| Frequently Asked Questions |
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| Written by Andy Cunningham |
| Friday, 28 March 2008 07:10 |
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The most frequently asked questions about the festival: I own a small soft roader, would I be able to get round the course? My car is only 2 years old and I love it, could I get round the course without damaging it? I've never driven off road before, will someone be able to help me / give some advice? What happens if I have any problems on the course? What kind of contingency plan has been made for the Disabled? Like my gran. I've got a Quad bike. Can I bring it? Can I take my friends round in the back of my pickup? If I bring my car on a trailer, will I have to pay twice. Can I bring my Dog? Can I bring my dog around the course? Is there anything else there besides the off road course? Will we be able to watch others on the off road course? Can we camp the weekend? What day and time can we arrive? By what time do we have to be off site on Sunday? We don't camp and it's a long way, is there anywhere close we could stay over? My car's not an off roader, can I still get a photo of us at the event with it? Will there be car cleaning facilities on site? Is there anything else happening after the course closes on Saturday? Are there any shops close by? Will there be anyone on site who could help me if I have any trouble with my car? How much of the money raised goes to the Charities? How can you give so much of what you raise? How about the cost of all those who work the weekend? Does it take much to put the event on? Q:- I own a small soft roader, would I be able to get round the course? A:- Soft roaders: Yes. Our course designer makes every effort to ensure everyone can get round and find out just what they and their cars are capable of. He puts in optional sections for those with bigger vehicles, and others for the tricked up ones. So there is something for everyone. Q:- My car is only 2 years old and I love it, could I get round the course without damaging it? A:- Non-Damaging: Every care goes into making sure the course is non-damaging, and as long as you follow the marshals' directions, there is no reason anything untoward should befall your pride and joy. Q:- I've never driven off road before, will someone be able to help me / give some advice? A:- Advice: A lot of those visiting the event over the years have had no experience of off road driving, let alone a purpose made course as good as this one. So we have always made sure there are driving advisers on hand to go around with them. After all, it's much more fun doing it yourself without the worry, than just watching others and wishing. Even if you've done this before, why not use one of our advisers to go round the course with your inexperienced son, daughter, or other half if they fancy a go. They will feel at ease with an adviser and you won't burst a blood vessel trying to keep calm. (I remember trying to teach mine to drive when they first got a licence, and that was on a road.) Q:- What happens if I have any problems on the course? A:- Marshals: Don't worry. If for any reason you have a problem, or any concerns whilst on the course, you will always be in reach of a marshal. You won't even have to leave your vehicle, (in fact we prefer people to remain in the vehicle at all times while on the course unless directed by a course official). Unlike other events where marshals are dotted round a course at expected problem areas, our course is covered in marshals. So all you need to do is open your window anywhere on the course, and call one, or sound your horn. Our marshals are all in contact with each other and their Lead Marshal. These highly trained guys are in radio contact with the Chief Marshal and Course Control and can cover anything that might concern you With Event Directors, logistic officers, photographers, arena staff, signing on, camping co-ordinators, car park managers, trade liaison officer, scrutineering, and many others, you will find that on or off the course, you are never far from assistance. Q:- What kind of contingency plan has been made for the Disabled? Like my gran. A:- We have done all we can to make sure no one is disadvantaged at the event. Specially designed toilets are provided for the Disabled. If a Disabled person occupies a vehicle, a notable sign is attached each side to alert the marshals. All entrances to tents / marquees are made wide enough and obstacles kept out of the way as much as possible. But be aware the event is being held in a field, the ground will not be flat, and if it rains it will be worse. We do as much as we can. Q:- I've got a Quad bike. Can I bring it? A:- Club Stands: The off road course is designed and run for 4x4cars only. Therefore for safety's sake you would not be allowed to take quads or bikes onto it, nor run them around the site, except to and from your club stand, before 10am and after 5pm. There is a strict speed limit of 5mph through all areas occupied by the public. Q:- Can I take my friends round in the back of my pickup? A:- Road Taxed Vehicle. This event is designed for Road Taxed Vehciles which means you can only travel as you would on the road. This includes an appropriate seat for all occupants and with restraints (seat belts or harnesses) securely fitted. That's the official answer, but common sense means we could never allow it anyway. It would be too dangerous for unrestrained persons. They could fall out, and in front of the following vehicle. So that's a NO then. Q:- If I bring my car on a trailer, will I have to pay twice. A:- We only charge for each vehicle, irrespective of how many people you bring in them. So if you were camping, then that's 1 camping and 2 cars. Simple. But why is it on a trailer? If it's not Taxed and Tested for the highway, it wont pass scrutineering and get on the course. If it's part of your club's display then let it be known when booking your club pitch. Q:- Can I bring my Dog? A:- Pets:You're welcome to bring your dog with you, though you will be expected to be responsible for them. All dogs must be kept upon a lead. This is a blanket rule with no exceptions. Vehicles, noise, children, other dogs, all mean this has to be enforced to maintain the smooth running of the weekend. Please make sure you clean up any mess your pet makes. Q:- Is it all right to take my dog round the course with me? A:- Loose Articles: Anything not restrained in the vehicle will fly around, and if nothing else, will distract the driver. You wont be allowed on the course even if your pet is held behind a dog guard. As you go over bumps it will be thrown about and could be hurt. When you arrive at scrutineering they will advise you what to do before you will be allowed to enter the course. But to make life easier and not be held up, make sure there is