The MGF Register Forums

This year was my first Live...

Enjoyed it a lot..

Some stunning cars there!! Met some new faces.. and had a few chats about my project..

I arrived Fri night.. socialised.. then did most of the show on the Saturday..


Superb work from all those involved.. organising it must be a headache.. I for one want to say thank you to everyone involved in organising and running the event..

So just wondered what others thought.. what would you like to see there next year that wasn't there this year?

Hopefully next year we will see more pre-war cars racing again.
In 2011 it was great to see them performing. What a heavy work to get them around the corners

Steffi wrote:Hopefully next year we will see more pre-war cars racing again.
In 2011 it was great to see them performing. What a heavy work to get them around the corners

I do hope so Steffi. If they use the Grand Prix circuit my suggestion would be to set them off at 30 second or minute intervals and make the winner the quickest over the set number of laps. I think the biggest reason that they did not race was that it was feared that an Oldtimer race of the Grand Prix circuit would not be enough of a spectacle for the general public watching due to slow lap times.

Better still, ditch the F1 circuit and use teh International circuilt like they do for BTCC. And, bring the sprinting much closer to the main event, having it so far away at Stowe meant that most would not have seen any of it

Same with the Cali cup. Could try find an area inside but probably not feasible due to space. Would have to stretch it out longer but would get more viewing it.

This year was my first time also ... what a great event.

My son (6yrs) and daughter (10yrs) enjoyed it almost as much as I did. They didnt stop talking about it when we got home. Cant wait for next year as i have been told that i have to bring my car and park with the other F's not in the car park for 'ordinary' cars.

Just a thought what about a small selection of funfair rides for the kids?

I don't have kids.. But did think activities for kids was limited..

I also wondered about auctioning off 'a passenger ride' in a select MG.. If any owner wanted to put their car forward.. They could do a parade lap with the highest bidder as a passenger.. Money going to charity..

I'd pay for a lap in an SV..

I'd be happy to take someone round in my heap if a donation was made to a worthy cause..

I appreciate its near impossible to cater for every one at these things.. And the amount of planning that went into makes the mind boggle.. Well done all involved.. And especially to the volunteers who helped make it happen..

On behalf of the organising committee, which I am a small part of, and the countless volunteers we thank you all for your very kind words. There are so many meetings on site and at Kimber House, in fact the next meeting is in July which is the wash up meeting where your words will be relayed, so thank you for writing your thoughts.

Silverstone is a monster, it takes so many hours of preparation and fine tuning all around a limited budget, we are a Club with a few full time salaried staff but the vast majority are volunteers from the CRB's (Centres Registers and Branches). If Silverstone should ever fail, the Club's finances would take a terrible hit, this is why it has to be successful so thanks really do go to you all who attend. Other MG Clubs will not organise an event like Silverstone because they are run as businesses so the chance of failing and pulling down the business overide the benefits and enjoyment to the members who pay their subscriptions.

We hope to see you all and more next year at MGLive.

Don't forget we have MGF20 on August 1st and 2nd at Gaydon, put that date in your diaries now.

There are some limitations imposed by the site - Silverstone is a huge complex, and the majority of the show is held in one small area within it. But I agree, the California cup and the Sprint were a long way from the centre of the action - which is a bit of a shame. I am not sure what could be done to over come this, but in terms of tweaking what is already there, improving communication with visitors regarding what is going on would be a good thing. How many knew where or when the California Cup or the Sprint was being held? Strangely, this is not actually mentioned in the main programme! And for those without a programme, no chance.

Perhaps a guide to what is going on posted on line would be a good idea? Certainly the detail contained within the MG90 website could be increased where it comes to events during the course of the weekend.

But as ever, a brilliant effort by the hundreds of volunteers who invest their time for the benefit of others - please do pass on my thanks to them all Adrian!

Good to see some feedback coming in after a good weekend at Silverstone and I am sure between Adrian & Graham we will get it fed back to the KH team at the wash up meeting ...

I know the California cup was initially planned to come into the main arena area this year until they realised how much space it actually required. Without losing a lot of parking or trade stand space, this was not deemed practical in the end. Having to go outside of the main site is a pain but I think a few more ventured out there this year.

Re information of what was going on, this year KH did post on the MG90 website a layout plan of the main area and a timetable of events if you did not pick up a programme on the day.
http://www.mgcc.co.uk/mg90/visitor-information/layout/ and http://www.mgcc.co.uk/mg90/wp-content/u ... e-MG90.pdf
There did not seem a fixed position to buy the programmes from this year other than the main MGCC stand but there were many smiling ladies from MacMillan walking around selling them thruogh out the weekend and there was one lady who seemed to spend the whole weekend on the bridge coming into the event for those non MG driving people walking into the event.

The fun fair idea was used a couple of years ago but the fair did not seem that popular. A couple of smaller fun rides or bouncy castles for the kids though might be a try. Saying that, the little ride that was there seemed quite all weekend.

The idea of passenger rides could work if any members were willing to offer their cars for such a venture. I think though it would have to be off site and not on track as track time is very limited for such things. We could look at doing a 'sporting bears' sort of thing with a quick blast aorund the Silverstone area but I expect many would not want to be tied up doing something like this as the social side is as important to most than the cars and the event as such.

Oops - I missed the "Plan your weekend" section with the event list completely - my bad!

I bought (and was then given!) an event programme - which was of very high quality and some very interesting content - so again, a big thumbs up to the team for that

Spot on Keith, there was an idea put forward for the Arena to be used but it was indeed too small. Maybe next year the Cali Cup and he Sprint will be brought inside and our Register must be included in any categories. We have enormous representation and help at this event, Graham our secretary, Dave our Registrar and myself are on the planning committee, we'll project this don't worry.

