Coventry Building Society Arena speeds in to host memorable drivers’ club bash

It was pedal to the metal when Coventry Building Society Arena was asked to stage a motoring club’s annual get-together.

With only four days to coordinate and organise the Toyota MR2 Drivers’ Club’s 40th anniversary celebrations, the Arena staff pulled out all the stops to ensure the day ran smoothly.

Enthusiasts from as far afield as Texas and Australia flew in for the event and close to 650 cars - some driven in from Denmark, Germany, Spain, Holland and France – converged for one of the largest annual National Days in the club’s proud history.

Drivers’ Club Director Nik Milford said the event was so popular with attendees there has already been talk of a return to the Arena next year.

“The professionalism of the Arena team was quite incredible,” Nik said. “Considering they had such a short space of time to get everything ready, the event was impeccably organised.

“Everyone who went absolutely loved it. I’ve not received a single bit of negative feedback. If Coventry Building Society Arena would have us I think there’s a high chance we would want to come back!”

Car Park C housed hundreds of MR2 cars in what was a triple celebration of 40 years since the MR2s’ launch, 35 years of the second generation Mk2 and 25 years of the final Roadster.

A number of tents were also erected as hundreds of petrolheads enjoyed the gathering in glorious sunshine.

Coventry Building Society Arena’s expertise in major event planning and teams of knowledgeable stewards, who acted on live traffic information, ensured the function did not impact members of the public who were passing the Arena by car and on foot.

Paul Michael, Managing Director of Coventry Building Society Arena, said: “We were only too happy to help when approached by the Toyota MR2 Drivers’ Club.

“That we were able to host such a well-organised and successful event at such short notice showed the flexibility of Coventry Building Society Arena as a venue and the excellent staff who help to make it one of the country’s best-loved hubs for entertainment, sport and business.

“We very much look forward to working with Nik and the Drivers’ Club again in the future.”