Is it me or is there a lull in the MINI scene at the moment?
Over the last 4 years Chris and i have attended numerous MINI runs and events, but just lately numbers seemed to be down on previous years.
I had a bit of a 'Scrogg' moment the other night and decided to go back over the last 3 years to see how many people signed up for the 'regular' runs this year and previously. Sure, i know that not every one turns up who signs up, and by the same account, not every one signs up who turns up! But sure enough figures have definitely dropped.
What's causing it?
We're now 5 year plus from the original launch of the New MINI and i wondered if this was a factor. Had the 'original' owners gone sensible and turned to 'Norms'?
Is the credit crunch hitting us all. Chatting to Minicabrio last week we estimated that a weekend run could cost in the region of £250 with a nights stay away (tank of petrol to the run, a tank to do the run and a tank home, accommodation and a meal).
Are the 'regulars' getting complacent and 'missing' the odd run here and there on the assumption that the run will be there next year. I know a lot of hard work goes into the organisation of these runs and a disappointing turnout can dishearten the most determined of organisers, possibly putting them off running the event the next year.
Are people looking for differ routes on the runs they attend?
Or is it just the good old fashioned british weather. I for one have given up trying to video recently because of it.
I know in the past the 'Classic' owners have berated the 'New MINI' owner and indeed many of them loathe the thought of us sharing the same stage as us. But i do understand where they are coming from. A 'Classic' is a classic and you buy it knowing the kind of problems you're going to have. I can imagine that most 'Classic' owners will always be a Mini enthusiast, but will that be so with the 'New MINI' owner, or is there a time when we will all turn into 'Norms' and move on.
What do you think?
Over the last 4 years Chris and i have attended numerous MINI runs and events, but just lately numbers seemed to be down on previous years.
I had a bit of a 'Scrogg' moment the other night and decided to go back over the last 3 years to see how many people signed up for the 'regular' runs this year and previously. Sure, i know that not every one turns up who signs up, and by the same account, not every one signs up who turns up! But sure enough figures have definitely dropped.
What's causing it?
We're now 5 year plus from the original launch of the New MINI and i wondered if this was a factor. Had the 'original' owners gone sensible and turned to 'Norms'?
Is the credit crunch hitting us all. Chatting to Minicabrio last week we estimated that a weekend run could cost in the region of £250 with a nights stay away (tank of petrol to the run, a tank to do the run and a tank home, accommodation and a meal).
Are the 'regulars' getting complacent and 'missing' the odd run here and there on the assumption that the run will be there next year. I know a lot of hard work goes into the organisation of these runs and a disappointing turnout can dishearten the most determined of organisers, possibly putting them off running the event the next year.
Are people looking for differ routes on the runs they attend?
Or is it just the good old fashioned british weather. I for one have given up trying to video recently because of it.
I know in the past the 'Classic' owners have berated the 'New MINI' owner and indeed many of them loathe the thought of us sharing the same stage as us. But i do understand where they are coming from. A 'Classic' is a classic and you buy it knowing the kind of problems you're going to have. I can imagine that most 'Classic' owners will always be a Mini enthusiast, but will that be so with the 'New MINI' owner, or is there a time when we will all turn into 'Norms' and move on.
What do you think?