Nottinghamshire MINI Club

deano wrote:Great day with the NMC guys and girls, bit disappointed with the show, which was billed as been something different, not sure it really delivered on that front!

That probably sums it up for me, good show, but not the something different it promised to be. TBH I'm fine with "Normal shows", better to state that up front ! there were a few small differences, stands for all the family, kids, stands for the girls not just boys etc, but that doesn't make it a show thats different to the rest

clairebear wrote:Bimbos with fake tans !! lol Deano did have a smile on his face !!

Bimbos indeed ! not my sort of thing, especially for a family show !
Will probably get slated by the lads on the site now, but just my opinion !

I didn't go to this show but from the pictures i must agree with clairebear (don't you know fake tans are soo last year )

Well here is my summary, I hope any bits that may be thought of as negative are just taken on as constructive criticism, nothing more, there are lots of positives too !:

Well first off hats off to those who organised the event, although there were some challenges its probably the first time most of the people had organised an event, so well done for getting the whole event off the ground and running - I couldn't have done the things most of the organisers were capable of!

Saturdays' weather obviosuly had a big impact, and to be honest the same would have been the case at MINI United if that had been bad weather, both events had lots of rain on the way down to the event for us, MINI United were luckier that the whole event stayed super sunny.

Big shame on the traders who let the day down, although glad they still paid. Perhaps location wasn't ideal either, its a long way to go for most people esp if the weather is looking dodgy, its too much of a risk. This is probably why the British MINI club and MINI united held their events at more central locations. On the other hand it catered for people leaving in the North East who might not be able to make centralised events. Whilst on the subject of traders - good to see stuff for all the family, kids stuff and things like the make-up stand - thats a really good idea and stops everyone getting bored. On the MINI themed stands well done to New MINI spares and SignMyRide/Sounds secure - 2 excellent trade stands and some of the friendliest guys in the business.

Saturday really was a wash out, I thought Sunday was going to be a waste of time but it was quite good in the end, just a lot quieter than expected.

Can't argue with the price of the event, esp after the recent expense of MINI United, so I understand karting, off roading etc had to cost more - but £20 per person on some events is a bit steep - £15 for upto 4 people to go to the event would end up spending a further £80 if wanting to do one experience each. I can't see why any of them cost more than a tenner. So I didn't do any.

Having Russ Swift was fantastic, even if we had already seen him at MU it was worth watching again and it was good to be closer to the action this time.

One of my gripes, and it isn't limited to just this show but other events too - why hold it on the same day as a grand prix, especially the British one !?! I'm more of a footy fan than a GP one, but MINIs=car=formula 1 = lots of car nuts are F1 fans ! If the weather is looking dodgy then the choice is easy for some - if living from a show hours away and a risk of rain or stay at home at watch the British GP ! As I say this isn't just limited to this show, can't believe MINI United was the same weekend as the Monnaco Grand Prix - DOH !

Again, can't argue with £15 including camping, but the facilities were poor, would have paid another fiver to have proper toilets. I'm really ill today, I hope its nothing to do with hygine from the weekend.

As I say I hope its not taken on negatively, from what we saw on Saturday we were pleasantly surprised on the Sunday, lack of people apart, it was a good show, we stayed til near the end at 4pm so something must have been right !

Also really please the show was the first show for some people on the site, and also that the show brought the club to the attention to some new club members - welcome all !

soniaxxx wrote:I didn't go to this show but from the pictures i must agree with clairebear (don't you know fake tans are soo last year )

Agreed!

I thought the day was great and as discussed you are never going to please them all.

The point that I would like to make has already been made by Shaker. comments should really be positive and any negative comments should be just constructive. The thing is if you start all this bitching that will not help matters. You never know other clubs such as NMC or DMR etc may at some point want to have a crack at a show at some point.

It is then that you need the MINI community behind you. I thought for a first time the event was good. a lot of hard work went into the event and so for most people it would be just a hasstle to organise. You have to applaud anyone for trying and the biggest positive for me was that there were lots of gorgeous MINIs, nice people all enjoying a common goal - MINIs.

Rich

Thank you for your comments which are appreciated. We had a great number of problems at the last minute. Double M Catering didnt not tell us that they needed to share a generator with the bar, which meant a quick site plan change on Friday night with us breaking East Lindsey Health and Safety rules who did not want us to use grass because of rain. Of course they turned out to be right.

Jason from DMR was stuck out on his own with the skills test. This should not have happened. It was planned that Jason would be next to Track Star Racing, but they and five other traders did not turn up and did not notify us. Therefore we had to leave the gaps waiting for their arrival. However, over the last few months we did give Jason and Adventure Driving Academy a FREE page on the NEW MINI DAY website and I feel that, I hope, he feels compensated by this. It was never Jasons intention to keep any money from the event as he is ex-forces I believe.

