Classics at the Castle

[matteo68]

I’m going with my S and have been invited by Fred Hampton to be part of the ‘72MY 50th anniversary display so presume I’ll need to get there early?

I’m therefore thinking about heading off on Saturday afternoon as it’s a 2 hr + drive for me and finding a nice pub with accommodation in Halstead but wondered if anyone has any recommendations at all?

Thanks.

[emjo]

Try Long Melford so much more agreeable than Halstead
Maybe catch you there in my 72s

[matteo68]

Ok thanks! Would be great to meet some more DDKers there!

[Slope330]

I ll be there in my blue metallic 2.2s……….

[23e Heure]

I try not to grumble too much, honest.
And I do truly hope that everyone who attends this year has a super time, and posts more pics than we all managed to post last year (!)
And I also do know and appreciate all the arguments about the escalating costs of hosting events such as this etc.
Being a long term owner of a few of these cars, I am aware I regularly spritz sums like that on the cost of ownership almost without noticing (if you know what I mean).
But... is £30 just to park your car in the field down by the gate getting a bit expensive?

[stretch]

Apparently the venue charges 30k for weekend weddings so it is not a free park.
Isn't everything on the increase.

[23e Heure]

Yeah, I know, I'm sorry: I said I don't mean to moan.
It's just when you start to compare it to other ways of spending £30, you might start to wonder, that's all.

Just a random example: the weekend beforehand it's the British GT championships at Brands Hatch.
For £32 you get yourself entry tickets for the entire weekend.
There is on track action all day Saturday and Sunday, with other championships and support races also taking place.
Your price not only includes parking, you even get a free campsite if you want to be under canvas in September.
You can get up close to a diverse range of really rare and exciting cars, yes including lots of Porsche.
It's not really a comparable event, I know, I know.
I just wonder how car and motorsport enthusiasts will spend their dosh over the next few years, as things get tighter.

Me, I'm an old(ish) fart with old cars, and I'll still probably spend £30 to come to Hedingham again.

[matteo68]

I’m a young-ish early 911 newbie and have never been to CatC before so really looking forward to it having heard its the best event of the year.

Booked a lovely looking B&B and dinner at The Swan in Long Melford so should hopefully be very enjoyable.

Just got to pray next week’s wet weather doesn’t last all month now!

[tob_today]

I've not been to this event before, and I'm really looking forward to it. Seeing all the amazing earlier air cooled cars will make a welcome change from all the usual PTS 99x GT3's etc at most events.

Will be heading up in my 993 with another 993 Turbo friend if all goes to plan, although assume we'll be parking far away as we're not old enough to be considered 'proper' classics

[stretch]

"
Me, I'm an old(ish) fart with old cars, and I'll still probably spend £30 to come to Hedingham again.
Same James. Most stuff is around £20-30 quid to go to now. The scramble is good value at £18 quid or so but they can get thousands in that venue.
Heddingham.....probably 300 or so cars if that. What price to get out for the day in your Porsche and catch up with your mates....priceless.

[Sam]

The world’s gone very wonky value-wise.

You can almost get two families of 4 into the Porsche museum for the price one ticket to CATC.

Ecstasy has reached parity with a single pint in a lot of the trendy bits of London.

My corner shop just put refreshers up from 10p to 15p.

It’s all going to end badly.

[matteo68]

I've not been to this event before, and I'm really looking forward to it. Seeing all the amazing earlier air cooled cars will make a welcome change from all the usual PTS 99x GT3's etc at most events.

Will be heading up in my 993 with another 993 Turbo friend if all goes to plan, although assume we'll be parking far away as we're not old enough to be considered 'proper' classics

Great! I used to have a 993 C2 Coupe 20 years ago before children and am still in touch with the owner - it still has a very special place in my heart, as it was also our wedding car…



This is it earlier this year after some work to the rear window seal in the Midlands.

[tob_today]

Great! I used to have a 993 C2 Coupe 20 years ago before children and am still in touch with the owner - it still has a very special place in my heart, as it was also our wedding car…

Wow what a great story! (and very cool wedding car)

[964RS]

Yeah, I know, I'm sorry: I said I don't mean to moan.
It's just when you start to compare it to other ways of spending £30, you might start to wonder, that's all.

Just a random example: the weekend beforehand it's the British GT championships at Brands Hatch.
For £32 you get yourself entry tickets for the entire weekend.
There is on track action all day Saturday and Sunday, with other championships and support races also taking place.
Your price not only includes parking, you even get a free campsite if you want to be under canvas in September.
You can get up close to a diverse range of really rare and exciting cars, yes including lots of Porsche.
It's not really a comparable event, I know, I know.
I just wonder how car and motorsport enthusiasts will spend their dosh over the next few years, as things get tighter.

Me, I'm an old(ish) fart with old cars, and I'll still probably spend £30 to come to Hedingham again.

You are right though. £30 to park your car in a field as a display car is a joke. Without everyone turning up in their cars they wouldn’t have any show at all…


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[BILLY BEAN]

Fortunately, there is no compunction to attend CatC so you can chose not to go and therefore do not have to spend £30. So I really do not see what the issue is here.
As Stretch said it is an opportunity to meet up with friends, make new acquaintances, see other's cars and enter into conversation. It very much depends what you value. If you think that you are just paying to park in a field you are missing the point of CatC.
My first new car, a Vauxhall, in around 1969, cost £605.00 including all taxes and a tank of fuel. Should I now complain how much a new modest vehicle costs today?