As we draw closer ...

Wednesday, 16 June 2010

As we draw closer to the AOVC classic Show, all the AOVC directors have been working tirelessly to ensure that all old vehicle enthusiasts and their families have a wonderful day out at the showground's in Ballymena on Saturday 26th June.

Entries have already been received from as far off as Waterford, Galway and Dublin to name just three. This year our event will be included in the Itinerary of the Wolseley Car Club of Scotland who have planned a tour of Ireland around a visit to the AOVC Classic Show

Included in our new attractions for this year is the MG Car Club, whose members have kindly consented to put on a display of autotesting and a bit of showmanship on the tarmac surface of the main arena. To watch Trevor McIlroy and his colleagues, who have won prestigious worldwide competitions, throw their Midgets, Caterhams and Mini's around various obstacles competing against each other will be something that can be enjoyed by all ages male and female alike and should not be missed.

Also in the arena we have organised, through the Northern Ireland Aeromodellers club, a flying display and a separate static display of model aircraft including those with jet engines some of which can achieve speeds of over 250mph, while at the show take the opportunity to watch these guys put their planes through amazing manoeuvres and listen to those fantastic sounding jet engines. All the activities in the arena can be watched from the comfort and safety of the seating in the grandstand while listening to the commentary for each of the events, a timetable and a full list of happenings will be given to you on arrival at the showground's. Visitors who were at last years show will notice the increased size of the autojumble area, we have made the area 50% larger to cope with the high demand for trade stands.

After last years show which, was very successful, we listened to some points that had been made regarding how we could improve the event for this and subsequent years and we settled for a plan that we are putting into practice for 26th June we are confident that the measures we have taken will alleviate some of the problems that we encountered last year.

I have listed below (not in any particular order) a selection from the comments that visitors felt we should improve on for this year.

Catering - The caterer who was commissioned to supply the necessary food for the event fell well short in the quality of food and service to customers of what we expected of him, this year a new caterer has been engaged and he has given assurances and references both to the council and to ourselves that his food and service will of the highest quality, he will have the Des Allen Suite available for food from 8am through to 4pm on the day of the show. Access to the Des Allen suite, on the top floor of the grandstand building, is through the reception foyer or from the grandstand, there is an elevator from the reception area.

Signage - Some people felt last year that there were not enough signs around the site, in hindsight we agree that there was room for improvement, therefore when you enter the showground's this year you see more signs, you will be given a map of the site and at various positions there will be static 'You are here points' to help you find your way around the facility.

Dust - We had a display of 4x4 vehicles on the outer perimeter of the site and the combination of very dry ground and a wind coming from North East caused a dust cloud to blow across the display vehicles. When we realised the problem that the 4x4 were causing we took immediate action but, we admit that we now realise that we should have foreseen the problem this was going to cause, it will not happen this year, there will be no 4x4 driving display.

Uneven surface - The events area on which the majority of the vehicles were displayed was extended in the months in advance of the 2009 Classic Show, it was a new surface and from what we were told by the company who did the work it had not properly settled in, with the constant use during the past year it has now become a lot smoother and more manageable than it was for last years event, you will notice it is a lot more comfortable to walk on.

Layout - As the 2009 show was the first year for the show at this location we were taken unawares of how well the event would be supported, we could only roughly gauge how we could fit, into the area allotted to us, everything we wanted at the show. We were not sure of how the entrances and exits on Warden Street and Kernohans lane would cope as they had not been fully tested with the volume of traffic expected. For 2010 we have now got access to an additional area, that was under construction last year, we have now centralised the display, all vehicle will be displayed in the one area and we have planned a more acceptable traffic flow system for entrants within the site. The way the club stands were laid out, we felt, could be improved we have made the necessary changes and we feel that new layout with better signage and additional stewards will make it easier for entrants/ club members to locate their club stand/ parking position.

I think that covers most points all that remains is to remind you to get your entry sent in or you can enter online, I would stress the importance of getting your entry in early as any entries on the day of the show will not qualify for one of the superb finisher awards.

Any club secretary who has not booked a free club stand can book it online as can any traders/crafters who wish to participate, all the relevant forms can be downloaded from our website, the address is www.aovcclassicshow.co.uk

Samuel Spence Chairman
chairman@aovc.co.uk home 028 9268 8533 mobile 077 8551 0376

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