TamiyaClub Spring Drive? a possible venue???

[wldnas]

Talk of a another TamiyaClub drive was circulating even before the Clumber Park event had finished, Chris seems keen to start the search for another venue a bit further south (possably south birmingham area) and I may know of a suitible location to hold such an event...

The National Agricutiural Centre (NAC) at Stoneleigh in Warwickshire, you know, the place they have the Royal show and Town and Country Festival each year. its situated about halfway between Coventry and Leamington Spa. its a massive place that plays host to all manner of club meetings, shows, events and markets all year round, sometimes they even have two or more smaller events on at one time. we would only need a small corner of this huge complex to have our little gathering and I know for a fact that they have loads of large halls and Cattle sheds with dirt floors that are undercover and would be perfect for setting up a dirt track for buggies, they have open grass areas nearby and im sure we could also find some smooth tarmac for the on-road racers amongst us. with so much undercover space it would be easy to set up a few small stalls close to the track so ppl could sell their wares properley rather than out of the boot of a car.

Chris has made it know that a date between the late March and early would be best, the NAC allways has something big on for the easter period, but to organise something a week or two either side of that might be tricky, Because the NAC is practically on my doorstep I could perhaps start to make the nessasary enquiries onhow much it would cost to book for such an event, in fact my friend Richard (who was with me at Clumber) is hoping to have a display of his RC cars at the NAC in the next few weeks, ive been invited to join him and add a few of my more unusual cars to his display, so while we are their Im sure we could make a few enquires about holding something a little more subtantial, aslo I know having an event at the NAC would be a little further to go for some of the more northern members, but their are a number of very good hotels nearby that could be of use and I was also thinking that perhaps it could be stretched out to a 2 day event?

thoughts anyone?

[netsmithUK]

The reason I want to start looking for a venue now, is that I think the next meeting will be even bigger and better, but consequently will take longer to set up.

Truth be know we were very lucky this time, just turning up at a public park en mass and taking over an area of it. In the summer we would not have been able to do this, as the place would have been packed with picnic people with kids and dogs etc.

Were ever the second meeting it, we will need to do it with the official recognition of the venue. So I am up for all suggestions that people want to put forward. The more information you can put forward for a place the better. I guess ideally we are looking for somewhere that can provide or has easy access to...

- easy access from a major motorway

- food & toilet facilities

- substantial carparking

- an area for trading (ideally inside)

- an area for off roading, compacted earth, gravel, grasss etc

- possible an area for on road cars ?

Just south of Birmingham sounds just about right to me, but again I'm open to suggestions.

Nominations for venues need to be in by end of January, infact the earlier the better - as decent venues are not going be available at short notice.

I feel what was nice about Sundays event was that we were all rc nuts, that 'knew' each other and for that reason I'd sooner try and get the sole use of a venue, rather than share it.

There must be some local RC clubs that could gives a home for a day somewhere...if you know of any try and get a contact and email me.

At the moment though any venue, will be considered.

Cheers

Chris

[DJTheo]

Did you realise, that this is the 1000th topic!

Happy birthday, long live Tamiyaclub!

[flyby]

I like the idea of a 2 day meet, would make for a great wekend holiday []

living all the way out on the east coast, further south may help a little but not much, can we come East just a tad? i know there is alot of members around the Essex area aswell, and for those who live central it wouldn't be to far ,so it would be easy for them. It's Just a thought ! better throw it in now just incase [] Sorry i don't know of any places though, i'll try and search for some venues on the net and see what turns up?

[mr_lister999.]

yep, i'm an essex man flyby. Sounds like a good idea [] The NAC sounds like a good venue at it has all the criteria and is fairly south. Any pictures or a website name for a quick glance? There must be a an RC club somewhere around this area that has outdoors like a buggy track but i don't know the names of any. [] Sounds like a good idea to get this ready early. Good luck.

[flyby]

It's a shame we couldn't get Snetterton race circuit, it's the official tamiya sponserd track[] how cool would that be[], the tarmac track is the best in the country and also got an offroad track there ,shelter and toilets,camping..etc....

If only we could find somewhere like this that we could rent out,

[BiggusDitchus]

Is the snetterton track not a possibility???? Could that be looked into. I am into 1/5 bike racing and almost have sorted renting the drakelow circuit so surely snetterton may be interested... though suppose cost may be an issue, but for facilities like that what the badword.

[Sonic]

Biggus is right even if we all had to chip in to hire it out,it would be a top venue you can't do better than a oficial Tamiya track that vintage Tamiya's would have spun round all those years ago.

