Retro Rides Gathering 2014 : What You Need To Know

[scottparker]

Retro rides gathering is by far the highlight show of the year for me, as it's normally the last and I love seeing all the different cars..

Now I'm not moaning really, but I did prefer it at Prescott, imo the entry team wernt organised, most people did get there tickets checked, but the needed them randomly to enter the paddock area..

I also think if it heald there next year it wouldn't hurt to cut the field grass and try placing the stands across the field as lots of people struggled to drive up it in the morning, and people were moaning about walking up and down the steep rows lol.

Was a massive turnout, probably twice the size of last year, brilliant weather, I thought that the climbe was a better track to watch imo.

Like I say just ideas that I think are worth a thought, can't wait to see and do it next year!..

[speedy88]

Can I start by saying it was most totally fantastic, once again very much enjoyed it. Best show of the year, as always. The show was incredibly massive. I can't believe how far RRG has come in a matter of just a few years.

Sept 1, 2014 8:38:02 GMT trouble said:

Why can people not clean up after themselves anymore?

It's a shame, yes. But from my observations it's usually forum outsiders that dump the most rubbish because of their lack of experience with this show, all they've known is run of the mill festivals where you just dump/burn everything.

Also, this year would have been particularly bad because the crowd that normally do a quick cleanup of other people's rubbish were too knackered to bother.

My only constructive criticism this year is: Campsite security numpties. At RRG13 the security was perfect, nice relaxed attitude but putting their foot down on dangerous activities or people acting like berks.

There were a particular pair of security this year that went from shouting/swearing at people for being up late drinking to encouraging people to rag their cars up the grassy bank (to get their cars to a pitch) whilst filming it on their phones. Not to mention giving everyone threatening stares whilst prowling around the campsite and generally acting like a couple of goons. The general consensus around the campsite was that everyone found them uncomfortable to deal with. So less of them again, please.

[boffer8]

Excellent show guys, my first year of attendance with PNG (Performance Nova Group), great to take the nova saloon up the hill and great to be around some amazing machines.

On the return to the bottom of the hill the paddock could have done with a little more organising to get cars moved around and i did feel sorry for the 2nd of the morning group not getting their 3rd run, but i'm sure with a little more thought next year will be better ;-)

To say it was a new venue everything seemed to run pretty smoothly and the camping was spot on even though we arrived on Saturday afternoon and camped at the top of the hill.

Walking round there was such a variety and some really awesome looking performance as well as show vehicles and anything from the past 50 years was there pretty much.

Will definitely be adding it to the calendar next to you to attend and hopefully be taking to the hill again!!

Many thanks to all the organsisers and staff that made the event happen and to Shelsley Walsh for the Venue!

[bobblegut]

It sounds like you should have some ground rules laided out with the tickets , or handed out at the gate , most people are considerate of others but you will always get the few . You don't want to let soem peoples bad behaviour mean you are not welcome again.

[Dez]

its true the venue isnt really as good as prescott in terms of the track, pits and spectating of them both, but prescott were just out of room for us in other areas, i.e. the show field. i would agree a shuttle bus up to the top (even if you have to pay for it) is a good idea.

the amount of food/drink vendors was pitiful given the amount of people there. i guess this is to get you to use the on-site catering/restaurant/bar, but they're quite hidden away to be honest, and not signed. most people i talked to didnt even know they were there. we only found the bar by chance, but it was cheap(£3) and served a good pint. 2x burger/chip vans and one ice cream van on the show field really was not enough.

the campsite was a bit of a mess, but the organisers didnt help themselves on this. no bin bags provided, and only one skip next to the toilets which was full by saturday anyway. by sunday the pile was 3x larger than it. we tidied up what we could around our area but with nothing to put it in other than carrier bags and the few bin bags we had, we couldnt do much.

the 'security' were utter cockwombles. telling people they couldnt camp next to their cars was a pretty stupid idea, then walking round friday night intimidating people into 'shutting the f-k up' is not the way to get drunken people to co-operate in a friendly manner. change of staff needed in that department next year.

other than that, pretty good. tbh I'm not massively interested in the show day as such, i go for the social aspect of the fri/sat night camping, but the show field seemed to more of less organise itself once rmad had direct people into the right areas, as people like to organise their show stands themsleves.

