No Ventura Show for 2008

[BLEW911]

I guess the rumors are true. I've an email from the Campbells saying they intend to step down as organizers of the show.
Who will step up? Please.

Don

[scottb]

That's a shame...but not surprising. Each year I've gone I end up thinking, "more of the same." The swap meet was fun, but the vendor stuff was, well, boring.

Oh well....

[Bobboloo]

What a shame. It was nice having an event in Ventura.

I always felt the show needed something like an autocross or an engine dyno to spice it up a bit.

[bill romero]

The show has seemed the same for years now. Sad but I've looked forward to to the drive up as much as the show itself. That being said, if it's back on... I"LL BE THERE with a smile :-)

[lfot]

I've only been once (last year). I agree with Bobboloo that it seemed to be missing an event focus like an auto-x or track time. What would be involved with organizing German Auto Fest at California Speedway or Laguna? I realize it would be more expensive, and in competition with Historics in a way, but something with more "umph" behind it's purpose.

My 2¢.

[Don Plumley]

I've had a couple of interesting conversations about this absence on the west coast. Stay tuned...

[scottb]

I just got the e-mail from Bob Campbell:

Dear Porsche Friends,

This message is sent to you by Bob & Karen Campbell, founders of The Ventura Show.

We would like to inform everyone of our intention to step down as organizers of The Ventura Show. After 14 years of producing Porsche meets around Southern California including all the Dunkel events, we find that our grandkids and summer schedules are taking preference. We think it's
somebody else's turn to have all the fun, so we will not be producing a show for 2008.

We have made so many new friends over the years, our wish is that the Ventura Show will continue, so we may attend and spend more time with our now "old" friends. To that end, the Ventura Show is available to any person, group or business as a profitable, turn-key production. Please contact us if you have any interest in ownership of the Ventura Show.

Thank you for all your support and all the good memories,

Bob & Karen

[911pcars]

If I were in charge (I'm not), I'd break up the layout repeated every year. For example, the tech and historical sessions seem to be popular but not as accessible or visible. They could moved to one of the main exhibition halls or to the large "For Sale" hall that's usually 1/2 filled with for sale cars. The other exhibit hall would fit most of the vendors. General purpose tech sessions might prove popular too (paint and body work, paint repair and detailing, dentless body work demo, etc.).

Another idea would be to use the main parking lot for something; like a 2-day swap meet or tech contests (e.g. team competitions to strip a chassis down to the tub (or in reverse), D&A Weber carbs, setup and run, RC/go cart races, for sale cars instead of in the dimly lit hall, model car/train/truck vendors, etc.).

And if things were really desperate, there's always the county fair gaggle of pots and pans, squeegee, chamois, vibration chair exhibitors (segregated of course) to make it a break even event.

And since this event is mainly a guy thing, female mud wrestling, NOPI-type girls and wet Porsche T-shirt contests are always crowd pleasers.

This is why I'm not in charge.

Seriously, Bob has always organized a classy event and I wish him well. It's too bad there will be a void this Sept.

Sherwood

[Zeke]

The Dunkel show/swap was incredible. Nothing will ever top it. It was a one day deal and started real early. By noon, most had their 5 hours of fun and began to leave. OTOH, Ventura was a 2 day affair with Sat always being the better day no matter what they did to entice folks to come on Sunday, if not both days. Note that Dunkels was Sunday.

I agree that it ether needs to be bigger or smaller, just not the same 2 days. Bigger means associated with a track event. Smaller means one day, probably Sunday.

I'll tell you what, I think this would be an excellent thing for Pelican Parts Inc. to take a look at. Not too many competitors are exhibiting, mostly friendly businesses. And, if it's profitable, who wouldn't want to take it on?

Now Bob Campbell did his best to keep the spirit of Dunkels alive by holding the meet 2 years at Long Beach Vets Stadium. Unfortunately, the first year it rained and was really cold and miserable. Secondly, Vets is an asphalt parking lot just like Pomona. No charm there, so the show more or less went away to become the event we now go to in Costa Mesa. Again, the will never equal Dunkels.

[bhaubold]

I've been to the Ventura event three times, and each time I came away unimpressed. As much as I like an all Porsche event, maybe something like an all European event might bring a bit more interest.

[Zeke]

Originally Posted by lfot

I've only been once (last year). I agree with Bobboloo that it seemed to be missing an event focus like an auto-x or track time. What would be involved with organizing German Auto Fest at California Speedway or Laguna? I realize it would be more expensive, and in competition with Historics in a way, but something with more "umph" behind it's purpose.

