Very disappointed with my first PCA encounter

[szyzygy]

All the PCA events seem to be on Saturday morning and I have previous commitment during that time.

How about Sunday mornings instead?

[aigel]

Originally Posted by szyzygy

All the PCA events seem to be on Saturday morning and I have previous commitment during that time.

How about Sunday mornings instead?

Church!

What bugs me at a lot of events is that they start at o-dark thirty. Try the pomona swap meet! I don't get up early every morning to go to work during the week so I can beat that time even earlier to go to some stupid car show that could have started in the afternoon just fine! I guess most people running these have worked all their lives and now are retired and senile where they can't sleep late any more.

G

[GWN7]

Originally Posted by recycled sixtie

I think all Porsches are great. I think u may incur the wrath of the 924 and 944 guys though. I have not seen a 914 for many years. Rusted out in most of Canada but could still exist in Arizona and California?

You have to know where to look to find 914's in Canada....

OP If you really want to go to the show find a hotel room and have at it. Lots of things to do and see that you don't need tickets to.

[szyzygy]

Originally Posted by aigel

Church!

What bugs me at a lot of events is that they start at o-dark thirty. Try the pomona swap meet! I don't get up early every morning to go to work during the week so I can beat that time even earlier to go to some stupid car show that could have started in the afternoon just fine! I guess most people running these have worked all their lives and now are retired and senile where they can't sleep late any more.

G

I don't go to church, but I figured that was the reason.

I would say I am 20 years younger than your average PCA member. I'm 37.

[Flieger]

I gotcha beat since I was born into it...

Got a 20 year certificate and I'm only 22.

[rrental]

So be it. I am over it. I wasn't mad at PCA, just very disappointed and surprised about the inflexibility. In my years of attending shows, seminars and organizing annual trade shows and social events I have never encountered this level of inflexibility.

The lady was very friendly and apologetic. She was just following instructions.

I would like to attend next year, but it might not be in driving range next few years.

[szyzygy]

Originally Posted by rrental

She was just following instructions.

That argument didn't work at Nuremburg

[Flieger]

And on Saturday mornings when I am home I like to ride my bike around the mountain roads, then go drive them in the afternoon. I've been there, done that with car shows. Unless it's a race I just do what I like best.

[szyzygy]

Originally Posted by Flieger

I gotcha beat since I was born into it...

Got a 20 year certificate and I'm only 22.

You must have a cool dad

[Flieger]

Originally Posted by szyzygy

You must have a cool dad

Yes.

[javadog]

Originally Posted by rrental

So be it. I am over it. I wasn't mad at PCA, just very disappointed and surprised about the inflexibility. In my years of attending shows, seminars and organizing annual trade shows and social events I have never encountered this level of inflexibility.

I could be wrong but I think that each Parade has a limited number of entries available, determined in advance by the facilities that they have available for the event. When the event is full, they close the registration process. I think they tell you that before the registration opens.

I'm sorry that you couldn't get in, but I think it's more to do with the unfortunate timing of your entry, than any unwillingness on the part of the people that are working the event. Maybe the lady you talked to didn't explain the situation as well as she could have.

I'd keep checking back, or put out feelers on the PCA website (or Pelican, etc.) to pick up an entry slot in the event someone has to cancel their attendance. I've registered for a parade before and been unable to attend at the last minute, so I know it happens.

JR

[stealthn]

Rrental,

You saw the note from Manny here to contact him; he's on the board so do it.

As well jump over to the Canada forum there are drives posted there all the time, most near you. Drive with a bunch of us and some of our northern US friends and you'll have the same amount of fun with your son as you would with the PCA events

Bob James

[Drisump]

Well just two weeks ago thirty Porsches were overnighting in Sun Peaks doing the annual Can-Am tour.....it was a blast and you would've been very welcome. There are many opportunities to exercise your P-car with the Pelican group but unfortunately, the last of the spring session was this last weekend in the Kooteneys. The summer has few "spirited tours" because the roads get clogged with RV's making it very difficult for a group to stay roughly together. I actually haven't attended the annual Parade but have attended the amazing Rennsport event in Laguna Seca. I don't know what your interests are in owning the car but there are quite a few track day events offered to PCA members. When I first got my car, I took the "drivers skills" course (offered by the Pacific NW PCA) in Bremmerton Washington. This course was a lot of fun and gives you an opportunity to push your car (and yourself) to levels highly illegal on public roads. Have fun with your Porsche, there are lots of opportunities.

