To be fair, there has always been stalls at Rallies (not just ours) that are aimed at those not so interested in “car parts”, and usually craft stalls. The Owners Club was the first marquee people would come across if entering the arena from the parking area the majority would have parked in. And it would have been the last marquee for most upon returning to their car, and exiting. In any case, I would hate a rally that was so rigid, that you could only enter/exit at defined gate points, which is what the OP is after.
There was a list of expected traders posted at:
http://www.mx5oc.co.uk/forum/forums/t/33693.aspx
A couple didn’t turn up, but I can’t see how the Owners Club could have anticipated that (blame the last government I suppose). BBR were, to my mind, an unexpected attendee. MX5parts, as usual, pulled up in their perfectly adequate tent, carrying the most popular lines; anything they didn’t have, you could have ordered from them on the day, post free. They had 3 demo cars with them. SFT had their usual store, which was always busy. I thought it was great for Autolinkuk to support the rally; they have never brought along with them large amounts of stock (they had a few bits and bobs with them). They’re not that sort of business, and by keeping the overheads low, they keep their prices low. They brought with them a selection of cars to give you a flavour of what they can do for you; the multi-coloured Roadster was actually intended to demonstrate their interior services. Andy was on hand for pretty much the whole day to answer any queries.
There were traders, polishing competitions, an autotest, and loads of gleaming (and not so gleaming) MX5s to go and admire. And a band. What more is needed at a free car club meeting? Dancing girls? If you were really bored, there was a funfair across the way. I wasn’t bored though. Owners Club members have always been free to bring any bits with them, and set up a blanket/folding chair behind their car; this is the usual way at most classic car rallies. On occasion, the club has provided a table service for used parts, but I don’t think thats really all that fair on the volunteers who have to man it; fending off people trying to haggle, or asking “will this fit my car” etc. Thats my view, after inadvertantly getting caught up in it at the Tatton National. Others will no doubt take a different view.
Sterling job by all, and I suspect a few butterflies, given some of the weather forecasts leading up to the day. On a practical note though, I probably would have spread the area of the competitions out a little (it was a little crowded), but thats a trivial comment. There’s probably entirely reasonable reasons why that couldn’t be done though.
