[Magnum6464]

I would really like to know some of your opinions and experiences (if any) about car clubs.

I am a member of the local Ferrari Club, and to be honest, I find it quite boring. There is one even in the year that is truly amazing and takes months to plan (they have a committee for it) and the people on it, they work really hard to get it done and it’s pretty amazing from a bystander point of view from previous years watching it.

But the regular car club....it seems like an old home bridge club that gets together 3-4 times per summer (I might be exaggerating on the number it could be a few more times) and have a drive and if a ¼ show up it’s a good day. When the club consists of approximately 20-25 cars, that number is not much when it comes to participation.

Now those runs are really long, some almost half a day or more in areas usually 2 hours away or so as to enjoy the view and not be in town. But there are no small get togethers at a local coffee shop or something to talk for a while to get to know each other then a drive anywhere for a while just to have fun and have other Italians in the group. I put on average 100-200 miles a week or more on occasions including the weekend. Now some weeks less than that if it rains all the time. But on average, I try to take it out at least twice or 3 times even if it’s short drives for 20-30 mins.

I have spoken to 2 local owners in town whom I have met and they don’t seem to want to go for drives, it was like asking if I could borrow their wives or worst....their tools.

I participated in the few local club meetings and it’s a bunch of old guys. Well they are old to me, I’m 37, they are in their late 40’s some in their 50’s and more (no comments from owners in that range). So when I go to the meetings I feel like I’m being looked at as a kid, when I talk, some give me this look like “calm down son, this place if for the mature, sophisticated wise men”. Don’t get me wrong they are nice and all, and 3 are really cool but the others.....damn....I can almost smell the BENGAY.

I asked if there are Friday night meets....no, any early Sat or Sun meets for coffee?...no. Any random meets once in a while just to cruise with other Ferrari’s?...no. I put more mileage on my 348 in 3 months last summer than those guys did in 5 years.........


Sooo, I’m thinking why the F%$& would anyone bother to join a Club and do nothing?????? Most never show up for the meetings and I have never meet them. They dont go for drives or meets.....

So I’m thinking....where is the spirit of camaraderie for something rare, exciting and exclusive we call Ferrari’s?????????



~

Mario

[Jimmy Chen Shiba DDS]

Originally Posted by Magnum6464

I would really like to know some of your opinions and experiences (if any) about car clubs.

I am a member of the local Ferrari Club, and to be honest, I find it quite boring. There is one even in the year that is truly amazing and takes months to plan (they have a committee for it) and the people on it, they work really hard to get it done and it’s pretty amazing from a bystander point of view from previous years watching it.

But the regular car club....it seems like an old home bridge club that gets together 3-4 times per summer (I might be exaggerating on the number it could be a few more times) and have a drive and if a ¼ show up it’s a good day. When the club consists of approximately 20-25 cars, that number is not much when it comes to participation.

Now those runs are really long, some almost half a day or more in areas usually 2 hours away or so as to enjoy the view and not be in town. But there are no small get togethers at a local coffee shop or something to talk for a while to get to know each other then a drive anywhere for a while just to have fun and have other Italians in the group. I put on average 100-200 miles a week or more on occasions including the weekend. Now some weeks less than that if it rains all the time. But on average, I try to take it out at least twice or 3 times even if it’s short drives for 20-30 mins.

I have spoken to 2 local owners in town whom I have met and they don’t seem to want to go for drives, it was like asking if I could borrow their wives or worst....their tools.

I participated in the few local club meetings and it’s a bunch of old guys. Well they are old to me, I’m 37, they are in their late 40’s some in their 50’s and more (no comments from owners in that range). So when I go to the meetings I feel like I’m being looked at as a kid, when I talk, some give me this look like “calm down son, this place if for the mature, sophisticated wise men”. Don’t get me wrong they are nice and all, and 3 are really cool but the others.....damn....I can almost smell the BENGAY.

I asked if there are Friday night meets....no, any early Sat or Sun meets for coffee?...no. Any random meets once in a while just to cruise with other Ferrari’s?...no. I put more mileage on my 348 in 3 months last summer than those guys did in 5 years.........


Sooo, I’m thinking why the F%$& would anyone bother to join a Club and do nothing?????? Most never show up for the meetings and I have never meet them. They dont go for drives or meets.....

So I’m thinking....where is the spirit of camaraderie for something rare, exciting and exclusive we call Ferrari’s?????????



~

Mario

I think I can understand your sentiment, Mario. As an alternative, you might enjoy C&C more, if there is one nearby.

I do not belong to any clubs and there are many clubs around to join.

Hope you would find somekind of events or gatherings that you would enjoy. w/ smiles Jimmy

[FBI]

Mario sorry to hear about that. I'm the opposite though, Actually the other night we had our FCA 1st yr Anniversary party here in Ab and we had a diverse group of people from all ages 20's to 60+. The Ab chapter is the fastest growing chapter in North America right now, with over 700 Ferrari's in Ab alone. This year we have lot's of drives and show's going on plus track days thru the summer not to mention numerous charity events.

