How about an S Club auto jumble while we are there, anything left over in our garages which can be put to good use by fellow 'S' owners . Yes, I kow we have had a few stalls in the past but we need more to make it worth while. Perhaps we could contact all those that advertise in the car club magazine for starters.
It has to be a day out of enjoyment, not only for us, but wives/girlfriends too. That's if we want to break the 100 barrier, like we so very nearly did last year at Silverstone.
Having said all that, I still would like to thank those of you who made the S Club events possible. Hopefully we will invite more constructive criticism and valid points to make the event even more enjoyable.
Here's hoping!
Thanks to all concerned.
Cheers
Paul

Edited by marz92 on Tuesday 3rd October 20:03

mr clifford

816 posts

256 months

Wednesday 4th October 2006
quotequote all
My 2p worth. We have the chance to display 50-80 cars.
An event like www.silverstone.co.uk/html/ra_silverstoneclassic.php might be interested to offer us some space `inside the ropes`. Also there might be a chance of a parade lap. Even if we cant park inside their is plenty of space outside for car parking.
Racing to watch pm and no need to organise food etc. For me July / August is better for the weather, (I know we were very unlucky this year) make people vote, take a look at the cars between 9.30-12.30 then go watch some racing, look round other cars then return to see prize givings / chat some more TVR stuff etc about 5.30pm I enjoy looking at the Tiv`s but at least this way some folk have a chance to watch some racing too ! Kill 2 birds with one stone. (it takes me a long time to build up brownie points for a Saturday `off` so I would certainly enjoy both ! ) Silverstone btw is 27-30 July 2007....Great central position for most peeps.

GreenV8S

31,017 posts

313 months

Wednesday 4th October 2006
quotequote all
Silverstone would be excellent!






only next door, might get all the way there without something falling off ...

marz92

1,675 posts

266 months

Thursday 5th October 2006
quotequote all
Nice one Mr. Clifford. Now that is a FANTASTIC idea, something for everybody! I like that suggestion. Imagine an area coned off for 80 'S' for all 38,000 crowd to see, What a great coo for the 'S' Club, even if only 5 per cent of 'Joe Public' walked passed our parking area think what that would do for us - Anybody got one for sale that day???? . Besides we're bound to gain some printed publicity somewhere. Lets hope I don't have a wedding to photograph that day!