CAMC - Where (some) of the money goes...

[Blackadder]

Barely a month goes by without another post about CAMC, most of them critical of some aspect or another. One of the more common is the cost of their sites. This month's issue of the "best selling motorhome magazine" contains a letter from a reader comparing cost/facilities of sites in France and Spain with CAMC sites in UK - needless to say CAMC does not come out well. Too expensive and no facilities.
No doubt CAMC would argue that they spend our money by investing in new sites and improving existing ones. However, in a recent issue of their magazine they reported that CAMC is now sponsoring a team in the British Touring Car Championship (BTCC). The club logo will appear on team clothing!

Is there a connection between saloon car racing and motorhoming? Beats me.
Do they need the tiny (if any) publicity they might (but probably won't) get? BTCC isn't terrifically popular and team clothing isn't exactly prominent to spectators or tv viewers.
Is there any benefit to members? So far no mention of free tickets to race meetings - probably all distributed within CAMC.

A few years ago one of my firm's customers sponsored a team in BTCC, even getting their name on the car. Apart from getting a few free tickets to hand out the return was virtually zero. Yes, one of the directors was a motorsport fan. Yes the company went down the pan a couple of years later.
Most likely it's a vanity project by someone high up enough at CAMC to procure the funds. Personally I'm annoyed that my money is being wasted whilst site fees are so much higher than elsewhere.

 

[poppycamper]

So do we know how much of OUR money is involved is this "sponsorship"??

 

[wiljoy]

They are slowly filling the campsites with pods and chalets. Members money to line there pockets and a lot less pitches for us. Membership is now a joke as trying to book a site us becoming a nightmare.
More of the touring community are heading to independents and expensive CL options.

 

[Gellyneck]

So do we know how much of OUR money is involved is this "sponsorship"??

Same question from me.
Also, any idea of the magazine issue number?

 

[busbuddy]

It's not the first time they have done it

Mark blundell was sponsored by them before, maybe they going to get discount ticket scheme for members like they do at other places

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[busbuddy]

BTCC isn't terrifically popular

Are you sure

I thought they had decent 30,000+ crowds and live on tv , a lot of spectators go in caravans/motorhomes to camp over when they watch as they do in a lot of motorsport

 

[DT]

It is wrong that they spend money on anything other than Caravan and Motorhome pitches and facilities. How hard is it to get level tidy pitches and upgrade a toilet block. Whoever runs this club probably never uses the tatty sites. The majority of people on the board or committee should be fully paid up active members protecting the interest of members. We recently made our second visit to a private site near Melton Mowbray that has first class facilities tarmac roads and pitches, bar and shop, fishing and plenty of walks. It was also less money than most CMC sites.

 

[SpeedyDux]

C&MC is a Member of the FIA.

I remember there used to be a version of banger racing while towing caravans - does that still take place?

 

[Spriddler]

I've been CAMC member for 11 years and have only spent around 6 or 7 nights a year on their sites to attend a couple of specific annual events. I've only toured abroad and never toured in the U.K. but I can see why those who tour a lot in the U.K. would prefer investment in new sites rather than have the CAMC sponsoring motoring events.
I'm about to renew my subscription (£54) as after 11 years of being insured with Comfort without a claim changing to the CAMC has saved me £183 on this year's renewal offer from Comfort. Same cover, same m/h, same address, still no claims.

 

[Geistguy]

The CAMC will get free tickets and probably access to corporate hospitality, no prizes for guessing how many tickets will, go to the membership.

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[BooBooKing]

All members who object should email the caravan club-I have just done so-lets make it clear what we think!!

 

[Jenka]

They also are sponsoring a journo to tour europe with his kids for a year , i was at a site in France and the owner told me the club asked for a freebe or they would pay .The guy gushes about Cmhc sites abroad probably doesnt realise they dont own them and cheaper on ACSI! So hes got a free van,red pendant and possibly expenses to tell us how to use our vans .

 

[GeeCee]

Are you sure

I thought they had decent 30,000+ crowds and live on tv , a lot of spectators go in caravans/motorhomes to camp over when they watch as they do in a lot of motorsport

Well I find it hard to believe that those who go in caravans/motorhomes to those events don't already know about CAMC and CACC. I would love to see the cost/benefit analysis case for this venture. As others have said looks like a vanity project of one or more of the directors. And yes we should email our complaints. I will.

 

[Fragle]

Barely a month goes by without another post about CAMC, most of them critical of some aspect or another. One of the more common is the cost of their sites. This month's issue of the "best selling motorhome magazine" contains a letter from a reader comparing cost/facilities of sites in France and Spain with CAMC sites in UK - needless to say CAMC does not come out well. Too expensive and no facilities.
No doubt CAMC would argue that they spend our money by investing in new sites and improving existing ones. However, in a recent issue of their magazine they reported that CAMC is now sponsoring a team in the British Touring Car Championship (BTCC). The club logo will appear on team clothing!

