BMW Car Club Sommerfest Oulton Park 3/6/2023

[B10BRW]

Which idiot decided that having the event 70 miles north of Donington was a good idea.
The club is very Northern biased has been for years. Total disregard for the majority of members who live South of Watford Gap.

I Have been a member of the BMW Car Club for many years, not a single major event south of the Thames.
For me a 500 mile round trip, at least four and a half hours each way.
I shall certainly not waste my time and money, hope they provide enough loos this time, not happy having a mile and half round trip to the loo at Donington for those of us who were put as far away as possible from the main event

[Yad3100]

I think this is a bit harsh.

It’s a national club and therefore should be considering central locations.

[B10BRW]

You call Chester central

[Yad3100]

Well it’s more central than Brighton.

[B10BRW]

Well it’s more central than Brighton.

Not for me

[Yad3100]

The issue with Oulton is it’s a long way to nearest motorway, compared to Donny or Silverstone (or even Combe) and getting in normally sitting in long queues.

On the plus side it’s a lovely circuit for spectators and there is hard standing separate from the paddock.I would rather go to an event that has some action and not just static and I was disappointed to miss last year due to Covid.

[ScooBeeFive]

This would have been great news for me - it's my nearest circuit and a great drive there on fun A and B roads. However, I'll be driving back from London that day so won't be able to attend. Very disappointing as this year's event was great.

[Norrie]

In the 12 years I have been a member of the BMWCCGB, the National Event has never been further south than Warwickshire. I looked at the nearest Hotel, 2.1 miles the Macdonald. They want 359 pounds a night? Other chained hotels a drive away are over 100 pounds. Unless one ventures into the industrial regions of Warrington, Liverpool etc its expensive, so any polite accommodation suggestion that does not involve being a former boy scout would be appreciated.

It is effectively a 6-8 hr event, so from gatwick its 440 miles round trip and 8 hrs of driving with no hold up, is it all worth it for this southern softie?

Is it not time there was a North and a South National Festival?

[hap]

Added a further 40 mins from mine but also along the M62 which I don’t like at the Best of times so probably miss it. Was nice to be back at donnington yes few issues with toilets and a bit out the way but I thought it was good, good view of racing and pretty straight fwd get to and back

[Norrie]

Note the event is on Saturday 3rd June and not a Sunday. The response I got from Nick from the BMWCCGB is that the facilities at Oulton Park are far better than Donington. The date had to fit in with the race calendar. He alleges there are hotels for approx 75 pounds in the areas, however I was unable to find any on Tripadvisor.

If anyone has any serious accommodation suggestion for Hotels, where there is the some comfort for parking please do let us all know. Without accommodation for me personally this is a total nonstarter.

[Norrie]

Latest update from BMW Car Club GB - as at 3 April 23 there is no person who has volunteered to organise an ALPINA specific group. There needs of be a minimum of 10 vehicles for a separate ALPINA group. If someone did volunteer they would need to be at Oulton very early on a Saturday morning, so anyone considering I suggest that you check out what you are expected to do.

Failing a minimum 10 car group vehicles are just parked by age of vehicle as opposed to any specific model.

[B10BRW]

I shall be in Germany it's closer to me

[Norrie]

I have been informed there will be a Sytner ALPINA presence at the BMW Car Club Sommerfest on 3rd June 23 at Oulton Park. Gary Lott will not be personally attending. There is no ALPINA display group at this event.

[B10BRW]

Be interesting to see how many Alpinas turn up, much too far for me especially on a Saturday and having to negotiate the M25 car park.
Hour and a half to travel 35 miles on Tuesday

[Wellsy]

Hi all,

I ended up going to Oulton Park on Saturday, which is a great venue. We were all parked on a bank overlooking the track. The weather was amazing. Alpina wise, obviously no specific area, but dotted around it seems there were roughly 20 cars. I didn't get to see them all but it was nice to see the B6S getting car of the show.
I spent most of the day with my mate Helen who I also help with Instagram (Helscarcult) and Lottie who was attending her first BMW event on her own in her Boston Green Z3 (watch out for a Straight Six feature). David Barrington's Daughter.

One thing that was really good about the day was the racing on track while the event was happening, plus the fact the show was a bit more condensed so it wasn't a 20min walk across the hills to get to the toilets (as with Donnington).

Long day but it was worth it.