I know its short notice but is anyone going to the NEC Wednesday for the AES

[g8ina]

Eyup,

Im off to the NEC Wednesday for the Advanced Engineering UK, this is the fifth year I've attended.

Some amazing new innovations always to be seen, composite materials, AI, CNC, adhesives, lubricants, abrasives etc etc

I found two suppliers here in my first year which set me on a fairly profitable road

D

[Jonj1611]

Not going to be going myself but always love seeing new innovations.

Hope its a good event

[Rob_B]

Not going but I want to see pics and reviews of anything cool !

[g8ina]

Hmmmm, main show was 95% composites, it seems to have taken over, but there were several F1 cars there, older models now retired, and I got to meet and have a chat with Richard Noble...

Pics later

[g8ina]

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[Jonj1611]

Would love to go in an F1 car but there is no way in this world I will get in or out of one, maybe in but defintely not out!

[kalniel]

If you're ever in Salzburg then I recommend visiting Hanger 7!

[Saracen999]

Would love to go in an F1 car but there is no way in this world I will get in or out of one, maybe in but defintely not out!

It ain't easy. I had a very brief opportunity many years ago, and my admiration for F1 drivers increased considerably just being able to get in and out of the damn things, let alone drive them. While (obviously) never having driven one, I did get to sit in one. For about a minute.

Which one? Didn't i say? Oh, nothing special .... just the John Player Lotus 79 Mario Andretti won the 78 Driver's title in.

[Jonj1611]

Sounds awesome, once in a lifetime experience no doubt. Bit of history there.

As I said something I would love to do but maybe something for my younger years, no chance today!

[Saracen999]

It was, Jon. I was at a Motor Show and the car was there .... very carefully roped off. They weren't letting anyone touch it, never mind get in. The closest you could get was about 2m away. But I got talking to someone, and i'm embarrassed to say I can't even remember their name. After chatting for a while, he made the offer. I wish i could remember the guy's name because he must've been pretty senior to have the authority to do that because as far as I could tell, and certainly while i was there, NOBODY got else past that rope.

It was very brief, about a minute in the car, and probably double that getting in and out, though that bit felt like half an hour. Nonetheless, it's one of those moments in life you never forget. A bit like being a huge fan of a pop star and then meeting them. And .... had that happen once too. The lady in question was extremely gracious, and a very nice person. But that's a whole other story.

Anyway, as I left the stand, having thanked them, all I could hear was plaintive cries of "But you let him ... !!!!".

I suspect I didn't stop grinning for at least a couple of hours. It wasn't an experience I expected and i sure didn't ask. I can only think it was a case of right time, right place, talking (by coincidence) to the right person. who was in the right mood, and I must've said something right. Or maybe, not said something wrong, like "Can I please ....?"