Pete wrote: ↑Thu Aug 26, 2021 11:11 am
mab01uk wrote: ↑Mon Aug 23, 2021 11:29 am it looked to me like the impressive turnout and variety of mainly modified BMW MINI's and MINI Clubs far outnumbered the classic Minis on show
Why’s that then? No MINIS racing either. Why don’t more owners take their Classic Minis to events like this?
Not sure Pete, like you with no MINI races this year I expected far more classic Minis and clubs would be on show than MINIs. Brands Hatch has plenty of space for both to have large dedicated display areas. Perhaps it is the entry price on the gate (£25/£20 seniors on the day) but for the number of great classic Mini races from early morning onwards, packed into what is now a one day event for the public it seemed pretty good value to me, including access to the race paddock which (at least to me) is far more interesting than the rows of factory standard cars with all their original period mods removed that you often see at the regular Mini shows now. In a way it is good to see a new generation of MINI owners keen to show their cars, many of which seem to be modified to a high standard, although they do have the advantage of not dealing with much in the way of rust problems!
The best attended Brands Hatch Mini Festivals were when it was first revived a few years ago and like in the 1960's anyone arriving in a Mini or MINI got the car and driver in free and was directed on entry to the internal Mini/MINI parking areas. I think that got stopped after a couple of years when movement of cars was stopped in the public areas once the event opened to the public, I also think BH decided too many people were getting in for free, although the upside was the greater number of Minis of all sorts on show.
The number of race spectators seemed higher this year, maybe because of good weather and the desire to get out after the lockdowns, also a one day event with double header races, rather than spread out over a weekend seemed far better value and entertainment to me for the paying public.