Stoneleigh and Newark Shows 2022 [Archive]

Stratos Fear

09-02-2022, 10:22

Please note the Stoneleigh National Kitcar Show is scheduled for Sunday 1st May and Monday 2nd May this year (Spring Bank Hol)

I understand the Sunday will be the day for the AGM - but I'm sure Norm will confirm the details.

The one-day entry fee this year will be £5 for drivers of kitcars and £15 for passengers (unless under 16 in which case free). If camping the fee incl. entry on both days will be £15 for kitcar drivers and £25 for passengers.

I am hoping (and expecting) to get our usual pitch in Block 51A

There will also be a Newark Show on 23rd and 24th July - fee £10 in advance £13 on the day - and free entry for kitcar drivers. More details to follow

Peter

ProtoTipo

09-02-2022, 10:35

Peter, See PM.

Stratos Fear

09-02-2022, 11:29

thanks Chris - responded.

Normb666

09-02-2022, 16:09

Big Ta for posting the details, Pete, and also thanks for sorting the marquee as well.

As Chairman, I can confirm the AGM will be held at Stoneleigh on Sunday 1st May, 12:00. This year though, I promise not to lose the *&!!@?! minutes afterwards....

We'll be having a marquee at Stoneleigh as usual, but as with last year, no hot drinks or hot dogs/burgers. Or not yet, anyway - we'll see how it's all panning out. We're also planning on booking a pitch at Newark, but no marquee there so bring a brolly and a chair!

I'll be creating a separate "AGM" thread shortly, so if you're coming and want anything discussing, you can bung it in that thread for the Agenda. Watch out for that one!

NoCorseChris

09-02-2022, 21:00

They’re getting greedy on the entry fee I think.

Strat Fan

09-02-2022, 21:48

They’re getting greedy on the entry fee I think.
It's an ever decreasing spiral I fear.
Traditionally they would cover the cost of hiring the venue and hosting the event by selling floor space to the exhibitors and then maybe turn this into profit by selling tickets to the visitors/foot traffic who visit the show.
Nowadays there are considerably less exhibitors and the show is smaller so to balance the (no doubt escalating) venue costs they then have to use the visitors entrance fee instead of selling the exhibitor stand space to help cover the cost of hosting the event.
The lower the attendance and number of exhibitors one year then the higher the ticket price has to be the following year just to break even. The irony being that it therefore now costs the public more to gain entrance to see a much smaller show....

Normb666

09-02-2022, 22:20

Craig, you're right, but what else can they do? At least they're still making the effort. And a fiver's not much for a day out....in fact I always used to wonder how they managed to make it work, letting so many in for free. I guess we'll soon see if it's a show that can continue to sustain itself. But we also had this discussion pre-covid when they were looking at resurrecting Newark in 2020, wondering if having two shows would split the exhibitors and public between them, rather than everyone attending both. I expect they must have run the figures and they think they can make it work, rather than just jumping in with a large dollop of hope? Or maybe that's just me being optimistic!

renmure

09-02-2022, 22:45

It just occurred to me that I've visited the Newark Show way (way, way) back in 2001 on my way down to Centre Parcs in Elveden for a weekend. I guess it must have been on the main road because I'd no idea it was on and only saw a sign for it as I was passing by. I remember nothing about it other than Robin Hoods seemed pretty cool.

Strat Fan

09-02-2022, 22:57

I'm not saying they are wrong for trying it's just a reflection of the times we live in. From my experience though the organisers could be a bit more proactive in inviting/encouraging exhibitors to attend.
I know the people who ran Newark previously struggled to break even which then lead to its demise.
The event clashed with LeMans or another major event and it subsequently only took a bad weather forecast to put visitors off & the organisers then find themselves on the wrong side of breaking even.

Stratos Fear

10-02-2022, 10:52

I'm inclined to agree with Norm - I really dont think a fiver is a lot of money to get into the show with a kitcar (or even a Stratos replica!) - and even £15 quid isnt bad these days for non-kitcar attendees.. The Goodwood FoS - although hardly a straight comparison - is around £70 . I applaud the effort of Grosvenor shows for trying to make it work - but if they cant make it work what are the alternatives ?

