I'll echo most of what has been said already by most. The event and format is a little tired and could do with a pep up or tweak. However, also that it is a good chance to see everyone and spend a few hours on traditionally a good dry warm day looking at some cars. What is not to like.
I didn't go last year as had to work that weekend but have been each year on previous years. I did the track parade laps a few times but the novelty has worn off a bit now as it takes so long to get queued up and actually to do some laps. The when you are on track you don't get that many laps although you do progress nice and briskly which is nice.
The price of tickets has surprised me a bit. I am not sure what they were last year as didn't go but they were £13 for an adult and £6 for a child in 2017. That is a 30.77% increase to the adult advanced ticket and a 33.33% increase to the child ticket. There is the museum and MB World (free anyway) but most have seen that before a few times so adds little.
The main issue I have is we have to get there pretty early some coming from a fair distance away. To then have to pay to get in to display your car which is half the reason people come is strange to me. I suspect that maybe half the people that are there are owners of cars displayed so maybe this is the reason. The revenues would be very low without these displayed cars owners' fees and attendance would also be much less. This is a guess btw as I have no idea the split of numbers visitors to owners displaying.
Most other events we do the entry is free to displaying cars to encourage people with these cars to attend. Without these the event would completely different.
I suspect half the attraction for me was doing the parade laps for free which is nice. However as it takes too long out of your day to do the driver briefing, queue for the laps prior to getting to the circuit, then queue some more waiting to get on track. Although it is nice to get so close to the track cars. It just takes maybe 2 hours of driver briefing and waiting to do half a dozen laps of a small circuit at best out of your day. I come with my son now and can't do the laps with him as he is not allowed in the car and I can't and wouldn't want to leave him on his own. Also I am there also to spend time with him so it doesn't fully work for me.
I understand it is difficult and expensive to put on events so fully appreciate what is done but I think there should be at least a discount or 100% concession to displaying cars.
I am coming, will be there and will enjoy it I am sure. However it could be improved.