shows

ben240z

ben240z

Club Member
Having just returned from Billing 2002 I feel the need to ask the following . Last time I made it to Billing there was a good size area( at least twice the size) for the club members to display their cars and trade stands. The area for camping was far more sociable with room to pitch a tent and park your car next to it, and drive out to the road if needed. This year's show seemed to be more about who had the loudest boom box, who could play the most offensive lyrics and who could make the most mess, than who took pride in their and interest in the huge display of cars gathered. The onsite facilities certainly didn't cope with the number of people staying over the weekend. I accept that I am not a regular show attender and that perhaps I am speaking out of turn on this matter but would be interested to see the reaction from other members on this matter. My views on this do not in anyway detract from my appreciation and support for the comittee and other members who put in the hard work to organise the event. As a final comment what would the support and interest be from the membership to combine the annual meet with a track day but restrict the invites to say just Datsun/Nissan owners. That way track time would not be an issue. &nbsp;A central venue could be the race circuit at Anglesy for example &nbsp; <img src="http://www.zclub.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':D'>
 
<img src="http://www.zclub.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wow.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':0'> &nbsp;Ithink that it could be true that maybe the jap show is now to big, i have been to many shows at Billing as its only 15mins from me,and its getting more mental every year,the traffic jam/gridlock for those leaving at around 4.30 was a nightmare,cars overheating/breaking down,being pushed etc,and the heat did not help,only one other show is more crazy and believe it or not its the annual land rover show,its worse!.Sunday was still a great day,met many new enthusiasts,especially Colin from near Putney,nice black z32,2+2 mate.TONYC.
 
Hi Ben
Quite interesting to read your comments on the meet at Billing and would like to point out that we were told by the organizers that the size of this years alocated plot was the same as last years which turned out to be false as it was only half of the size as last year it spread right back to the road.When originally told that the size was the same as last year it was decided to allow the Z Traders to pitch on the clubs plot again as last year there was plenty of room and when the true size of the plot was discovered , on late Friday afternoon, it was to late to change things so we had to do the best we could.

In view of the above it was then decided to propose at the AGM HELD AT BILLING ON THE SATURDAY AFTER THE PRIZE GIVING " to return to the roots" of our main national meeting and make it just a two day event at a simular venue to Billing but with just Z Cars attending and we would make it our main National event with all the awards  and AGM being held there.

With regards to the track day it was annouced again at the AGM at Billing that as the Z Club lost £1700 putting on the annivesary track day at Goodwood last year ,even though other Japanese clubs took part, that it was not evisaged that we could afford to host any such loss making event in the forseeable future.
 
Hi TonyC
As you live so close to Billing could you give me a ring on 0208 575 0582 as I need to ask you a couple of questions about the area
 
Hi,
&nbsp; In my opinion the event has become too large and although I do enjoy looking at the other Japanese performance machinery...they seem to have now taken over the whole event..... It's now more like "Max Power Live"! &nbsp;<img src="http://www.zclub.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=';)'>
If it's going to be the same next year then I don't think I would like to take my family there again!
&nbsp;I would personally prefer a smaller more Z "family" orientated affair.
Could it still be held at Billing, but on a seperate weekend to the "Jap Extravaganza"?
JEZ
 
I also think that it would be better to have a back to it's roots show where it was just zeds and maybe Datsun owners club etc, I didn't think it was very clever when the prats in the Pulsar gtrs were speeding down the tarmac strip with small children around. I think we would all have a better time at a more dedicated show. Saying that it was great to see all you Zed folk and I had a great day on saturday and some great burns coming back down the motorway but that's another story.
Just my views I hope they help

Nick
 
This is the 3rd year I have attended the JAE @ Billing. The number of cars attending was incredible as was the diversity, adding to the enjoyment. Shame there wasn't more trade stands. &nbsp;Athough nothing would make me stop attending, I too think that it would be nice to have a Z only annual meet. Well done to the organisers, I certainly wouldn't want to try to do it.
 
Over the last two days since returning from Billing, I have been quizzing customers who attended on their opinions - many of them will never enter into a computer program, let alone a forum discussion so I add these comments on their behalf! The overwhelming response is that Billing was great and don't step back in time to a Z only event. They like the diversity of cars and the cross-fertilization of ideas that can go on. The event would be a sadder version without this input and would be unlikely to attract the diversity of trade stands. The Club's response to previous track days would rule out its ability to stand for the expense of sole hire of any track in the UK.

