CAR SHOWS AT THEIR BIGGEST FOR TEN YEARS
Attendance booms for UK’s classic events – we reveal the winners and losers as more owners sign up for tours and shows
Shows, tours and other events are at their most popular in a decade, one of Europe’s top classic experts has said this week.
Tony Davies, events director of the Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs and vice-president of the Fédération Internationale des Véhicules Anciens (FIVA), said that while UK shows were in ‘the doldrums’ five years ago, levels of support had recovered. Separately, events such as the Coventry MotoFest have seen record turnouts.
He said: ‘Our hobby’s in good health, and events are back to the levels of support they enjoyed a decade ago. These days, and certainly over the past couple of years, we’ve found that the entry lists have been filling up very early on.’
Classic shows and tours across the UK are enjoying their highest levels of support in a decade, the Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs has said.
Event director Tony Davies, also vice-president of international classic organisation Fédération Internationale des Véhicules Anciens (FIVA) and has been attending events across Europe as a result, said that the number of new shows, rallies and tours and the increased quality of long-running favourites meant that the UK is currently very well served for opportunities for enthusiasts to see and enjoy historic vehicles.
He said: ‘Our hobby is in good health, and events are back to the levels of support they enjoyed a decade ago. If we look back to four or five years ago, the entry lists on some events were in a bit of a doldrum – people were finding it difficult, perhaps for financial or domestic reasons, to find the time and perhaps the money to take part in some events. These days, and certainly over the last couple of years, we’ve found that the entry lists have been filling up early on.
‘There have been a few events, particularly on social ones like tours, that have been oversubscribed within two or three weeks. I can’t recommend them highly enough – they’re a great way to get out there and enjoy your classic car.’
The Federation’s most recent research shows that classic events attract 5.5 million spectators and raise half-a-million pounds a year, and that events were the biggest indirect source of spending for historic vehicle owners.
Classic events that have seen year-on-year increases in participation include the Power Maxed Coventry MotoFest. Research found that this year’s event, held on 2-3 June, contributed £10 million to the city’s economy.
James Noble, event director, said: ‘ We have also seen a yearon-year increase in the amount of classic cars we get at the event each year. The vast majority of those enthusiasts stay all day – the classic car finale when everyone comes off their static displays for a lap of the circuit has become a much-loved highlight of the festival – which, again, the local retailers and businesses enjoy a huge benefit from over the weekend.
‘The hotel occupancy room rate figures are almost unprecedented for the city and well above the 60 - 65 per cent room rate normally seen across an average weekend in the city. It motivates us to continue developing and growing the event and reinforcing its status as the largest urban motorsports festival in the United Kingdom.’
Mark Woodward, who organises classic shows across the UK, echoes this optimistic outlook. He said: ‘Things are really buoyant at the moment, and they’ve been particularly strong this year.
‘A lot of it is down to new people coming along with classics to shows – people aren’t putting their money into saving accounts, they’re buying classic cars, taking them to shows, and having fun with them.’