[GH85Carrera]

Contact Manny, has has stroke.

I will be going. It is a fun event. But the logistics and planning is a HUGE undertaking. They wait until there is no more time to plan, then cut off registration. Way back in 1996 the Oklahoma region hosted Parade. I was the registrar. Back when the internet did not exist. On opening day a man was brought over to meet me. He was in the Army and had just returned to country the day before. He wanted to participate. I did not see a problem with one more. I signed the man up on the spot. Some of the national PCA weenies had a fit and said that was not allowed. I pointed to my name tag and said yes it is. The man is registered. Our event was much smaller than the Parades of today. Now national runs the entire event.

Every person you are likely see at that event working is a Volunteer . There is only one paid person there and it is full time job at PCA to run the club at the direction of the board of directors, who are all Volunteers.

[89911]

Ah to remember back when I was so obsessed with Porsche its lucky I didn't get a tattoo. In 5 years from now,(if you still own your car), you will look back and think what all the concern was about. It REALLY isn't that big of a deal. Having been a PCA member since owning my car for 14 years, I find the people that are still involved with it with a fury must have not much else going on with their lives. I don't mean that in a bad way, just the passion for me was there for a few years and now, its just about me liking my car. Enjoy your new ride now and don't worry about the parade.

[stomachmonkey]

Originally Posted by GH85Carrera

Contact Manny, has has stroke.

I will be going. It is a fun event. But the logistics and planning is a HUGE undertaking. They wait until there is no more time to plan, then cut off registration. Way back in 1996 the Oklahoma region hosted Parade. I was the registrar. Back when the internet did not exist. On opening day a man was brought over to meet me. He was in the Army and had just returned to country the day before. He wanted to participate. I did not see a problem with one more. I signed the man up on the spot. Some of the national PCA weenies had a fit and said that was not allowed. I pointed to my name tag and said yes it is. The man is registered. Our event was much smaller than the Parades of today. Now national runs the entire event.

Every person you are likely see at that event working is a Volunteer . There is only one paid person there and it is full time job at PCA to run the club at the direction of the board of directors, who are all Volunteers.

Moved here to TX and had the 190SL out for a romp one day, had the wife and kids with me.

Pass a local American Iron hot rod show so we pull in. Volunteer comes over and says it's a $25 fee day of event. Said I was just passing by, not looking to show but would appreciate tips on a safe place to leave the Benz for an hour while the kids and I walk the show.

He looks at the car, looks at me, says "we'd love to have this thing as part of the event for as long as you are here" moves the cones and waves us in.

That's car culture.

[nynor]

+1 on just going. stay for a couple of days. i can point you in the direction for good food, beer, drives, whatever you fancy. there will concours (i am sure) and track events, etc. i can also point you in the direction of some good canyon drives. your son can have a blast and get away from canada for a couple of days.

[widgeon13]

I go to a PCA event about every three years, just long enough to forget the bad experience from the previous visit. Other than track days I can't stand PCA meetings, people are just too stuffy and clicky.

[cairns]

If you talked to a sweet girl at the PCA office I think her name is Michelle. She helped me renew my membership a few weeks ago and she IS AWESOME.

TAKE NOTE MANNY ALBAN- she is a SUPERB ambassador.

PCA is what you make of it- people join cliques everywhere. Screw 'em start your own. Althouigh I can't speak for other regions mine is fantastic- some of the best people I've ever met- and we go out of our way to make new members feel welcome.

And just so everyone understands i'm not trying to be rebecca of sunny brook farms Panorama still sucks. Keep the magazine and give the money to Michelle.

[Manny Alban]

Didn't you read my President's Message ??

Panorama is getting a new editor January 2013. Can't predict if you'll think it still sucks, but, it will be the start of new era.