Lotus Festival - Brands Hatch - 15/16 August 2015

[Tuga2112]

Joao, while I'd love to say 'PLEASE bring a gazebo' I have been warned off from several people more in the know than I, that the stand isn't big and we'll be full at 20 cars. I think we'll play it by ear this year and then ask for more space next year if this is a success - build in space for more attendees and a communal tent / brew area etc. I'm happy to go to Tesco and buy some disposable cups and a jar of coffee if no one has already done so. The venue has outlets very nearby but they know they have a captive market and charge accordingly.

Gazebo stays in stafford then.

Disclaimer
I have never attended an event of this kind and camp overnight before, so I have absolutly no clue what to expect, the following questions/suggestions may be completely insane or a given, so bear with me.

Anyone else attending Saturday that intends to take the M40 -> M25 (anti-clockwise) early morning ?
Following John's advice ill be following that route, if anyway would like to meet at any service station in that path Ill be happy to take a quick break then convoy into the venue.

let me know if your expecting me to bring something, for the moment all i got in mind is a tent, food/drinks, a couple of fold camping chairs, Tablet with some LEC pages loaded offline ( mostly to justify the condition of my car... after all it's a work in progress).... i'm not sure about the toolbox, I have no reasons to expect needing it but its longer trip than usual for my car and i wonder if it may come in hand to someone else?....

is there limitations to access to the camping area during the evening-night ? I'm thinking for us that are camping (so far I think its just me and DaveP), we could all get together on some nearby pub for steak after the event?

How would the organisers react if someone decided to upgrade their car speakers on the venue/stand ? (speakers arrived today and im quite eager to fit them)
is this a complete "no go" or seen as an "unusual but acceptable" thing ?
(im saying this as the last event i attended was the classical restoration exhibit and clubs were encouraged to undertake any restorations tasks during the exibition)

[alan e]

Waiting to hear back from Nick but may be meeting him at clacket lane services at about 8.30 you are welcome to join us.

[Tuga2112]

Waiting to hear back from Nick but may be meeting him at clacket lane services at about 8.30 you are welcome to join us.

count me in.

[Simon_P]

Tuga,

As long as you are early enough you will be fine on M40 /M25 but if it is a nice day the whole of the South East may decide to go to the coast for the day. On Sunday evening it gets busy as the second home owners and holiday makers return from the South West.

Camping at Brands takes several forms - Inside the circuit the gates shut at midnight.

In the camping by the stand it was only me last year - drink beer with anyone up for a chat - If there are more than a few of us a Gazebo might be useful as a beer tent!

Next to the circuit is the Thistle hotel with a good bar nearby the Rising Sun always used to be a good pub with a restaurant.

There are usually all sorts of people rebuilding all sorts of things, you will probably get some helpers with tools and advisors and watchers - Hopefully we are going to be that relaxed again this year. if not do it in the campsite which is right behind.

[dapinky]

How would the organisers react if someone decided to upgrade their car speakers on the venue/stand ? (speakers arrived today and im quite eager to fit them)
is this a complete "no go" or seen as an "unusual but acceptable" thing ?
(im saying this as the last event i attended was the classical restoration exhibit and clubs were encouraged to undertake any restorations tasks during the exibition)

Joao, there are a few of us camping on site. (myself, G UK, Stef/Ian, Shaun M). I can't see it taking too much persuasion to get a few people out for a bite to eat.

As far as doing stuff to the car goes, I can't comment on Brands Hatch as I've not been to a lotus event there before, but every other venue I've been to has seen any number of people wielding spanners/screwdrivers/hammers etc to do whatever needs doing. I'll have my usual selection of tools with me (as will others, no doubt!), and I'll be most surprised if the toolbox stays in the boot all weekend (hopefully not for any roadside repairs on the way to or from the venue)

[Ian T]

How would the organisers react if someone decided to upgrade their car speakers on the venue/stand ? (speakers arrived today and im quite eager to fit them)
is this a complete "no go" or seen as an "unusual but acceptable" thing ?
(im saying this as the last event i attended was the classical restoration exhibit and clubs were encouraged to undertake any restorations tasks during the exibition)

This (last year) was a completely static event, apart from the racing. Cars were parked up, bonnets lifted, fingers pointed and a few of us had a fiddle with odds and sods (including ElanScan - I will bring mine if anyone wants to look at it).

I reckon that common sense prevails here - if fitting new speakers can be done without touching anyone else's car (many are much nicer than mine, yet I do look after it!) and you don't cause a nuisance to neighnouring stands of the visiting public, I don't see any problem with a little 'light maintenance'.

I'm going to pick Dave's brains on cambelt replacement strategies (he doesn't know yet - ooops, he does now!) and while I probably wouldn't have done it in the front row of a club stand, I might have at the back, where the prettier cars can lure the future enthusiasts in.

I think that LEC is both relaxed and pro-DIY, so why not?