With regards to the er...... models. We had no idea they were coming until the very last minute. Paul Waring Photography phoned Lorraine to say he was bringing two models with him and he had an idea which he would not disclose. Lorraine made it quite clear that it was a family show and that they MUST be suitably dressed. We had decided to ditch our own NEW MINI DAY Babes months ago. To be honest I hadn't seen them until Chris Rossiter from AC Schnitzer asked me to arrange for them to do the draw for the Mi2 Alloy Wheels. Did I get a shock, the last time I saw a tan like that it was on Dale Wintern. I thought they were Drag Queens at first. Oppps.... a glance in the right direction assured me they were not, but I think even Susan Boyle could have given birth to better looking girls. The outfits were not suitable for the occassion and that will NOT happen again.

Believe me, putting on this show was bloody hard work and many lessons was learnt. I personally only had 4 hours sleep a night for Friday and Saturday. I tried to be the last to go to bed and the first one up each day.

Before decisions are made about NEW MINI DAY 2010 there are issues to be resolved. Where, When, How etc., We need to sit back and look at the good and the bad. There were a few people who turned us over on the day with one "unregistered trader" appearing. This was of serious concern as they had not submitted a health and safety report, shown evidence of Public Liability Insurance and further more did not pay for a stand. This will be discussed. This situation was highlighted to me by the visiting Health and Safety Officer from East Lindsey District Council who had a list of all traders attending. Further, some traders abused the "Free Pass" facility for workers and just gave them away to friends. Suddenly they had less workers than they led us to believe. We know who these people are also. It is ashame that the dishonesty of a few ruin the whole concept for all.

Regretfully, part of the deal with Manby and to get a reduced hire charge for the site, which was expensive, was to let them charge for their own activities. I agree that some were excessive. Two weeks before the event Manby Motorplex advised that the Karting would not be available as this was run by East Linsey District Council and they didn't have the staff to run it. I had emergency talks with ELDC and I agreed at the NEW MINI DAY cost to hire and pay for the Karting. Manby wanted to charge £15 for 12 minutes Karting. I personally changed that to just £5.00 for 10 minutes and put LMC's Leo on the job. Further, ELDC wanted the ages limited to 13 to 19 year olds. Some of those 19 year olds hadn't worn very well in my mind. One looked about 45.

Anyway, to close. We know it wasn't perfect and if I look stressed, well actually I was. Lorraine was in tears most Saturday night when it constantly rained and Sunday morning and I must thank Rich and Theron for consoling her in my absence.

The weekend of the 21st June was booked in August 2008 when nothing else was listed. The Grand Prix had not even been announced at that time. The only event we became aware of during our launch night, which many of you were at, was Normanby Hall. You may recall we stopped the meeting for a quick brain storming session and it was decided that as Normanby Hall is mainly Classics and that were aiming at the BMW MINI. Indeed Deano gave his opinion at that meeting and encouraged that we should carry on regardless.

In total, due to alot of cheating by some traders and abuse of FREE PASSES we made around just £300 which doesnt even cover the expenses incurred. I must say however, the support from many traders was emence and very touching. Astel MINI, Palmer Brothers, Lohen, Drivers Eye and Sign My Ride were so kind to us and supportive that at one point even I was emotional with a lump in my throat, and most of you know me as a Hard B*****D!

So thanks for your comments, I really mean that. We knew the show would be critisised, but I hope you can see the good in it also.

Regards,

Nick

shakerstevens wrote:

clairebear wrote:Bimbos with fake tans !! lol Deano did have a smile on his face !!

Bimbos indeed ! not my sort of thing, especially for a family show !
Will probably get slated by the lads on the site now, but just my opinion !

Agree with you on that one

Had a really nice day, Michael and myself really enjoyed meeting you all

Big thanks to Helen for kindly offering the car share

Promoter wrote:Thank you for your comments which are appreciated.....
.......

Thats fantastic feedback - thanks Nick - its interesting to see the comments behind the things we saw and its obvious how much effort you all went to.

Very interesting comments behind the race tracks prices for the events, the dale winton tanned girls , the abuse on free passes etc. Explains a lot.

As you say there are lessons to be learnt, the important thing is it wasn't a flop, and it provides great foundations on how to plan for the next event.

I did wonder how much sleep you all got, surprised you managed to cram 4 hours in, and surprised you're still awake this evening! Make sure you get a well earned rest !