Oregon Region PCA disappointment.....

[Gumba11]

I have been a member of Oregon Region PCA for 6 years with a year and a half away for my restoration. I came back this year for a couple of events and wow how things have changed.

In the past few weeks I have been talked down to, made fun of, and have had stories of problems with my car fabricated to make some members of our club feel better about them selves. I am disgusted to say the least. I can remember when you could go to events and have nothing but support for a project or for that matter any less than perfect Porsche and the events we did have were for the cars and the passionate owners who love them.

In my observation our region has become Snobby. The events seem to involve expensive dinners, wine and beer tours (also expensive) and seemingly escalating event costs. I think our region has lost sight of what PCA is really all about. The cars, and NICE people, not people who think they are better than everyone else and bash those less forunate. It has become almost a country club enviroment where most are not allowed or tolerated might be a better word.

This will probably leak down and create more bad feeling toward me but I hope this is read and taken seriously by the powers that be and that they might do something with this info and try to improve the atmosphere in our region.

In ORPCA s defense. The current president has assured me that this is changing and I hope he is correct. He says he is trying daily to make a better club than we have had the last couple of years.

At this point the only reason I am holding on is for Porsche Parade 06 that will take place here in Portland. After this if things have not improved then I will be very disappointed to be filling out the PCA Non Renewal form. I had not thought much about posting this but in talking to friends in other clubs, Corvette, Viper, BMW etc. They say the attitudes are experienced on the outside of our club as well. This needs to be fixed!

Thanks for listening....................................C

[Dantilla]

Wow. Sorry to hear. Up North of you in Seattle I have experienced nothing but great attitudes for everything from primered 924s to GT-3s.

[pwd72s]

Chris, This "country club" attitude is why I attend few, if any PCA events these days. There seems to be a very enthusiastic group in CASCADE region, but mostly based in the Grants Pass area, pretty far South for you or I. Still, I send in the dues, just in case. Maybe it's traditional now, since I joined in 1967...
Have you ever been to a Parade? If not, I suppose it's something everybody should do at least once. That said, I won't be in Portland next summer. Been there, done that. A warning though...you will find the "country club" attitude very much in place at a Parade. Many people, but not all, in PCA are not enthusiast gearheads these days, they're...well, something else. As far as events escalating in cost? I guess human nature comes into play here, but I know what you mean. The funny part for me is that now that I've reached a financial state that I could go to these events, I don't want to. I don't want to buy a gold rolex either.
Good luck in whatever decision you make.

[Moses]

Originally posted by Gumba11
I can remember when you could go to events and have nothing but support for a project or for that matter any less than perfect Porsche

What else could be of interest at a Porsche gathering? Look what I bought? ...Boring.

[BGCarrera32]

I hear ya. The region I am in is actually quite good...but I still gravitate toward the track events rather than strictly social events. The folks I've run into at the track are usually gearheads, and its always satisfying to improve your driving skill. Ultimately zipping by a 996 20 years newer with 100 more hp than me...yeeehaw.

[techweenie]

A big, strong region will usually take in the snobby newbies and enculturate them.

But a wave of folks cashing in stock options and buying themselves 'prestige' can poison any car-focused group.

Call up the people you like and want to socialize with and have them show up to the events you attend. Let the 'gold chain' crowd hang out by themselves. Better yet, volunteer and organize more track and performance events -- they will not attract the poseurs.

[BlueSkyJaunte]

PCA? What's that?

[Gumba11]

Originally posted by BlueSkyJaunte
PCA? What's that?

I love it....................

.................................................C

[nostatic]

I let my PCA membership lapse because the LA region just doesn't do anything. Luckily POC does, and is focused on racing as opposed to wine and cheese. People will say, "you have to help change it" but I'd rather switch than fight. If I had no choice I might go back to PCA, but I do, so I don't.

[Joeaksa]

Originally posted by nostatic
I let my PCA membership lapse because the LA region just doesn't do anything. Luckily POC does, and is focused on racing as opposed to wine and cheese. People will say, "you have to help change it" but I'd rather switch than fight. If I had no choice I might go back to PCA, but I do, so I don't.