Is there a connection between saloon car racing and motorhoming? Beats me.
Do they need the tiny (if any) publicity they might (but probably won't) get? BTCC isn't terrifically popular and team clothing isn't exactly prominent to spectators or tv viewers.
Is there any benefit to members? So far no mention of free tickets to race meetings - probably all distributed within CAMC.

A few years ago one of my firm's customers sponsored a team in BTCC, even getting their name on the car. Apart from getting a few free tickets to hand out the return was virtually zero. Yes, one of the directors was a motorsport fan. Yes the company went down the pan a couple of years later.
Most likely it's a vanity project by someone high up enough at CAMC to procure the funds. Personally I'm annoyed that my money is being wasted whilst site fees are so much higher than elsewhere.

Can I suggest that as so many are unhappy with how they are reinvesting the income from Motorhome’s and caravan’s. There is a show at the NEC soon. Plenty of unhappy MotorhomeFun members unhappy so.
Go and ask to speak to the top man there and let him know. I will be.
Probably won’t change anything but I’ll feel better letting them know.

 

[mitzimad]

the only thing that will move them to action is a reduction in members .so theres your answer

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[busbuddy]

Its advertising, the word sponsorship is just the posh way of doing it, I'm sure they advertise in loads of places we dont even see.
Not saying it is right or wrong but it's not new and I bet the CAMC directors could get themselves free tickets to the btcc pits without 'sponsoring' anything.

 

[Howard B]

the only thing that will move them to action is a reduction in members .so theres your answer

Didnt bother renewing this year.

 

[Jenka]

Its advertising, the word sponsorship is just the posh way of doing it, I'm sure they advertise in loads of places we dont even see.
Not saying it is right or wrong but it's not new and I bet the CAMC directors could get themselves free tickets to the btcc pits without 'sponsoring' anything.

Advertising implies that a payment has been made to place an ad with specific messaging in place. A sponsorship, on the other hand, implies a much deeper, often ongoing relationship between two parties.

 

[AndyPK]

Here you go….

Caravan and Motorhome Club and Mark Blundell team up for British Touring Car Championship campaign

www.caravanclub.co.uk

That was in 2019……

 

[poppycamper]

Advertising implies that a payment has been made to place an ad with specific messaging in place. A sponsorship, on the other hand, implies a much deeper, often ongoing relationship between two parties.

And both indicate to me that the CAMC is now a business and no longer a "members club".

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[Jenka]

And both indicate to me that the CAMC is now a business and no longer a "members club".

Exactly !

 

[AndyPK]

Or maybe this is what the OP was referring to……?

Caravan and Motorhome Club support ROKiT MB Motorsport and Jake Hill in 2022

www.caravanclub.co.uk

 

[Blackadder]

Or maybe this is what the OP was referring to……?

Caravan and Motorhome Club support ROKiT MB Motorsport and Jake Hill in 2022

www.caravanclub.co.uk

Yep - that's the one. It was probably in the mag. 3 months ago?
Ironically, as I understand it, it's probably best not to mention RokiT anywhere near the Williams F1 HQ - something to do with unpaid sponsorship a year or 2 ago????

 

[Simon Meadwell]

I've been CAMC member for 11 years and have only spent around 6 or 7 nights a year on their sites to attend a couple of specific annual events. I've only toured abroad and never toured in the U.K. but I can see why those who tour a lot in the U.K. would prefer investment in new sites rather than have the CAMC sponsoring motoring events.
I'm about to renew my subscription (£54) as after 11 years of being insured with Comfort without a claim changing to the CAMC has saved me £183 on this year's renewal offer from Comfort. Same cover, same m/h, same address, still no claims.

Not that popular! Now shown on mainstream Itv and in excess of 30 k watching trackside i would disagree.
Still cant see the connection for Camc though or how advertising on there will increase bookings.

 

[Folkranger]

When we joined The Caravan Club a hundred years ago, they were as the name suggests, a club. Now they are simply a big business but with the efficiency of a state monopoply.

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[The Coops]

BTCC sponsorship, for 10 race meetings, 12 tickets per event, full hospitality for self and guests company name on car and logo somewhere on team, clothing you are looking at £100,000 - £120,000 per year depending on team and number of classes raced in ( D.I.L works in the BTCC circus) Around £800 ppp per race meeting which is roughly the going rate for top packages

 

[Otter Spotter]

Here’s a thought, do CAMC have pop camp sites at the BTCC race meetings ?

 

[Reallyretired]

At least I can feel smug that they are not wasting any of my money.

 

[Wildbill]

Didnt bother renewing this year.

I have heard that three times today whare we are parked.
Bill

 

[Twos company]

I haven’t renewed this year

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