ANGRY sports car owners are set to converge on Blackpool's doomed TVR factory.
Many are disgusted by the decision to move production to Europe and are now arranging a mass show of solidarity for the soon-to-be axed workers.
Enthusiast websites are buzzing with talk of a day of action on Friday ((November 3)).
TVR owners -
who are fanatical about their beloved cars - have been sending messages of support to staff ever since last week's shock announcement 260 are to lose their jobs at the Bispham plant.
Russian owner Nikolai Smolenski is to "out-source" all production work to Europe - ending almost 60 years of TVR in Blackpool.
Enthusiast Dave Chant, from North Derbyshire, said he hoped to get around 50 TVRs for the mass gathering which has been organised through the Pistonheads.com website message forum.
He said: "It's terrible what has happened. The least we can do is be there to acknowledge the workers when they leave the factory for the week on Friday.
"We aim to meet up in South Shore and rumble along the Promenade before meeting the workers at 2pm when they leave the factory for the week.
"At the moment we have around 20 cars and ideally we need between 30 and 50 in order for this to be able to take place."
Owners from all regions of the UK say they want to be involved.
Manek Dubash, news editor of Pistonheads.com, said: "We started as a TVR website and we get more than a million hits a week.
"From the messages we have there are obviously a lot of passionate car fans out there who are devastated by the firm's collapse.
"The forum members have organised the rally and, while we don't usually endorse these things, we're happy to put our names to this one."
One writer on the forum said: "I think this is an excellent idea. It will be a public display of the passion of TVR drivers and Smolenski may finally get an idea of what TVR is about."
Another added: "Even if they are partially relocating abroad, like most semi-British companies, it wouldn't be so bad. But totally shipping out of the UK will do no good for the TVR brand in my eyes."
Union leaders and the official TVR club say they support the effort being made by TVR owners, but doubt it will change anything.
Jeremy Blandford, chairman of the 7,000-strong TVR Club, said a rally to support the workers would be better timed at the end of the current consultation period.
He added: "The TVR Club are not involved, but we do support the actions of the Pistonheads forum members.
"A more appropriate time would be nearer the end of the consultation process but anything to help the workers is to be welcomed."
Andy Robertson, regional organiser for the T&G, said: "Anything that can help the firm stay in Blackpool is to be applauded.
"This is a nice gesture by TVR owners and we support their actions."
Unions are now taking part in a 90-day consultation process with the management which is due to end around Christmas time.
Talks are also continuing between TVR management, unions and Blackpool Council in an effort to formulate a rescue package.
A possible management buy-out, or the formation of a new car production company have both been mooted .