Sydney All Ford Day - Eastern Creek

Stefan · 31-07-2017, 07:50 PM

I don't want to sound like a complainer but just putting out constructive critisism. I havn't attended Sydnbey AFD in probably 5 years as I was just out of town or had a clash in obligations.

I was in Sydney over the week end and decided to drop in on Sunday, I was in Dee Why visiting someone so by the time I got to Eastern Creek it was 10 - 10.30. Parked the car and walked to the gate to the gate, and was greeted by a 300 to 400m line of people (2 or 3 people wide) trying to get in. Looked like the only way in was a single gate, I stood in the line for 10 - 15 minutes and it did not move an inch.

I disappontingly walked back to the car and left.

I've heard it has been like this for a number of years. Last time I went it was basically an open gate and 5 or 6 guys with buckets taking money, letting people in which worked smoothly.

A huge shame that it has gone this way, I hope someone takes note and fixes the issue in future events.

**Uncle_Ken** · 31-07-2017, 08:38 PM

I was here at a similar time. You are correct re the money collection. Took me 25 mins to get in. They had 2 people in a both taking money. I have no idea why only 2. It was very full inside, lots of cars, worth the wait BUT I do hate waiting and no one letting you know why.

UK

Tonz · 31-07-2017, 08:57 PM

so who are the organisers?

Is it Eastern Creek management? talk to them

**Beastie** · 31-07-2017, 08:58 PM

I got there at about 10ish and it took 10 mins tops to get in...

**FairmontGS** · 31-07-2017, 09:10 PM

Stefan, something was different this year. I was in the Club display but Tony said we no longer had to do gate duty as in prior years. In the past there would be four of us with money buckets working one of 3 gates so things moved quite quickly.

Sounds like the new system wasn't up to the challenge?

Rob 351 · 31-07-2017, 09:12 PM

Was a great day except the the stench from the tip next door!
Great to see so many d's and e's.

Peterwl · 31-07-2017, 09:44 PM

I went on Sunday as well. Got there around 11:30.

Agree with other comments about the tip, HUGE 400 metre line for tickets, and I had to walk almost 1 Klm from where I was asked to park in the upper southern parking lot.

I will add poor catering facilities and owners of the cars nowhere to be found.

I purchased a bucket of chips ( $6 ), ate a few and had to throw the rest away.

They were cold and not fully cooked!

So many magnificent Ford vehicles, the most I have ever seen in one place.

This major event deserved better management and planning.

Stefan · 31-07-2017, 09:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FairmontGS

Stefan, something was different this year. I was in the Club display but Tony said we no longer had to do gate duty as in prior years. In the past there would be four of us with money buckets working one of 3 gates so things moved quite quickly.

Sounds like the new system wasn't up to the challenge?

Was disappointing....was use to just walking in throwing coins in the bucket..

Stefan · 31-07-2017, 09:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beastie

I got there at about 10ish and it took 10 mins tops to get in...

Just check my message, sorry I got there at 11 not 10.

Admittedly I should have got my butt there earlier.

Anyway don't want to bash them maybe they allocate more people to take the $$$ next year...

Always a problem with Sydney events more and more people turn up.

Sox · 31-07-2017, 10:09 PM

I didn't go this year, but I think EC circuit was a better venue, the drag strip is a dive.

Ashdaw · 01-08-2017, 12:54 AM

I went on Sunday and waited about 20 mins to get in, not so bad?
All the cars were good and I so loved the Mustangs and BA/BFs and FGs.
Haven't been since 2012 so, it was bigger, to me.

Great Day.

snap0964 · 01-08-2017, 12:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sox

I think EC circuit was a better venue, the drag strip is a dive.

The northern end of the circuit ? At the race track ?
Yeah, better location, and parking on the hill to the north east IMO was the best setup.
This parking 1.5km from the display, in that crappy dustbowl, has knobs on it.
Wasn't the admission $5 last year ($10 this year)?
Yes, the tip was on song.
They did eventually get two collectors to go along the crowd line and issue tickets to those with correct money - did speed things up, but took a while to put this in place.
Many nice cars to look at - some you wanted to look at closer, but completely closed up, with dark tint - I wonder why they bothered displaying them at all.
I'm not sure if I'll bother attending any more - the Warwick farm days and the first few Eastern creek ones seemed the best - gold coin entry, they seemed more charity focused, and not a money grab as it seems now.
Sorry - that's how I saw it . . . . .

Davebro · 01-08-2017, 11:05 AM

I didn't even bother going.

I don't see the point in paying money to see cars that I see every day on the streets.
If I want to see a nice limited edition Ford I'll go look at my daily.

I opted for mountain biking and V8SC instead....

MR XR8 · 01-08-2017, 03:59 PM

i know a lot of people lock the cars up because being parked on the grass/ dirt it gets all inside the car by the end of the day . If it was held at the race track in the pit area / track like it was a couple of years ago I think people would leave the cars open more .

**Mont5.0** · 01-08-2017, 04:08 PM

What a shame Eastern Creek raceway became to expensive to hold the event there.

**Gothefalcon** · 01-08-2017, 08:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peterwl

I went on Sunday as well. Got there around 11:30I will add poor catering facilities and owners of the cars nowhere to be found.

I was there... and took my Wagon in as part of the display. I stood by (or near) my Wagon for a great deal of the time... and happily chatted to interested people etc.. but at some point, I also want to check out all the other cool Fords there... and with so many of them, it took 2 - 3 hrs to get around to see them all !

