17 replies to this topic

[mini-mad-mark]

Went to the Ace Cafe mini night this week with a mate and our wives - there were around 20 minis tops? (FYI we are around 65 miles from London so a solid 90 mins to get there with the M1 traffic)

 

We thought we last attended in 2018 but definitely pre-Covid; at that time it was absolutely packed, no room in the car park, parking in the adjacent car sales lot (well was at that time), on the main road and on the grass verge opposite and it was absolutely rammed in the Cafe itself and took ages to get served.

 

Has the scene deteriorated that much in the last 5 years? My friend and I were really gutted - it was my wife's first time and I had built it up as a banging evening but it was a real disappointment - we had a "nice" time but not as good as it used to be.....

 

Were we expecting too much? Has it gone so bad? Are we just too old and rose tinted?

[PoolGuy]

There’s been a bit of trouble at the Ace recently, which in turn has affected attendance. It’ll bounce back but it’s a shame some elements of the car scene can’t control themselves.

[Lowestoftmodder]

Things are sadly getting worse as more people are buying minis purely as some kind of status symbol and or YouTube clout rather than get involved with the scene and meets.

Not a general attack on the scene as most people still aren’t like this but the growing numbers are effecting the smaller meets.

Plus as above some other issues are also at play.
I do wonder if in general people feel less welcome to travel into London with all of the ulez talk and constant co2 malarkey?

[PoolGuy]

FYI, the Ace isn’t in the ULEZ.

[Shooter63]

I'd be interested in what would happen on the cafe racer ride out if you tipped up in a car claiming its a " cafe racer" sorry couldn't help myself.

Shooter

[Lowestoftmodder]

FYI, the Ace isn’t in the ULEZ.

Yes I know however the comment is about feeling welcomed etc.. I get stares and head shakes about my daily car because people make assumptions (it’s actually a hybrid though)

I have to admit to feeling unwelcome in bigger cities with my little smog machine
just an added thought was all :)

Edited by Lowestoftmodder, 08 July 2023 - 10:46 AM.

[PoolGuy]

How strange, I can’t imagine that you’d get a very different response than I do in my van. Just come back from France and it’s the same there, positive reactions from young and old. 
 

I do laugh at EV’s though…

[KTS]

FYI, the Ace isn’t in the ULEZ.

 

...yet, but will be when (if?) the ULEZ expansion comes into effect at the end of August

 

Can't imagine that will help matters..

[mini-mad-mark]

The ULEZ thing is why we went before it was too late...

 

If we had paid 12 quid I would have been even more gutted

Edited by mini-mad-mark, 08 July 2023 - 08:59 PM.

[Lowestoftmodder]

I’m not a fan of this YouTuber at all but this video gives some central perspectives and food for thought..

https://m.youtube.co...h?v=Ve0FdMze87E

[mini-mad-mark]

I’m not a fan of this YouTuber at all but this video gives some central perspectives and food for thought..

https://m.youtube.co...h?v=Ve0FdMze87E

 

Watched the video - not sure if it was a recent event but it looked a lot better supported than the mini night, however as he says the ULEZ may well kill such events anyway and maybe even the Ace as a whole

[Lowestoftmodder]

Yeah I’m not a fan of the ulez either.. they could clean up cars emissions through supply over time and do the same thing (average diesel age is 8 years old for instance)
This is simply a money grab to cover lost revenues from petrol and diesel taxes etc at the pumps
They will widen the area first and the introduce more and more restrictions until we cry out for pay per mile as our “saviour” to stop the 5 different system they will have in place becoming “confusing”.
It will then spread around the uk under the “right to clean air” that the incoming round of self servative government officials will implement.
Bye bye ace cafe and many other great locations around the uk

[mab01uk]

Transport for London are already planning the future phase of using the ULEZ cameras for 'Smart' road charging for ALL vehicles including EV's.

See link below:-

https://www.london.g...Evidence _0.pdf

 

[Shooter63]

Transport for London are already planning the future phase of using the ULEZ cameras for 'Smart' road charging for ALL vehicles including EV's.
See link below:-
https://www.london.g...Evidence _0.pdf

And yet another reason to stay out of the sh#tbox., I worked in London for 20 odd years, I pulled out 7 years ago, it was the best discussion I have ever made, the amount of companies pulling out is astounding all relocating just outside the claws of Khan, but how long that will last is debatable, all local authorities are noticing the right little earner they are missing out on. I actually feel sorry for the EV drivers/owners, they paid a premium for sub standard cars on the understanding that it would be the gateway to near free transport, now they find themselves getting rinsed like the rest of us. I could start banging on about the politics behind it all but this is a car forum.

Shooter

[Lowestoftmodder]

Transport for London are already planning the future phase of using the ULEZ cameras for 'Smart' road charging for ALL vehicles including EV's.
See link below:-
https://www.london.g...Evidence _0.pdf

Ba#*@*£s !