Me too... Have been in the PCA for years but moved to Phoenix and the crowd here just was not the same so when it came time to renew I spent the money at Pelican.

Would like to re-join but never heard from anyone locally so why?

JoeA

[Gumba11]

No POC in Oregon is there?

I tried to get in touch with someone from R Gruppe too but no luck.

...........................................C

[widebody911]

I dropped out some time ago. The other day while I was waiting for my car to be aligned, I was perusing the last few newsletters from the local PCA chapter. Mostly whine and cheese type stuff; the track event that was mentioned was actually put on by another club and some PCA guys just happened to show up and take pix.

[D'STARGA]

I am saddened to hear of this for the ORPCA. I have been remiss in joining but now I am thinking that maybe I won't. I have just started a 76 track/hot rod project and was looking forward to finding some like minded gearheads local here in Ptown. I would be very interested in the POC since it is primarily track junkies and gearheads. Maybe I will give it a chance but it doesn't sound like that great of a deal.

[Gumba11]

That sounds great Wayne. I'll be waiting here!!!!

..........................................C

[HardDrive]

Originally posted by Wayne at Pelican Parts
I've heard this a lot too. That is why, starting in 2006, we'll be announcing and organizing the Pelican club, which will organize events and outings along the lines of what PCA used to do. With more of an "R" Gruppe and Gruppe B attitude too...

-Wayne

SIGN ME UP!!!

[pyro57]

Sorry to hear about your experience. I belong to PCASDR re: San Diego region. We do many events and I attend those that are geared to the gear-head. We normally have one auto-cross, one tech session and one tour (spirited driving) event per month.
People are generally nice and considerate and ask about my old ride. I've found that if I approach people with a very friendly attitude that usually disarms them and I am not normally a really friendly person. I would also suggest that you get with like minded P-car owners within the club. As an aside I don't drink and don't understand the mindset of car clubs gathering at mini-breweries for socials. If someone gets in an accident after the social is the club partly responsible? law gurus?

If in San Diego look me up and this PCA member will show you some great roads.

Dave King

[JTO]

I think the local chapters vary widely in attitude, as do individual members. In our region we have those, like me, that track their cars and those who would rather sip wine and talk. The PCA is diverse enough to accommodate all of these variations.
The PCA is changing. The Escape to the Wine Country is an example. The Portland PCA does several track days and have good instructors. Not everyone is snobby, no matter what you hear.
To be honest Wayne, and the rest, I get more snobby attitude from Pelicanheads than I do PCA members. There is a lot of subtle and not so subtle jabs at people, their cars, or choices they have made with their cars. I began developing a negative attitude about my middle year car due to a lot of negative comments about them on this board.
The PCA has a lot to offer in a place like Portland or California.

My $0.02,
Troy

[Gumba11]

Wow,

The PCA you refer to just doesnt exist in Portland my friend. Maybe you should come up for a few of our events sometime before you speak on our behalf. I was not talking about PCA in general and that is why I stated "Oregon Region PCA" in the first sentence of my post.

Thanks for your input though it still doesnt help the situation up north with Oregon Region.

Yes I am bitter because I have watched our region fall apart! You should here what other local ORPCA people are saying. Doesnt really matter though, when PCA national watches the membership taper off over the next couple of years they will know there is a problem here. Unfortunately I find that the board would rather defend what they have become than entertain changing for the better.

Still disappointed.........................C

[JTO]

Chris,
Read my post again. I was trying to refer to my local chapter and that chapters vary widely. I have heard of the troubles up north. Not all chapters are like that. I wasn't speaking on your behalf.
I was impressed with the folks in the Redwood region last week. Not everyone was someone I wanted to drink a beer with but many were!

The PCA is trying to change as I said in my earlier post. I still think they are a good deal for the buck.
Troy

[tabs]

What happened did PWD72S SHOW UP...and everybody got to see what a mean old man he really is???