ShedFest with AutoAlex - May 4th 2024 - Mallory Park

[DrewR3]

OK, I've had a few PM and interest In later convoy. Thanks for those who have PM mob numbers. I will create a group with them, if you wish to be in Convoy 2, meeting at Mcd for 0900hrs and leaving when we are all present (no later than pulling out at 0930), then please PM your number for a group WhatsApp to stay in touch. I will edit the front with convoy number attending. Thanks.

[Eddie_r32]

It's 12500 tickets sold now, it's going to be mental

[DrewR3]

OK guys, so the other committee have pointed out quite how far Mcds are from event. I did not realise it was 30 min away meaning a 10pm arrival. Also its 3.5 hrs from my house and 30 min on the wrong side of mallory Park. If you all wish to still go from there, and possibly I would suggest at 915 or earlier depart time, then by all means do.

I am going to go to the Dobbies garden world 5 min away from malory at:
Woodlands, Ashby Rd, Stapleton, Leicester LE9 8JE

If anyone would like to join me there at 915, for a quick depart by 925 so we are in que for 930 at malory Park entrance, then please feel free. This is only a 5 min detour if others down for convoy 2 wish to come anyway

[DrewR3]

It's 12500 tickets sold now, it's going to be mental

I'm shocked they've continued selling. They should have realised a point of profit against detriment to experience of people attending, having to spoke to people who regularly attend here for track days, they expressed concerns on the amount attending.

But we have tickets now and they've changed the rules and timings plus the stand set up since purchase. I will be putting a complaint in about that, changing the leave option to being locked in until 5 after the point of refunds is, i think, unacceptable. With a 3 Yr old I would likely of not of bought tickets to an event 3 hrs away had that been the case from start. He is excited to go though so will see how things go.

[Eddie_r32]

Ciro and the team know what they are doing should all be pretty seamless, I'm glad they have changed the stand set up, it's what made shedfest 1 so good just a random mix of cars I doubt people being locked in will be that bad but I will ask tonight

[Magsrx8]

I'm just gonna expect chaos and if that's not the case, then happy days!

[DrewR3]

Ciro and the team know what they are doing should all be pretty seamless, I'm glad they have changed the stand set up, it's what made shedfest 1 so good just a random mix of cars I doubt people being locked in will be that bad but I will ask tonight

I'm not massively fussed on the mix of cars tbf, like you say I think that will actually be quite nice to see all different things and as they say not know what's coming next. Was just pointing out changes in general. The lock in is a concern though, especially with a child and a long drive after a long day. We usually leave about 3 from places. It would of been nice to have a stand, I did speak with Ciro I believe the other day ref trying to get us all together as a stand. Unfortunately the timing was to close having only realised this was an option quite late, possibly our fault on that one, and the convoys were the only option.

It would be nice and likely better attended from the club to get a stand next year so we can bring the Gazebos, flags, banners, engine displays etc. Plus be in a position to offer our usual member benefits of food and drink. I think we would of doubled numbers if so for attendance. Need to try and beat our 3 awards was it last year for club of shows?

[DrewR3]

Harvey's managed Photos and chats with Edwin and Will from TDC, Robin from Viking detailing and Tom from Autoalex/JLR specialist......all were really great with him, especially Tom. Top guys. Naomi managed to be right next to Gareth and Alex himself with him.....and completely didn't register them in the early set up of the show. Been with Mike brewer and Tavarish aswell, just Rory and Taylor we seem to have missed. Which is a shame as Taylor is naomis favourite from the show......still time yet though

[Magsrx8]

Had an awesome day at Shedfest, the weather played ball, we enjoyed an eclectic mix of cars spread all over the show and a good atmosphere throughout. Getting in and out was no issue, just glad I had a show ticket and not a spectator ticket, as heard they've had a nightmare. Got to meet Mike Brewer and Tavarish which was cool too.

[Ollie]

Just got home after a long day. As per usual. Sunburnt.

Car didn't miss a beat on the 360 mile round trip. Engine mounts definitely being replaced ASAP. And Harry suspects possible rear spring being snapped but we couldn't confirm it at the road side.

Didn't get to meet anyone sadly. Probably a wrong place at the wrong time type thing.

For the amount of people at the show it was a lot less chaotic than I expected. Show cars were parked well on time.

The people complaining about queueing to get in should have known there would be a wait. Most other car shows don't have general admission until 9ish alot of the time... And they also queue and have been doing the car show thing a lot longer than Alex and crew have!

