PCA Snootier than years gone by?

[tonypeoni]

After 7 years in absents I decided to give it a try once again. Unfortunately from looking at their website it looks to be the same old club. I joined the 930 registry just to see if there are any fellow 930 owners in my area. Two weeks later I got a email stating the my application had been "Approved". What is this a credit check or something? Investigating the site revealed no 930s just pictures of late model turbos 996/997/GT2. I'm starting to get the feeling that the older cars aren't really welcome. It stands to reason that most people with late model Porches have leased them. Heck I could lease a new Porsche no prob and I feel most of us on the Pelican Parts forum could. I wish we in the Midwest had something along the lines of POC as a alternative for the guys who actually own their Porsche's instead of leasing.

[HardDrive]

I think it depends on your region. The local PCA here in Seattle has doesn't seem to have a reputation as being snobby.

[tonypeoni]

Originally Posted by HardDrive

I think it depends on your region. The local PCA here in Seattle has doesn't seem to have a reputation as being snobby.

Im not saying the CIR region is particularly snobby. Just not overly friendly. I think on the national level the club is defiantly more uptight. That said the last few times I went to watch PCA drivers ed the whole parking lot was full of 250k
motor coaches

[id10t]

They didn't want Mike Robbins and his original owner factory pickup '57 speedster at a Porsche Parade a few years ago for some unknown reason....

[Halm]

IMO, it varies region by region, year to year. In 1995 when I went to a few local PCA meetings the whine and cheese crowd was clearly in charge. The main topic around the bar before meetings was "what color should I order with my new Boxster?" After 2 meetings in a row like that I didn't go back for a few years until an early car buddy talked me into it. What a difference. It is now a great group with something for everybody: early car guys, track rats and concours weenies. And that is one reason I think we will do a great job hosting Parade this year: Something for everyone.

[911Rob]

you get out what you put in, IMHO.

[89911]

Track driving=PCA. If they didn't have this, I wouldn't even consider it. Everything else is nonimportant to me, snooty or not.

[Dana Norris]

you get out what you put in, IMHO.


Yea that works well if you can get in.
I joined PCA in 1995 when I bought my 3 P Car a 1976 911S that I was upgrading with a late 83 SC 3.0 engine. First meeting I attended not a single person said boo to me, not even who are you or welcome , or what are you driving, nothing!Two more meetings same ****, that was enough for me, see you later. This was in Denver CO. I went to a track event at Second Creek Raceway whole different story Great Folks all the help that I could of dreamt of. I guess its just a matter of where your at and what you are doing, P Car wise


1986 944NA 4th P Car I am sure there are more to come.

[450knotOffice]

Our local group is pretty heavily into the whine and cheese thing and other mostly "social" gatherings, with occasional "tours" in the mix. I got pretty bored with them until I decided to attend an Autocross at the former El Toro Marine Corps Air Station with its huge runways. Wow! What a different crowd. Yes, there were some of the same faces I usually see at the social events, but there was a huge gathering of competitors and cars that I had never seen before - including many early lightweight longhoods that can match most of the really hot cars on this board. I was a bit surprised to say the least. I'd say the air cooled cars just about outnumbered the water coolers, however there were also quite a few 997's and 996's, 996 and 997 turbos, Boxsters and Caymans, 924's and 944's, and of course 914's. At least within this group, there were plenty of owners of top dollar newer Porsches who were willing to experience what Porsches are really all about. I've been to three of these events now and they sell out every time - which is over 130 cars for each event. Great people too. Very chatty and willing to help.

[Racerbvd]

As a 20+ year member, I can honestly say that you are correct, just like the split that created the POC, with easy to drive new Porsches. cheap leases, the posers are taking over. Those of us who like the old cars, aren't into leasing, like to work & drive our cars, not just say that we Have a Porsche (I didn't say own because leasing is not owning) are being pushed out. Funny thing is, if I wanted a new Porsche, I could buy one, the value of my old cars (paid for) is more than what these posers are buying.

[Chocaholic]

Never felt welcomed in the Peachstate (Atlanta) chapter either. Clearly a boys club with complete focus on the core members. Have a look at a newsletter some time. By, for, and about the same group of people. Aside from PCA track events...the club is of no value to new members.

[Jeff Alton]

Interesting crowd up here. But every group has it share of different personalities. I have been a member for many years and will continue to do so. Our autocross is handled quite well but the DE's are not what I hoped for. They are good for the majority of folks, but I look for something a little different. That is not a critisism, just a differing thought on a track day. I still attend a few though.

The crowd here is pretty friendly and seem technically minded/interested. Lots of folks helping each other out, maybe we are lucky.

Cheers

[911Rob]

We're lucky to have guys like you Jeff!

[Jims5543]

Goldcoast Florida PCA - I can only comment on the Autocross crowd as that was the only part of their "social" programs that I attended.

The AX crowd was awesome, so much so I still go to their Autocrosses sans Porsche and pay the extra $10 for non PCA members. They put on an awesome event and I have made some friends there that I consider the coolest. One drives a pristine '69 911 and he drives the snot out of it. Then takes it to one of their concourses and wins too.

I am not one for sitting around at car events or meeting and talking about cars, I want to be in it driving it. So I never attended a PCA social function. From the looks of the pics in our newsletter, thats when all the new cars come out.

[widgeon13]

I have been a member of CT Valley region for many years and find no value but I have some friends who are members and I retain my membership. Last year, they charged for members to attend the annual meeting because they went out and got some speaker (who it was escapes me), they also limited attendance because they thought they would get big turn out. I can certainly afford the cost but did not attend on general principle. They also served some food but charging to attend an annual meeting is ridiculous.

I wrote a quick email to the El Presidente and got some BS reply.

****'em!!

[cstreit]

Chicago region newsletter features the same 10-12 people every damn time and they take pictures of the cars that sport the logo's of who those 10-12 frequent.

...but then they also do a ton of driving events.

[URY914]

I'm was always surprised when you go to any meeting no one would ask "Are they're any new members here?" or something to introduce the new folks.

But you have to remember sometimes the guy running the meeting or that is the President just may not be the most open and welcoming person. I would see guys get up to speak in front of a crowd of 50-100 people and not have any notes or would seem to not have prepared to speak at all. Do this at work or at a proposal for your company and see what happens.

[Jeff Alton]

We have a fellow who looks after introducing new members. It works very well.

Our folks who volunteer to run events are second to none. They really put a ton of effort into what they do, my hat is off to them.

Cheers

[CurtEgerer]

I think the attitudes are very chapter specific. I've never felt welcome at the local chapters around here - I'm the poor guy who drives one of those really old 911's and can't afford a Boxster with the faux carbon trim package

I was talking to a local guy a few weeks ago who owns a 904-6. He's been street driving it for over 30 years. It even won a race at the Nurburgring before coming to the States! When he shows up at the local PCA events, his car is ignored while they all crowd around the latest Cayman, 997 or whatever. We're pretty sure they think it is a kit car on a Beetle chassis ....

[rudderboost]

Other than the magazine and some occasional track days it seems there is not much incentive to join. I've tried to pull the trigger and join, mostly just to "support the cause", but I just couldn't do it. I get all the valuable info from here. I can't imagine the magazine doing much better. Maybe I'm wrong. Maybe I'll give it a shot in the future.