What's your impression of PCA?

[84porsche]

I just joined PCA about 2 weeks ago as I am hoping to meet more new people and learn more but I called the corporate office today because of log-in problems and they didn't seem too friendly. The first time I was hung up on and the second time a 30 second phone call and the person I spoke to said they would look into it. I certaintly hope this organization runs better than that, maybe it was just a fluke experience. I deal with people on the phone a lot and this seemed to be very weird to me. Any opinions.

[yelcab1]

PCA, Porsche Owners Club? What is that?

[84porsche]

Porsche Club of America - www.pca.org

[chuckr]

A good PCA Region is lots of fun and very helpful to be a part of.
You have access to like minded Porsche owners who share in
your love of the car. The best benifit I can think of is TRACK ACCESS
The Driver Education courses a local tracks are fantastic !
You learn more about your car and your driving skills, or lack of,
in a safe structered setting. After all.... Porsches are meant to Race !

[widebody911]

In California, you don't really need PCA for track access; there are a lot of tracks, and a lot of different clubs that host HPDE's that PCA is pretty much irrelevant. My region seems to be all about 'tours' and crap; it appears the local BMWCCA is the same.

[GettinHeadStuds]

PCA LA blows.

GGR and SD PCA rules.

[PeteT]

84-
I am a member of the OCR region of the PCA. I used to do quite a bit of stuff with them but lately haven't done much. They do a lot of social stuff and tours but not much track stuff. Your best bet is to goto the first Saturday morning breakfasts at Hof's Hut. It is off the 55 fwy and 17th street. You will meet a ton of people there. They have all been nice to me, but I haven't been there in a few years.
Pete

[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....

[Steve87-911]

Originally posted by 84porsche
... but I called the corporate office today because of log-in problems and they didn't seem too friendly. The first time I was hung up on and the second time a 30 second phone call and the person I spoke to said they would look into it...

PCA national has had some problems this year (at least) with properly assigning members to the correct region. They said I was supposed to be assigned to the santa barbara region but at first I was assigned to the san luis obispo region. I live closer to santa barbara. I was receiving both the Coastalaire and the Der Auspuff region mags for a while. Now I'm just in santa barbara region but it was a bit of a hassle/impossible to verify my region via the web and then to sort it out via email. I guess it's settled now...even though I've not had time to attend any PCA regional events yet.

[Carrera3.5L]

Originally posted by 84porsche
I just joined PCA about 2 weeks ago as I am hoping to meet more new people and learn more but I called the corporate office today because of log-in problems and they didn't seem too friendly. The first time I was hung up on and the second time a 30 second phone call and the person I spoke to said they would look into it. I certaintly hope this organization runs better than that, maybe it was just a fluke experience. I deal with people on the phone a lot and this seemed to be very weird to me. Any opinions.

Chris, if you are looking for more track and technical stuff then POC (Porsche Owners Club) might be a better ticket. The chapter here in SoCal is quite good. I dont' really have that much experience with the Orange Coast Region of PCA but always considered them the wine & cheese crowd. I would rather hang out with other Pelican people and do our monthly drives/BBQ's then hang out with the snotty crowd.

The good thing (about PCA) to me is the access to the website and the marketplace section which is a good complement to the Pelican site.

Ralph

[B D]

The club has many faces. PCA is large club with owners of all year cars from 356 to the new 997, some join for the social events while others join for autocross and track days. Some are rich and snooty while others are poor, it's not smart to generalize the club. The local chapters cater to their audiences, don't complain that there is not enough fun runs or track days when you don't show up for any of the events. If there is demand for certain types of events the club will act.

[Carrera3.5L]

Originally posted by B D
The club has many faces. PCA is large club with owners of all year cars from 356 to the new 997, some join for the social events while others join for autocross and track days. Some are rich and snooty while others are poor, it's not smart to generalize the club. The local chapters cater to their audiences, don't complain that there is not enough fun runs or track days when you don't show up for any of the events. If there is demand for certain types of events the club will act.