Looking forward to next year. Apparently it'll be even bigger so.. Early ticket buying will have to happen!

[HarSc]

Genuinely really enjoyed today. Format of the show was nice, and kinda liked how they didn't want people leaving before 5 as it really kept the atmosphere, most did actually stick around

Parking on the track was cool, as one of the earliest arrivals, we just got pointed onto the track, tickets scanned and then got to drive the chicane and length of the main straight to get to the parking spots! you'll bet I put my foot down a bit and had some fun since it was open track space

As Adam said, weather was awesome, also sunburned not a spot of rain even though a few clouds occasionally threatened.

Weirdly, I quite liked the randomised mix of cars... There were no stands or big groups as such that I really noticed, but if you were able to drive in together, you'd be able to park together

100% aiming to go next year

[Eddie_r32]

Well that was an insane weekend, got home about 6pm yesterday after taking Nigel the 993 back to the unit then heading back up to Mallory to collect my car. Was a shame I don't get to see any of the show apart from what I could see from Auto Alex/TDC stand. The traffic issues really put a downer on tej event for all of us but it's good to see that most people understand that it was not Alex's fault. Next year will be interesting will see if it goes bigger or smaller, probably bigger

[Dr. FrankenRex]

Subtle name drop there, Ed ;-)

[DrewR3]

Well that was an insane weekend, got home about 6pm yesterday after taking Nigel the 993 back to the unit then heading back up to Mallory to collect my car. Was a shame I don't get to see any of the show apart from what I could see from Auto Alex/TDC stand. The traffic issues really put a downer on tej event for all of us but it's good to see that most people understand that it was not Alex's fault. Next year will be interesting will see if it goes bigger or smaller, probably bigger

Ironically, as I was concerned about entry/exit, we had a really easy time......5 min wait by the industrial units and then some of us parked into the main paddock area instead of track, while we were placed just off by the lake and vendor stalls. We did notice people leaving early under marshal escort, and I'm afraid we were one of those having asked the marshal when spotted others, due to having to get my 3 Yr old home to N.Wales, but stayed until 4. The exit was empty and drove straight out.

It's a shame about the public entry descending as it did, next time if they use that venue perhaps the addition of arrival slots on ticket sales with a later start to main activities on stage of 12 so people dont miss items. Splitting tickets by arrival time from 10, 1030, 11, 1130, 12 would stagger the entry to similar volume as the show cars had, which seemed to work well. Would likely stagger leave times aswell once people have seen everything. Reinforcing not to arrive before the time stated to prevent the issues this year, just a thought on it.

We had a great time, though did much prefer the quieter time in the morning. Probably before all main crowds got in, and was able to meet and see most of main people. Taylor remained elusive though Harvey had a great time with the kids activities too, really good to see something like that to split day up for kids. Was a great addition whoever thought of that.

[Ianvimvim]

As a family member bought 4 of us visitor tickets I had to go along with that. Set off from West Yorkshire at 7ish and arrived about 3 miles away at around 09.30. After moving about 0.3miles in three hours, with cars abandoned on the verges not helping, we turned back.

I take the point about knowing to arrive early, but this was just apparently the result of an accident and a couple of breakdowns near the one entrance they were using along with a weird decision to not let any visitors in prior to the show's official opening time of 10.30 - hence you had multiple thousands of cars all trying to get into one entrance.

As far as we could see, no updates on social media or marshalls letting people know the score, or that they were opening other entrances that they had initially been very firm about not being able to use.

Add to that my passengers all got out, walked a mile to the shops and returned in the space of me moving 1 car length, bringing cider with them, which I thought was unkind to me ahaha.

Having said that, we found some rather nice B roads to tear along, and the guy in the classic mini behind me in the queue said my exhaust sound made the wait at least bearable, and they are issuing refunds having acknowledged they handled things rather badly.

Next year definitely going to get a club ticket instead!

[Ollie]

I think the reasoning behind spectator ticketing not arriving before 10:30 was purely to get the show cars in as early as possible without the general show goers being mixed into the traffic causing headaches. Most other shows have similar setups. The job they did with the show cars getting in was fantastic.

Pretty sure next year they'll have a different approach to things and hopefully those without showcar tickets can have a better time of it. The fact they've only ever ran 2 other large scale events really tells you something when you compare it to say Kelsey media running Japfest...

[morgs71]

Sounds like you guys had a great time. I'll be keeping my eye for details on next year's event, I'll be up for it 100%