Sorry i still think its become rubbish. Cant cruise about for fear of running over a kid in a tot rod with no road sense. The bands were rubbish (apart from Fat Cat Trio) even the DJ was playing some junk. No burnout comp any more. I think its aimed more at the 7 year old tot rodder. Definitely wont be there next year unless its to sell some number plates.
I disagree. I still love the Nats. I think the biggest problem is that to me it is a great family event. Its relaxed and the kids can get to see and hear the cars...As opposed to Billing which is a much more hard core rodder event, were the drink flows more freely the entertainment isnt so family orientated and fights are frequent.
Remember that the NASC are a club for all types of vehicles of all different age groups. I agree that the entertainment this year was not a patch on last year, but you cant comment mate cos you werent there and the tot rods and hot hatches on the show field were not what I expected. However I still had a fantastic weekend away with my mates.
Sunday evening was great: Mandy set light to Nessie's BBQ, the boys talked about bike shows, car shows, pubs in Ipswich and drugs while toasted marshmallows and everyone watched me make a pratt of myself singing! Look at what you missed!!
I think the Nats is what you make it, we went to the Super Nats with Ness, Karina, Deanna, Ade, Mandy and Trevor (Digger) and had a great time sitting chatting around the bonfire. Saturday morning we were treated to a display of how not to behave on a campsite in your muscle car, which was a bit scary as the guy was less than 50 yards away from our little camping area.
I have to say if it wasn't for Mike and the guys helping with The Cruise, I wouldn't go, but that's because we do the same thing in May with the classic car run and park up on the Prom and upset the beach hut owners. Shame the police won't let us go somewhere else, round the chav-light area of Ipswich after dark...................
Must be something like 360 odd days to the next Nats....
I disagree. I still love the Nats. I think the biggest problem is that to me it is a great family event. Its relaxed and the kids can get to see and hear the cars...As opposed to Billing which is a much more hard core rodder event, were the drink flows more freely the entertainment isnt so family orientated and fights are frequent.
Remember that the NASC are a club for all types of vehicles of all different age groups. I agree that the entertainment this year was not a patch on last year, but you cant comment mate cos you werent there and the tot rods and hot hatches on the show field were not what I expected. However I still had a fantastic weekend away with my mates.
The reasons you state for liking the Nats are the same reasons i dislike it. I go to get away from children. I have always prefered the 'hardcore' events I guess after 17 years of Rockabilly weekenders and clubs i'm used to seeing the fights and people chucking up (never me of course), I did miss the nats last year and the one before that but did go to every one at Great Leighs, one at Bruntingthorpe (is that spelt right) and 2 at Herts and its only perhaps the last 5 years that i've not enjoyed it. They used to ENCOURAGE burnouts (in the comp) and cut up hot hatches. Now what do you get for your £42? Good toilets and 4 blokes doing motown karaoke. The hot hatches on the show field were ok (although why would you display a bog standard Audi TT) as you can ignore them, but you cant ignore a 7 year old belting down the road in a go kart. Or an official telling you off for touching your accelerator.
If I wanted to go camping with my mates, your right I could get it a lot cheaper probably save £20.00, but I wouldnt have the option of watching so many lovelly cars running around on open headers and the oportunity to meet up with people from the UK that I speak to every night but only meet up with once or twice a year.
I wouldnt be able to walk up to complete strangers and hold a conversation about a hobby Im passionate about.
Its not as good is it used to be. I First went to the Nats at Chelmsford in my Zodiac, it was better then, but thanks to health and safety, there are no shows as good as they used to be. Do you remember when we used to go to Rayleigh weir, it was much better than Dick Turnip!!
The fact that it is not as good as it used to be, wont stop me from going. Its better than sitting at home and more friendly than Shakey. The Nats above all is a show but Shakey is a drag meet.
The tot rods are a pain in the arse, but I wish when i was 10 I had one!!! When Riley is old enough and you see him cruising in his own miniture 32 coupe with the biggest grin you have ever seen, thinking you are the best dad in the world and you think thank god hes into rods not saxo's you might look at it slighly differently.
I always thought shows were for adults, but my boys are so into rods and classics I couldnt not take them.
I prefer events like Thorney Island, loads to do and not a fortune to get in. I think we'll have to agree to disagree on this one.
I'm going to a VW event this weekend to sell plates. Herts showground, 7000 people. I'm curious to see what thats like. Thats if i can cope with a weekend of VW's.
Shame the police won't let us go somewhere else, 
round the chav-light area of Ipswich after dark...................
