Race Retro and/or London Excel

[Mike Bell]

Originally Posted by BertMk2

There is parking but they prefer you to use public transport (and to be fair the public transport is reasonable for getting to Excel). We drove there for 'Top Gear Live' a few years back and it was relatively painless.

Always enjoy the journey through docklands on the DLR- you see London from a completely different perspective! The 'Customs House' station that is supposed to serve ExCel is shut for renovation, so you get off at Prince Regent instead. It's the other end of the building, so just means you enter from one end rather than the other......

As you say, easy!

[John Elwin]

Originally Posted by BertMk2

There is parking but they prefer you to use public transport (and to be fair the public transport is reasonable for getting to Excel). We drove there for 'Top Gear Live' a few years back and it was relatively painless.

From here by car is probably the simplest way though. Over/under the Dartford Crossing & turn left.

[Tim Falce]

Originally Posted by John Elwin

From here by car is probably the simplest way though. Over/under the Dartford Crossing & turn left.

That can be a mission in itself especially if you'd have been in the area this morning, and never go near the Blackwall tunnel unless you have a sleeping bag and a month's worth of food with you.

[midgetman]

Well I was impressed with Race Retro. There was a big shake up of the stands and it seemed the Outer Darkness was better lit. The Frozen North actually had some heating and there were more auto jumble stands to mind.



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[Gerard C]

Originally Posted by Mike Bell

May favourite engine of all time- Cosworth GAA

Nice pic, Mike! Is it a replica made by Ric Wood or an original one? I still wonder why they tend to be unreliable nowadays.

At least some fast trains were available, my wife could catch one. I can't feel comfortable when she's travelling in a wild country! I guess you already met her in another life …

[Mike Bell]

Originally Posted by Gerard C

Nice pic, Mike! Is it a replica made by Ric Wood or an original one? I still wonder why they tend to be unreliable nowadays.

The engine was rebuilt from a 'box of bits' (my description ) supplied by the customer, and was on Nicholson McLaren's stand. So not a new one. They seem to be more reliable now, probably helped by being able to get new parts...

Just metres away was the ex Vince Woodman Broadspeed Capri and on another nearby stand Steve Dance's gorgeous Weslake engined RS2600. Therefore my favourite area of the show!

Just for you-

[Mike Bell]

Originally Posted by midgetman

Well I was impressed with Race Retro. There was a big shake up of the stands and it seemed the Outer Darkness was better lit. The Frozen North actually had some heating and there were more auto jumble stands to mind.
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Good to hear! I asked Delta if the storm had caused any problems and he replied in the negative. Hopefully we'll get some tenthers pics in due course.

New phone?

[Mike Harte]

Originally Posted by Mike Bell

New phone?

Either that, or he will have some explaining to do with Mrs MM!

[The Fat Clerk]

Mixed opinions about Stoneleigh.
This was my first time as a Customer rather than an Exhibitor. It started well, with easy & free parking - the Disabled Area was turn left @ the DB6, and the foyer was good too, with a Rally Spec Mark 2 Escort.

£26 was a bit steep to get in, and then because there was only one way in, there was a fair bit of congestion with groups of people thoughtfully blocking every direction.

The business I went to do was painless - thank you Lille Racewear & I had an enjoyable meander round the Frozen North which I didn't think was as cold
as previous years. I bought a few things there that'll be used when we have more daylight & sun.

The negatives for me were the number of Children ( remember Chitty Chitty Bang Bang?) and the number of people with rucksacks on their backs that they seemed oblivious about having. Because of the narrowness of the aisles
l lost count of the number of whacks I took - reminded me of the BTTC.

Highlight for me was the RS Owners Club stand which had a superb selection including my favourite to drive the RS Fiesta, one of which I used to terrify my passengers in around the lanes of Surrey & Hampshire many years ago.

Will I go back next Year ?
As an Exhibitor yes, as a paying customer no, if I was paying I'd go down to London and have a look at that.

[Alan Crook]

A really good day at Race Retro, thought the event was better than previous years attached are a few photos the last showing "Steptoe & sons" seem in the Autojumble.

[Alan Crook]

A few more photos from Race Retro today

[Gerard C]

Originally Posted by Mike Bell

Just metres away was the ex Vince Woodman Broadspeed Capri and on another nearby stand Steve Dance's gorgeous Weslake engined RS2600. Therefore my favourite area of the show!
Just for you-

Tanks a lot Mike! The jewel and its ring box. Nice. Is it possible to have a pic from a "good" Capri steering rack? We have so many issues with this rather important element… Did Broadspeed cars use an aluminium machined body ? This kind of part is impossible to find or to have it redone. But some works cars were lhd so may be?

[Mike Bell]

Originally Posted by Alan Crook

A really good day at Race Retro, thought the event was better than previous years attached are a few photos the last showing "Steptoe & sons" seem in the Autojumble.

So you didn't crack the camera lens taking a pic of the Eifelland then? That has to be one of the strangest F1 cars ever......

