Vauxhall announces plans to create branded events and festival

[ZBOYD]

This is the kind of thing that we would love to see Club SEAT promote.

http://www.marketingweek.co.uk/vauxh...010279.article

also See Post #6 in this thread for more details - http://www.seatcupra.net/forums/show...60&postcount=6

I have started a poll with the aim of gauging some interest that we can send SEAT's way for their future consideration.

The poll is running here - http://www.seatcupra.net/forums/showthread.php?t=256413

[warren_cox]

Well done Vauxhall

If nothing else, doesn't just proves that difficult times drive innovative solutions.

Now who would have thought a car brand would want to dirty their hands by having to mix with their customers.

I spoke to Mike Orford about this sort of thing a few months back, and that events like the old SEAT Prodrive events (when you bought an LCR) which were so well received by customers. Although he was interested in the feedback, I'm not sure how tight his hands are tied budget-wise which would prevent this kind of activity going ahead.

The VAG suits who control the money pots and branding would probably have even more sleepless nights at the thought of this kind of activity (once they'd stopped quaffing Champer, snorting Charlie and sticking rolled up 100 Euro notes into balcony bra cleavages!)

[DPJ]

What a good concept!

[ZBOYD]

The budget must be there to a certain extent, because Club SEAT has seen a lot of investment after they dropped the motorsport. But the fact is that most motoring enthusiasts would like to see motoring based activities in this country.

Football, Rugby and lifestyle trips to Spain though no doubt impressive to some are not selling me the product.

If all goes to plan, I hope to be able to bring this up at a meeting at SEAT towers this weekend.

[warren_cox]

Originally Posted by ZBOYD

The budget must be there to a certain extent, because Club SEAT has seen a lot of investment after they dropped the motorsport. But the fact is that most motoring enthusiasts would like to see motoring based activities in this country.

Football, Rugby and lifestyle trips to Spain though no doubt impressive to some are not selling me the product.

If all goes to plan, I hope to be able to bring this up at a meeting at SEAT towers this weekend.

Good man! A real world opinion will do them no harm at all. Echo your sentiments on Club SEAT.

[ZBOYD]

Vauxhall have released a bit more info this afternoon.

Press release:

Luton - 1000PS. That’s the total horsepower-count in the current VXR range. And this year Vauxhall will be giving both new and existing customers the chance to fully exploit a VXR’s performance in a fresh and unique series of activities, known as the 2010 VXR Power Events.

Running from April through to August, VXR Power Events will provide a fantastic opportunity for VXR enthusiasts and owners to show off their driving skills in a variety of track challenges and road trips which demonstrate the strength and breadth of the VXR product line-up.

“VXR continues to be a key component of the Vauxhall brand,” said Andy Gilson, Vauxhall’s Marketing Director. “With VX Racing’s BTCC campaign now finished, it’s important that we continue to reinforce the success and excellence of our VXR models, and engage both existing and prospective customers at activities like these.”

VXR Power Events comprise the following activities:

Rollercoaster Challenge

Few activities are as unique as Vauxhall’s Rollercoaster Challenge, which takes place this May. An audacious challenge, it lays down the gauntlet for VXR owners to drive to, and ride on, the UK’s top adrenaline rollercoasters - Thorpe Park, Alton Towers and Blackpool. The event starts from either Blackpool or ThorpeParkand then moves to Alton Towers for the final rollercoaster ride and BBQ.

VXR Track Days

Building on the success of last year’s VXR Track Days, this season’s open-to-all events will add more track time for drivers and more venues too. Vauxhall will also be bringing along its full range of VXR cars.

VXR Sprint Nights

Spread across five airfield venues, the VXR Sprint Nights will give drivers the opportunity to take part in a timed 0-60 & quarter-mile challenge and to set the fastest time on a specially designed autotest course – the ultimate arena in which to test your driving skills. Vauxhall will supply the cars for each activity, while VXR owners will have the chance to put their own cars to the test in the 0-60 and quarter-mile challenges.

VXR Karting Challenges

Includes exciting on-track battles with a calendar of team endurance racing, the fastest teams going through to a Grand Final and VXR glory.

Epic road trips to Nürburgring and Le Mans

One-off events this season include joining the works-supported OPC Team at the prestigious 24 hour Nürburgring endurance race, a weekend at the legendary Le Mans 24-hour race, and a full-on petrolheads’ road trip to the Nürburgring circuit.

