Why we shouldn't vote for Brighton for SmartTimes 14

[Mr Mynheer]

Re: Why we shouldn't vote for Brighton for SmartTimes 14

We will go, i fancy Portugal but not sure i will do it in the crossblade although my son has volunteered to drive it down!!! Probably take the 451.

[adrimo]

Re: Why we shouldn't vote for Brighton for SmartTimes 14

There are 3 options.

Drive the entire way - madness at 1400 miles.
Ferry to Santander and then drive - about 500 miles.
Let smart transport your car to the event and fly there.

Option 2 ans 3 sound great to me no way I'm driving 1400 miles in a smart, would be interesting to find out how much option 3 will cost, could then turn it into a proper holiday

[Evilution]

Re: Why we shouldn't vote for Brighton for SmartTimes 14

I have 2 plans for Portugal.
Be totally drunk (as I am now) and... ok only 1 plan.

[madDan]

Re: Why we shouldn't vote for Brighton for SmartTimes 14

Thankfully something to aim for - sorry for those plugging for Brighton

For those ruling it out - think about it as part of a euro tour maybe? Whenever we have done smartTimes we have always approached it this way (even Riccione when my turbo siezed the only part I missed the smart Roady for was ST part) We have a list of options mulling about for next year for ourselves.

Probably one leg will be partly Ply-Santander - Cas' the other leg will probably be a jaunt through France and Spain stopping over at relatives and friends places along the way.

Some folks don't do distances and probably will never do a continental ST which is a pity, some people don't mind the odd jolly (last year we did Dorset to the NordKapp at the tip of Norway whislt others did Antwerp ST) the cars are certainly more than capable.

So if you folks are even slightly undecided - give it some consideration before ruling it out - after all what an adventure!


I wasn't at Lucerne this year due to no Holiday left but would have loved to have gone, Alpine roads are great fun.


As for Brighton it would have probably been a none starter for me..........

[OrangeDave]

Re: Why we shouldn't vote for Brighton for SmartTimes 14

We've taken the boat to Santander before, and driven in Spain a couple of years back. We had a great time. It would be a fantastic adventure! The idea of having transporters taking you car to the venue and flying there seems to be such a missed opportunity. It would be a great adventure.

[Evilution]

Re: Why we shouldn't vote for Brighton for SmartTimes 14

There are 3 options.

Drive the entire way - madness at 1400 miles.
Ferry to Santander and then drive - about 500 miles.
Let smart transport your car to the event and fly there.

As far as I can see, smart will be using the empty car transporters to bring all the cars from smart dealers back to Hambach and from there out to Cascais.
When it's over they will deliver them back to your smart dealer. I think it's a great idea that might work really well.

[Hadleigh Marky]

Well its academic now. Portugal won which will no doubt please some people here. I sure the majority though will be unhappy as Portugal is too far too go whereas Brighton would have had a massive attendance I am sure.

[BlackDog]

That'll be an exciting drive

Or a flight as Portugal say that they will ship cars for us so we just have to fly there. Be interesting to see the details now that they have won.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 4

[TomAsh]

Re: Why we shouldn't vote for Brighton for SmartTimes 14

That'll be an exciting drive

[madDan]

Re: Why we shouldn't vote for Brighton for SmartTimes 14

Apparently Portugal won the vote!

[kevskars]

Re: Why we shouldn't vote for Brighton for SmartTimes 14

well said that man there are a lot of us in the uk that would like to go but for one reson or an other can not go oversea. i for one do not have a passport. and can not have one. ( nother story ). but would make the effort to make sure that i could go to brighton. so i am hoping they all come back and say its on and i will be going.

[smartsparky]

Re: Why we shouldn't vote for Brighton for SmartTimes 14

I must admit, before the announcement was made on Friday, I was very much against the UK hosting smarttimes. I remember watching the big screen on the seafront at Riccione (2011) and hoping that it didn't come our way. Last year's smarttimes saw the advent of the voting system with Germany and Switzerland up against each other. Although the result of the vote may have been considered a foregone conclusion, we were happy either way as it meant that smarttimes would not be coming to the UK.

However, smarttimes on the continent has always precluded those in the UK who are unable to get the time off work or don't want to go abroad or who simply cannot afford it. I've spoken to a few people would love to come to smarttimes but just cannot make it happen. By hosting smarttimes in the UK, they will now have an opportunity.

Having been to smarttimes in Riccione and Antwerp, I can honestly that they are a truly excellent few days. With smart GmbH managing the event, the whole thing has a different 'feel' to that of a UK organised event. Perhaps this was by virtue of being abroad? Maybe. However, what is obvious is that a considerable amount of investment is made to make the event a success.

I will agree that 'crossing the Channel' is awkward for those on the continent if the UK hosts smarttimes. It is far easier to simply drive continuously from one country to the next as is the case throughout the majority of Europe. But let's have the chance and you never know, it might just work! Brighton is a good compromise as it has the potential for being fairly dry / warm and not too far from Dover.

Portugal and Vienna are the other two options and both look like great places. Cascais in Portugal is 1370 miles from London and will also be difficult for a lot of mainland to get to. Vienna is 914 miles from London. Riccione is only an additional 100 miles from London than Vienna. As those who did the journey in 2011, this is a very very long way!

As someone pointed out (on Facebook I think), the UK can deliver good things when we put our mind to it. With smart HQ providing the investment and delivery, I think we stand a really good chance of hosting a great smarttimes.

I for one, will #VoteBrighton on the 24th August.

[OrangeDave]

Re: Why we shouldn't vote for Brighton for SmartTimes 14

If smartimes is in the UK, August time, then there's a chance to book a holiday in the roadie in Ireland

A perfect plan for us

Anyone else fancy Ireland

Jenny

You might be on to something there poppet

Maybe even take in a festival while we're over there as there is a lot going on there at this time of year.

[Evilution]

Re: Why we shouldn't vote for Brighton for SmartTimes 14

am sure you mentioned boycotting the smart festival if they held it in 2014 in protest over it not being held in 2013

Nope.

#voteVienna

[Evilution]

Re: Why we shouldn't vote for Brighton for SmartTimes 14

I expect you, when asked to fill in the questionnaire, were one of the people who said smartfest was a waste of time then moaned when it wasn't held this year. Moan moan moan - just get a life!!!

You expect wrong Jenny, we trade there every year and do alright so what's to complain about.
Jeez, if I had a life or an interest in getting one I wouldn't have made a website helping others, I'd have said "screw everyone, I'm too busy going out with all my hoes".

I never said it wasn't going to be held on private land, I was merely stating it needs to be.

You need to think bigger. I'm not sure what part you actually disagree with. 1 smart festival in Brooklands (as it's not a waste of time) and 1 Smart Times somewhere nice (outside the UK). More quality and quantity.

We aren't all the same, It's ok for your every day smart owner but Switzerland makes no sense for a trader. They have a strict non car modifying law and a ridiculous system of taxes before and after leaving the country.