Morris Minor Owners Club

There is a feeling lurcking that we aren't all happy with the way the National rally is. Could we have some ideas about what YOU would like to be there (keep it realistic, and clean please )

BTW I've nothing to do with the committee, just someone who drives around in a rough red van (yes that one that was at the National!!)

Andy G

As a total novice in the servicing and mechanical stakes, I'd value a "workshop" area where knowledgable people could advise on servicing / maintenance and other queries.

Cheers, Mike.

Mike Shipman wrote:As a total novice in the servicing and mechanical stakes, I'd value a "workshop" area where knowledgable people could advise on servicing / maintenance and other queries.

Cheers, Mike.

I just said something like that in the other National Rally post!

I could arrange to service my minor at the rally if you want to watch me get dirty greasing my nipples !

Not got a problem with that!

Andy G

Lets look at the basics first, food; a selection of different outlets so its not just burgers and hotdogs, I've been to many smaller shows where they have 2-3 different traders so it can be done. Facilities; obviously this is a big concern for people camping over, many do 3 nights and without proper facilities that isn't really on. Maybe by looking again at the type of venue this can be sorted at the same time?
It would be nice to see more traders but I know that many don't bother with any shows at all now as it is very hit and miss and does cost money to set up, not many have vans or stalls now as they can sell more stuff on the likes of ebay. It was good to see a nice healthy turnout of auto jumblers tho.
The workshop idea is a great one, there were people like Fairmile at the show who make panels, perhaps a demo at certain times during the day, as well as other practical demos from the other traders in attendance (might encourage a few more to come along?)
A cruise would also be a good idea, and how about arranging the cars better so there is a custom area, everday car area, restored area etc, that way more people may show their cars instead of leaving them around the field with their tent.
I also think that holding the show in conjunction with another show is a good idea as it may encourage non Minor owners to have a look around but realise this does present problems with paying for entrance etc so may be a tricky one to get round.

A 'wreck of the rally' award would be a nice idea. Might encourage people to bring their slightly less smart looking cars along.

I help organise a craft fair in Cambridge. At that we try and get things to appeal to all ages, so for the children we set up colouring tables so they don't get too bored - it's always very popular! We also run a photo competition (it's of cats, because its for a cat charity) but it gives people something else to look at and gives people something creative to do beforehand. Maybe something like that would help appeal to a wider number of people? Again for the same charity, we have a number of games stalls, like throw the penguins in the bucket* to get a high score etc, maybe more bits like that would keep people entertained?

Also how about inviting a charity that does bird flying displays? That's always popular ring entertainment when I've seen them at shows before.

If you want a real challenge for the interbranch compition, they can try and put up the MMOC Cambridge Branch marquee....

*Toys only, just in case you were worried about cruelty to penguins.

Yes I'm going I've booked the weekend off already. As soon as I left I started the count down.

To be honest I for one don't give a exhaust raspberry for the arrangements. I just want to meet the people and look at the cars. For me it could be in a field with even fewer facilities on the welsh or scotish borders as long as we all go!

SO THERE!!

Wreck of the rally used to be held, and surprisingly I've never won it!!!

I think Roger also has a point, it's about meeting people too.

Maybe we need another marquee which is about a mile away from the party one, so that we can sit down and chat to people in peace!!

Andy G

To be honest I for one don't give a exhaust raspberry for the arrangements. I just want to meet the people and look at the cars. For me it could be in a field with even fewer facilities on the welsh or scotish borders as long as we all go!

Isn't this the problem tho, not everyone does go because of the lack of facilites/entertainment/whatever...Personally I am of a similar mindset as you because whenever I go to a show I am normally working but for those that like to make it a day/weekend out there ought to be more for them to do.

I agree whole heartedly about the meeting people bit. I attended the Breamore rally but didnt know anyone so after walking round looking at the cars, sifting through the autojumble stalls and having the odd brief chat in passing with stallholders I left.

The website rally at Haynes was great as there were a number of people I knew / knew of via this messageboard and was able to "talk Morris". It made the whole day a very positive expereience.

I think Alex Holden suggested the name badge idea, I'd second that, we could have a simple design with "MMOC Messgeboard User name: XXXXX" and it'd give us the chance to meet in person those whom we may have corresponded with via this board. That'd really bring the whole thing to life for me.

ps - Roger (Rust), I was the one at the Haynes rally whose bonnet nearly ate your decibel counter when you were measuring for the lodest engine).

Regards, Mike.

Nice idea, loadest engine, I like that and very easy to do. That and a quietest too (so I'll be slacking off the exhaust manifold at the next national!!)

Name badges i don't mind either, Although just looking for the mankest van would do! (I got spotted as I pulled up by someone I had only chatted too online!)

The LCVers always have beer (and tea) on offer and we will talk to anyone!

Andy G

There are probably some other ideas we can steal from SF cons if we file the serial numbers off. I'm part of a group called Beyond Cyberdrome that runs a very silly robot contest, I organised a comedy panel game at this year's Eastercon (it was a spoof of several Radio 4 games), and I'm doing a couple of fun games at the next con I'm going to that will involve a lot of running around and getting wet.

I'd like to see a series of joke awards with categories like leakiest engine, mossiest window runners, and worst bodge carried out by a previous owner.

I'd probably win the loudest petrol pump award. We got stopped entering the rally field by people who were concerned about the odd noises... it sounds like someone's playing table tennis under the bonnet Fun awards are a great idea, it means it's not just the people with smart cars who go home with a certificate (though as winner of best police car, I should add that I'm not complaining)!

Loudest exhaust, stereo etc are not to be encouraged.
Fun to some (certainly not to me) during the day but experience of camping at another makes national found the "competitors" carried on their performance in early hours of morning which completely spoilt the sleep of most people.

Paul Humphries

Mike Shipman wrote:ps - Roger (Rust), I was the one at the Haynes rally whose bonnet nearly ate your decibel counter when you were measuring for the lodest engine).

Regards, Mike.

I remember it well. It did only knock the battery out, it was good as new the next day!

ok, quietest exhaust only then... (We also need the party to shut up at a reasonable hour too!)

I think that we shouldn't call them spoof awards, more like real awards. The awards you get when you actually use and abuse your motor..

I like those ideas, other clubs do them, and no-one gets upset about winning something!

Andy G

uax6 wrote: I think that we shouldn't call them spoof awards, more like real awards. The awards you get when you actually use and abuse your motor..


Andy G

At a VW (aircooled) show they had a "see how long an engine will run at full revs without any oil" display !
Better was the speed engine removal - less than 3 minutes.

Paul Humphries

uax6 wrote:There is a feeling lurcking that we aren't all happy with the way the National rally is. Could we have some ideas about what YOU would like to be there (keep it realistic, and clean please )

BTW I've nothing to do with the committee, just someone who drives around in a rough red van (yes that one that was at the National!!)

Andy G

was it yours that sounded as tho it was going to boil over and explode

No mine was a couple of yards away, with gutters waiting for someone to breathe on them

I did happen to have my head under the bonnet on <that> one though, long hair, beard.. thats me!

Andy G

As it was my first national rally I have nothing to compare it with however I am an experienced camper so would like to see the following.

Better toilet facilities (that do not smell) and showers. Better catering.

More interesting things for us to do, maybe film shows, photo boards, a run around the local area in our cars (not all at the same time though)

Personally I found that once I had viewed all the cars on display and visited the stall holders I was left with nothing to do.

Finally, I think that this should be a free event to all MMOC members as we do have a lot in the bank, talking of funds, why hold the event in the grounds of a posh house/mansion that nobody really wants to visit when you could do the same in a big farmers field therefore saving money for a free event.