ProtoTipo

10-02-2022, 12:11

Nowadays there are considerably less exhibitors and the show is smaller so to balance the (no doubt escalating) venue costs they then have to use the visitors entrance fee instead of selling the exhibitor stand space to help cover the cost of hosting the event.

Are you going to have a stand at either show Craig?

Strat Fan

10-02-2022, 12:54

Are you going to have a stand at either show Craig?
I see what you are trying to say Chris.
In our current situation however it seems unlikely that we will have a stand at either Stoneleigh or Newark this year.
From our perspective it seems rather futile for us to have a stand at either event to promote a product which at the time of the shows we won't actually be able to take any orders for.
I think it would be very frustrating for both parties to spend 20 minutes talking to a customer about the car to then turn around and tell them that the order book is currently closed and we can't take their order anyway.
It was our intention to participate in the Newark event last year but it then got cancelled due to the uncertainty of Covid.

Guy Mayers

10-02-2022, 14:45

I fully support Craig’s reasoning. Gerry will be attending and maybe taking orders but with minimal deposits and customers understanding he has a 2 year waiting list for most models. I think the ally cars may be on a shorter lead time.

After 2 years of Covid restrictions there are a lot of potential customers out there wanting to spend but the bigger manufacturers have full order books and don’t need to attend.

if this goes on for another year and the show generates losses the organisers aren’t going to risk it again.

So once current orders are filled there’ll be now more shows to promote kits at and we’ll be reliant on magazines, clubs and manufacturers websites. But with no more big kit car gatherings will the market shrink further? I don’t know. Does anyone know what the future holds?

ProtoTipo

10-02-2022, 15:42

I see what you are trying to say Chris.

I wasn't "trying" to say anything Craig, but I'm interested in your viewpoint.
The component Stratos is booming, and therefore rather at odds with the rest of the kit car market.

More than ever, I felt that last year, the club stands reflected the yesteryear of the kit car scene.
Almost a 'classic kit car show'?

ProtoTipo

10-02-2022, 16:39

What's the argument against ramping up the production of Stratos replicas?
'Nobody capable to outsource to, I guess.

john

10-02-2022, 17:03

What's the argument against ramping up the production of Stratos replicas?

Let's keep it as it is.
Keep the value up.
I've got two of 'em!

Strat Fan

10-02-2022, 17:20

What's the argument against ramping up the production of Stratos replicas?
'Nobody capable to outsource to, I guess.
Things have changed a lot over the last few years and I don't think they won't return to how they were before Covid & Brexit.
Not only have material costs gone through the roof across the board but there are also long lasting supply chain issues and specific things we used to buy are simply no longer available.
On a more local level finding reliable staff who can actually do the job rather than just thinking they can is a challenge.
A lot of people got too comfortable being paid to sit at home last year and they now simply don't want to work.
Out of those that do want to work some think they are worth twice as much as their abilities suggest they are actually worth.
Finding people devoid of ego who can also work with others is a challenge and from experience that is not necessarily within a big group either.
Outsourcing is another issue as whilst you can find companies to do things their rates have increased considerably as well which combined with the additional material cost means things are expensive.
A prime example of this for me was wiring looms, our previous supplier of looms closed in line with protocol & I don't think they caught back up. Their lead times were so bad that we then tried to source elsewhere. The first (very reputable) company who quoted were asking for around 6 times the price of the original supplier, the second one was more realistic but was still around 2.5 times the cost of the original supplier. The issue with that one then was that they wanted us to provide a full bill of materials before they would make the looms at which point we had done the majority of the work for them which meant that we might as well make them ourselves. So the general feel was that yes, you can get companies to do things for you but they want you to all the hard work and they will then charge you for the privilege.

hollytree

10-02-2022, 18:19

Let's keep it as it is.
Keep the value up.
I've got two of 'em!

Get NapierSports going again
Nooooooooooo!
I've got one of 'em!