If we are to be critical, the music on Saturday was universally disliked as being too intrusive. This was corrected on the Sunday. The space we got was not representative of the Club's needs, but as we have no-one going to the JAE meetings, we got what we were given. It is claimed that we were mislead by the organisers as to how much space was allocated beforehand. There is a space on the committee of the Z Club for someone to be a show organiser, which could include Billing liaison.

To complain about the traffic problems is unrealistic - you might as well say that you didn't want the show to succeed. Entry and exit points from the field were badly patrolled and layout organisation could have been better, but generally the individuals I have spoken to all think we should carry on participating in the years to come (and no, they were not all mega-bass TT owners).

No reason, however, why the Z Club should not place an additional Z and ZX based meeting into the calendar and see how well supported it might be. I, for one, am sceptical.....
 
Hi,
&nbsp;The traffic problem didn't affect me...As I arrived at midnight on the friday courtesy of the RAC...And left at 9.30pm on Sunday evening on the back of an AA truck! <img src="http://www.zclub.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':D'>
&nbsp;This was due to the fact that the oil cooler pipe on my 300ZX burst on the way to Billing, and we were unable to fix it over the weekend.
&nbsp;We did enjoy the event, but found the constant loud music day and night, a bit intrusive!There wasn't the relaxed atmosphere of previous years, especially in the camping area. Perhaps as a day-tripper it wouldn't &nbsp;have bothered me so much.
A few people have suggested camping in another, quieter field away from the hustle and bustle next year, so as to avoid the loud music and revving engines at night!Only those who were camping will understand what I mean!
<img src="http://www.zclub.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=';)'> &nbsp;
JEZ
 
In the last post I forgot to mention that the result of the voting at the AGM at Billing on the proposal of "going back to the original Z Club weekend format"  resulted in an unanimous approval of the proposal.

It was also agreed that The Z Club would still attend the JAE at Billing but the Z Club weekend would be promoted by The Club as our main National event
 
Hi,
&nbsp; Where are the Z Club thinking of holding the meeting? Northampton is very central and therefore easier for a lot of people to get to.
&nbsp;The downside is that someone will need to come forward to organize it, without the bonus of having assistance from other Clubs.
JEZ
 
Lack of space for The Z Club was a problem. It just proves that we NEED a show organiser. Maybe we should also make sure that people selling stuff (yes...me included) need to book space ( cost? ).
I agree that the music was a bit too much for what is a social event - it was better on the Sunday.
This was my 7th year at Billing, and I think that the fact it has grown proves how popular it is. Surely this is a good thing. The grid lock to leave is part and parcel of a succesfull show - would you be happier if no one turned up ? I left a little later when the queue had died off ( 5:30ish ).
I don't camp there anymore as I prefere a good nights sleep - it's always been a bit noisy at night - so therefore book into a local hotel ( £25 each for me and a mate sharing ).
Not sure about how succesful a Z only event would be. We could try one for next year I guess, but lets see how many people attend before we switch the AGM to it.
Anyway, it was good to see the regular faces, and some new ones. Thanks to everyone that made the effort.
 
Hi,
&nbsp;The fact that some people have expressed concerns over this year's event does need to be addressed, and it's always good to air one's views in this way.

&nbsp;I don't think that anyone involved in the organisation of Billing this year should take it as a personal criticism, as they are obviously doing a great job....But the event has taken on a life of it's own in the last couple of years, outside of the control of the Z Club.In reality it will be hard to replace such a successful event with anything that's much better.

&nbsp;At the end of the day The Z Club will still be meeting several years down the road, when the recent fad for Japanese cars has passed and many of the more recent Japanese clubs have faded away with it.
JEZ <img src="http://www.zclub.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=';)'>
 
Firstly, I did have an enjoyable time at JAE this year. &nbsp;What did detract from my enjoyment, as seems to be the general consensus, was the intrusive music. &nbsp;So much so that at some points it was difficult to hold a normal conversion.

On the matter of whether to hold a Z only week end, I personally enjoy seeing other old Japanese cars, not just Datsuns or Z's, from the 70's and 80's. &nbsp;I do realise that to restrict any show to only older cars and still cater for our own Z31s and Z32's would be difficult. &nbsp;JAE did seem to be swamped with high performance modern machinery which while great to admire did seem to detract from the original theme of the weekend.

Travelling to JAE does represent a major expense for many people and if a seperate weekend was held for JAE and our own national meet then I certainly would have to choose one or 'tuther.

So personally I would like to see a smaller (quieter) JAE with older Japanese vehicles from all manufacturers. &nbsp;I do realise that this would probably cause insurmountable problems for the organisers.

