Remember the British Motor Show?

Motoring hacks like myself used to get very excited about the British Motor Show. We always wanted it to be like Geneva or Paris or Detroit, but since the late Nineties it wasn’t. Gimmicks were tried – stunt shows and the like – but it made no difference. Punters didn’t come in sufficient numbers for the manfacturers to back it, and the 2008 recession effectively killed it off. I can say with confidence that it will never return. How do I know? Because when you’ve got events like Goodwood Festival of Speed, a ‘cars on carpets’ show at the NEC or ExCeL looks dull. There’s a reason for that. It is dull. I’ve been writing about another event which illustrates the point perfectly. In May comes the fourth stageing of MINI United, the brand’s occasional celebration of itself, its cars and its community of owners. Live music from top performers, motorsport action, test drives, exhibitions, activities and stalls. If you were a MINI owner or even just a fan, it sounds like fun. A weekend ticket is €45… and that’s the problem. It’s in Euros because it’s in the South of France. The last MINI United was in 2009 and at Silverstone, but now the carnival has moved on. Road trip anyone?