question Why don't you participate in arena events at shows?

[gritineye]

I usually try to take my vehicles into the arena whenever there's an appropriate slot.

 

I'm just interested to know why so many people don't take their vehicles into the arena at shows...

[Topdog]

At Beltring I cannot agree more, every chance and I was there. Last year at Folkestone I went in a couple of times but the commentary was played out to almost no one watching and flankly it was boring driving round in a small flat oval.

 

This year I didn't go in once and I know that I was not the only one. I believe that if they cannot sort out the arena to attract more vehicle and viewing public, it will be the decline of the show.

[Sean N]

I will when I can, and I try to do so as a rule, but I don't like being tied to it, for a number of reasons. There are some shows that make it a condition of entry and I must admit I don't like being regimented in that way; I want to be able to relax and enjoy the show, and that doesn't always make it possible to get to the arena every day. I won't necessarily go in if the show's poorly organised or if there's a massive entry either; queuing often for an hour or two (or more) to loop round the arena and then queue to get out past the queue of trucks that coming in isn't my idea of fun or of demonstrating the vehicles at their best.

 

There are also some shows where there's a massive entry of outwardly similar vehicles, and I can't help feeling it's counterproductive for everyone to go into the arena in those circumstances.

[gas 44]

At Beltring I cannot agree more, every chance and I was there. Last year at Folkestone I went in a couple of times but the commentary was played out to almost no one watching and flankly it was boring driving round in a small flat oval.

 

This year I didn't go in once and I know that I was not the only one. I believe that if they cannot sort out the arena to attract more vehicle and viewing public, it will be the decline of the show.

 

I think your right the arena at W&P is pretty poor for the public. Although owning a few vehicles and in the past having taken more down to beltring with its move 30 odd miles further I now only take a jeep on a trailer......and of course we all know there are too many jeeps on the road and the public only want to see the bigger stuff......well at least thats what I have been told.

[sim60]

I normally try to take my bikes into the arena but don`t normally take the Dodge as I cook in the back etc and by the time I have packed up and got it straight in the back ,it seems a lot of trouble for a couple of trips round in a circle and the queuing to get in and out. Not wanting to offend jeep owners I feel the last comments where probably correct as the general public want to see the big lorries and the armour driving around and things like the DROPS doing demonstrations seems to go down well.

I helped out the other year with a sabre and we sat for a long while to get into the arena at W@P (old site) and to get out and only managed a couple of loops and the owner decided it was not worth the trouble etc to go again.

Simon

[Brooky]

Interesting question

I am both an exhibitor and a commentator so can probably speak from both sides

There is the "I live in my vehicle" excuse, yes I can see this, but there are some very interesting vehicles out there that would really make the arena event interesting

There are also the vehicles that are part of a display (and I dont mean a camo net thrown over it)that would be a major disruption to that display

No disrespect to Jeep/Land Rover owners but maybe seen one seen them all? (in the eyes of Joe public............I own two Land rovers so that includes me!!)

Maybe there's the "I've been in the beer tent all afternoon" fine, come in the arena on the Sunday (or find a driver)

"The commentator is useless", probably the biggest issue! I have been to shows (big and small) where the person behind the microphone is just a voice and has no knowledge of whats in front of him and is basically an embarrassment, however dont knock the guy (or guyess) they have a procession of all sorts in front of them all day and have to keep talking!!

Or it may be the steward of the section without any public speaking experience has the mike thrust into his hand to talk about his section!!

Maybe the organisers dont give enough notice of the time of the ring parade, or even worse tell the section and then change it!!!

I take the position that the public come and spend there hard earned to get into the show, we should at least show them the respect of making the effort to get into the ring

As an example I commentated at a show a few years ago (everything form steam engines to push bikes) when it came to the Military section we had about half a dozen vehicles round the ring. I was gobsmacked when I walked round the field on the saturday evening to see maybe upwards of 40 vehicles in the section, and I have to say some really nice and interesting and rare stuff.

So come on, if you are at a show at least make the effort to come into the ring at least once over the weekend!!!!!!!

[.303fan]

^{we did not have the show vehicle with us, next year we will do it again.}

^{My dad lives in the 101fc ambulance, the bed, gear etc gets put in our tent and he shows it all day near the arena and in the arena.}

^{we are making the show happen with our vehicles, lets not forget that.. The living history vehicles is a valid point to show them as the complete set they are in.}

^Cheers,

^Arjan

[TooTallMike]

I'm probably going to put the cat among the pigeons here but you did ask.

 

I don't primarily attend shows in order to show my vehicles off to members of the public. If any form of showing is done by the group I hang out with it is to each other and that's more about comparing work done, bouncing around ideas etc. I attend shows principally for the social side and we've often joked that the aim of the hobby is not vehicle preservation at all but drinking beer around a fire. All the rest is just leading up to that. To take W&PR as a good recent example, we were in almost the geographical centre of the site but yet probably only saw 250 public all week in our area (most of whom were lost and trying to get back to the other side of the site) but I'm not bothered as they are peripheral to my enjoyment.