Normb666

10-02-2022, 20:30

The current situation is like standing on shifting sand. No-one really knows what'll happen next or where the path forward is. Everyone is simply trying to "make it work" and hoping things will become clearer at some point. Craig's example of the loom issue will be just one of a whole host of things. I sincerely hope the shows continue but as said earlier, it's a bit like a "classic kit car" display on the club stands and I think the traditional kit car builder is dying out. Lots of customers these days are monied and expect a high-quality product, and I can't see them (or at least, not many) heading off to a trad kit car show. If Grosvenor decide they can't make it work, then maybe the future will be for kit car companies to take space at the major car gatherings over the summer - Goodwood, Silverstone, NEC Classic Show maybe, that kind of thing. Probably expensive though, and it'll be passed on to customers one way or t'other.
Meanwhile, if you've got a desirable car (e.g. Strat rep of any sort), right now you're quids in. Look after it and you can't lose.

Stratie.fr

11-02-2022, 06:59

This actual situation is quite worrying and it’s a pity to know all this troubles!!:(

Hopefully it’s going better in a near future and with Brexit more Covid pandemic Kitcar shows and almost kitcar industry won’t dying!!:confused:

For sure if you are lucky enough to got a Strat rep or a kit in order keep them for a long time…it’s probably better than money in the bank!!!:rolleyes:

Longtimefan

11-02-2022, 11:23

I have always viewed my Strat as a “Classic Kit Car”, in fact when I was putting it together, if anybody asked what I was building back in 2015-19, I always described it as a ‘Specialist Kit Car’, not the type of Kit Car ordinarily perceived by the general public. I do feel and sympathise with the current and future customers who want to join with us, the long lead time that has developed because of circumstances and the popularity of our ‘marque’ must create real heartache. I personally am so glad I discovered Lydia and Craig when I did back in 2014.

With regard to Show’s at which kit car producers could display their products, is there a Kit Car Producers Association that could do it’s own thing at venue which would be more economic?, however I do think that Normans suggestion of a section of the Classic Car show with the foot fall that’s there and the attendant facilities has merit and is worth considering.

Normb666

11-02-2022, 16:11

I don't know what the cost would be of a manufacturer taking a stand. I remember Stuart Gross having one at the "regular" NEC Motor Show to display the Allora back in the day, and I said to him it must have cost a bomb. Well it did - £2k back in 1987... I'd hope a club stand at the Classic Show would be less then that! In fact it crossed my mind to have a club stand at the NEC Classic a couple of years ago, but it seems that was tried some while back, and I was told it was a long weekend for those on the stand with little in the way of reward, either personally or for the club. Having said that, things have moved on substantially since then, and my gut feeling is that a SEC presence with a few cars on the stand could be a showstopper these days. But then again, why would anyone want to join a club for cars you can't actually buy?? (or not easily.)

NoCorseChris

12-02-2022, 10:23

I suppose the value for money calculation has to include what I get out of it..and for me, that's almost nothing these days. I'm not looking at new projects, nor for parts for a current one, and as a misanthrope, it's kind of anathema going to any sort of gathering anyway......it mostly serves as a thin reason to go for a drive, so having to pay for the privilege, just feels a bit poor value for me. YMMV of course!

renmure

12-02-2022, 15:07

as a misanthrope

Word of the week. I'm going to try to fit that into conversation over the next few days and see who looks puzzled :D

As for shows, I guess there's not much point in a manufacturer going to a show where the aim is to sell cars or take orders for cars if, for whatever reason, they can do neither or have enough orders already. I've always thought the Owners Club displays at these events did a great job of promoting the manufacturers and maintaining brand awareness anyhow so even that's already covered.

Ultima aren't perhaps the best example because in some ways the actual car itself isn't as great as the hype that goes with it but they are a pretty good example of moving with the times. When I was first looking at getting an Ultima everything was based around Stoneleigh as the centre of the kit-car world. Now it's the Goodwood FoS and Silverstone Classic mixing in the company of folk who might splash out £140k as an impulse purchase and get the matching watch (yes, there is a limited edition matching Ultima watch for both the Evo and RS models) and I'd not be surprised if Stratos replica manufacturers gravitated in that direction as well. These new metal Hawk cars must be up there. Ultima don't bother with Stoneleigh now but they do cover the cost of the Owners Club tent and supply a stash of soft drinks and snacks.