[RetroWarwicK]

Congrats to the organisers for another highly successful RRG14. Being involved in organising shows myself, its not easy and generally a thankless task. I was impressed by the consistent amount of track action throughout the day.

Disappointed by the 55minute queue to get in and hoping that no cars boiled up and hearing the moans about the catering but assuming that was the venue's responsibility.

Matt

[fr€$h&m1nt¥]

This year was my first RRG and the variety and quality of cars on show lived up to expectation, more than anything else it was great to see the cars I've been following build threads for in the metal so I'd be happy if it was just forum mambers cars on show. Just a shame I didn't get to chat to many owners in person but i should camp for that reason really.

I wasn't too fussed about the visibility of the racing as i'd be there if it was just a static meet any way.

Apart from the food van queues just to buy a drink (I didn't find the bar but found the RR merch stand and drinks stall at the very end but will know for next year) my only recommendation for improvement was a visible timetable or louder PA - i like to gather at the end for the award presentations but when i asked at the RR merch stand at 3pm i was told they'd already been given out.

So lots of positives overall and only a couple of new venue quirks that can be easily sorted next year.

[MonzaPhil]

I missed the presentations too, sadly.

Bin bags and ground rules were issued and in the envelope with the tickets was a leaflet.

It is only common sense, courtesy, politeness etc to not leave someone else's place like a shithole though.

No problems with the security, bit of an issue with people revving up in the small hours.

Everyone was asked to drive carefully in the area too, about 50% did judging by the noises.....

RRG is brilliant and diverse but we, as the participants need to do a bit of self policing too.

Sent from my worn out legs using proboards

[slater]

I think you should be able to pay for runs up the hill on an individual basis, talking to some guys going up in standard-ish stuff they would have been happy doing one run for £10 just for the experience of going up. They were just flat out the whole way and it was hardly a spectacle in or out of the car. From the point of view of both a spectator and driver it seems better if the modified cars driven hard are given a chance to go up a bit more often.

Either that or do unlimited and have a queue system.

[retrolegends]

Firstly I'd like to thank the organisation team for putting the show on and I don't wish to moan but I have feel I need to add to the above

I didn't appreciate being woken Sunday morning by someone yelling "GET UP YOU LAZY C###S" at 7:30am, this sort of behaviour is exactly why I WONT take my family to this show!

Also Security guards walking around drinking Fosters? Very professional!

Muppets deliberately getting there cars stuck in mud and then expecting someone else to get them out! And not even thanking them for it! Mr White VW Golf Diesel!

Having done Prescott for the last three years I know it was always going to be a tough act to follow and on the whole it was a good weekend, so please let's not let a few clowns ruin it for everyone!.

[justanotherhigh]

Sept 1, 2014 14:49:44 GMT retrolegends said:

Muppets deliberately getting there cars stuck in mud and then expecting someone else to get them out! And not even thanking them for it! Mr White VW Golf Diesel!

I think I'm owed a beer for that (at least the first time round).

I agree with most of the points people are raising here, though I don't feel that we campers were any more raucous than in previous years!

It just really dampened the atmosphere for me having a couple of brushes with security for things that weren't mentioned on 'the list' and that were allowed at Prescott.
Still, it was a pretty good weekend as always, and thanks must go out to the organisers as I'm sure a lot of effort went into planning and carrying out events on the Sunday.

[latemistered]

Bloody loved it.

Great show all round. My brain hurt because there were SO many cool cars there.

Well done RR!

[MiataMark]

To the organiser (in a flat cap) who said "it's an Alfa so it's awesome" while directing me, in my modern Alfa 159SW, to the public car parking, thanks made a great start to the day!

The show had a great feel to it and a great selection of cars, from a spectating/photography perspective Prescott is better but the general setting was/is wonderful.

[dallow]

Was a cracking day!!!! Track was better than prescott imo, my only whinge was cueing up for drinks to find they were sold out , but cant blame anyone other than the caterers. Thought it was really well organised and had a brilliant vibe. So stop the nitpicking , the work that must go into organsing it all must be massive! And all for £10 !!!!!! Well done everyone that made it happen.

[Mark]

No excuse for people not leaving the campsite as they found it. Guessing it's tough for some if they don't have mummy there to pick up after them?