[Tuga2112]

I think that LEC is both relaxed and pro-DIY, so why not?

these are (probably) the features that i like most about the LEC community, together with the very warm welcome i felt when i first joined the club.

ill make sure there's greasy spanners on Saturday,

A thought just crossed my mind, assuming there's room for the gazebo, (very unlikely) would this be useful in the camping area ?

I have checked google for weather and it seems rather good for the weekend.
chances of rain of less than 10%,
wind speeds no more than 10mph
cloudy with sunny spells
temperatures between 16 and 19 which should be ok for light clothing.

[ShaunM]

What's all this talk of "a stand"?

The last 3 years, we've just been allocated a small sloping piece of grass between a wooden low wall and the access road. It requires some squeezing and creative parking to fit the cars on! The trick is to take up as much space (width-wise) as possible early on and (in the nicest possible way) growl at other Lotus Clubs when they politely try to park near!

IIRC We might be able to squeeze a gazebo near the picnic table area behind the wooden wall? If not, it'll come in very useful for camping I'm sure.

As far as fitting speakers is concerned, I'd love to spectate on this and pick up some tips from all the knowledgeable people in attendance I'm going to be doing this job soon on my car. If you park on the front row I'm sure you could shuffle forwards enough to get your doors open to do this.

Looking forward to a good weekend

16-19 deg??? OMG it was 26 in Norwich today, will pack my jumper!

[Ian T]

What's all this talk of "a stand"?

Only quoting something I'm sure I read on the LF website, or in Bibs's original email to me with instructions for organisers... Happy to take one for the team and desist. I'll call it the 'lawn' for a while.

As far as fitting speakers is concerned, I'd love to spectate on this and pick up some tips from all the knowledgeable people in attendance I'm going to be doing this job soon on my car. If you park on the front row I'm sure you could shuffle forwards enough to get your doors open to do this.

I should bring mine along really - I bought some a while back and they might still be in the boot. Unfortunately, someone in the previous owners department was keener on seeing speakers than I am and cut mahoosive holes in the door cards so I'm kinda obliged now to keep them. I found a pair of 90s JBL coaxials last year that will do the job and get rid of the paper ones that are currently there.

[Nickydee]

Ian you sent me a car club admission ticket for both days but I already have a VIP ticket which should get me in if that's the case I have one spare and can meet up with Nick on the way to brands. If there are no taker's for the spare admission ticket's I can find a use for them.

Ian and Alan thanks for your help - I await to hear - only an hour from Brands so flexible re meeting times.

Nick I can meet you at clacket lane services at about 8.30 am if that's OK with you and anyone that wants to join us to go in together.

Alan

Thats fine by me but happy to meet a bit earlier or later to accommodate anyone else who wishes to join us.


Nick

[alan e]

Nick do you want a ticket for both days

[Tuga2112]

16-19 deg??? OMG it was 26 in Norwich today, will pack my jumper!

I lived in Newcastle for 6 years, that's pretty much shorts and t-shirt (or less) weather
should i bring my black and white shirt ?

[mitreklov]

In an attempt to manage expectations for those who have not attended this event before, here is a picture of 'The Stand' from last year.

DSCF8429.jpg

All it needs is a 12' x 3' banner and a gazebo and we are there!

[Simon_P]

IIRC We might be able to squeeze a gazebo near the picnic table area behind the wooden wall? If not, it'll come in very useful for camping I'm sure.

That is the campsite for those not with SELOC - As I said ideal for a beverage and refreshments Gazebo

[Ian T]

16-19 deg??? OMG it was 26 in Norwich today, will pack my jumper!

I lived in Newcastle for 6 years, that's pretty much shorts and t-shirt (or less) weather
should i bring my black and white shirt ?

I'm a Northerner too, 16 degrees C (or 61 in old money) is indeed T-shirt weather.

[lotusflasherman]

16-19 deg??? OMG it was 26 in Norwich today, will pack my jumper!

I lived in Newcastle for 6 years, that's pretty much shorts and t-shirt (or less) weather
should i bring my black and white shirt ?

As long as you keep it on -

[Vipers]

Just got back from holidaying in Greece with the refugees to find my pass for Sunday waiting at home, thanks Ian.

Hopefully the Greek weather isn't too far behind

[TrevorB]

WELL Done Ian T for organising everything for this years visit to Brands Hatch for the Lotus Festival

Other members have made contributions so well done to those.

A difficult logistical nightmare which I'm sure we are all looking forward too tomorrow.

I'm certainly going to enjoy meeting some old friends and putting faces to new.

See you all either Saturday or Sunday.


TrevorB

[Ian T]

Thanks Trevor, but it wasn't difficult. Just hope everyone has a good weekend.

The rain is here and I have a minor migraine so my car is dirty and I've not been shopping for coffee and cups. I'll see if I can shake this later.

[Nickydee]

Nick do you want a ticket for both days

Hi Alan just Saturday - Unless I hear otherwise see you at 8.30 at Clacket Lane.

I will email you my number.

Cheers

Nick