I'd actually never given any thought that a reason for going to any show was to encourage other folk to join the SEC. I'm maybe even more antisocial that I thought. I saw it more as a good excuse for a bit of a road trip to nosey at other members cars but also to be supportive to the manufacturers and help them sell their wares. For that reason I'd rather sign up for Goodwood / Silverstone / Classic etc rather than Stoneleigh..... just to stay away from blokes in sheds (joking!!) :o

Normb666

12-02-2022, 16:05

Value for money....well, a few quid for petrol and a fiver to get in, and you get to mooch round the halls to see what wacky concoctions are emerging into the light of day this year, then wander wide-eyed round the club stands outside and go from horrified to awestruck in the space of a few seconds. Several times too. Sounds like a bargain to me! :)

Jim, you're right, Strat reps are indeed gravitating up the marketing and social pole, but they're still kit cars so they've not shaken off Stoneleigh and Newark yet. But no-one seeing an LB or Hawk stand at Goodwood etc. would be horrified these days, like they might have been 10 years ago. Interesting to hear that Ultima cover the club tent costs and chuck in nibbles etc....Craig, Gerry, are you listening?? (just kidding.)

One of the reasons for a club stand is indeed to try and entrap new members, by showing those who're unaware that we exist and encourage peeps to join up - we're only a small outfit with around 200 members at any one time. Remember we're an ENTHUSIASTS club, not an OWNERS club, so having a Strat isn't a condition of joining. Of course it's great to see other peeps' cars as well (see above) but Stoneleigh and Goodwood/Silverstone are very different animals, aiming at very different audiences.

No arguments over your social status tho :) :)

Martin0074

18-02-2022, 09:06

Stratos Fear

18-02-2022, 19:32

Hi Martin - see PM - but the answer to your Q. is you can pay at the gate - which is what I have done for many years although might be cheaper to book in advance. This is an important show for the kit car industry although in the last few years has been smaller than formerly. It's a good opportunity to meet and talk to Club members and look at some of the cars so it would be good to see you on either of the two days - although as the AGM is on the Sunday this is probably when more members will attend. See you there!

Azzo42

13-07-2022, 07:55

If anyone is attending Newark in their Stratos, which day(s) are you planning to be there please ? No need to answer that Guy, I can guess !

I'm hoping to have a good look at some cars while trying to string together some sensible questions instead of just drooling...

Azzo42

15-07-2022, 14:07

Is there going to be a club stand / plot at Newark next weekend ?

Normb666

15-07-2022, 16:12

No, we've not taken a stand as we weren't sure it was going to be happening (plus, we never heard anything directly from the organisers). So I dunno if anyone will be there....it was a low turnout at Stoneleigh, about 25 - 30 people if I remember correctly, and that only cos we were holding the AGM on the Saturday. On the Sunday we seemed to be represented by various bits of tumbleweed...

Your best bet for seeing a few cars together is probably going to be Silverstone Classic on the August Bank Hol, although it's a bit pricey if that was all you were going for!

Azzo42

15-07-2022, 16:45

Thanks Norm, I may well be volunteering at the Classic, fingers crossed.

STR_Strat

19-07-2022, 15:54

I'm planning to be at Newark, anyone else planning to take their cars I may even camp (that's camping Norm, in a tent before you pipe up) assuming the weather holds.
With us not having a dedicated club area it would be good to try and get the cars together in one spot.

Strat Fan

19-07-2022, 16:04

Normb666

19-07-2022, 22:29

Won't be able to make it unfortunately. On a drive-out on Sunday over the North Pennines, and so we're doing all the weekend chores on Saturday. Hope it's a good do and y'all have fun!

David J

20-07-2022, 18:28

What time are you planning to get there?.

David

Bernard

20-07-2022, 18:53

Won't be able to make it unfortunately. On a drive-out on Sunday over the North Pennines, and so we're doing all the weekend chores on Saturday. Hope it's a good do and y'all have fun!

We're doing all the weekend chores !!!!!!............ Norm, what this "we" bit..??? can't imagine you in a pinny and waving a feather duster !... well the image I have is not pleasant !.... but funny !