Personally I think SHelsey is a terrific venue and look forward to going back next year. Given that this was the first time, at a whole new venue, which is way bigger than the last the guys n gals should be applauded for their efforts. Yes, there were bound to be teething troubles, but on the whole it was a really well run event, with plenty to keep the throngs entertained. The Red Arrows fly past was the icing on the cake and look forward to their return next year!

Hopefully Shelsey will sort more caterers for next year but I know you guys are well aware of what needs to be done.

Thanks again for all the hard work, that makes putting this event on, look oh so easy.

I don't think the M5 has seen so many cool cars for a long, long time. Well worth the 522 mile round trip!

[luckyseven]

W...e...e...l...l...l...l... I din't like Shelsey as much as Prescott. But that's my problem, not yours. And the eight-hour round trip is a bit grim (eight hours in an FD with busted aircon with a head-sized turbo steadily rendering you sterile through heat exposure isn't the most fun you can have with your clothes on) but then, that's my fault not yours. And there was that hour-long queue to get in, during which the car got very hot and bothered and gawped up quite a bit of oil, and with the stupid mobile-phone-spec-battery every time I had to start it up again I thought it was going to be the last, but I guess that's Worcestershire county council's fault for building such a p**sy little access road, not yours. And there was quite a lot of sheep s*** around, but I guess that's God's fault for designing ruminants with so much plumbing. And the concession did run out of burgers but they were actually really nice burgers while they lasted and we had the last two... so sorry to anyone who came after. It was my fault

Overall, another stupendous Gathering and a beautiful chilled atmosphere as one expects. If I had to go to one show a year only... it'd be one a bit nearer. But if I could go to two then the Gathering would be the other Thanks to all the people who worked so hard to make it happen, many of us simply gloss over how much of a logistical nightmare something like this is, even down to having the thoughtfulness to get proper club signs printed up. Even "proper" venues like Santa Pod only give you a home-laminated bit of A4. Some of us notice the extra mile you guys go to, and I'm sure from the feedback here next year will only be better again. Top bombing.

And because this thread has too many words and not enough pics, here's a photo

[bstardchild]

Sept 1, 2014 18:04:22 GMT luckyseven said:

even down to having the thoughtfulness to get proper club signs printed up. Even "proper" venues like Santa Pod only give you a home-laminated bit of A4. Some of us notice the extra mile you guys go to

I wonder how many went missing this year (a fair few last year so probably a few more this year I guess)

I had to chuckle when I saw one of last years signs in a day van in the camping area - Only because I thought how nice that it was being returned......

[luckyseven]

Sept 1, 2014 18:27:27 GMT bstardchild said:

Sept 1, 2014 18:04:22 GMT luckyseven said:

even down to having the thoughtfulness to get proper club signs printed up. Even "proper" venues like Santa Pod only give you a home-laminated bit of A4. Some of us notice the extra mile you guys go to

I wonder how many went missing this year (a fair few last year so probably a few more this year I guess)

I had to chuckle when I saw one of last years signs in a day van in the camping area - Only because I thought how nice that it was being returned......

No idea what you mean

....actually, I have to confess I was more than half-tempted to half-inch the one off our stand so I could hang it in the garage. Fortunately I was saved the moral quandary because by the time I got back to the stand, someone had already had the same idea and pinched it

[goldnrust]

I really liked Shelsley as a venue The hill is such a different hill to Prescott, it made it a different spectacle. The longer straights let some of the crazy power cars really show what they're made of and that's great. Anyone who felt the view wasn't good, can't have been sitting up at the bottom S where you could see almost the whole course! I also liked that the show field could spread out a bit more, it kinda felt more relaxed.

The only downside for me this year was the burger vans running out of food before I'd got lunch…..

[retroandproud]

Just gonna put in my 2p worth here..(Just checked my pockets, got 4p left so I can put up two posts )
I would like to thank all the people who contribute to organizing a weekend of fun for several thousand hungover petrolheads, whilst dealing with having outgrown our old showground and therefore having to find a new suitable venue, arranging guest cars to entertain us up the hill, arranging for us to run our own cars up said hill, etc etc etc..... A weekend like this involves a huge amount of work and dedication, and the organizers of the show and hillclimb do all this on a voluntary basis, whilst also moderating this forum, added to which they also have busy lives to lead.... Many thanks guys, I appreciate everything you do for us...
There were some minor problems, I admit, but that is to be expected at a new venue... The organizers are aware of them I'm sure, but this thing is growing every year and minor niggles are just that when you think about it.......