National Rally.

[IaininTenbury]

We arrived on Friday and camped until Monday, a really super weekend! All facilities were grand, hot showers and clean loos

Yes it seemed smaller than some years but I think it was one of the better ones!

We need 2 nationals every year!!

Glad it was a good one. I can remember when the Regional Rallys were nearly as big as a National Rally - well at least the Northern Regional ones was once or twice. That was like having two Nationals a year
Personally, I was gutted to miss this one (first I've missed since 1989) due to a family health issue, and I apologise to anyone expecting to see me there with the usual stall, caravan and the kettle on... Will try harder next time

[Bidz]

For those of you complaining about the national being NORTH of the Watford Gap. I did an approx 700 mile round trip to the National this year in Series 2 with an 803 and no problems. The car in Question is in the photos (NIA) Anyway for those of you still complaining 2017/18 Nationals will be SOUTH of the M25. A small group did an extended MoT trip Including there mileage to the location in France 8 other countries in Europe and mileage home was around 3500 miles and they still attended the National.

I think it's disgraceful that people can be so arrogant they complain about the location of an event which happens once per year. Frankly, it's only you missing out if you can't be bothered to turn up! Aren't these cars to be driven? It's quite sad really.

[moggyadventurer]

Has the venue/date been decided for next years national?

[minor65]

Yes 2nd and 3rd of July at Catton Hall, Derbyshire. Can't wait !!!

[les]

Be nice to just roll out of bed and be at the rally site, rather than travelling miles to the usual northern location. If true, it's nice to know, voices are heard! -----and those further north that think their cars are to be used are winners too! Result.

[IaininTenbury]

It's always been the case that when a National is at extremes of the country the attendance is down, Hampshire, Sandringham and this year for example and its the middle of the country that get the best numbers. So next years should be good being pretty central

[les]

That's fair enough but as there are members north, south and in the middle, having it rotating in all these areas shares out the travelling. I complain about it always being north of Watford gap and in doing so I'm apparently a disgracefully arrogant chap, that is missing out on the event if I decide not to travel.

[mrmorrisminor]

I agree it was a great weekend, these events are what you make them. I also agree that numbers were lower than other years and I personally was a little disappointed with the auto jumble.
For me it's not necessary the distance but the ability to get the fri and mon off to travel the longer distances with a relatively inflexible job. I drove the 260 miles straight after work on Fri round the lovely m25 and up the a1 and had to leave early on the Sunday to be back in time to get a nights sleep ready for Monday. Spending 7 hrs in the car after a day's work is not easy nor is arriving home at 10pm on Sunday when there is a 6am alarm the following day. But it has to be done if you are to make the most of a weekend like this. I appreciate that it is impossible to please all and rest assured there are the hardy amongst us that are not afraid to drive the distance (1000 miles in one weekend earlier this year on a return trip to Edinburgh) but time constraints have to be factored in too.

All that said the weather was great, the Sat night was amazing and camping facilities were good too.

[OHP 900]

Looked to be a fantastic event by the pictures, glad people enjoyed it. Don't forget Moggyfest for those of us in the south was on this year... Brilliant weather and a good number of cars on show combined with the autojumble made for a truly great event in my eyes. It's a shame there isn't more about it in the latest issue of the club mag.

[Bidz]

I complain about it always being north of Watford gap and in doing so I'm apparently a disgracefully arrogant chap, that is missing out on the event if I decide not to travel.

I suppose this is about as fair as our Scottish friends complaining it is always below Carlisle! I think my point was fair - it's far away for most people, I'm fairly sure the Committee don't plan these things just to spite you or other members from the South...

[les]

Fair! If I labeled you in a less than charitable manner, how fair would you consider me?

[amgrave]

Let's not forget that some of us aren’t quite as young as we once were and driving for 4 hours plus is not as easy as you get older Like all things national it is fair to rotate meeting places so we all get a crack of the whip.

[mike.perry]

I was just about to make the point that amgrave has just made. Some of the owners, particularly of Series MMs are in their late 70s, early 80s and need to take two days for the journey.

[smithskids]

I went to the national this year and as it was only 55 miles each way from my home it wasn't too bad but it was much more comfortable in the MM than my pick up, both cars have the standard seating in and the engine is standard in the MM but the pick up has a more modern engine in it but it still took almost 2 hours each way. I met some very interesting and knowleagable people and my wife and I thoroughly enjoyed ourselves even on the slightly rainy second day. Every thing was well organised and the food and loos were good. Many thanks to Bryan and the spares people.

[jagnut66]

At the end of the day, being this is a nationwide (worldwide? ) club, the location of the national rally is not going to please all of the people all of the time.
Rotating it as they do is the fairest method.
Complaining about the location is pointless negativity.
Best wishes,
Mike.

[IaininTenbury]

Well said. Personally I just toddle along to all of em, wether as a stall holder or camping with a Minor, unless circumstances conspire against me like this year. But at least it does move around a bit to give those who don't wish to travel too far an easier outing.
Other car clubs I'm in tend to do similar. The Railton Owners Club National has been in Herefordshire, The Lake District, Woolacombe in Devon, and near Reading in the last few years which isn't a journey to take lightly in an 80yr old car that can be doing about 15 -18 mpg... But as has been said, moving it around does at least give everyone a chance.

[badobsession]

can i just say thanks to all the organisers and a big thanks to Andrew Stone for sorting us out wit our party gazebo
we had more Scottish cars and members down this year than normal
maybe it was because it was so far up north
had a super weekend meeting up with good freinds and had a rocking party in camp Scotland on Saturday night .
we took most of the trophies back up north with us on the Sunday .
it has been said that the numbers where down but the rally was one of the best .
roll on next year .....

[1098]

can i just say thanks to all the organisers and a big thanks to Andrew Stone for sorting us out wit our party gazebo
we had more Scottish cars and members down this year than normal
maybe it was because it was so far up north
had a super weekend meeting up with good freinds and had a rocking party in camp Scotland on Saturday night .
we took most of the trophies back up north with us on the Sunday .
it has been said that the numbers where down but the rally was one of the best .
roll on next year .....

Good to see you all there. I was parked the other side of the skip,with my Morris Peugeot.
Always good to see a good Scottish turnout,loved the lowlights,pick ups etc. Certainly numbers were down,but I'm sure they will
be up next year,and look forward to the Scots coming down again.

[ferret76]

What wouldn't I give to have a National Rally anywhere within 3000km of me? The National Rally in Australia would have taken me about 6 days to get to.