Bernard

20-07-2022, 18:54

I will pop along at some point in the morning.

renmure

20-07-2022, 19:17

How big is the Newark show compared to, eg, Stoneleigh?

Strat Fan

20-07-2022, 19:28

What time are you planning to get there?.

David
I was thinking of maybe 11am, David E will no doubt be more efficient!
I'm joining the Italian Replica Club so I can park up with them in the absence of the SEC. It costs the princely sum of ?4 for the admin fee and they have a tent and refreshments on site.
I have their email details and application form if you want them.
19860

David J

20-07-2022, 19:38

Yes please.

Strat Fan

20-07-2022, 20:04

Yes please.
You have a PM

Normb666

21-07-2022, 11:01

Yes Phil, even in the disorganised rubbish dump that is Chez Norm there are chores to do. All that crap doesn't get there by itself, y'know!
As for the pinny....I thought you knew that was very special occasions only.... ahem!

ProtoTipo

21-07-2022, 12:24

All that crap doesn't get there by itself, y'know!

You mean 'carp' Norm. It can get into your fuel lines.

Longtimefan

21-07-2022, 13:00

That reminds me of when we put a fish on the manifold of the wedding couples car when they left on Honeymoon. We were not popular, and it took many years to be spoken to again.

Normb666

21-07-2022, 13:34

Chris, I remember when people would say "crap in the petrol". Never knew if it was a statement or an instruction....

Robin, if I'd known that's all it took.... ;)

Stratos Fear

21-07-2022, 13:37

- great cartoon Chris !

ProtoTipo

21-07-2022, 15:57

- great cartoon Chris !

It dates back to the old Stratos Supersite forum Peter.
There was an unofficial swearing policy. Hence the misspelling.

Normb666

21-07-2022, 16:18

Really? People who own Strat reps are expected not to swear??? Hahahaha!

STR_Strat

22-07-2022, 13:30

I was thinking of maybe 11am, David E will no doubt be more efficient!
19860

Probably about the same time as I have to drop eldest off at Heathrow early in the morning.

I have also joined the Lancia club and will park up on their stand.

Dave

David J

27-07-2022, 09:50

https://youtu.be/T3Vp39G9gDE

After 22 & 31 mins there is a bit of footage of the cars at Newark

Longtimefan

27-07-2022, 12:32

Sorry for the delay in posting, technical difficulties, couldn't find them!!!! The SEC representation on the Italian Replica Car Club stand on Saturday.

Azzo42

27-07-2022, 13:06

19885

The lone LB on Sunday.

Longtimefan

27-07-2022, 13:37

The lone LB on Sunday.

Dave is a Camping fan, !!!!!!

STR_Strat

27-07-2022, 21:59

Dave is a Camping fan, !!!!!!

19886

Its the breakfast I'm a fan of.
Big thank you to the IRCC for their hospitality

Stableblock

28-07-2022, 08:09

Out of interest what did you think of the show? how did it compare to Stoneleigh? Was there many trade stands?

Azzo42

28-07-2022, 08:19

Slightly smaller I would say. Around 5 manufacturer stands, 20 trade stands and fewer club stands / cars than Stoneleigh (on the Sunday at least). Not that many cars in the car park. A good atmosphere though.

Strat Fan

28-07-2022, 08:49

Out of interest what did you think of the show? how did it compare to Stoneleigh? Was there many trade stands?
19887
There were 10 manufacturers in the hall and a reasonable (but not massive) number of traders such as Europa Spares, Simtek, Intatrim etc.
The show was smaller than Stoneleigh but but for the current climate/market then I think it would be classed as a success.
On the Saturday at least there was a good number of club cars outside on the club stands to bolster what was on display inside.
Strat replicas were well represented on the Saturday with Guy in the hall with his Hawk HF & 5 cars outside on the IRCC stand. The only marque not present was the Corse.
A few more manufacturers in the hall would help as it is a good venue with a decent exhibition hall and the club area is nicely accessible from the hall.
Hopefully it will return next year and build on the solid foundation of this year.