VXR Power Festival

The season’s grand finale will take place at Silverstone Circuit throughout the August Bank Holiday weekend. Up to 4000 people are expected to attend, along with some of the fastest Vauxhalls ever produced. Activities will include timed acceleration runs for owners, the final of the season’s karting championship, live entertainment and much, much more.

Full details, including event dates and how to take part can be found by visiting www.vxrpowerevents.co.uk.

[warren_cox]

Looks like someone who is actually passionate about motorsport has got into the right job.

If VAG held one of those events there would be a row of auditors with clipboards noting down the reg. numbers of owners to invalidate future warranty claims.

When I was at Audi Driver International this year, one of the Audi bods said to me "We have never entered into the performance modification market as our cars are good enough from factory, there isn't the research to show us our owners want it". I shook my head in disbelief and walked away knowing I'd bought in to the wrong brand who's eyes are wide shut!

Be interesting to see how this delivers, and what the uptake is like.

[ZBOYD]

I once said I would never have another Vauxhall, but their passion for embracing the enthusiast is growing on me. Renault are going the same way too, with their recent announcement to have specialist Renault Sport dealers.

[warren_cox]

Originally Posted by ZBOYD

I once said I would never have another Vauxhall, but their passion for embracing the enthusiast is growing on me. Renault are going the same way too, with their recent announcement to have specialist Renault Sport dealers.

With you 100%

In the last year I have looked at BMW, Abarth, Renault, Ford and Porsche. Don't get me wrong, I still like VAG cars, and I've never owned anything outside VAG stable, but their narrow-minded arrogance and lack of vision is getting so far up my nose it's no longer funny or even sustainable. Audi almost believe you should be grateful to own their marque. When I'm paying good money I have expectations in return, and that kind of attitude just won't wash. If it wasn't for our excellent UK tuners I'd have flung the S3 back at them and told them where to shove it a LONG time ago.

Can't wait to hear how the bods at the Ivory Towers take your feedback Mark, I'm glad firstly they care enough to invite you along as the mouthpiece of a very large community, now I just have to hope they listen to you talking sense and absorb it.

[Art0ir]

That is superb, well done Vauxhall

[ZBOYD]

Decided to start an impromptu straw poll, gauge a bit of interest that I can send SEAT's way.

http://www.seatcupra.net/forums/showthread.php?t=256413

[jamiebennett81]

most definitely

passionate for this site, its members, the SCN community and most importantly, passionate about Seats.

I would like to include passion for the brand, and with this level of marketing and ideas, this will enable me to say that with complete confidence too

I look forward to more developing news on this (voted too!)

[RobDon]

Sounds great - definately interested, I sold my Vauxhall to move into the SEAT brand, I'd love to see SEAT do similar events.

[bmb779]

Hats off to Vauxhall,i think this is what we are all looking for.

[Aimez]

Great idea! Seems most brands are too scared to do this cos everything is all green and carbon footprint related now. But motor sport is still out there although seems alot of big names have stopped taking part in different classes of racing it seems. But Seat is very sporty modern brand like Vauxhaull is (have to admit) and Seats cars are alot more affordable to younger drivers than Vauxhaull in my experience so they would do well out of it.

[V.A.G.erbond]

TBH. Seat is know as the "Motorsport" arm of VAG. I bought my LC over the Golf Gti for that reason. I wanted more performance. Any opportunity to "Big up" the brand would be an excellent idea. Let's hope we can influence them to see the error of their ways..

[Stu B]

Hmmm typical Vauxhall

If Seat were to do something like this anyone with a Seat would be welcome..
BUT this is the important bit I turned up at the VXR tent at a BTTC event, with my Vauxhall Twintop keys only to be told NOT Allowed in your NOT a VXR driver .... Well you can guess my comments to that....

So I can only hope Seat follow suit and are not CUPRA specific...

[Art0ir]

Originally Posted by V.A.G.erbond

TBH. Seat is know as the "Motorsport" arm of VAG. I bought my LC over the Golf Gti for that reason. I wanted more performance. Any opportunity to "Big up" the brand would be an excellent idea. Let's hope we can influence them to see the error of their ways..

Are they really though? Maybe a few years ago, but I don't think the general public really sees it as that anymore do they? I always got the impression most people saw Seat as the poor man's golf, especially other VAG owners

[Mr Cellotape]

Good luck with getting SEAT to do anything like this.

I don't see it happening as they don't even answer letters that are sent recorded delivery to the managing director and complaints department.