Yes, you are correct, my comments are only a generalization based on my personal experiences and shouldn't be used to describe EVERYONE in the club. I am sure with the size of a particular chapter there are many, many friendly people sprinkled in as well.

IMO, if there were more track/driving events in this region there never would have been the need for the POC in this area. Isn't this why the POC was originally founded?

Ralph

[pwd72s]

PCA may not be what it used to be, but it's still the biggest Porsche club around...so I keep sending in dues despite not attending many events. Oh, I joined back in '67...

[B D]

Ralph my comments were not directed towards you or anyone in particular.

Wether you like the club or not IMO the two mags I get for my annual dues are worth it alone.

[Craig 930 RS]

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 ---

[IROC]

I think PCA membership is one of those things where "you get out of it what you put into it". I have made many good friends over the years through the PCA.

Mike

[Quicksilver]

Originally posted by 84porsche
I just joined PCA about 2 weeks ago as I am hoping to meet more new people and learn more but I called the corporate office today because of log-in problems and they didn't seem too friendly. The first time I was hung up on and the second time a 30 second phone call and the person I spoke to said they would look into it. I certaintly hope this organization runs better than that, maybe it was just a fluke experience. I deal with people on the phone a lot and this seemed to be very weird to me. Any opinions.

Your profile says Anaheim which if true means Orange Coast Region. OCR is extremely active and if you come to our events you will have a lot of fun.

The next event is our monthly "Breakfast Club". We generally get from 50 to 90 cars. We start meeting at 8AM and announcements are at 8:45. It is at the Hofs Hut at 17th and Yorba in Tustin. Exit the 55 at 17th and turn East. Make an immediate right on Yorba and look for lots of cars to the left.

Last weekend we did a 250 mile road trip from Ortega to Julian for lunch. We have a wide variety of events that range from "I like to look at the pretty cars" to "I think the car needs a good flogging".

We are having problems with Autox. We lost our previous venue (when they doubled the price) and we haven't been able to locate an expanse of asphalt that we can use. (There isn’t anything unpaved in 50 miles and we can’t find a spot under $2000 a day!) GRRRR

Wayne

[das908kind]

I grew up living the PCA life-style, since my parents were heavily involved. We/I still have family friends that go back 20-30 years, some of who don't even drive Porsches anymore.

To echo what others have said, it's what you put into it and it varies from region to region. Where I grew up, PCA was the only Porsche and car club around, and the events were always across the board.

I get the impression, that in California there is just so much going on, that it's impossible to be a member of everything, and attend all the events that are planned and organized. We've gotten to a point were each model has several clubs and organizations you can join.

[qcwang]

HI 84Porsche,

I too am a new member of PCA-OCR. I joined in Sept. but I have dealt with the corporate office only once by e-mail and had no problems.

The people I have met so far have been very nice. From what I can tell, the OCR chapter is very active. Activity seems well balanced with social tours and driving events. However recently, the driving events have been cancelled due to problems with rental prices changing at the track. They are looking for new sites. I have yet to do any of these events with the club, but they seem to be well run.

I will PM you the e-mail of the membership chairman for the OCR chapter. Maybe he can help.

I try to go to the Hoff's Hut Breakfast Club the first Saturday of the month. Barring any issues with family and work, maybe I'll see you on 12/4. I have a Ruby Red Metallic 83 SC.

Quincy

[ipapilot]

I would like to second Mike's comments above. I've owned my 83 911 for close to six years and have been a PCA member equally as long. For a few years I thought it offered little to me, but then I got involved. It is amazing how receptive the small group of volunteers who run your region are when you offer to get involved yourself. I now consider myself among a small group of people who help to organize the type of events that many others, including myself, really enjoy. The funny thing is, being a pilot, I may not even be there to enjoy the fruits of my labor!
For those that say their region doesn't offer something they want, then it is time for you to step up to the plate. We had a couple of relative unknowns step up this year and organize a couple of well attended fun runs and a chili cookoff. Bottom line, there is always someone out there interested in what you are, and if you help to organize an event they will come and you will make some great new friends!
Sorry for the rant, and Happy Turkey Day!