nothing loose in the car ,and leave the pet back with someone else. They can always watch from the viewing area. Q:- Is there anything else there besides the off road course? A:- Entertainment: There are plenty of trade stands selling everything from car bits to handbags. Childrens' stuff, like child-drive small cars, bouncy castle, and this year there will be an arena with stuff going on all day, with demonstrations, parades, and fun events. There's something for all the family. Music and laughter from FOX FM's own DJs our local radio station, Charity Auction run by Trigger, (Phoenix chairman), and Liam. (This is hysterical) followed by a disco. Q:- Will we be able to watch others on the off road course? A: Spectators: We have a designated spectator area along one side of the course. By the use of a large bank we have managed to make sure the spectators have a fabulous view of something like 70% of the course. Q:- Can we camp the weekend? Q:- What day and time can we arrive? A:- Camping/Caravan: There is an area set aside for caravans and tents, with specific areas for clubs. (This could be an ideal opportunity to meet other owners of vehicles like yours, swap stories ideas and information, maybe even join their club). All the information is on the application form. Fresh water and toilets provided. Arrival time is any time after 4pm on Friday. You could arrive earlier but we probably won't have the water on, so bring your own to start with. If there's a chance you may be arriving after 11pm please let us know, either on your application form, or en-route by phoning 07976387621 (Stevey) and we will make sure someone is there to greet you. Q:- By what time do we have to be off site on Sunday? A:- Departure is Sunday, so that's midnight then. If you do stay till after 9pm please respect our neighbours. Q:- We don't camp and it's a long way from........., Is there anywhere close we could stay over? A:- Motels: Just the other side of the A34 is Abingdon's Premier Lodge, right alongside the Oak Mill Beefeater, with Tescos next door and McDonald's over the road you'll have everything you could need. Q:- Can we buy photos of our car on the course? A:- Photos: MOTO PHOTO provide photographers dotted around the course, but not only that, they have a marquee on site opposite the course where you can see your proofs within an hour or so of being on the course. If you like what you see they will produce your print there and then. They also produce other things with your photo on, that you can order at the event to be posted on to you later. We have stayed with MOTO PHOTO for the last few years as not only do they provide a superb product for us, but also believe in what we are trying to do, they are the only company willing to donate all their profits to our charities. Q:- My car's not an off roader, can I still get a photo of us at the event with it? A:- Photos: MOTO PHOTO keep a roaming photographer on hand. If you ask in their marquee they'll get them for you and take the shot you want, normally taking a few extra ones they may suggest as well. Then simply look at the proofs in the marquee later and choose the one you want. Choose a few, it's all going to the charities. Q:- We have a long way to drive home, will there be car cleaning facilities on site? A:- Car Wash: Another one of our supporters, Garry Cummings, supplies a car washing facility. You can have from a headlamp and number plate clean, (for those who want to keep the mud to show off at work next week) making you legal on the road, right up to a total body and engine clean, (so the boss will never know what you did with that company car. Unless he was there too). Garry is another one who gives all the profit he makes over the weekend to the charity, so you can enjoy yourselves and feel good about what you've spent. Q:- Is there anything else happening after the course closes on Saturday? A:- Saturday: The course may close but that's not the end. Some things will still be happening in the arena. The trade stands will be open still as will the food and drink establishments, then at 7pm there's the Charity Auction. This is a show not to miss, unlike any other auction, this is then followed by the evening's music and dance. See you there. Q:- Are there any shops close by? Q:- Is there any food on site? A:- Abingdon: On the other side of the A34 lies a Tesco Superstore and Garage, a Beefeater Restaurant, McDonald's, B&Q, Homebase, and many others. That's before you get into Abingdon. As for on site food, there will be various vans to suit most tastes. Q:- Will there be anyone on site who could help me if I have any trouble with my ........car? A:- Clubs: One thing about this kind of sport is the great camaraderie involved. Without it we would never be able to put this on in the first place. If you have any problems with whatever kind of vehicle you have, you're sure to find someone interested in helping you. Just open your bonnet, and they'll soon flock round!!! Q:- Is there anything for my youngest? A:- Traders: Each year we get an array of differing traders, but there is always something for everyone. From bouncy castles to adventure holidays. So Yes. Q:- How much of the money raised goes to the Charities? Q:- How can you give so much of what you raise? How about the cost of all those who work the weekend? Q:- Does it take much to put the event on? A:- Funds: We have to pay for the use of the MOD land, the toilets, the bins, and many other things. We try to get as much as possible donated by companies and individuals. It takes us a year to get everything in place, and we manage this with the help and hard work of the Rotary Club of Abingdon. Some of our promotion is done by our friends at FOX FM. Then come the weekend and it's down to sheer hard work by like minded enthusiasts giving their time and effort for the good of others. No one involved makes any profit from this event, if anything it costs us to put it on. But hey that's our contribution along with the work we put in. Mind you we do get a great feeling of satisfaction when everyone turns up, enjoys what we've managed to put together, and goes home with huge smiles on their faces. Then the ultimate reward when it's all over, cleared away, accounts done, and we get to hand over a nice cheque to each of the charities.........................Priceless! So the next time some one says anything about all those selfish 4x4ers ruining the planet, ask them what they've done recently for people they've never met. All our guys work tirelessly all weekend, no matter what the weather, to ensure all our visitors have a safe and fun-filled time at the event. Help us support The Chiltern Air Ambulance The Abingdon Rotary Club and other local charities by coming to The Abingdon 4x4 Festival. |
| Last Updated on Wednesday, 27 May 2009 16:35 |
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