[woodcote]

   

With the Swindon Swapmeet taking place this Sunday - and the NSCC Milton Keynes event already done and dusted - this thread is a little overdue. In any case, these are the UK swapmeets and shows scheduled for 2022...

1. Sunday 13 March: Swindon Scalextric Swapmeet

   

One of the biggest and longest running Scalextric events in the UK, Swindon has a new venue for 2022 - the Grange Leisure Centre, Swindon SN3 4JY. Expect vendors from across the country. The event runs from 10.30am to 3pm. Here's the layout plan of the hall (click to enlarge)...

   

The event's Facebook page is here.

2. Sunday 10 April: 34th London International Slotcar Show

   

Four weeks later, many of the stall holders - plus some London and South East locals - will be doing it all again in Orpington. Housed at the Crofton Halls BR6 8PR, the Orpington swapmeet is a favourite of mine - and not just because of the bacon rolls. To get a flavour, there's this 'virtual tour' on the forum here. The Orpington events - one in April, one in November - run from 10.30am to 2.30pm. Website here.

3. Saturday 28 & Sunday 29 May: UK Slot Car Festival

   

This is the main event of the year, conveniently in the middle of the country and at the heart of the British motors industry. Yes, there's a huge international swapmeet, but that's less than half of it... Expect tracks to race on in every possible scale, from 1:87 to 1:24. There's usually competitive racing happening all over the place too. One highlight is the presence of most slot car manufacturers, showing off their new prototypes and pre-production samples - plus distributors and retailers to talk to. It's truly a festival of the slot car world.

   

The UK Slot Car Festival takes place at the British Motor Museum at Gaydon CV35 OBJ. Facebook here. If you want to know how the festival came about, Brian has written the definitive history here at SlotRacer Online.

4. Sunday 25 September: Havant Scalextric Swapmeet

   

Havant is where it all started for Scalextric, so this swapmeet is an excellent connection with that history. A relative newcomer to the swapmeet calendar, Havant has grown into a must-go event. There's a strong presence of national and local stallholders, plus tracks to race on. A short distance from Porstsmouth, Chichester and the coast, it makes a great day out too. The swapmeet takes place at the Havant Leisure Centre, PO9 2AY and runs from 10.30am to 3pm. Facebook here.

5. Sunday 9 October: NSCC Leeds Swapmeet

   

The only proper northern swapmeet on the calendar, the NSCC's Leeds event is a popular get-together with some local vendors you won't see anywhere else. As with the other NSCC events, there's a unique collectible model available to NSCC members only. There are no firm details announced as yet, but the NSCC has its own forum on SlotRacer here. Their website is here: http://www.nscc.co.uk/ The NSCC also organise a swapmeet at Milton Keynes in February and a members-only weekend at Ramsgate.

6. Sunday 20 November: 35th London International Slotcar Show

   

It's a return to Crofton Halls in Orpington for the penultimate swapmeet of the year. Pretty much the same as April's event - although usually a little colder. Perfect for some pre-Christmas bargains. Phil - who organises the Orpington events - already has dates for next year... 16 April and 19 November 2023.

7. Sunday 4 December (To be confirmed): Winter Slot Car Market

   

Organised by the UK Slot Car Festival crew, this is simply a winter re-run of the swapmeet element of the festival - often with a strong contingent of local Midlands vendors. It is a great way to end the year. Although not confirmed, the Winter Slot Car Market is expected to take place again at the British Motor Museum in Gaydon, but it's worth keeping an eye on the Slot Car Festival Facebook page here.

With the NSCC's Milton Keynes event in February, that's a very healthy eight Slot Car shows in the UK each year. But why go? Prices are good (even factoring in travel costs) and the range of cars, spares, track and accessories is often breath-taking. Plus you get to see and inspect a car before you buy - and quite possibly speak to the previous owner. That social aspect is fantastic - especially after the past couple of years - and there's the chance to get to know the people you buy from online, meet forum members in the flesh and check out local and national clubs.

[autoavia]

Has anyone any idea what competitive racing is planned for the UK Slot Car Festival this year.
As far as I have been able to find out there won't be a Policar Grand Prix which is a real shame as I had my cars ready to go so what will be on offer and how can we enter please?