Undoubtedly there are lessons to be leaned, but do people doubt they are being leaned? Less than 5 years ago, only 250 cars were expected at rallies, if 400 cars turned up to a National, it was considered a bumper event, it is now the norm to expect at least 1,000. For those mathematicians that is going from 5% and 8% if you were lucky, to expecting 17% as standard, how many companies would love that!
I also think the cookie crumbles both ways, the average member needs to learn too, and also those addicted to posting on this and other forums.
It is said that it is understood how much effort is put in to these, however unless it has been done, it is actually hard to understand why most people who have done it say, “never again.” For the 15-20 at Mallory, I still have over 700 communication emails on my computer. Some obviously were quick to deal with, others much longer, but at an average of 10 minutes each that is 2 solid weeks, yes 14 days or the family holiday, of reading and dealing with emails without any practical actions taking place. It also does not end with the last car leaving in the afternoon, the rally team left Billing on Sunday well after 8pm and there are still issues being dealt with. Of course effort alone does not make a great event but no one starts out to make a poor one and the paper is very blank when the planning starts, in fact the one and only time that the full effect is seen and to know if the layout and effect is right is on the day, too late to do anything then.
Certain forum posters also need to understand the effects that their negative posts can have on attendance levels. I read posts where people seem to delight in saying the weather is going to be bad because it justifies their opinion that the rallies are held at the wrong time of year, other posts on other forums about how anti anything the OC is and yet the content of their own posts is the most bigoted you will read. People need to understand if the foot fall increases then trader participation will increase and the whole thing grows. My experience of all the rallies of the the last 5 years is that most have been sunny and dry, ask any cricket fan or festival goer if having an event in July or August is a guarantee of a dry event. We take our chance and usually it works. As for being old and staid, I have seen plenty of revelry going on in both the campsites and the hotels and a fair few hangovers in the morning, the OC can party even if it likes Old Shagg in its pipe. .
So back to the original point, could it be done better, sure and if all it takes is for the centrally positioned OC gazebos to be moved to the entrance to make everyone happy then it’s a easy fix and we can all smile. Until that time, I will enjoy it for what it is and best of all it didn’t cost a thing.
