The DDK Nationals

[impmad2000]

What are we looking for ?
1 Day event or 2
50 to 100 cars ?
Rugby club venue with bar/food
Coffee van
Near place of interest ? Town / village
Overnight entertainment ?
Somewhere to stay over / camping option
Early August ( ‘cos the choice of rugby club is greater)

[anglophone1]

In reality we are looking for someone to step up and organise something “fairly central” for “sometime in the future but not too far= when it gets cold and dark again”
Tim- all above good - although for my 2c worth it would be better to “piggyback” somehow.
In reality to use the old adage “If you build it they will come!”
Don’t look at me though - already organising three major road trips and competing in three rallies - none in Ireland,
C

[911hillclimber]

Taking Tim's excellent summary above, I go back to Jonathan's idea pages ago, the hillclimb up at Harewood.

Busy meeting, relevant interest and then some, catering and camping/hotels around. Could be 2 day or one easy.
Not too bad to get to either.
There is time to get it sorted.

[anglophone1]

In reality we are looking for someone to step up and organise something “fairly central” for “sometime in the future but not too far= when it gets cold and dark again”
Tim- all above good - although for my 2c worth it would be better to “piggyback” somehow.
In reality to use the old adage “If you build it they will come!”
Don’t look at me though - already organising three major road trips and competing in three rallies - none in Ireland,
C

In reality we are looking for someone to step up and organise something!

[911hillclimber]

That is so true.
You know how hard that is, James too, and I've done events before for years and it takes some keen focus to have a smooth hassle-free event.

A hillclimb (or Bicester say) have a lot of the facilities already there, car friendly.

Pause for thought.

[KS]

Playing devil's advocate... If it was me, I'd piggyback on Classics at the Castle (assuming it's on - which it always is, despite silence from Fred and Simon...) - have a DDK gathering on the Saturday nearby, maybe getting a local specialist involved, then Sunday morning caravan en masse to the event at Hedingham, parking up in a dedicated DDK parking area. Many from here go to CatC anyway, and those who have never been should - the draw is that the event always attracts interesting cars and many big hitters from within the scene. That would tempt me to go (I only missed last year because of an event clash with a hillclimb) - after all, it's only a six-hour journey, which is part of the fun for me - whereas a gathering of cars with which most of us are familiar from the forum alone personally wouldn't have the same appeal.

Or Boxengasse, I suppose... But not sure he'd want his thunder stolen.

[anglophone1]

All good thinking Keith!
C

[Sam]

Well…

If you want somewhere on the way to Hedingham for everyone except Boosty I’d suggest Hot Numbers Roastery, about an hour inland and 10 mins off J11 of the M11.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/pAmkto4XgF1SpTRd6?g_st=ic

https://hotnumberscoffee.co.uk/the-roastery/

The owner has that yellow 71 R gruppe hot rod with orange wheels and stripes that used to belong to Sean Lockyear (plus a 964 turbo and a 993 turbo). It has a car park big enough and sells avocado on toast for the southerners and pizza and sausage rolls for the northern contingent.

I also happen to be involved with running their music thing so could sort a booze license for the day, plug in the 6 x 18” subs we’ve got and let Jonny H loose on the disco.

It’s all there really so wouldn’t take much organising at all…

I could sort it…

[Bootsy]

Sounds like a plan Samantha

[Sam]

And here’s a bit of proof that old Porsches and DDK members are allowed in:

[hot66]

I typed the bit below after Keith did but forgot to press send ..... but the last couple of posts are spot on and exactly the kind of thing we should be doing especially if we get somewhere we can all stay and get together for a few beers etc on the evening.

Anyway .. this is what i was going to post .. don't take it the wrong way as it might come across a bit strong but that's how we get things done.

"I 'm trying not to get involved as I have things on this year too .... but as most of you will know I've organised various ddk things over the years and I've always stuck to certain rules

So IMHO ...

Clive is right, 'build it and they will come' is the only way to start . Someone make a decision of what they WANT to organise and go from there. If 2 or 200 turn up , it doesn't matter , anything done for the benefit of others is a success IMHO .

Events 'by committee' either don't work or never get off the ground .. everyone has their own ideas and priorities and you just go round in circles to the point where no one wants to take up the lead. You need one person to make the important decisions of what and where and then ask for help to fill in the gaps. If some people don't want to come so be it . They can organise the following years event

IMHO, Keith is right .... you need a reason for people to turn up . Parking up in a car park is all well and good for a local meet, but that's not going to get people to travel . Keiths idea is actually pretty good. IMHO , events either needs to be a weekend away of great driving ( see the welsh, scottish & yorkshire trips ) , a visit to places / businesses of interest or as KS says an event that can be used as the centre point ."

[jwhillracer]

It looks like Hedingham will be 14/15th September weekend this year, the same weekend as the BHC round at Doune.

No contest - we'll be in Scotland!

JW

[GonzoBard]

Oxfordshire

[jeremyg]

So. Rather than opt for something more central to suit the widest number we’re going with CatC are we? Kind of been there and done that, numerous times. Nothing wrong with the event, but personally I find the Boxengasse Megaphonics a more funky event - better food, good music , great cars and presentation. And somehow I’m always surprised to find that CatC is a boring 4hrs for me, not the easy 2 and a half hour midlands run. Never mind, if necessary I’ll go with the crowd..

[Bootsy]

Let’s keep talking
I’m happy to start putting some feelers out and speaking to a few people - just give me another week as recovering from a medical incident at the moment and not fully functional!