Morris Minor Owners Club

Donnington is great, when the motor racing stops you can hear the aircraft taking off and if there is a moments silence then you can hear yourself think

Donington is not large enough to provide the space we need for the traders, camp site and for the cars to park. We went there in 2003 and it's right under the flightpath of the East Midlands runway. At times you couldn't hear what your neighbour as saying - no-one could sleep + we couldn't secure the site as it was too near a major road. We had several thefts from tents.

so it's nonington then

Ok it's agreed then, New Forest it is. yippee!

Wow, was it ten years since we were at Donnington... Feeling old. For all the problems with that venue the branch challenge seemed to be one of the most enthusiastically embraced ones I've seen with a myriad of soapbox races converging for the competition. Come to think of it, there's an ex Donnington soapbox racer languishing at the bottom of our garden being a home to wildlife these days!
Back to Nationals, it seems that any away from a central area suffers from reduced entries. Harwood is probably about as far north, Sandringham was probably too far east and the one right down south seemed smaller than usual too... Wether the clubwants to repeat the variety and extreme of locations as these is debatable. It gives folk around the country a chance of having a local National but at the risk of lower entries and hence income. The last few years of Midland orientated ones seem to have worked well but I imagine its a tough call for the organisers to strike the balance with a suitable venue.
Personally, I'd go to a Scottish one but I bet a lot wouldn't. Very few from north of Birminghan went to the southern one as far as I recall and I guess it would work the other way too...

IaininTenbury wrote:Back to Nationals, it seems that any away from a central area suffers from reduced entries. Harwood is probably about as far north, Sandringham was probably too far east and the one right down south seemed smaller than usual too... Wether the clubwants to repeat the variety and extreme of locations as these is debatable. It gives folk around the country a chance of having a local National but at the risk of lower entries and hence income.

You've hit the nail on the head there! The rally at Breamore House, which is the furthest South a National has been held, actually ran at a loss so it's likely that something too far North will suffer from the same problem. The Midlands area, whilst not pleasing everyone, is the best location for ensuring that as many members as possible will attend.

We should be able to afford a loss once every few years, just so long as we budget for it, and make a good profit on other years.

I vote for the NEC,

living 3 miles from it has in no way influenced my point of view

seriously I would travel 200 plus miles but would need a good choice of decent affordable hotels ,a seaside venue?

seriously I would travel 200 plus miles but would need a good choice of decent affordable hotels ,a seaside venue?

Blackpool it is then! Last one to the top of the tower's a sissy!!

any one know the date for next years national 2014
we need to book our rally venue and we do not want to clash weekends .

The date for next year's National Rally (and the location) have yet to be announced.

Chatsworth Derbyshire a fantastic site .Who chooses the site ? and do paid up members have any input ??

My vote would be to have it centrally located. Make it fair and a sensible distance for as many members as possible. I know modt of us would travell 200 miles, but there are plenty in the club who although loving their minor will not want to run it the length of the country. Weston Park, Taton Park, Donnington?

irmscher wrote:Chatsworth Derbyshire a fantastic site .Who chooses the site ? and do paid up members have any input ??

The rally site has to be around 80 - 100 acres (excluding camping area) and have suitable facilities eg good access, water points etc. This limits the number of suitable locations but if members have any suggestions regarding locations which might meet that criteria please forward them on to the organising committee (contact details in Minor Matters).

Chatsworth is 35,000 acres and something for everyone and some of Englands finest countryside the Peak district and close to the spa town of Buxton

Following from comments this year, the first requirement is that the site allows dogs

I wouldn't suggest a site that would not allow dogs They had a country fair not long ago and the rally show used to be held there .The blue john slate caverns are nearby, kite surfing, fly fishing and some of the best motoring roads in britain

Detling Showground near Maidstone Kent would be big enough

faversham999 wrote:Detling Showground near Maidstone Kent would be big enough

Kent isnt very Midlands central in the country though.

Driffield showground ;)