Events Coverage
Event Coverage: MIVW.NL 2008
By by: Denis Annamaier, photos by author
Aug 19, 2008, 12:33

Leiden, Netherlands - Talk about a laid back event - MIVW.NL is definately one. Having visited America's H20i 2007 and loved the experience made there, I missed the relaxed atmosphere of the US GTG here in Europe. MIVW.NL 2008 gave me back the memories I made in Ocean City.

MIVW.NL is held on Sunday, but a big part of the crowd that comes from several countries like Great Britain, Poland, Germany or Ireland arrive on Friday or Saturday to have a big pre-party at the official hotel of the event - the Holiday Inn in Leiden.

There was even one owner who drove from Northern Ireland, through Great Britain to the Netherlands by way of two ferry rides in order to get to the event.


The first night, the parking lot at the hotel was filled with cars and hotel room chairs with people washing their cars, and talking shop or wondering about the strange dutch mayonnaise sold at the near by McDonalds. A smell of car wash supplies, beer and pizza was in the air. It’s 5pm and there are still cars rolling on the parking lot. At around 8pm a group of polish cars which are amazing btw. rolled onto the place and blocked the rear part of the lot, it was completely filled with Audis and VWs now.



After checking in, the majority of the people stayed in the lot until about 10pm, when the bar opened for a special MIVW.NL party with a free drink for every attendee of the show. We tested out various Heineken and Murphys red until 1am.

After a night without too much sleep, we attacked the American breakfast buffet, and the the coffee gave us a much-needed dose of caffeine.

Checking-out, we went to our cars where a lot of the owners were already washing the cars again - damn rain.

After washing the cars again and watching the later arrivals drive onto the show grounds, the relaxation began.



With approximately 600 guests and 500 cars, the venue was quite full, so the MIVW.NL organizers opened the parking deck for more parking space, which also filled quickly. You could find the usual refreshments and snacks to eat, parts dealers and a British magazine had a booth to promote the mag. Good idea as many of the attendants came from Great Britain.


Conclusion: two fun days, great weather - a well organized event and still very relaxed. We will return but plan a three-day trip next time around.

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