Still a great weekend and well done!

Andrew.
 
Hi,
&nbsp;You took the words right out of my mouth! Too much music and modern hatchback shopping cars!
&nbsp;With regard to Z31 and Z32's...you have to remember that the oldest Z32's are now 13 years old...and the design of the Z31, nearly 20 years soon!
I'm sure if anybody wanted to bring along a 350Z next year they'd be more than welcome! &nbsp; <img src="http://www.zclub.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=';)'>
JEZ
 
Hi
I also think billing has become to big, but we still need to attend the JAE but not as the clubs main event of the year. This year I felt was a disappointment for everybody, with not enough space for the cars as the traders took up alot of the space (not entirely there fault as we were not given the size plot we required). I do think we should have another event in the year where we hold our AGM and give out our trophies, but not just restricted to Z/ZX's. My personal opinion is that it should be a Datsun/Nissan event with any club which comes in this catagory being invited, also if all the Datsun/Nissan range is invited, Nissan might be prepared to sponsor the event in some way.

Alan
 
<img src="http://www.zclub.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':D'> well hello everyone i must put a response in to this interesting topic .i have been like some others still around to all the j.a.e.`s over the last 12 yrs or so ?& as for this years event i felt that it has got larger but i enjoy all the razzamatazz of the billing event & we must not be left out of this .i am now getting older but still get a buzz from seeing all types of cars & meeting all types of people .the only complaint i felt was the camping part did become very congested & i feel that perhaps the hardcore zed club members should camp on another part next door to the showground ? allthough i am sure this would become congested ?? i would like to thank the committee for all there effort & a seperate show would be good too?? at billing still ? camping should be on another field so more space would be available for trades & show space?<img src="http://www.zclub.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/confused.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt='???'>
 
Are you all shy

There are 261 members registered on the site yet only 12 have felt interested enough in the future of the clubs major meeting to express an opinion even though the topic was viewed 194 times

It really makes people wonder why they bother trying to organise events

Come on you remaining 200 or so Z Club members who have registered on the site give us your feedback remember without you the club is nothing
 
OK, Steve, fair point.

I've been a Z Club member for three years and a 300zx forum member for 7 months. I've been to three 300zx get-togethers(two as part-organiser) but haven't yet been to any Z Club events. (The Beaulieu one a couple of months ago looked great but had calendar problems).

I had intended to go to Billing but (good excuse this) was in Korea at the time.

My first ever event was the huge Japanese meet at Bolney which was very convenient and had a few Zs. Strangely, only 4 or 5 300ZXs and no other Zs.

What's the point of this wibble? As I understand it, Billing was started as a Datsun / Nissan event and "just grew". So there does not appear to be a solus Datsun / Nissan event any more.

Billing sounds great fun and I will try to get there next year - especially since my spoiler, bumper and paint chips should be done by then (thanks, Luke).

But my reason for being in the club scene is to find out about Zs, not just J cars. I can appreciate Skylines, Lancers etc (even Scoobys - but there are an awful lot of them around the place&#33<img src="http://www.zclub.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=';)'> but there is something special about the Zs and Z lineage. To me, anyway.

So if I got backed into a corner and had to choose between Billing and the national club event, I'd choose the club event. Hopefully that would be a little less stressed, a little more relaxed and a little more focussed on Zs than Billing.

How's that for an inexperienced opinion from someone who hasn't been to either? <g>

Oh and it's another fair point about costs of track days - clubs can do a great job on these but only if supported by members. It is not on to ask clubs to cover costs if not enough members support the event.

Keep it shiny side up, chaps & chapesses - Gio
 
Can the Z club book a whole meadow exclusively? That way we could have three separate parts of our own meadow. One for cars arranged in model subgroups. One for the dreaded traders(like me&#33<img src="http://www.zclub.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=';)'> and the third area for camping/bbqs etc. Z club members only on our meadow. Everyone else on another meadow. &nbsp; Or what about Drayton Manor Park. I believe they have a bookable exhibition space , and also camping /caravan facilities. Plus there are all them animals and rides if you get fed up with the cars. Or somewhere else?<img src="http://www.zclub.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/confused.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt='???'>
This is very important to get it right so the club needs a big number of members to think carefully and voice their opinions.
No good just the usual handful of suspects. Maybe we ned a firm set of two or three options to be posted/published in the near future and then have a proper referendum.
<img src="http://www.zclub.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/confused.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt='???'>
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top