34 replies to this topic

[flash]

yeah - that's how they did it before. they had them all sitting at little stations. the problem was that you had to go to each one of them to get your materials for each activity that you registered for. total pain in the butt. like i said, i said "screw that" and left, came back the next day and grabbed everything all at once, as they had moved check in to a smaller room with only a couple of people in it. complete no brainer.

[TSBeckman]

Here's my problem with the Porsche Club. I've been involved with the Ferrari Club, BMWCCA, and the PCA since I was a kid. My father took me to all of the events. The PCA guys were always the most anal and least fun. They also didn't do basic things to show appreciation for the efforts of their members.

My father had 1971 911T when I was a kid. It was always a super clean car, but he drove it. One year he decided that he was going to really get it set to win the local chapter concours. He spent his evenings after work cleaning every piece of the car. This is before he had a garage ... so he was outside laying in the driveway in the heat and working with flashlights, etc. His car was judged at the concours --- perfect everywhere ... almost. The judges were wearing white gloves. They couldn't find a trace of dirt even though he drove the car 30+ miles to the show. Then one judge extends the manually adjustable radio antenna, runs his glove along the antenna stalk, and deducts points for grease! Grease on an antenna that requires grease to operate as it should. My father finished 2nd. 1st place went to a PCA guy who was well known and never drove his cars. 1st place got a trophy. 2nd place ... got a bottle of Lexol leather conditioner. WTF!? Not even a certificate saying 2nd place. A stinking bottle of Lexol! Just like the ones anyone can buy at their auto parts store. That was my father's last PCA concours. He attended a lot of Ferrari club events after that because, believe it or not, those people were more down to Earth.

[banditsc]

It all depends on the region, down here it's the opposite, PCA is very laid back and everyone is nice, no snobbishness, but the Ferrari club has a bit of that snobbishness around here.

[flash]

ts - that has been exactly my experience with PCA, and i've been to a few different regions now.

[DaveN]

It definitely varies from region to region. We have about 3 snobs in 200 where we live. Everyone is down to earth and mostly in the club for the drives, dinners and BBQ's. My mechanic retired here from Calgary where he harboured the same opinions as Flash about the PCA. When He moved here and joined he found a whole 'different' PCA and couldn't be happier with the people and their attitudes.

[cosimo]

I found check in at Savanah to qucik and easy, I had signed up on-line and everything ws in place when I signed in. They have a lot of events to try and satisfy everyone, ergo the multiple stations. I t also allows you to ask questions about the event. So, if you think there is a better way volunteer and give them your opinion. Having been in 2 different PCA regions( Boston and Wash. DC), they were both fun groups to be wtih. I guess it does depend on the area you are in, just like any club.

[TSBeckman]

I'm not really expecting much and certainly not attending with the expectation of winning anything. It's something to do and see. I think if you approach it that way, it'll be fine. Just hope the weather is nice.

[flash]

signing up is easy. it was the check in that was a mess. i get that the multiple stations allow for questions. that's fine. what i objected to was REQUIRING that i go to multiple stations. the stations should be there, but people should be able to get their stuff without going to them if they don't want to.

as i said though, i was smarter than the furniture and figured how to avoid that mess and just get my stuff the next day.

by the way, i did talk to national about this a few years ago, and at one point even offered to produce the entire event, at no charge. it's a small event, relative to the kinds of things i produce, so it would be no big deal. but, they really wanted to do things the way they have always done them.

[968Syncro]

Got my first Porsche in Aug 1988, never joined the clubs, most likely because I was concerned about politics and issues that aren't related to learning about cars.

A few years ago I enrolled my son in the "Street Survival Teen Driving School". It is a national program which is sponsored and organized by local car clubs. In this case the local San Diego BMW club did all the work. They were excellent, very well organized, everything spot-on and people so nice, non-judgmental, and very giving. When my 968 blew the heater control valve in the middle of the event, my son's instructor got his car and let my son complete the event in that car. Can't say for sure, but most likely the P-Car clubs would have sent us to the bleachers.

[Rap]

I suspect all clubs are different in many ways due to membership, locale and purpose. I've noticed over the years what some find intolerable I don't even notice. So perhaps participation and expectations color opinions on various clubs.

[Tom030]

"Street Survival Teen Driving School"
I assume thats the one sponsored by Tire Rack. Good program, BMW and SCCA sponsor it up here (Seattle). PCA and BMW also co-sponsor a driver skills school 8 times a year with an average enrollment of 35 to 40 cars at each event. The intructors may be PCA, BMW, SCCA, Miata or one of the other local clubs. If your car had broken up here I have no doubt someone would have come up with some wheels. In addition PNWR puts on 9 autocrosses, 7 track days, 6 to 8 tech sessions 5+- concours, plus tours and various social events. Raps right each region will have its own flavor depending on the members. Personaly I've had a great time and and made a lot of friends in PCA. Yes Flash the Parades can be disorganized but they're getting better and thats part of the fun of it. Well sometimes anyway.
-tom

Edited by Tom030, 05 March 2013 - 05:40 PM.

[968Syncro]

Hey Tom and all,

Thank you, in the above, I do regret making a statement against any particular P-car club without having direct experience. Oh well, we live and learn.

On the other hand, you reminded me ... here is my past report on this forum about the street survival school from some time ago:
http://www.968forums...driving-school/

And I also forgot that the loaner car from the instructor was temporary until we got my son's 4Runner back to the school. My wife and daughter raced home to get it as I waited for the flat bed to take the 968 back home.

And here is the video I made from that day. Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xcjWBnn6IQI
popout

As far as I am concerned, all car guys is good guys!

Roland

Edited by 968Syncro, 05 March 2013 - 08:41 PM.

[astroede]

I do plan to attend a couple days. It's only four hours away and a very nice area to drive in. I'm hoping that I can find some fellow 968'ers to cruise with. I'll be one of the guys at the beer and brats tent.

[scaldwell]

I'm thinking of going. My wife has cousins who have a summer home just off Torch Lake, about 35 miles from Traverse City so we can do the proverbial "kill two birds with one stone" thing. My big concern is what to do at the Parade. Thanks to those who have replied. It's interesting to read about what members feel is worth participating in. It would be nice to get a good count of 968 owners who will be going. BTW hopefully one of the drives will take in Torch Lake. It's really beautiful. Indeed the whole area is beautiful.

[MLB]

Hi,
I will be looking for and talking to (and driving around with?) every 968 driver possible, hope to meet you there! Arriving Sat afternoon, staying thru Mon afternoon, even the wife is looking forward! Hope to meet you if you're going.
Amazon / cashmere cab, 976UUX
(cell six zer0 ate, too 5 nine, six owe owe fiver)
--Michael (MLB on forum)