What is R Gruppe?

[fryardds]

I too am writing in support of R Gruppe. Back in the Spring I was trading emails with another Pelican and Early S board participant Wolfturbo (Rob). We both share a passion for the '73 RS. At the time I was kind of looking for one and he had one. On a whim he invited me to come out to the R Gruppe gathering last May in Monterey. This being the 30th anniversary of the RS, Chris H. was inviting a number of original RS owners to come with their cars. I thought about it for about 1 minute and decided to go.

I showed up there not knowing anyone except Rob and we had only talked on the phone a couple of times and shared a number of emails back and forth. I had a great time! Met dozens of fellow Porsche fanatics and saw many spectacular cars. I also met Chris and fellow founder Freeman Thomas. Both very enthusiastic and cool guys. Needless to say I returned home and ended up buying an RS. Rob and I stayed in touch and he eventually asked Chris if he would consider me for membership. I was back in Monterey in August for the Historics and I met up with Chris again. We hung out together at the track, had dinner with several other guys and his wife and then went over to the Double Tree Hotel and watched a number of cars go through the RM Auction. At the end of the evening he handed me an R Gruppe and sticker and said I was in. About 6 weeks later he sent me an application which in true R Gruppe fashion is right here next to the computer (guess I should get around to filling it out and sending it back). So it seems to me that waiting for 2 months is not that big a deal, whether you sent in $50 or not (it is $40 dues for US members BTW).

I can't wait to head out to CA again next summer and hang out with the guys and drool over the cool cars. Heck I would still go even if I was not a member.

[LeeH]

Originally posted by Fidalgo911S
Not only that what are the other groups (Gruppe)?

Aren't you glad you asked?

[johncj8989]

Hey... atleast the founder didnt sell his 911 for a Nissan Z.

Sorry Leland...I just had to throw that in there. LOL

We know you're back on the path of righteousness now.

[ted]

Originally posted by exc911ence
As for my "mildly" modified 912, it eats 911's alive on the track as many found out the hard way at Portland. Watch what you say about other's cars...

Please do not take my comments on your car as an insult.
I think its great that your 912 does it for you.
Here is a pic of another 912 in R Gruppe.
In R Gruppe 350hp (3x your hp?) hot rod engines like this impress me too.

[mjshira]

man, this thread is tough! All the guys that I know in the club are nice. But like any group from time to time there will be people who don't get along. My car is not perfect and when we had our first east coast get togther not a person made me feel like my was "not good enough". In fact the range of people that I know is vast. From Don who has owned about every dream P-car there is to me with my second 911 budget project. There is something for everyone. The deal is this - we are bunch of guys who like to hotrod our cars in the old school way - less pounds and more power. My 70+ year old Dad didn't need it explained to him when I showed him the last news letter that I got from Cris. As an old hotrod guy from LA his first comment was "looks like a bunch of guys having fun". And that is how I'll end this post b/c that is what the club is about in my view.

--James

[Eric Mckenna]

That is one SWEET looking 9 series car...


Eric

[elbean]

Lothar,

My point exactly, I have always felt that 99% of the people here love all porsches, as I always have. My reference regarding the Harleys and Boxsters being that I had a Boxster(and 914, 912) and am on my 8th HD, also ride bmw's and hondas and yamaha; was how some people attack them for whatever reasons they have and they have that right. I never respond trying to defend them I just chuckle at most of the threads from people who have not experienced either one. Attack bikes, cars, pipes, and paintjobs all you like but this is different.
I was only trying to defend Cris and RGruppe as I have had a good experience with both.
It's too bad that this thread might divide many here. I don't think iv'e seen this type of bull***** before. I'd rather read about rip- off ebay ads; and do we need to join that group with naked ladies???

[mjshira]

I wanted to add that Bob Tilton (he posted on this thread) and Steve Turco, Jack and Cris have all gone to great lenghts to help me. In the case of Bob, he recently made a stencil of his decklid so that I could re-drill all the holes in mine which had been filled by a previous owner. He did that and then mailed it to me in a tube so that no damage would come to it. All I had to do was tape it to my decklid and drill. What did he ask for? NOTHING. I couldn't get the guy to let me pay shipping. That is the Rgruppe experience I have had. So, for those who don't like the group then fine. It is too bad b/c you are missing out on class acts like Bob and the others.

--James

[bob tilton]

it was my pleasure james. just "paying it forward" from all the great help i have recieved from ALL types of p car owners from ALL different groups. our love for these cars will always outweight our differences for their owners (tear falls to keyboard).

[RSupdate]

Over the course of the last year or so I've seen the subject of RGruppe come up from time to time, and there always seems to be a flame out happening somewhere in the thread.

Now from my point of view it always seems to stem from someone's misunderstanding of what RGruppe actually is. Then a few more guys jump in for what ever reasons and before you know it, the posse is riding around looking for RGruppe members so as to chase them out of this cyber-town.

Now as far as to the original poster's question, if it has not been answered by Sherwoods earlier provision of the proper link, here it is again: http://www.rgruppe.org/

Go there and read. that's all you have to do guys.
We (that's right, I'M an RGruppe member..) are not bad guys. I have yet to see a post on this BBS where a curious p-car owner has attended an RGruppe event, met and hung out, b.s'g with the Rgruppe guys and come away shaking his head saying to himself "jeezo...those guys are a bunch of @$$holes..!!" and for some examples, read any of the same type of posts in this thread....

