General Panda Convoy & Event

[Graham2018]

I came across and article in the may edition of practical classics about the worlds biggest fiat panda gathering in pandino, northern italy .
a group of uk pander owners are making the trip in convoy to italy to make money for prostrate cancer . Seems lile a good idea to do
something you've never done before and drive on the continent . However , having looked on youtube at the 2022 event, it seems badly
organised, just rows and rows of fiat panda's both old & new, its also very loud and noisy . not quite what I was expecting .
however, got me thinking, what about about a fiat panda event in the south of england, a convoy ( run to the sun ) followed by a big
fiat panda gathering ( we could include fiat 500's, abarths etc ) and make this another annual event. There doesn't seem much for owners
who live in the southwest of england . We could look at newquay, paingnton, isle of wight ( any suggestions welcome ) where we could convoy
and then have a large fiat panda gathering .Just seems like a good idea ( Fiat Panda Run to the Sun - Southwest ) . What do people think .
We could try and do something this year or start something from 2024.

 

[DaveMcT]

I live near Paignton. The beach front area is huge and often used for shows but Paignton itself has seen better days. Newton Abbot Race Course is another venue often used for events like this. Access is good a mile or so from A380 dual carriageway and only 10 miles from the end of M5.

 

[Motorcyclist Colin]

I like the sound of that. We are in SE

 

[Herts Hillhopper]

it seems badly organised, just rows and rows of fiat panda's both old & new, its also very loud and noisy

So it was Pandamonium then...?

 

[The Panda Nut]

Im sure Pandino will run again soon and I am probably going to join in and make a trip of it after. There are loads of photos if you google it, It started with an off the cuff comment on facepagebook or simialr and around 250 car turned up. The next year there were many more... Pandino is a very small place and Im not totally convinced about thousands of Pandas descending, but local shops probably welcome the trade.

If a convoy is arranged in UK I am daft enough to join in!

 

[Graham2018]

paignton sea-front lawns might be a good start as there are plently of eateries and places to get drinks, plus we could see how many we
would get turn up and take it from there, and its not difficult to find . What I would want is some help to get an event off the ground
and organised, who we would need to talk too etc, we could do something this year and then get something more permanent in place
for 2024 .

 

[Herts Hillhopper]

Depending on the scale of things... if just a handful and you just happen to all arrive in the same place, then no issues at all. But, 'based on past experience (a long long time ago with 2CVs!), for anything bigger, or 'formally organised' you may need permission from the local council, the local police and anyone whose land you might be using (often this is the council too for things like local parks). If a main road convoy his planned, you may need to tell local highways department (often the County Council) too. Organiser usually needs liability insurance as well. Start by talking to the council as they tend to be able to tell you you else you need to connect with. Don't 'not do this' as otherwise you can get knuckles wrapped for staging an unauthorised event. Its not at all onerous... Dos 'we' (Panda bit or Fiat Forum in general) have an events organiser contact? If so, start there

 

[Graham2018]

How could we gauge what interest there might be from fellow members ?

 

[rmjbn1]

worlds biggest fiat panda gathering in pandino, northern italy
badly organised, just rows and rows of fiat panda's both old & new, its also very loud and noisy
not quite what I was expecting

That sounds like exactly what I would expect

 

[porta]

I’m going back a bit now, end of MK1 panda era in the UK, but wasnt there a regular Panda meet at the big hotel in Tintagel…I remember someone telling me that had driven from there to the meet at Tan Hill pub North Yorkshire!

 

[portland_bill]

Panda owners gathering together, just because we are all enthusiasts, and we can, seems like a great idea. Trying to justify it for a charity, doesn't work for me. We don't need the excuse, just meet bacause we can.
Making a run to Italy will cost a lot, in ferry charges, fuel, hotels, etc. Why not just donate that amount to the charity, stay at home and reduce the pollution.

I read recently an article about someone who had driven most of the length of the country for charity. The amount raised by sponsors was less that they'd spent on fuel. Seems silly to my cynical head.

 

[varesecrazy]

How could we gauge what interest there might be from fellow members ?

Hi

Post in the Clubs section

SouthWest ;-)

State the intention, prospective date

Last Sunday in May..as an example

And ask for suggestions, offers and prospective interest

I did this for an 'out of season' meet at a cafe

It was well attended.. most who said they were coming did..with unannounced joiners making up for 'no shows'

@20 cars - 30 people

Example:


Cafe was happy and convoying wasnt too laboured


Problem you may have is Social Media broadcasting this far and wide.. these people wont communicate their intentions. just turning up on the day


Probably best to aim pretty small .. and see how it goes

Autumn maybe..as holidaymakers , sunshine..etc will probably stop mass interest

If it goes well you know what to plan for bigger numbers