 

I'm happy to go into an arena if we have some sort of silliness planned that will make it enjoyable, but just to go in so we can drive round in a circle and then park up for 5mins always seems a bit pointless. That said, we're off to the Lingfield Steam and Country Show tomorrow and they always make of point of asking if we can go into the arena so I'm sure I will.

 

I'm not sure what the conclusion is other than that show organisers could maybe look at other ways of letting the owners play and 'show off' such as having off-road courses, or convoys around the site or working areas rather than just the rather old-fashioned driving round a ring and parking up for 5mins.

 

- MG

 

ps. I have a fear of public speaking so any arena event where I'm likely to have a microphone stuffed in my face will be regarded with reluctance!

[AndyFowler]

I have always tried to take my Humber into the arena when the wheeled armour slot is on if the conditions are not too rough on the drive train ( I do need to drive her home after the show :-D ) However since we've been at Folkestone I've decided to cut down on weight in her on the journey to ease her mechanical suffering as she's a bit on the weighty side even empty and its now a 120 mile round trip ! This means kipping in the back for a week instead of 9x9 and having to clear it all out for the arena is a bit of a drag ! This year I missed the slot and shared the arena with mainly soviet designs from the cold war !:blush: It is a fact that the one way system did put me off any further attempts ! At Beltring I seem to remember only the one wheeled armour slot during the week but Folkestone seemed to have maybe three so I guess either the other topics are getting thin on the ground or wheeled armour is becoming more interesting I will still always try to attend the show though cos I just love doing it !:-D:-D:-D

[gas 44]

I'm probably going to put the cat among the pigeons here but you did ask.

 

I don't primarily attend shows in order to show my vehicles off to members of the public. If any form of showing is done by the group I hang out with it is to each other and that's more about comparing work done, bouncing around ideas etc. I attend shows principally for the social side and we've often joked that the aim of the hobby is not vehicle preservation at all but drinking beer around a fire. All the rest is just leading up to that. To take W&PR as a good recent example, we were in almost the geographical centre of the site but yet probably only saw 250 public all week in our area (most of whom were lost and trying to get back to the other side of the site) but I'm not bothered as they are peripheral to my enjoyment.

 

I'm happy to go into an arena if we have some sort of silliness planned that will make it enjoyable, but just to go in so we can drive round in a circle and then park up for 5mins always seems a bit pointless. That said, we're off to the Lingfield Steam and Country Show tomorrow and they always make of point of asking if we can go into the arena so I'm sure I will.

 

I'm not sure what the conclusion is other than that show organisers could maybe look at other ways of letting the owners play and 'show off' such as having off-road courses, or convoys around the site or working areas rather than just the rather old-fashioned driving round a ring and parking up for 5mins.

 

- MG

 

ps. I have a fear of public speaking so any arena event where I'm likely to have a microphone stuffed in my face will be regarded with reluctance!

 

I think you have summed it up perfectly....well said

[gas 44]

Interesting question

I am both an exhibitor and a commentator so can probably speak from both sides

There is the "I live in my vehicle" excuse, yes I can see this, but there are some very interesting vehicles out there that would really make the arena event interesting

There are also the vehicles that are part of a display (and I dont mean a camo net thrown over it)that would be a major disruption to that display

No disrespect to Jeep/Land Rover owners but maybe seen one seen them all? (in the eyes of Joe public............I own two Land rovers so that includes me!!)

Maybe there's the "I've been in the beer tent all afternoon" fine, come in the arena on the Sunday (or find a driver)

"The commentator is useless", probably the biggest issue! I have been to shows (big and small) where the person behind the microphone is just a voice and has no knowledge of whats in front of him and is basically an embarrassment, however dont knock the guy (or guyess) they have a procession of all sorts in front of them all day and have to keep talking!!

Or it may be the steward of the section without any public speaking experience has the mike thrust into his hand to talk about his section!!

Maybe the organisers dont give enough notice of the time of the ring parade, or even worse tell the section and then change it!!!

I take the position that the public come and spend there hard earned to get into the show, we should at least show them the respect of making the effort to get into the ring

As an example I commentated at a show a few years ago (everything form steam engines to push bikes) when it came to the Military section we had about half a dozen vehicles round the ring. I was gobsmacked when I walked round the field on the saturday evening to see maybe upwards of 40 vehicles in the section, and I have to say some really nice and interesting and rare stuff.

So come on, if you are at a show at least make the effort to come into the ring at least once over the weekend!!!!!!!

 

I believe some of the "effort" HAS to be made by the organiser/ arena team.