Originally Posted by Gerard C

Tanks a lot Mike! The jewel and its ring box. Nice. Is it possible to have a pic from a "good" Capri steering rack? We have so many issues with this rather important element… Did Broadspeed cars use an aluminium machined body ? This kind of part is impossible to find or to have it redone. But some works cars were lhd so may be?

Can't help immediately with any pics of Capri steering rack, Gerard. Perhaps any tenther going to HMI on the w/end could shove their phone under the front of Vince's car for you! Not much clearance under the splitter, though....

[Brian A]

Thoroughly enjoyed RR yesterday.

My observation about the two shows is that there is really no comparison.

The Excel event is a quality Classic Car show with a small "cameo" section on historic motor sport. Race Retro is the real McCoy.

It is as simple as that. I know where I will be this time next year.....

[delta]

It's jam packed here today at race retro . I've very nearly sold all my junk

[Lancsbreaker]

Originally Posted by delta

It's jam packed here today at race retro . I've very nearly sold all my junk

You said yesterday it was going well Hope you had time for another pastie today

I agree that it seemed a lot less dark and fridgid in the outer areas - although actually out where the Group B cars were being assembled it was a bit cool...

Can't say I noticed many people with kids or rucksacks, Mr Clerk, and of course an advance ticket was £20 not £26. Traffic was easy getting in - at about 11.00 am no problems, but of course on the way home, leaving about 5pm the curse of the Friday M6 struck - approaching Birmingham a Disco with trailer broke down in lane 3 (of 4), causing great chaos as everyone (including me) in lane 3 had to persuade people in lane 2 or 4 to let them out - then news of two lanes closed on M6 around J16 and "long delays" caused us to abandon the motorway at J14 and take the pretty route via A51 and A49........at least we found a pleasant pub to stop for a meal, but in the end the 2.5 hour journey down became a 5.5 hour trip home.....

Still a good day to meet up with old friends, admire some exquite cars, and get my rejoining CSCC completed.... I'll doubtless be back

[andy97]

I went to RR today but haven't been to Excel so can't compare the two, but I would say this years RR has definitely been improved by the new promotors, and Motorsport Magazine and Donington Park had both made the effort to bring along some interesting cars to add to the event.

There were several changes to the details and several new exhibitors so well worth going, and the whole place actually looked tidier and busier. I enjoyed it, and of course the rally stage is always worth seeing in my view.

The one area in need of massive improvement is the traffic management. I think only one entrance was open for punters and I was in a traffic jam doing 400 metres in 40 mins to get the the park entrance. That has never been the case before. A mate of mine was stuck for an hour before getting on to the site and has vowed not to return. That's unacceptable and will have a serious adverse impact on the show unless drastically improved.

[chunder]

You are tight andy, there was very little car park management going on, a total free for all, whereas in the past it was well organised and for the Dirt Bike show it is there.

From certain A46 exits aswell there were no signs, they seemed to presume everyone would come from Coventry, not from anywhere else in the world!

But as you say the show was good, a bit trade, but it always is, but some great stuff to see, and some great guests, Freddie and Ari were awesome. My only massive disappointment was Markku not turning up til tomorrow, but there is nothing you can do about that. Very few events stands for big events though which was a shame.

A show to do every 3 or 4 years I think. Unless you need racing gear, which I do not.

Better access to rally cars, you could walk around them, very few bikes this year which was a shame, and a few loosely connected stands linked to local area and some tatt but not much. Very good and hope it blows the stupid Excel show into the weeds, especially when you find out they tried to buy RR in the first place and are doing this out of spite.

[Mike Bell]

Reading the above posts- we're back to the location being both a bonus and a hindrance again!

Good to hear that the show has improved, it needed to, but I'm afraid the motorway network in the next few years likely won't, and public transport is an impossible dream.....

What we need, and it could happen, is for the London show not to be on the same w/end again.

re chunder last comment, that appears to be internet gossip. It may be true, but all I've seen is internet gossip....... And the Excel show is not 'stupid', but it's not RR either. There's room for both.

[delta]

The Pasty was crap Richard . Nearly complained . Had a meet pie today . Much better thanks .

[chunder]

there is room for both fair enough

Just not on the same weekend, that is stupid, plain stupid

[Mike Bell]

Your words below! Yes, I think we are unanimous on here in criticising the date clash. Other adjectives are available.

Originally Posted by chunder

and hope it blows the stupid Excel show into the weeds.

[midgetman]

Originally Posted by delta

The Pasty was crap Richard . Nearly complained . Had a meet pie today . Much better thanks .

I bet that was one of the same pasties I had yesterday. I threw half away. Total waste of £3

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[GORDON STREETER]

Originally Posted by delta

It's jam packed here today at race retro . I've very nearly sold all my junk

You should have phoned, I could have found a van load of junk to top it up !!!!

[andy97]

Originally Posted by chunder

You are tight andy,

Did I miss you out on the round?!!