Now the general flameout this time seems to stem from comments Ted made way back on page one..... well, I can see his point, It kind of raised my BP to see Cris's name being trashed and I see the point of the guy who sent Cris $50 and hasn't heard anything in two monthes...one would normally expect an answer in alot less time......but this is the RGruppe we're talking about here....

If you look back to my first post in this thread I offered to help if the thread starter would pm me and let me check which email address he used...as there are a couple of them, some Cris seems to check a bit more frequently... and others that possibly don't exist anymore... and I also said it took me 4 monthes to know if I was "in"... It was frustrating, I'll admit, but the friendships I've made thru being an RGruppe member will last the rest of my life, that I know for sure.

As has been said already RGruppe is an extremely laid back thing. There is no membership card, monthly newsletter or free t-shirt. Sometimes you get advance notice of events and there are other times it's like "Mission Impossible"...you just get the phone call the night before.

But most importantly, have faith. Cris will get back to you. To my knowledge, he has never just dropped something as important to him as a prospective member. RGruppe is his "baby" trust me on that.

Also it's kind of flattering that the newest "clique" of p-car owners decided after much, much debate (I followed the lengthy thread...) to use the word 'Gruppe" in there name. RGruppe is uniquely flattered but we must note the lack of origianlity in the decision. But hey, No harm-No foul, live & let live.


cheers !!!

[Soterik]

I echo John's comments!

Hey Fidalgo911S give me a shout sometime. I'm in Seattle , have several early 911S's, and have a 67S RGruppe car (blue one on Gallery page).

Daytime number 206 632-5158 .
my e-mail address is elinden@earthlink.net

And that goes for anybody else in Seattle , or wandering through.

Cold beer in the fridge, either at my office (with large Porsche library), or at home. I got spare copies of "Information Regarding Porsche Vehicles Used for Sport Purposes" for those who happen to stop by (both 68' and 70' versions)......the "Bible" of the RGruppe.

Regards,
Eric

56 Speedster
59 A coupe
63 Coupe
67 911S RGruppe
67 911S project
69 911S
71 911E
73 911S

[Randy Webb]

I agree with Zeke, Jack & Sherwood.

It's about fast and light on the street. That's the only exclusivity -- they let me in, so their stds. can't be very high!

I agree you should either be admitted or get a refund. Why not call Chris or send him a followup Email?

[LeeH]

Just curious... What do you get for your $50.

SCCA and PCA membership dues cover event insurance, magazines, conventions, etc. What does RGruppe do with the $50?

[rrcrawford70s]

"I got spare copies of "Information Regarding Porsche Vehicles Used for Sport Purposes" for those who happen to stop by (both 68' and 70' versions)......the "Bible" of the RGruppe."

Erik, do you know where I can purchase a copy of the "Bible."

Ray Crawford
RGruppe #255

[Rick Cabell]

To be brief, some on this thread belong belong in the R Gruppe and some don't. Some get it , and some don't.

[pwd72s]

Originally posted by island911
So then, what's the 50 bux for?

The "annual" alone is worth the price, if you ask me... That said, it's for the work and cost involved in putting on events. Those who have been to one of the California gatherings will understand. IMHO, Cambria '01, the last time I (alas) attended, I was reminded of PCA parades from long ago...a gathering of enthusiasts ...as opposed to a week of sales pitches...(edit)BTW, I'm not a member who attends R Gruppe functions on a regular basis. There is a personal reason why. Cris, and others who know this reason give me NO static for not being there. But you know, we do like members who are willing to show up....I see nothing wrong with that.

[jstgermaine]

[i]
...what are the other groups (Gruppe)?

Gruppe B is...

...all about making your Porsche what it is supposed to be...


...YOURS!

No matter what anyone else thinks.

[74911s]

the great thing about any club is it can decide who is in and who is out. the great thing about freedom is you can choose what you want to be involved with and what you don't.

i choose, actually i was choosen to be a member of the r gruppe and have participated in most r gruppe events for the last 3 years. if you want to know what the r gruppe is about come out to an event and participate. i will be there hanging out with ted and all of the other r guys.

[Randy W]

Just saw this thread and felt the need to respond, as I have done in the past when the R Gruppe was discussed. I am the Washington state contact person for the R Gruppe, as Cris has begun to delegate some of his duties to keep up with issues like the one being discussed here. Unfortunately exc911ence did not reach Cris with his concerns before he posted here. Had he done that, character attacks could have been avoided and exc911ence would have had the option of being assured of membership or had his money returned. I am not defending individual R Gruppe member posts (although I agree with Jack) or the delay between the paying of dues and receiving what is promised in return (sticker, newsletter, etc.). This is a problem that Cris is aware of and is one of the reasons for his recent decision to delegate some of his responsibilities to people like me. IMO internet postings by a couple of members are not enough to make a judgement about the group as a whole, but if that's what you need to do then so be it. I will do my best to ensure that doesn't happen in the future - anyone can PM me as needed.

[Jim Richards]

Moderators, are ya ready to put this one to bed? Please...