Example...friday night pattons parade. We had all been told/shouted at, on some occasions down right rudley that a one way system is in operation around the site all week, only to be told once in the arena to turn around we are going the other way !!!!!! Now Im sure there was a logical reason for this,my point is lack of........... INFORMATION simple

[arcot1751]

As I have the much hated jeep judging by the view on here, it seems pointless by boring everyone by showing another one. I do the shows for my enjoyment and to meet old friends and possibly meet new ones.

[spanter]

Last year at WPR we took the halftrack in on every occasion we could even putting magnetic red crosses on the sides for the ambulance slot and escorted it with the WC54, this year we dug out the plywood armour for the jeep and took it in the arena for the wheeled armour once. I didn't like the fact that the public had to look past the vehicles driving through the arena to see us and the traffic stuck behind the zoo bus (which really needed pull in spaces) meant it all took too long.

We've always tried to get to the arena each year but this year we sadly didn't seem to have the intrest after the big stuff had turned it over. We took part in the convoy on Friday night but the numbers were down I guess as people had a better idea of the impending weather but we were largely abandoned to mix with civilian vehicles which broke the run up even more.

[gas 44]

Last year at WPR we took the halftrack in on every occasion we could even putting magnetic red crosses on the sides for the ambulance slot and escorted it with the WC54, this year we dug out the plywood armour for the jeep and took it in the arena for the wheeled armour once. I didn't like the fact that the public had to look past the vehicles driving through the arena to see us and the traffic stuck behind the zoo bus (which really needed pull in spaces) meant it all took too long.

We've always tried to get to the arena each year but this year we sadly didn't seem to have the intrest after the big stuff had turned it over. We took part in the convoy on Friday night but the numbers were down I guess as people had a better idea of the impending weather but we were largely abandoned to mix with civilian vehicles which broke the run up even more.

 

We went on the run also, I thought the numbers were up on last year. they changed the running order, as far that last year the bigger slower vehicles went off first, which does of course make sense.Last year we seemed to wait about for ages for a few of the vehicles.....maybe VIPS's :yawn: or at least thought they were...lol.

[andythesquirel]

All the previous replies are valid and to be honest expected!

Recently there have been a few threads regarding shows, their locations, if people will continue to attend, etc.

I think the MAIN question is "Why do you attend shows?". This is divided into exhibitors and visitors.

Exhibitors - From previous replies on threads we know, some exhibit to show off their vehicles and hard restoration work, some exhibit to exchange ideas and restoration tips with other vehicle owners. Some exhibit to access the show or meet old friends, and some go for the social side to drink around a camp fire!

Visitors - Some go to meet friends or shop for items at the stalls, some to peruse the vehicles or examine them closely, and some go for the living history element.

ARE ANY OF THESE REASONS BETTER OR WORSE THAN EACH OTHER!!

 

I personally used to exhibit for the social side, and as a bonus to this was to be able to live on site and enjoy it, with a financial incentive ie discount\free entry. I didn't go to the area, because as has been stated, I am shy and was worried about being approached to comment to the public. Now this could have been address at that show by the organisation, but also by me!

 

The reality is that no matter what our reasons for attending a show, without the exhibitors and visitors, a show cannot go on, and will fold. So no matter what the reason for attending, exhibitors should be encouraged to attend, and not be upset by usually a single persons narrow view of what an exhibitor is. The organisation of a show should speak in advance to the exhibitors to establish what they wish to do, and listen to any suggestions they have. This works for the arena, such as making it more interesting to drive, or for persons maybe wanting to display only, and perhaps placing them with others to form a living history display.

As for the visitors, they also must attend. The show must have all elements for them, or they won't come back! Not least they must have value for money. I visited a local display this weekend with my wife and three children, but turned around at the gate when I was asked for £45 to enter! I turned around as the show is very small, it was raining, and I was disgusted that I was being asked for that much. A family ticket to the Vale show is only £22. I will not be visiting that show again, and by the sight of others turning around, I am guessing neither will a lot of people.

 

My main point is that we all exhibit or visit shows for one MAIN reason. We all LOVE vehicles!

[spanter]

We were at the back with the two halftracks, there were certainly less big vehicles taking part but it was a fair turnout and we did get a very close view of the sherman, stuart and hellcat playing in the arena

[gas 44]

In my veiw W&P offer the best value show for m/v owners/exhibitor's £25 for up to 10 nights camping....outstanding.

I know we had a bit of a talk last year about this but, I was in Haigs field quite clearly marked "Vehicle display" I was shocked at how people in there brought nothing at all apart from a caravan......One person next to me who said they had a landrover really had no intention of bringing it and was chuffed to have bucked the system,as far as there is NO checking to see if/what military vehicle you have brought...........

[welshbayonetww2]

I usually try to take my vehicles into the arena whenever there's an appropriate slot.

