What's your impression of PCA?

[RickM]

Originally posted by adamred
You know what I find weird about PCA? I personally think the national magazine, Panorama sucks....Its like reading "Utne Reader" terrible pics, boring articles, etc, etc...

Although I have not done much with Northern NJ region it is supposed to be great, especially for the track deprived Northeast....

I belonged to the NNJR for quite a few years. I finally left with a poor impression. Many nice people, some pousers and some people I really didn't care for at all. It was very cliquish and seemed to be ruled by the track guys....which is probably typical and not necessarily a bad thing. The last straw for me was when a I caught a relatively "high profile" member being dishonest (I'm being nice here) during a Chinese auction fund raiser. Caught them red handed but never said anything....I was disgusted.

This was many years ago and I may go back to see how things are ...we'll see.

IMO, Pelican is a better "club".

[EdT82SC]

I have been a member of PCA Orange Coast region since 1998, and I was webmaster of the OCR website for a couple years (98-2000) as well. I did not participate in any of the social activities beyond going to the breakfast club a couple times. These are fun, but I was often busy. I really was interested in autoX and DEs.

The PCA people I know the best are the local board members, and they are definitely not the wine and cheese crowd. They are all down to earth normal folk who love their cars. It's mostly the same crowd of people on the board now as when I was webmaster. They've just played musical chairs with the positions people hold. And this isn't because they want to keep the positions among the same people. They just don't get that many people volunteering to help out.

I haven't been to any PCA events since going to an autoX at Irwindale two years ago. Unfortunately Irwindale is no longer economically feasible for PCA due to a sudden, unexpected doubleing of the use fee. If it weren't for my busy schedule it is definitely a priority of mine to get on a track a bit more often. I had lots of fun when I was doing autoX hosted by OCR at EVOC, Rialto, Irwindale, and down with SDR at Jack Murphy Stadium.

The bottom line is you'll get out of PCA what you put into it. If you are a PCA member, and you see an opportunity to improve something about your local chapter then it's up to you to improve it. Don't expect someone else to pick up the ball for you. In 1998 the OCR web site stank. It had not been updated in about a year. I volunteered to take it over, and put a lot of useful information on it, and people were constantly complimenting and thanking me for taking that on. (I must disclaim any association for the current site since it has been totally redone since I was involved).

Right now OCR doesn't have a venue for local track events. Sure they can rent willow springs, but that is a far drive from OC. They are looking for a new patch of asphalt to run events that is a little more local. The last three we've used are all outside of OC because nobody has been able to find anything inside of OC. It would be nice if someone could pull the right strings to get something centrally located in OC.

When I was webmaster, and attending board meetings several times the subject came up of how to get more people to volunteer to be board members, help organize events, etc. Some volunteers, at times, felt overwhelmed with the amount of work it took to perform their duties. So you get the idea. There is plenty of opportinity to help out.

[Rick Lee]

Well, we sure have a good one in the Potomac PCA. I can't imagine a better crowd and event schedule. Sure, there are some posers, some megalomaniacs and a few jerks. But the vast majority are a super bunch of people and there's just not enough time at our events to talk with all of them. I jumped right in and signed up as a tech inspector before I knew anything. Now I've learned a lot about these cars and better yet, I know just about every Porsche shop in this area very well. Most of our NoVA/MD/DC clique got to know each other at these tech and track events and now we've pretty much overtaken the Potomac PCA website with our own. My PCA dues are the best $42 I spend each year besides maybe a few boxes of Hydra Shoks.

[Bill Verburg]

PCA racing is great!!

[goat]

This quote from Ed T. sums up my thoughts .
"The bottom line is you'll get out of PCA what you put into it. If you are a PCA member, and you see an opportunity to improve something about your local chapter then it's up to you to improve it. Don't expect someone else to pick up the ball for you."
That quoted I have been involved, and am trying to get more tech session and drives not centered around wine tasting off the ground.

[304065]

I love wine and cheese.

I love grease.

I love my 911.

I love to race wheel to wheel.

I love the PCA.

[rfuerst911sc]

I am happy with the central Florida PCA(Citrus region),we have aprox. 530 members,have meetings once a month,have several fun social events per year,have several auto crosses a year and have several DE's a year.I get to meet all aspects of Porsche ownership,yes there are some snobs but that's no different than your coworkers or neighbors,for the most part these are folks like yourself that share the same passion for Porsche that you do.I try to attend every meeting and try to volunteer for as many events as I can,I'm a firm believer you get out of it what you put in to it!!Just like the Pelican website I find the PCA as a valuable learning tool/environment in a casual setting,what's not to like?

[MarkY]

Originally posted by GettinHeadStuds
PCA LA blows.

Not as much as the Phoenix chapter. The most unfriendly, pompous people I've been around.

[widebody911]

We have a great competition director, but I think the problem is there are so many other venues to choose from, it's not worth the effort to try and convert the wine and cheese crowd. It would be akin to me trying to convince you guys to drive Yugos instead of 911's!

[VaSteve]

Originally posted by Craig911
Yup, YMMV.

Our local PCA was horrid in the early 2000s - then has IMMENSELY improved after a major turnover & purge of political hooligan riff-raff ---

Wow....we're already in the mid-2000's. Scary.

[ScottKelly911]

Originally posted by widebody911
It would be akin to me trying to convince you guys to drive Yugos instead of 911's!

You're a tough sell, but a Yugo? I'll do it!!! Now, which color do I want?

[jhawk1000]

My initial impression of the National PCA was not that good. I had log in problems and had one heck of a time dealing with national by email. In fact, I received what I considered a "can't you follow instructions, dummy" reply.

Having said that, I have been to one local meeting of the local chapter and it was fine. I think it was not a clicque thing but more of the fact that many knew each other and wanted to talk to their friends. My wife and I felt at ease, several made a point to come and talk to us so I have no complaints. I will say that the PCA seems to be more user friendly to me than the years I was in it during the 1980's and early 90's where I did think it was a clicque thing.

Mel

[rkh3]

I have not attended any event due to the impression Panorama gave me, stuffy, stuck up Porsche owners, the magazine is a bore.

Is it just me, or do they seem not very welcoming to "bastardized" Porsches???

[Zeke]

Several months ago, this thread was posted. Just about all the comments you would care to read are there.

As you will see by the poll, for better or for worse, most are members. So, it can't be that bad. I've never been a member, so that's all I can say.

[azasadny]

SouthEast Michigan Chapter (SEMI PCA) rocks! Great people and plenty of activities for everyone.

[rkh3]

I had decided not to join because of what I heard and read, stuffy & not into "bastards". I met a kid in his twenties, did I just say that?, who urged me to join and said I was wrong about them. I get Panorama and I have not seen any articles concerning substantially "modding" cars. I have also met a few members.......all have stock cars and had no interest in "upgrades". Had one member ask me why I would want an car (mine) that is so modified......jeez!

[VaSteve]

Another thread if you want some more feedback:

PCA Membership - Worth it?

[Lothar]

PCA DE's are some of the best I have attended and have provided me with the most accelerated learning. If I ever get around to racing, I would choose PCA. I am very impressed with the attitude of the PCA stock class folks.

That said, I'm sure it varies from region to region. I can only speak of the East Coast folks. I'm very impressed.

[RSBob]

My overall impression is shallow. Another is a group desperately needing new blood but is doing everything possible to discourage it.

BUT, don't overlook the great opportunities to track your car for cheap.

[nostatic]

I let my PCA membership lapse. PCA-LA does zip of interest to me. POC now gets my dues.