I have met many new people and actually call alot of them close friends now. We meet up for lunches, dinner's or just a coffee. Actually this morning is the grand opening of cars n coffee here to start the season, should be a great time, hundreds of people show up. It's funny because I never would of thought a car I bought would of netted the friendships I know have, I value that more then anything!

I would only say get your car in some local car show events even if it's not Fcar related, Check to see if there's any charity events you can take part in as well. What about the exotic dealers near you do they put on any events?

Or you can just pack up and move out west and we'll have a hell of a time!

Cheer's

[Magnum6464]

So I'm assuming C&C means cars and Coffee.....to be honest this concept is new to me. I only remember seeing this on youtube for people having accidents.

But I never thought of looking in my area if there are any. I will do some searching online.

Anyone else have any experiences with Car Clubs, ideas maybe, stuff that worked and stuff that didn't???


Maybe I should start my own club....LOL



~

Mario

[wetpet]

mario, thank you for describing our local fca chapter..... the reason most of us under 50's don't participate much. basically, we have had to make our own club. no membership, no dues.

[Magnum6464]

Originally Posted by wetpet

mario, thank you for describing our local fca chapter..... the reason most of us under 50's don't participate much. basically, we have had to make our own club. no membership, no dues.

What did you mean by "thank you" for describing our FCA chapter???? What state are you in?

And, is it only because of dues????


~

Mario

[wetpet]

just as it says. you descibed our chapter (and i hazard to say most chapters) No, it's not only the dues. If i felt compelled to join i would (and have before). But i don't. So we just have our own informal "group" that gels around the forums and other gatherings. It's really too bad, because i think our local chapter could increase by a large percentage if they would allow some of the newer and/or younger owners to have a voice. They seem happy to just keep on keepin on. Maybe as they drop off, we will take over and be just like them to the newbies. who knows?

i am friendly with a lot of the older members and i value their experiences and don't want to offend them. But i will. Their get togethers are generally boring and as you said, the drives are too long, too far away and too boring.

[redtrman]

Mario,

although Wetpet's viewpoint may be similar related to the local FCA, we are fortunate in that we have a local active exotic group that does not require FCA membership and there are quality weekly C&C's that bring us together on a regular basis. You might want to find out if there are similar weekly events in your area. There is a possibility that there may not be many in your area as some parts of the US have a lack of exotics and/or C&C's. However, I do not recall the french being fans of exotics.

[Magnum6464]

I did some searching about C&C in my area and found nothing.

I guess I'm SOL......


~

Mario

[bst1]

Originally Posted by Magnum6464

I did some searching about C&C in my area and found nothing.

I guess I'm SOL......


~

Mario

You may find other car events, not limited to exotics.....the local C&C and Holy Donut have exotics, muscle, streetrods, cycles, classics....car guys like them all....

[Maranellohouse]

Morning all.
I've been running (Secretary/Chairman) the Northern Ireland Italian Motor Club since 2003 and before that the N.I Alfa club.
It was brought about because there just isn't enough cars for one make clubs.
We're well established now. The Italian Consulate for N.I is our honorary Pesident. The Moto Guzzi bike Club has joined with us. The main Fiat/Alfa Dealer supports the Club with special discounts on new cars, servicing and parts and a couple of local carsport magazines support us to.

We generally have around 60 members (one from Abu Dabi) of which I know I can rely on about 20 of them to turn up at our monthly meetings. I say meetings but they are more gatherings for like minded people to have a bit of "Craic" as we call it. The guys are genuine Italian car enthusiasts and the reason I've stuck with it so long, but sometimes its very tough going.
I have tried very hard over the years to understand why some pay the £10 joining fee then we never see them again and have never got an answer.

But for some reason "and its not for the want of trying to include them" we just can't get the only Ferrari dealer for Ireland to show even a slight interest.
It's even harder for us to get Ferrari owners in general to come along as it seems "and I seriously regret putting it this way" that we non Ferrari owners are beneath them.

I've invited the Ferrari owners club UK without even a reply.

We have 7 Ferrari's in the Club, one member having a 330 GTB that we have never seen. I repeatedly bang my head in dispair when organising events as it takes me right to the deadline to talk them into coming along to shows etc.

Our annual "All Ireland Italian Motor Day" is the 28th of this month and from now until the day I'll be praying everyone turns up to create what every year turns out to be an excellent event.

[Jimmy Chen Shiba DDS]

Originally Posted by Maranellohouse

Morning all.
I've been running (Secretary/Chairman) the Northern Ireland Italian Motor Club since 2003 and before that the N.I Alfa club.
It was brought about because there just isn't enough cars for one make clubs.
We're well established now. The Italian Consulate for N.I is our honorary Pesident. The Moto Guzzi bike Club has joined with us. The main Fiat/Alfa Dealer supports the Club with special discounts on new cars, servicing and parts and a couple of local carsport magazines support us to.

