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Not Billing – a VBOA National Rally review

7/13/2017

VBOA National Rally 2017

Last Sunday, I went to the VBOA National Rally at the showground in Market Harborough. This year’s event was the first time since 1997 that the VBOA had organised the event anywhere other than Billing Aquadrome.

Ever since the announcement that the event would be elsewhere, I have referred to the rally as “Not Billing” with all those I have communicated with.

The format of the event was in line with previous years in that the car clubs had their own display environments, there was a show ring and there were areas for the food/drink sellers, the autojumblers and the fairground type attractions.

As a 20-plus year attendee of the National Rally (previous reviews available), I am absolutely committed to this event. As far as I am concerned, the more compelling it is, the more cars that are shown, the greater the number of visitors, the better.

But this year was just not as good - it appeared to me that there were fewer vehicles on display than in previous years, fewer autojumblers selling their wares and fewer visitors. This year was the first I walked away from the autojumble without buying anything.

I share my feedback not to criticise but instead to make suggestions/be constructive regarding improvements that would secure the rally/the new location into the future.

In terms of location, whilst I was relieved that somewhere in the same (ish) kind of geographic proximity was found (because I might not have been able to attend otherwise), the new venue introduced a challenge immediately. The postcode allocated for it was not correct, at least in terms of my SatNav mapping.

Arriving at a random retail/industrial park was clear evidence that something wasn’t right. In the end, I found the rally because I got lucky and happened to drive off in the right direction. After a few miles, I turned back towards Market Harborough, spotted a VBOA pennant attached to a sign post and then a short while later could see the event from the road. Other potential visitors may of course have given up.

I understand that the Market Harborough Showground is a relatively new development and that to date only a handful of events have been held there. The reality is that the signposting/infrastructure/facilities leave a lot to be desired when compared to Billing (especially for the overnight campers).

The grounds should have been mown before the show. The grass was too long, always scratching around my feet and ankles and it increased the scope no end for bug bites.

The car clubs were spread out over too wide an area. There was a massive empty central plot that could have been better utilised to bring the clubs closer together and save all the visitors lots of unnecessary walking.

The £10 cost to drive a car on to the MH site was too high (particularly for cars with just the driver in them…like me) for the quality of the infrastructure. The entry cost should be lower (and levied per person not per vehicle). It cost me the same amount of money to go to the Hollowell Steam Rally and that event was bigger and better in every measurable way. It cost me half the price to go to the AACI Open Summer Nationals at Kelmarsh Hall.

The event plaque, pictured below, was a change to the oblong affair of old, which is good – new location, new look. The oval shape an interesting choice though because to me it echoes Ford (but it might just be me).

The paragraphs above might seem a bit negative but the feedback is worth sharing because I am hoping that this year's event was/is just the start of something wonderful. Despite the issues, I am certain that the VBOA had to work harder than in previous years because of the logistical changes and I thank the team for its organisational efforts.

Having a new venue was much better than the event being cancelled (which was conceivable when Billing pulled the plug) and I am glad that I went. The sunshine was blazing, I took lots of photographs (some shared for your enjoyment below), chatted to some folks and bought a baseball cap from the DSG (A.K.A. the Droop Snoot Group).
I plan to go again next year too. My summary…

…not Billing, but not bad either.

Click on any image to enlarge. Higher resolution images available, just get in touch if you'd like one.

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2 Comments

Adrian Worthy

1/21/2018 04:43:24 pm

Hi i have been going to vboa for 25 years
I am a vauxhall guy through and through
I have only ever owned vauxhalls since i started to drive and i am now 50 but after attending the new site i am sorry to say i will not be returning
I was very disappointed to find out when i got there that i could not display my cars as i had not booked a place with my club something i had never had to do before
The club site was tiny even though the overall show site was massive with a vast area in the middle that was not being used
The catering trailers were awfull with only about 10 chairs and 3 tables
Porta loos that were unstable felt like you were going to topple over
Traders stalls were not even worth looking at
Grass to long ground too uneven considering that most people's cars are lowered
It was just a farmers field so very disappointed that its bought to end my time going to this show enjoying all those wonderfull vauxhalls goodbye vboa thanks for the photos and memories

Adrian link

1/22/2018 07:13:59 am

Hi Adrian,

Nice to hear from you, thanks for taking the time to read my review and for responding with your feedback. My observations and your frustrations are much aligned; it might however be worth giving the VBOA the benefit of the doubt – the first year in a new environment was always going to be the hardest. I am sure that 2018 will be a better event, our feedback won’t be all that the VBOA receives.

Separately I have heard that Billing Aquadrome may U-turn its decision making and host car events again. You never know, “not Billing” may lose the “not” in the not too distant future.

Kind regards,

Adrian

Not Billing – a VBOA National Rally review

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