Personally... I had a great day

D

Peterwl · 01-08-2017, 10:58 PM

The Shannons Classic is on at the same place on August 13th. It will be interesting to see if there is a difference in the management of the Shannons event.

Probably, a lot of the Fords on display at last Sundays event will be there as well. I will be going. The Car club I am in will be providing volunteers for the event on both the 12th and 13th.

noflac52 · 03-08-2017, 11:11 AM

The Shannons Classic is on at the circuit not the dragway.

noflac52 · 03-08-2017, 11:14 AM

I am curious to know why the car owners need to stand next to their cars all day?

bangm001 · 03-08-2017, 12:57 PM

Coz when people spend 40K on a paint job alone and some loser tries to scratch it you can kill them on the spot!

**GasoLane** · 03-08-2017, 03:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bangm001

Coz when people spend 40K on a paint job alone and some loser tries to scratch it you can kill them on the spot!

And there's always someone who cant read the 'do not touch' signs.
Then leans over the guards with riveted jeans or belt buckle on

**Mechan1k** · 03-08-2017, 10:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by noflac52

The Shannons Classic is on at the circuit not the dragway.

Probably because Shannons is an insurance company ... and has a lot more capital to spend on the circuit. Where as AFD is run by the Combined Ford Clubs on NSW (not so flush with cash like Shannons are).

I'd say the difference in hire costs between Circuit and Dragway are significant.

XB GS 351 Coupe · 03-08-2017, 10:40 PM

Must say we had the same experience.

Travelled over 3 hours to get there only to be parked a good 15-20 minutes walk from the gate, then greeted by a line up, and money collecting staff moving at snails pace collecting $10 per person (what happened to the gold coin donations of the past?)

Beautiful back drop of the tip with the stench drifting through the show.

Once we finally got inside we left early as there was no decent food available, and I am not about to pay $6 for a $1.50 bucket of chips or $18 for a Burger and chips eaten it under the stench of the tip. Or $12 for a pizza that would not feed my 12 year old.

So by lunchtime we opted to leave and get a meal at a restaurant which cost less that the garbage take away on offer.

Apart from that there were some nice car there, oh and then was the 20 minute walk back to the car

I also observed a number of people leaving when they found out the price of entry and a few others as they did not have cash and no Eft post was available. was sheer luck I had cash in my wallet at I had sold some stuff the previous day on Facebook Buy and Sell, I don't usually carry cash, it's 2017.

XB GS 351 Coupe · 03-08-2017, 10:43 PM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1U2THnt7UMc

Rob 351 · 04-08-2017, 08:45 AM

We also travelled 3 hours to get there and yes there was a line up to get in, but in defence of the organisers, there was a free shuttle that ran from the car park for those who didn't want to walk!
10 bucks was pretty reasonable me thinks, at the end of the day some one has to pay for it! Cars were great and some unbelievable cars there. Supercharged 351 Escorts, just crazy! Model T's, Mustangs, coupes, GT's, Corties, FPV's, and like I mentioned before, heaps of my fav's, D' & E's.
My only beef was that wretched tip, wind blowing the other way would have been nice, and no seating, just a few hay bales would do, for when we had lunch!
All in all, great day and congrats to everyone involved!

xxx000 · 04-08-2017, 09:15 AM

The showground at Clarendon would be a better location for this event imho

Much nicer location, good facilities, huge truck and car shows are regularly held there

The stench from the tip plus the dust at Eastern Creek are terrible

**Beastie** · 04-08-2017, 09:21 AM

It was my first trip to the AFD and I also drove about 3 hours to get there.

I don't have previous years to compare to, but I had a great time looking at all the fabulous cars and I got to meet and put faces to names of some AFF members, plus catch up with some friends...

A good day out - no complaints from me...

pottery beige · 04-08-2017, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beastie

It was my first trip to the AFD and I also drove about 3 hours to get there.

I don't have previous years to compare to, but I had a great time looking at all the fabulous cars and I got to meet and put faces to names of some AFF members, plus catch up with some friends...

A good day out - no complaints from me...

bingo

sooks will always sook

day is what you make of it

**Rallye Sport** · 04-08-2017, 09:36 PM

Oh the hardship that comes with a general admission ticket.
I had to walk to far, wait in a line, it was dusty, the food cost too much.
Man up. After that pack a sandwich.
Then they'll start on the cars, "my mates, friends, cousin has one way better than yours"
No wonder people don't hang by their cars.
Kudo's to all the entrants this year who know what a real hardship building a car can be.

XB GS 351 Coupe · 04-08-2017, 11:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beastie

It was my first trip to the AFD and I also drove about 3 hours to get there.

I don't have previous years to compare to, but I had a great time looking at all the fabulous cars and I got to meet and put faces to names of some AFF members, plus catch up with some friends...

A good day out - no complaints from me...

There is your problem, you have nothing to compare it to, I have been attending the event for 20 years, had cars for display for around 10 of those years, and this is by far the worst one I have ever been to and after attending I am seriously contemplating never going back for another one.

If you accept crap they will give you crap, and this is where the problem lies, the location was disgusting, the stench was overpowering, no shelter, no seating, poorly organised entry, poorly organised parking, the service was poor, the parking was shocking the entry was overpriced, the facilities were poor all at five times the entry price of the better shows I have attended over the last 20 years.

Used to be free entry or a gold coin donation, food used to be reasonable.

Worst location, worst food, worst entertainment ever in 20 years.