What we need is someone local to the track to do a bit of "sniffing" round and getting a bit of info for us , who's up for it?[8]

[netsmithUK]

OK we've got to be careful we don't bombard them with requests, so unless anyone has any mates there and can pull a few strings I'll call them on Monday, to see whats available.

[flyby]

Well guys i live not too far from snetterton, it was mainly guys at the Attleburgh club and my local club in Norwich that had it built, i do know some of them, so consider those strings to be pulled if possible[]

To be honest i thought this would be to far out the way and probably not available, but if everyone is willing to travel then what the badword it's worth a shot.

I will make some enquires Sunday when i go racing and get back to you on that, but don't get your hopes up as they do hold races there on a regular basis , so as i just said it might be unavailable.

You don't really get the feel for the size of it from the pictures, It is huge, when we raced our lotus big 6's it was brilliant. And the podium is just perfect. I still have some video footage of the first track meet there.

One thing to bear in mind is that Snetterton market is held there every Sunday so there can be alot of ppl about, just thought i had better mention that, as Chris was saying it would be better to try and get somewhere other ppl wouldn't be.

Anyway i'll see what i can do and let you know.

[Guest Carsnboats]

I am based in Brum so I don't mind where it will be held. I was prevented from going to Clumber by Family matters. Please Please Please don't hold it until March. I get married on feb 15th and would have to miss the winter drive if it is held in feb.

[flyby]

Seeing as you have allready missed one meet, i'm sure the wife wouldn't mind if you missed one wedding []

[Spike]

I'm with Flyby on Snetterton as a potential venue for the next meet. I race there regularly and it's a great track with good facilities, there's even an off road track and a model boat lake within a few metres of the track![]

The only downsides to Snetterton are:

1)The traffic around the area is a nightmare when the market ends (they're widening the roads in the area - which adds to the problem).

2)The track will be open for practice to anyone who wishes to race there (including IC cars), unless it's booked as a venue for the day/s. The off road track and boat lake aren't used.

3)If you stay there over night you have to travel a bit to find a pub[]

I think Clumber Park was a good venue for the Winter Drive but there are things to be learnt from it.

[flyby]

Right the ball is rolling and the strings have had a tweek [] i will keep u updated as soon as i hear back []

Hey Spike, have we raced together before? u never know

As for the pub, we could have a BBQ and beers on site, should be a laugh. Just take a cooler with a load in [] Then we could do some drunk driving [:0] I'll use my mini for that, it drives itself[^]

[flyby]

right , i need to know if we are going to want a saturday / sunday / or both, fast as possible please, could do with knowing how many will be turning up aswell as a rough figure.

[BiggusDitchus]

I would be up for a two day thing, either way if all the way down there would be coming on saturday anyway.

[ShenUK]

i don't know yet so i'm a Maybe

[netsmithUK]

I a definate 'either' and maybe a 'both'

[gingerboy98]

I would be up for going as long as you all promise not to laugh at my driving, I have'nt raced anyone for at least 12 years.

Who knows might even have my bigwig finished by then

[mr_lister999.]

i to am an either or maybe both. I will definately come to this one as i have my top force thats anxious for some action. I would prefere a day thats least busy but its probably busy all weekends i imagine.

[rc-martin]

quote:I would be up for going as long as you all promise not to laugh at my driving, I have'nt raced anyone for at least 12 years.

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id="quote">id="quote">

[] you obviously didn't look close enough at the Winter drive movies! There's no racing involved, or at least i didn't think there was, it's just a laugh, maybe next time there might be some more of an organised "race" but who cares, just run your oldies![]

I'm up for a full weekend if poss, but if its just a day either sat or sun it doesn't matter as long as i've got a bit of notice.

Don't take life too serious, you'll never make it out alive!

[volksrod68]

2 day!!!!!!!!!!!

a 2 day meet would be mint, its a fair way from my house anyway, so like blondiniboy, i would prob get there saturday aswell.

maybe sleep in the car.

if theres room......

cheers

[Jimbo]

I'm not fussed.

Either day or both, I have friends that live 30 miles away, so I can stay there if it goes over 2 Days[]

[Sonic]

I think a 2 dayer would be mint i could sleep in my car/tent as the weather should be better by then as long as we all bring loads of booze and ho ye don't forget the RC's.

[Muddybaldboy]

id="Arial">Hi guys, count me in for definate for either/both days.

Any ideas of dates yet?? not being pushy but i get married 1st of march and need to know if i have to rearrange it!

Only kidding...i'll bring the wife(sounds weird) with me.