New Stoneleigh Show 2026- The Replica and self build Festival

[Steve G.]

I spotted some posts on FB about a new kit car show at Stoneleigh next year. 

Seems a bit odd to put on another one when the Newark show has been cancelled. 

 

[Ian Kinder (Bagpuss) - Joint Peak District AO]

30 minutes ago, Steve G. said:

I spotted some posts on FB about a new kit car show at Stoneleigh next year. 

Seems a bit odd to put on another one when the Newark show has been cancelled. 

 

Some screen shots would have helped! 😉

 

I've found this-

 

 

 

https://www.totalkitcar.com/2025/07/10/exciting-news-brand-new-show-for-2026-announced/

 

Doesn't make sense to me. The Malvern show is shrinking and setting up rival shows isn't going to help the situation. Despite having to travel further to Malvern than Stoneleigh, it's a better show ground.

 

Holding this show at the start of the summer school hols could reduce likely attendance too.

 

 

[Steve G.]

I don't understand either to be honest. The last few times I have been to Stoneleigh for Race Retro I haven't been impressed, the rail link has just messed things up and it's hard work getting in. 

I wonder if the organisers are trying to run things in such a way it's more attractive for traders to go along. I'm guessing they haven't been talking to car clubs so perhaps it's just a trade show. 

[Dave Eastwood (Gadgetman)]

Yeah “free” trade stands! (Not that attendance is actually free for manufacturers, given all the ancillary costs of attending and displaying).

 

But given how the previous shows have been struggling to attract an audience, and to make ends meet financially, it’ll be interesting to see how they intend to break even, let alone a profit. Where is the shows revenue stream going to come from?

 

Most kit owners, who let’s face it, for years actually are 90% of the show expect to pay nothing for entry with their cars, or a small token payment at best. And I’m not sure how big the attendance pool is for none owners any more, it’s shrunk massively over the decades.

[Captain Colonial]

If it goes ahead and if admission with a kit car is free, I might well attend simply because I live 5 miles away from Stoneleigh.  As @Steve G. said, access to the showground is not fantastic right now with HS2 works but the new flyover and slip road might be completed by then.  Having said that, new ventures usually struggle to survive.  Shows tend to live on the nostalgia of previous shows at a particular venue, especially if it’s centrally located with relatively easy access.  Malvern is undoubtedly more scenic than Stoneleigh, but not as simple to get to.  I wish them well, but I don’t have my hopes up.

[Steve G.]

I see Westfield are listed which can't be a bad thing.

My worry is that if the manufacturers have decided to go here will they want to go to Malvern as well and what will that mean for the show there ?

[Steve G.]

Is there a chance Malvern won't go ahead next year?

[Dave Eastwood (Gadgetman)]

Given the current state of the world, there's always a chance next year won't go ahead! But that aside, Malvern is currently going ahead as normal. Could that change, of course, but there's no current indication it will, and it remains firmly on the books.

[Kit Car Electronics and Essex AO]

Speaking of which, has the club seen the 'preview' of the Westfield press releases that Nigel Trilk promised at Malvern? 

[Dave Eastwood (Gadgetman)]

I haven't, have you a link? Or did you mean has anyone seen it, does it exist?

[Captain Colonial]

A press release "preview"?!?  You must be joking!

 

[Dave Eastwood (Gadgetman)]

1 minute ago, Captain Colonial said:

A press release "preview"?!?  You must be joking!

 

 

To be fair, I have had them in the past.

[Kit Car Electronics and Essex AO]

Yes, Nigel Trilk promised everyone in his Saturday evening address, that imminent press releases would be shared with the club within 2, 4 or 6 weeks of the Malvern show detailing the exciting new car and engine packages

[Captain Colonial]

Just now, Kit Car Electronics and Essex AO said:

Yes, Nigel Trilk promised everyone in his Saturday evening address, that imminent press releases would be shared with the club within 2, 4 or 6 weeks of the Malvern show detailing the exciting new car and engine packages

 

Yes - Malvern 2027.

[Kit Car Electronics and Essex AO]

7 minutes ago, Captain Colonial said:

 

Yes - Malvern 2027.

Well none of us wanted to directly call BS, but...