Who's a member of the PCA?

[FenderGuy]

Well I joined about a month ago and attended one monthly meeting in March. I feel like I am the youngest out of the bunch but everyone seems really nice. My lady friend that attended with me made the comment that "these are Porsche owners?" she seemed to be under the impression that the meeting was boring and the speakers where not energized. I have to kind of agree with her on some points. The meetings I guess are held sometimes at specialty shops which cater to Porsche. I wasn’t impressed with the shop, no demos on what they do and most of the parts seemed to be catered towards Cayennes or Escalades.

So is it a waste to join PCA or not? I feel I've had more fun meeting up with some of the board members.

[VaSteve]

You have to ask them if it was worthwhile for them to meet you!

Each region is different. Do a search.

We have an active region that does a lot of track stuff (I attend). They also do some drive and dines and a black tire dinner (I didn't attend).

If they don't do something you'd like in you chapter, speak up and do it.

[nameisbauer]

I joined up and the only contact I have had was getting Panorama.
I looked on the site for a while, but I have gotten way more out of Pelican than PCA so far. Maybe I have to put it more time trying to be involved, but I figured I would get emails or something about SOMETHING going on. Its only been 6 months though..

[porsche930dude]

im not a member but i definatly dont see what all the buzz is about. the shop that they have the meetings at is right nexto my brothers shop and he knows the guy well. even so i dont think its worth the cash they are not active enough to make it worth wile. maby in a more porsche populated are but not by me. I call the PCA the Porsche Cult of America because whenever i talk to a member they try to get me to join by handing me flyers and crap I hope its worth it for you

[Dantilla]

The Northwest region is very active. I skip the social events, and go to the events that require a helmet. We have a great autocross facility, and use it regularly.

[PeterCarrera84]

I think The Panorama , could be worth the memmbership fees.

[Oh Haha]

The PCA club that I belong to, RSR, is very track and driving oriented. I have met some great friends from all walks of life. What is even cooler is the cars that we drive are not garage queens so mine fits right in. Not to say that they are junkers but we don't have shows as much as driving events with food usually mixed in. No cheese, either!!

[Grady Clay]

I joined RMR-PCA in the spring of ’68 at age 25. I’m still a member today. I did feel somewhat “young” but there were plenty my age. There are some who have been members far longer than I.

The nice thing is our club covers everyone’s interests. We have tech sessions, swap meets, autoXs, DEs, Club Races and more. There are also rallyes, tours, wine & cheese, movies, parties and such. If you don’t like something, don’t go. If the club isn’t doing something you think it should, get involved and make it happen.

This is the nice thing about a membership club. The members make it happen, whatever it is.

Of course one club won’t necessarily do. I’m still an SCCA, POC, RMVR and such member. Considering NASA.

Best,
Grady

[Oh Haha]

Originally posted by PeterCarrera84
I think The Panorama , could be worth the memmbership fees.

I disagree onthis. I find Panorama to be just a bunch of ads. I prefer more of a technical type magazine or newsletter.
Excellence is kind of going this way as well.


RSR= Rally Sport Region(RSP in PCA communications)

[javadog]

I've been a member since the early eighties. Your take on whether it's worthwhile depends on how active you are. Our region meets pretty often. I have breakfast with about twenty of the guys (and a few girls) every Saturday. Most of my close friends are PCA members. We do lot's of things that aren't even car related, in addition to the usual driving events, autocrosses, weekend tours, parties, etc.

I'm in a couple other car clubs and they suck by comparison.

JR

[chrisp]

I'd be up for a non-Pano option. It takes me about 45 seconds to churn through and then I toss it. I'd rather get a weekly email with 2-3 good articles and one supplier special deal.

I am a PCA member so I can get into track events and the volunteer and support network that comes along with it. These events take a lot of time and effort and without those folks I couldn't enjoy my car as much as I do.

I'm not sure how they can improve though.

[hytem]

I've been a member for about a year. Enjoy the magazine, and have been to some monthly dinner meetings of the local section, as well as a couple of picnics. Have met some very nice people, and a top mechanic at a local dealer who has been very helpful with some issues on my SC.

The value of the meetings is you get to network with other owners of varied interests--racing, touring, etc. and different cars--not just 911s, though I've seen some very nice ones. You also get to ask questions about your car with some who know a lot more than you do about it.

[Noah930]

I joined PCA mostly for track access. (Otherwise, I'd just be collecting more fast driving awards from the local constabulary.) Look at your local track's schedule. I'd bet that PCA and BMW CCA use the track most frequently. If I had no track aspirations, I don't know if I'd be a member.

[coloradoporsche]

So is it a waste to join PCA or not?

Yep, it's a waste of time. Unless you like autocrosses, scenic tours, learning to drive your car on a racetrack, racing your car in a club race, concours events, tech sessions, etc.

Maybe your club is different. Mine’s pretty cool.

[rfn026]

In Florida the private groups are taking over the track days. It's getting very difficult for the PCA regions to get track time. Sebering for instance is booked almost 300 days a year.

One of the main reasons to join PCA was to get track time. Now that's not a factor.

Panorama is very very tiring. They write about how wonderful each new Porsche is so they can keep getting the free trips around the world. Even CNBC runs a disclosure line. I don't think Panorama has ever told us who paid for the trip. Like we couldn't guess though.

Richard

[JonT]

Its like any club you are a member of--its what you make of it. If you want to do the social events, attend those. You want to drive on the track, go to the DE's. If you dont like the events they have planned, volunteer to be on the board of officers and work on planning events you'd like to attend. The Great Plains Region I'm in is fantastic with a large group of fun people that I hang out with socially and at the track events. Good luck!

[mark 74 carrera]

I think that Grady has summed up how everyone should approach PCA. The club is what the members make it. Just like society as a whole, there are all kinds of people.

Mark

[Racerbvd]

Yep, been a PCA member since the 80s

[Joe Bob]

Mine is mostly rally, whine and chesse, concour....I have to travel for any AX or DE......the functions are mostly geriatrics....

[Wickd89]

I think it is a good deal.

1. Great magazine.
2. Pretty good local magazine for the Orange Coast Group with contacts for various things.
3. Great drivers clinic once a year (for you and a spouse).
4. Monthly gatherings are good if you are older.
5. Swap meets.
6. Info on bigger gatherings with other clubs
etc

The people in my region are wonderful. Good people that love Porsche's and love life. They are a fun group, but on average a little older than myself (I'm 42, most of them are over 60). Most of them seem to have known each other for dog's years so I sometimes feel like an outsider; but no fault of theirs.

Younger members seem to attend the special events like I do. One example is the Meguair's Seminar.

If you are in a bad region, try to attend events from an adjacent region. I think some of the Los Angeles group come down for to the Orange County events because it is more active.