 

I'm just interested to know why so many people don't take their vehicles into the arena at shows...

 

One reason I don't take my vehicle into the ring is security.

 

No-one to watch over the rest of my stuff while I'm in the arena.

 

Especially , given there are some light fingered people about, who will chance there arm when you are standing there , let alone be trusted when your not there!

 

Even chained up quad bikes are not safe at W&P!!!

[Brooky]

Seems to be very W&P orientated answers on here!!

There are other shows up and down the country every weekend (Vintage vehicle rallies, steam rallies etc) that green machines attend

I think that given the time the effort (not to mention the finances) that go into organising these events where we the exhibitor 99 times out of a hundred gets in for free and camps all weekend for free that it is only good form to get your vehicle into the arena.

Most rallies/shows dont have you queing for hours and yes I agree that a bit of communication between the stewards and the exhibitors would make things go a bit more smoothly, but surely we can give up half an hour of our time to put on a display.

Moving vehicles are far more impressive than those parked in a line!!!

I do understand that the vehicle may be part of a display and in that case probably impractical to come into the arena but there are stiil a load that could and dont.

As an example I will be at a show this coming weekend that always has a good military section.

I will bet a pint that under half the section make the effort.

[gritineye]

Thanks for taking the time to post all your very interesting responses guys, there are a few things I hadn't thought of, like security ( I have a lockable living trailer) and reluctance to talk to a microphone (doesn't apply) and not having an ' unique enough' vehicle, and a few others.

 

Brooky has saved me some mental effort as he has almost written my planned reply word perfect for me..:thumbsup:

 

 

Seems to be very W&P orientated answers on here!!

There are other shows up and down the country every weekend (Vintage vehicle rallies, steam rallies etc) that green machines attend

I think that given the time the effort (not to mention the finances) that go into organising these events where we the exhibitor 99 times out of a hundred gets in for free and camps all weekend for free that it is only good form to get your vehicle into the arena.

Most rallies/shows dont have you queing for hours and yes I agree that a bit of communication between the stewards and the exhibitors would make things go a bit more smoothly, but surely we can give up half an hour of our time to put on a display.

Moving vehicles are far more impressive than those parked in a line!!!

I do understand that the vehicle may be part of a display and in that case probably impractical to come into the arena but there are stiil a load that could and dont.

As an example I will be at a show this coming weekend that always has a good military section.

I will bet a pint that under half the section make the effort.

 

I do like to participate at shows and as TooTallMike says, where we were at WPR we had almost no public passing, so as Rugged Robin had a overheating problem and didn't make the arena, I parked Rugged Robin by the 'ring road' on a few show days so visitors could spot him and I sat nearby.

I know this might seem a little showy offy but I get a lot of fun from having very silly conversations with the public and they seem to as well, all very pleasant....:-D

[Enigma]

W&PR.

Maybe a lot of people just forget while on the site?

A official driving around with a bullhorn reminding/inviting people for a few theme displays in the arena may help? :???

 

I do miss the Friday armour covoy although I did see the Shermans and a Stuart heading to the arena a few evenings.

[Brooky]

"Brooky has saved me some mental effort as he has almost written my planned reply word perfect for me..:thumbsup:"

 

My pleasure.........................where do I send the bill!!!! :cool2:

[stinkypete618]

Armoured convoy is missed

 

Any way back on subject to hacking around an arena, I love taking mine out for a hack. I just forget sometimes and miss the slot, i dont like talking on mic so i just give the commentator my idiot board full of usless info on so he has half a lead as to what it is. Nobody seems to know what it is, its not a commer, its a Uaz!!! Then they are really supprised by it, and its abillty in the mud.

 

Not many of our Trucks about so i do and should maybe try harder to show it off more!!

[griff66]

most shows i go to i do visit the arena at least once on a two day show but after a while u do become choosy about which shows you will go in arena ie does commentator know what he was talking about when wp was at hop farm one commentator didnt like ferrets ,sometimes arena at shows are so bloody small and too many vehicles its just boring to go in, probably best two are hop farm with lots of fscs being driven quick and capel a local show where must of be going around arena at well bit than 5 mph!!!:cool2: had the ferret drifting around corners !well away from mops in case any of u lot go all h&s on me!

[Brooky]

Agreed about the commentator!!!

If you are not confident in talking on the mike then either give the commentator a note or when he approaches you with the microphone shake your head or give him some indication that you are not comfortable.

Most commentators will accept that!! (I certainly do!!)

As for the commentator not knowing his/her stuff, agreed but if the commentator is worth his salt he will remember your vehicle the next time he sees it and may give a good description of it

The public pay to come into these events and expect to be entertained otherwise they dont come back to the detriment of the show.

There is nothing worse than a grand parade of military vehicle!!!!