Some new metal??? Sunday 12th July - CURRENTLY FULL

[Karl V]

I'm posting this under the 'something a bit different' section of the forum to test the waters...

When COVID-19 hit, I found myself without the Ariel for 3 months and had to do 'essential trips' to Sainsburys in the daily

Between getting the Nomad back 4 weeks ago and today, I did a couple of runs with another club to see how others do things and generally pulse-check petrol-heads' desires to get back out and gauge how busy the roads were getting.

On Sunday 12th July, said club is holding their first Breakfast Meet at a pub outside Crawley and Ariel.Club has an open invitation. The pub is opening at 9am on a Sunday especially to serve sausage baps / coffee at and to welcome what they hope will be a new regular meeting place for 4 wheeled metal - they hope to become the RYKAS for cars.

I'm going to pop down there as there is talk of modern and vintage Ginettas, TVRs, a couple of Nobles, Corvettes, as well as a few supercars such as a 911 GT3 and a couple of MacLarens and Ferraris. I'm sure the 'club regulars' will show up in their Caterhams, Alpines and Renault Spiders too.

So why am I posting this???

Well, as I am sure you may be aware, the Club is keen to expand and fly the Ariel flag further afield. Not just outside of the South East (which this particular event isn't of course!), but into new territory such as parking up next to a McLaren or TVR (and other marques that have / may soon to go into administration), stealing their thunder.

So I guess by 'testing the waters'... is there any appetite out there - wherever you are based - to run with / show off your Ariel machinery with other Car Clubs?

I'm pretty confident we will be met with 'pride of place' if we do

[Sir Nick]

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I run with the local TVR boys from time to time. Good bunch and some fast cars

[GraemeW]

so do we cancel our own breakfast meet on the 19th???

[Karl V]

so do we cancel our own breakfast meet on the 19th???

I have no intention of standing in a car park looking at car engines for a week

[GraemeW]

Karl weve spoken about this off line, but I will try and make my point again.

I as a petrolhead, like most others on this forum, would only be too happy to meet up with other clubs, and look at their cars etc. As a one off or a series of one-offs its great, and we have done plenty of those own the past years, perhaps 1 or 2 a year. However, you have indicated you want to organise more of these meets on a regular basis.

Having a number of different types of meets is great, because not everyone goes to the same type of meet. However having 2 or 3 SE breakfast meets a month, I don't think is practical. We are a small club and only attract an average of 5 to 6 per meet. So we are splitting an already small breakfast meet audience over too many?

As you probably know organising an event, takes a bit of time and effort to plan, research, check roads, venues, parking, fuelling etc etc. Even the simple breakfast meets, with the optional after breakfast Blat on some good roads, takes a little effort to check out, so that attendees can just turn up and go without worrying about anything, and just enjoy the driving etc.

Yes I have resigned as Club events coordinator, but I still plan to put together a series of events, as every member can, to enjoy our cars. But I don't think its worth me for example, searching for suitable venues with secure parking for say 10 cars when only 2 turn up. We should get our own club breakfast meets established (and also across the country) before we have regular joint meets with other clubs. As we grow, thanks to your efforts, this will be less of an issue.

I'm retired, and wouldn't mind, and probably you as well, being out at a breakfast meet every weekend, but most here are working and with families, so have other priorities, and only have time for 1 maybe 2 (different) Ariel club events a month. Thats my 2p anyway.

We as a wider group of members need to decide what we want in terms of breakfast meets; combine with other clubs, or focus on Ariel club breakfast meets....or is there enough people to attend both?

[Karl V]

Thanks Graeme.

Just to be clear though, I'm not organising this event on the 12th July. I'm taking pleasure in just turning up - after someone else has had the hassle of organising it - and showing my support.

I'll be honest, they had me at 'coffee and sausage bap'

[GraemeW]

You miss the point ....

[Karl V]

Bad news people - I have today learnt that it's not sausage baps, it's bacon baps.

Sophie's Choice aside, the good news is that despite now being 'Fully Booked', the event organiser will always make make room for another Ariel. I think they mean Atom and not my lard-ass Nomad...

Anyone near Crawley this Sunday fancy meeting up at the Cowdray Arms car park to mix with other car owners, from the lofty heights of an Ariel pedestal?

Sausage. Bacon. Meh...

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[travelbug63]

Just talking to Steve in service looks like mine is back tomorrow or Friday so I'll be there.

Possibly link up on route down if you fancy Karl ?

[Karl V]

Great news Miles!

I was just going to cut through Redhill, past Vines, then take the B2036 straight to the pub. Would somewhere along there work for you?

How about the Shell Garage at the bottom of the A23, say 9am?

[SvenTheHammer]

I’m up for this Karl. Where shall I meet you?

[Karl V]

Cool. I'll look at some options Sven.

Sounds like there should be 4 /maybe 5 Ariels going on Sunday (myself, Miles, Trigger, Sven and Tom), so we'll get to wave the flag good and proper ;-)

Sadly, the event organiser is saying that the event is pretty much full now, but they are running a waiting list. If anyone isn't able to go, please do let me know so that they can contact the waiting list. Similarly, if more spaces open between now and Sunday I'll let folk know.

[travelbug63]

Just heard from Steve at Ariel, car been delivered back on Friday so I'm definitely in.

About a mile past Vines there is a Shell/Waitrose on the roundabout (probably the one you're referring to Karl), meet there ?

[Karl V]

Good stuff. Yeah, that's the one.

I'll be with Sven and Tom, so you'll probably hear 3 Ariels at 9am on a Sunday before you see us ;-)

[travelbug63]

See you Sunday