Further to my earlier email, more information can be found at http://www.weea-organisation.com/
Clicking on the Union Jack gives details in English, although the accompanying sound track is still in French!
Neil B

NeilB,

This sound interesting. I’ve never been to Reims but the circuit has a marvellous history.  Is the Museum planning to be represented there this year?  I’d like to know.

NickB

NeilB,

...........and Reims doesn’t clash with the Goodwood Revival this year, either.

NickB

I have suggested to the BTM committee that consideration is given to building relationships with similar organisations that support other circuits in Europe, and that Reims would be a good place to start. They have agreed to discuss it later this year, so it is too late to fix anything up for this September. The ‘Weekend of Excellence’ is a fascinating event (not a race) and I have attended the last three (2010 will be the fourth).and the variety of vehicles ,copvering all eras, makes it unique (Reims was still functioning as a GP circuit 30 years after the last race at Brooklands).
If the BTM committee agree to take my idea forward, I would hope that we could be represented at the 2011 event, and would invite the Reims support group (Les Amis de Gueux) to attend one of our events. Before embarking on such a liaison, we would need to resolve a number of thorny issues in respect of subscriptions for members in other EU countries, and I have recently put forward some proposals for our committeee to consider.
There are also undoubted advantages in sharing experiences between such organisations, in order to learn what has been successful and what hasn’t, and I am hopeful that if the committee agree we can build a productive and long term relationship.
I visited Reims again last month, and was unable to resist a dash along the finishing straight (which is a public road), and noticed that the painters were out in force sprucing up the grandstand and pits for the Weekend of Excellence. According to Steve Cropley (Autocar) the intention in the long term is for Reims to develop this event to the extent that it is considered as a french equivalent to the Goodwood Revival, but I think this is over-ambitious. The level of UK interest and support is quite high ( even the commentary is in English!) , but it has a long long way to go before it matches the Revival.

Neil,

My reason for becoming a Volunteer (mainly weekends) was to become involved in Brooklands and all that went with it - with a definite emphasis on motoring. 

Your plans sound very exciting and I’d love to play a part (as a Volunteer) in relation to Reims or any other similar organisation.  I work full time but can make myself available with a bit of notice.

I’ll look at the Reims website and think about going myself this year.  I had intended going to Silverstone for the Le Mans Series meeting which is the same weekend but Reims sounds more attractive.

I hope you can develop your ideas further - please let me know if I can be of assistance. 

Best regards,

Nick Bond

Nick
Thanks for your support. I have put a number of suggestions to the committee re liaison with other support organisations, and recruiting overseas members. Obviously the committee have had a lot of other issues to address over the last year or so since the establishment of the BTM, and I can understand why progress has been slow. However I am assured that these ideas will be discussed in the context of “membership development” in the near future.
Realistically, given the need to agree on a number of policy issues first, the committee are not going to be in a position to approach Reims, or indeed any other support groups before late autumn at the earliest, so there can be no official BTM presence at Reims this September, but I remain hopeful that progress will be made over the coming months and that in 2011 we might have a presence there.
If you decide to go this year, please get in touch and I can give you a few hints re accommodation and travel etc.
Neil
01753 862876

Dear Neil,

In relation to your idea of visiting the Rheims meeting and suggestions of other meetings elsewhere, please see http://www.vintage-revival.fr/.  This gives details of a meeting at the old Montlhery track just south of Paris in May. 

Thought you might be interested.

All the best,

NickB

Nick
Thanks very much for this - it is over 20 years since I visited Montlhery, and it would be good to return! I visited Reims again in 2010, and it was remarkable to see how the event has grown in such a short time. Obviously the large UK contingent that attend are attracted by the ease of access from the channel ports, and I suspect that Montlhery will have a largely local (ie French) crowd. Subject to other commitments I may try and attend.
I believe our committee are still looking at options for BTM attendance at overseas circuits, but obviously funding will be a key issue.
Best wishes
Neil

Neil,

Thanks for your reply.

I’m still interested in volunteering or helping in some way at such an event so please keep me in mind.  I’m still a weekend volunteer, by the way.

Best regards,

NickB

I have just been informed that the Reims Weekend in 2012 is from 14th - 16th September, so it clashes with the Goodwood Revival and Angouleme! You would think that in this age of easy communication the organisers could co-ordinate rather better! I was told that the main reason for the 2011 Reims Weekend not going ahead was because it clashed with Goodwood Revival and there was concern that British participation would be limited - so what do they do in 2012? Unbelievable!