We generally have around 60 members (one from Abu Dabi) of which I know I can rely on about 20 of them to turn up at our monthly meetings. I say meetings but they are more gatherings for like minded people to have a bit of "Craic" as we call it. The guys are genuine Italian car enthusiasts and the reason I've stuck with it so long, but sometimes its very tough going.
I have tried very hard over the years to understand why some pay the £10 joining fee then we never see them again and have never got an answer.

But for some reason "and its not for the want of trying to include them" we just can't get the only Ferrari dealer for Ireland to show even a slight interest.
It's even harder for us to get Ferrari owners in general to come along as it seems "and I seriously regret putting it this way" that we non Ferrari owners are beneath them.

I've invited the Ferrari owners club UK without even a reply.

We have 7 Ferrari's in the Club, one member having a 330 GTB that we have never seen. I repeatedly bang my head in dispair when organising events as it takes me right to the deadline to talk them into coming along to shows etc.

Our annual "All Ireland Italian Motor Day" is the 28th of this month and from now until the day I'll be praying everyone turns up to create what every year turns out to be an excellent event.

That is a very interesting observation, Maranellohouse, and thank you for posting. I read your comments with interest. Could it be possible that there is a cultural factor involved ? Despite what the reasons are, it is sad to know that you are having difficulties as such. w/ smiles Jimmy

[wetpet]

It can be just a numbers thing. we are blessed with 100's if not thousands of exotics in our area. but there is still just a core group of maybe 20-30 that participate regularly in our get togethers and runs. Most times only 10 or 15. I have found that only a small percentage of people run their cars more than a couple times a month. With those numbers, schedules, ect. it can be like herding cats. It is true that the ferrari guys are generally the snobbiest. for good reason. Many, like me, have been in the hobby for decades and have struggled their way to the top to get a ferrari. I have seen thousands of ferraris over the years and am not really interested in seeing much past 1970 anymore. So, it can be more of a disinterest than snobbery. I remember in my 20's when i had a porsche and i thought they were cool. Now i would walk right by anything short of a cgt without a glance.

[Magnum6464]

Originally Posted by wetpet

I have seen thousands of ferraris over the years and am not really interested in seeing much past 1970 anymore. So, it can be more of a disinterest than snobbery. I remember in my 20's when i had a porsche and i thought they were cool. Now i would walk right by anything short of a cgt without a glance.

Thats a good point, I never thought of that....seen Ferrari's too many time. I grew up around American muscle cars, now a Mustang is just a Mustang, to others it still makes their heart skip a beat.

Interesting......


~

Mario

[Night Life]

Originally Posted by Magnum6464

I did some searching about C&C in my area and found nothing.

I guess I'm SOL......


~

Mario

Mario we had similar problems here in my home town, lots of clubs non exotic but boring as hell. So we created our own I suggest you do the same with your local exotic car guys. Get phone numbers and start having your own C & C, you will soon find many people that feel the same way you do.

When we started there were 3, now 17 and growing . We have almost weekly meetings and Sun drives.

[JazzyO]

Originally Posted by Maranellohouse

We have 7 Ferrari's in the Club, one member having a 330 GTB

The Ferrari factory never built anything called a 330GTB, perhaps it's spelling mistake?

Sorry to hear about your troubles but at least you're still getting the 20 or 30 people there. The Dutch Ferrari Club has 1200 members but getting more than 20 cars to a classic meet is a struggle. So don't be down on it, just enjoy the people that do show up.


Onno

[Magnum6464]

I went to an official meeting and met a 348 guy.

He is also a track junky and instructor......I spoke to him about this and he said there are around 6 or 8 of them that hang together and we should start our own mini club.....I will get in contact with him and see where this goes....thanks for all your advice guys!!!!!


~

Mario

[Boxer]

Originally Posted by Night Life

Mario we had similar problems here in my home town, lots of clubs non exotic but boring as hell. So we created our own I suggest you do the same with your local exotic car guys. Get phone numbers and start having your own C & C, you will soon find many people that feel the same way you do.

When we started there were 3, now 17 and growing . We have almost weekly meetings and Sun drives.

We did a similar thing and thus ScudItalia was born.

[Magnum6464]

I'm thinking of doing that and maybe start a local forum as well. nothing too big, just to talk and share info between local owners for get togethers and stuff. Maybe along the line of 348's only perhaps....


~

Mario

[Boxer]

Originally Posted by Magnum6464

I'm thinking of doing that and maybe start a local forum as well. nothing too big, just to talk and share info between local owners for get togethers and stuff. Maybe along the line of 348's only perhaps....


~

Mario

You are welcome to use our interface. I am sure Andrew could set up the forum for you.