My 2¢.

I have belonged to clubs that were for the purpose of putting on racing events (karts). We did a street race in Redlands and a similar affair in Mile Square Park in Fountain Valley CA. You think insurance would be an issue with an event at a fair grounds? Try a race. It would be a double whammy.

However, there is an oval dirt track on the fairgrounds premises. Want to go sideways in your 911?

[BLEW911]

I was always happy just to be around all those Porsches and porsche people at such a beautiful venue. You gotta love Main St and all those palms.
If thats all you expect how can you be disappointed?

Don

[Pete000]

Bummer...

I never did like it being on Sat. and Sun. Never could decide which day would be better to go and I can't do both days.

Always felt I missed something.

[Steve@Rennsport]

This is really a shame although I can understand Bob's feelings at this point.

I was fortunate enough to attend the show two times; once to scope out the event and once as a vendor. For me, it was a splendid opportunity to meet a LOT of the fine people that I've spoken with, and exchanged e-mails over the past 10 years and display some of our handiwork.

Coming from Oregon, the two-day format made the trip worthwhile for personal and commercial reasons but a lot of fellow Porsche owners from outside California/Arizona will be reluctant to make the trip for a one-day affair. I sincerely hope that if it emerges under new ownership/operation, it retains a similair format that attracts people for a wide range of events.

I could see multiple tech sessions, display cars, a swap meet like Dunkels, and commercial displays to showcase new products for people to see, in person,... Something for Everyone.

[donporfi]

It is really sad to loose a great show.
We flew from all over Mexico for this show. Most of us only missed the first one due to the ban of flying after the terrorist attack to the Twin Towers.
We enjoyed both days and bought a lot of parts during the swap meet.
We do not see that many Porsches gathered in one location in Mexico.
We also travel to visit the LA Lit show and Hershey but there was something special in Ventura. It will be missed.
Thanks Bob for putting a great show for us.

[TRE Cup]

doing a race at a venue not designed for one, is incredibly expensive to produce and insure. (been there , done that
So that is out
doing a slalom is possible as speeds are considerably lower and no wheel to wheel action.

Having fun ancilliary events like RC car races, better promoted tech sessions (include mfg rep show and tell) , better placed cars for sale, all help contibute to a fine event

Then there is the space needed. VCF is a good venue as it has the crowd control part set, but the outside parking area cannot be turned into a slalom course, so you lose revenue with the use of the inside lot for the slalom. So other possible venues come into play.... and there isn't much time before September rolls around.
Also the larger the space you use, the higher the expense and man power to admin it. A balance has to be achieved so the income exceeds the expense !

The Campbells did not have it as easy as it may seem- LOTTA work

Still fwiw- myself, and a few others, are exploring a replacement event. IF adequate support can be had to help produce it, THEN it may become a reality.

sigh.... i guess i can catch up on my sleep between Sept and our New Years Day Tour

[911pcars]

I bet some substantial funds could be generated by contracting with a go-cart vendor and awarding a cash prize and bragging rights for TTOD. Imagine the egos at stake gathered at a Porsche event vying for quickest time.

Jim Hall cart school is in Ventura too.

Sherwood

[Fishcop]

Coming from Australia to see the show back in 2004 was a real treat for me. I won't admit it to the wife, buy is was possibly the best part of our honeymoon

We (Aussies) will never see such a large concentration of Porsches in our country as we never got the volume of cars you guys enjoy. I hope you end up with a replacement of some kind, as we're due to visit again!!

[1911Guy]

I have attended the show two or three times during it's run, driving all the way from Denver Colorado to attend. It was this show that convinced me to sell my 1967 Vette and enter the world of Porsche with my 1982SC. I have the event posters hanging up in my office. Glad I picked them up as they will serve as a great memory. I will miss the event.

Good luck to Bob and Karen.

Thank You for a great event

[Michael Jekot]

I have been a Vendor at the Ventura Show and created three of the Posters for the show. Vendors regardless of what the show is about will respond by coming back if supported through purchases. If the crowd does not respond then the vendor most likely will not return.

My artwork there ran hot and cold depending on the featured Porsche model. The best year I had there was the early 9's. Now that group knows automotive art and are rabid about their cars.

I hope someone picks this event up. I'd like to do more poster work and keep sharing my Porsche art with the faithful. Anyone???