As for tips on the show itself:
- If travelling by car, budget £8 for parking. It's yucky but essential.
- Also if travelling by car, get there early. Some of the parking is over half a mile from the venue, and Autosport is one of the most popular events the NEC holds.
- Take everything out of the car that you want for the show before entering. It's a long way to that car...
- If travelling by train, buy tickets at least a week in advance and leave plenty of time at Birmingham New Street for transferring between platforms. It's got 16 of the horrors...
- Do not use buses in Birmingham. They are a false economy.
- The opening is at 9am; you'll kick yourself if you're late. If you're early, you may see me with my dad having a pre-event snack (assuming the trains don't mess up).
- It's not actually necessary to get in that giant queue; it'll disperse within 90 seconds of the gates opening and then you'll be able to relaxedly
- Get a map, either by printing out the enormous one on the website (or at least there was one there before I went in 2007) or by getting a Gold/Paddock Pass ticket and using the tiny map in the booklet. Note that the booklet is on a lanyard.
- Get a Gold/Paddock Pass ticket anyway, because that will allow you into the driver signature sessions and grant you access to the standing area for any live show (not just the one you booked for). Plus it's only £5 more expensive.
- Give the Platinum Pass a miss unless you're made of money and need to socialise with people in a similar state of construction.
- Bring your own packed lunch, drinks and snacks. They do not frown on food being brought in from outside and the food in the venue is pricey. There is a reasonably clear bit of wall on the wall opposite the entrance in the venue. Alternatively, plan to go to the 12:30pm live action arena event and eat your lunch in a seat watching fast cars whizzing around.
- Backpacks are an excellent investment, especially for those bringing their own sustenance.
- Do not expect discount merchandise. There is very little of it.
- Go to the academic areas first; not because you actually want to study anything, but so that you can get enough bags to carry home all the leaflets you are likely to pick up.
- Alternatively, bring your own (strong) bags from home, and then when you enter the venue, turn left and keep going until you walk into the F1 Racing stand (which is typically at the far left of the show). This will help you get your bearings on the place.
- The driver signing area is close to the F1 Racing stand.
- Despite all preparations, prepare to get lost at least once. I still can't remember off the top of my head how to get to the Live Action Arena (there are at least two routes, one of which is reserved for Platinum Pass holders, possibly due to that being the route to the canapés).
- There was a kart track you could practise on the year I went. You may consider it worth the queuing to get a couple of laps practise on it prior to the competition if you are not very confident and don't mind standing in line for ages.
- The main featured display (which I think is the David Coulthard Museum this year) is often found at the opposite side of the show to the F1 Racing stand. Get a strong pair of legs, or bring some sort of support with you.
- If travelling by train to the karting, leave before 5pm and preferably at 4:30pm. You'll need time to walk to the train station.
- If you visit the National section, bring earplugs. It's almost as noisy as the Live Action Arena.
- Some of the activities change every year.
I did a blog entry on the 2007 event if you want a detailed sample of what the event is like.
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