There was debate about children's entertainment, Guy from Luxembourg has been very vocal about this for years, he brings his children every year and he's been coming since he was one year old himself. There's opposition to this to be honest as it's considered a car event for adults, it's forever a sticky subject. I believe there is a lot of anti-child voices from within Centres and Registers to keep this at distance, as Keith, again rightly says, the few rides there were doing no business at all.

We must be realistic though, we can only do so much, we do more than our share I think, other Registers and Centres put people forward as volunteers too. In fact we can only take on so much so we need to be aware of this, MGF20 will be another example of stretching ourselves too thin. I hardly see anything at MGLive due to my commitments but I love it. There were so many people from this forum I wanted to see but couldn't, Allan I really wanted to see your car if it was there but I didn't get the chance, Stuart I didn't get to you either

I was covering parking before the Arena started at 9.45 so I saw some early arrivals, on Sunday, not Saturday I had a few problems to sort out in the Arena I managed to look at the parking area, there was some gorgeous cars there I so much wanted to talk about but, MGLive is what it is I didn't have the time and people are like ships in the night you pass by and can't put faces to names

diesel destroyer wrote:.. what would you like to see there next year that wasn't there this year?

Your car, finished and in the P.O.O.

My car will be there next year.. But not entering it into PoO

No point.. From what I've seen the same guy wins it every year (the exception this year.. And rightly so.. Helens car was way better) but suspect next year the same chap will win again..

I can't see why/how the same car can win year after year!?! Puts others off entering..

Those who take an interest in my build will know its a true one off.. Brakes/suspension/steering/interior/ body work all custom.. The engine was built by Hellier.. The only F in the world on 5 stud wheels.. The only F in the world running the brakes I have.. Blah blah blah..

Three years to build (3500 hours) and the wrong side of £20,000 spent..

Enter it into PoO and (in my opinion) the judges will look and go 'it's a white MGF with a body kit' and the winner will be the same guy who keeps his standard car garaged and just brings it to shows..

Pride of ownership.. Perhaps they should do a 'proudly built by the owner' lol

Anyways.. I'm getting cynical in my old age..

All being well.. It'll be there.. And be parked up in the camp site.. As sadly I don't think most people involved in the PoO thing 'get' my car..

Andy Watson says I should enter it into the modified bit.. But again from what I've seen the judges don't even ask what mods have been done.. They only go by the visual.. What they see.. My car has a standard interior mirror.. And standard drive shafts..(new) other than that.. Everything is custom made or modified..

When they change the rules for 'one win per car only' I think a lot more would take interest in entering..

Allan

The way around that dilemma is you invite the top 3 cars owners to be some if the judges for the following year.

Or we have our own F register Best of Show and have a £1entry fee with each car entered parked in one area and voted on by other F/TF owners on the stand.

I agree its something to look into. I've never fully understood P.O.O. I just stand in awe at the work you guys put in and I think modified cars should be in the mix.

There is some inherent beauty not only in the spit and polish of a car because that also has had a lot of loving care and attention but I think also that when somebody has done a lot of work, or not, in modifying his car for his own personal taste and use that needs to be taken into consideration as well. How you judge that I don't know.

Anyway, this was my first MG Live having had my little "F" just over 12 months and what a show. A BIG well done to all who organised, volunteered, participated and attended it was worth the long haul from the sunshine state of Cornwall.

Guys thanks for a great weekend long may it continue.

Tone

Totally agree with Allan there. For years I put my F and the TF in PoO competitions mainly at the request of the organisers to make up the numbers, it's a well travelled car as anyone here knows. I find I'm up against cars similar to those mentioned, they only come out in the sun at weekends to shiny car shows. The amount of time and effort is not the issue but why enter when you know the outcome ?

That does not distract from the excellent work of others who wish to compete, good luck to them all but it's not for me. If you had a "working" car class and "true modified" class along side those that actually go for this sort of thing, then you had judges that really know these cars you may get somewhere but most judges try their hardest but they are volunteers helping the organisers. Concours judges really should know these cars inside out, many years ago at MGLive I was in concours, I overheard the judges saying to each other, the cars too high, the suspension has ben pumped too high (it was my TF shortly after I had it and everything was original factory).

Glad it's not just me then lol

Couldn't agree more Adrian about knowing these cars.. Tracy (pendlelass) entered her newly finished TF.. Some may have seen it.. White with full purple leather interior... Stunning...

But how many noticed: whole body shell de-seamed, aerial hole welded up and smoothed, rear badge gone, body kit smoothed in, the interior white bits are actually carbon dipped...

If you don't know F/TFs well you'd miss the de seaming and aerial hole gone..

So I got no hope.. Hell most who have seen my car for real don't even notice the door handles have gone

I'm with Mr Soldier.. Have the top three from last year judge this year.. After all.. You'd hope if they were driving an F or TF they'd at least know a little about em..

No one noticed Andy Watsons rear brakes either.. The only set in existence.. Custom made for his car..304mm vented rear disc...

Another reason why judges need to be given time to talk to the owners. especially modified and concours.

It may be different at MGF20 initial plans are under way.

Someone suggested a list of my mods.. But to be fair its huge.. Easier to say.. Other than the rear view mirror.. And the drive shafts.. It's either modified or custom made.. Lol

I spoke to a fair few owners over the weekend.. A mixture of those who liked standard.. And those who like modded.. Was nice.. As said above.. I'm not criticising the weekend.. Not the hard work done by the volunteers.. Was great..just good to see others POV and discuss. Ideas..