PCA: To join or not, convince me either way.

[R K T]

I bought my first Porsche in 1967 and joined POC immediately. Great bunch of guys. I've had 17 Porsches over the years but didn't join PCA until 1988. My wife and I were very active with the Grand Prix region and have attended many national Porsche Parades. We caught the Concours bug with our 1955 356 Outlaw and took it to the Ft Worth parade and won our class and division in FULL Concours.
But....
The political BS and favoritism at national level is nauseating. We went to one more parade in 2005 at Hershey Pa. being hyped to the max because it was the 50th anniversary of PCA. I won't go into details but I was so disgusted by the end of the week, I actually tore up my PCA membership card.
Oh...and I approached Mr Alban just to introduce myself and to say hi.....he totally ignored me.

[Manny Alban]

wow, so sorry I ignored you. Certainly wasn't intentional. I hope you can appreciate that being the co-chair of the event, I was being pulled in all directions most every waking moment during that week.

[Drisump]

I personally don't do the concours thing.....it's kind of like figure skating, yeah a great car wins but there is lots of opportunity for unintentional (or intentional) favouritism. My car is a driver and would be a complete nightmare to q-tip it.... eeeesh. I appreciate the cars as a spectator but owning one isn't for me. I approached Manny at the close of Rennsport and thanked him for the fine group of speakers that the club had at the tent...a real treat. Manny seemed genuinely glad I approached and he seemed like a good guy to me. Cheers

[ShakinJoe]

Dri sump - that is the best part about PCA. The people who concours cannot understand why we flog our machines on street and track. Us track rats cannot understand why anyone would bring a cue tip near a car to clean it. I like my car looking good.....to a point! The eclectic collective sum is what it is, but at the end of the day IT IS A CAR CLUB!!

I undertand Mannys position as we even have that at a local level.. When you are in charge of an event, no matter how organized or cool you are under pressure, there is never enough time for everyone that needs to talk to you. Keepin mind that not unlike this thread, Manny gets to listen to all the crab asses yiping about how the club could be better.

[carreradpt]

I vote for you joining the PCA. It's a great organization and based on the region it could be a blast for you. I know it was for us. I joined the Pacific NW region and the club had tons of things to do on the calendar. Tech sessions, new car events, shows, driving events, get togethers and fantastic drives. And the clubs around us were fantastic as well. Joint sponsorship of events and regional drives, Whistler etc. And you get to attend and participate in a Parade. How cool is that?

Give it a shot. And it's cheap.

[eolson]

Wow, thanks for all of the great replies, I really didn't expect this question to get this much attention! I appreciate the honesty by many, it's interesting to read all of the different perspectives and experiences.

I would be joining in Minneapolis (Great Lakes region?) which seems like a nice group of people with a fairly active scene. I know they head to BIR and Road America at times so it's likely worth checking out. As for the SCCA, I think I'll join as well and see which one offers the most of what I like to do. I do all of my own work on the car and always have until it comes to machine work or needing tires mounted, but I'm sure my region has people of all different skill levels and interests.

Someone also mentioned the POC, what's the difference from the PCA?

[Racerbvd]

Originally Posted by eolson

Wow, thanks for all of the great replies, I really didn't expect this question to get this much attention! I appreciate the honesty by many, it's interesting to read all of the different perspectives and experiences.

I would be joining in Minneapolis (Great Lakes region?) which seems like a nice group of people with a fairly active scene. I know they head to BIR and Road America at times so it's likely worth checking out. As for the SCCA, I think I'll join as well and see which one offers the most of what I like to do. I do all of my own work on the car and always have until it comes to machine work or needing tires mounted, but I'm sure my region has people of all different skill levels and interests.

Someone also mentioned the POC, what's the difference from the PCA?

Being a car guy, why not join the SCCA, POC & PCA, if you like to to Auto-X's & DE, membership gets you a refused entry fee (which if you do enough events, covers the cost, plus all have other benefits of membership)it isn't a lot of money. As to POS, it was formed by guys (like Joe, Jeremy and myself) who wanted to drive their cars, wanted to modify them to our liking,

[The Porsche Owners Club was established in 1955 as an organization dedicated to the driving of Porsches.]

Course, I also have done Concours in the Past & even help consult & supply parts for Wheenie cars, and am restoring a 914-6 for Parade, so I guess I swing both ways, but have been involved (sitting on the local board for like 20 years) so I have seen a lot of the changes)

The political BS and favoritism at national level is nauseating.

There is no denying that, and very clear in some local regions as well, and not just concours, but Club Racing as well

Oh...and I approached Mr Alban just to introduce myself and to say hi.....he totally ignored me.

That really doesn't sound like Manny, he must have been very busy & preoccupied (PCA50th, you think) as I 1st met him when Pete Tremper started the DE National Instructors Certification program that Joe spoke of, but had seen him at other events & races in the past and current and if he doesn't avoid me, he won't intentionally ignore anyone

[Tidybuoy]

It really depends on your local club but in my area, I have nothing but positive comments.

Our club is relatively small - 170 cars and about 350 people. We have a variety of events which include a monthly dinner meet, monthly road trips (some day trips and some overnighters), auto-x, Christmas party, Oktoberfest party, and ocasional other events.

Some people only go to the dinners as that is a more social thing. And, some of those members were once very active in other activities but they've gotten older. Some people only do auto-x as they are more hardcore racers. Some people only do the road trips. Some people do some of each.

My own personal experience: I'm kind of a hermit and don't really join clubs. That said, this has been a great experience and after 5 years, most of my friends are car club members. We really have some great friendships that wouldn't exist had I not joined. I love the monthly road trips as I have seen more places that are in my area that I didn't know existed or never went to - I live near the foot hills of the Sierra Nevada so most of our trips are thru the mountains but many times on obscure roads that we have mostly to ourselves. I had never auto-x'd and was initially very nervous - now I love it.

I'm now on our board for our local PCA and I'm very involved - this is not my normal nature but the club has got me hooked.

[Mahler9th]

What something is worth depends on what you compare it to.

This month marks 25 years for me. First in Schattenbaum, then Milwaukee and finally here in the Golden Gate Region.

At my first meeting, Bob Akin was the guest speaker. There were maybe 30 of us. I was fresh out of grad school where I got interested in Porsches and racing (IMSA). So I thought that it was pretty cool to meet a guy I read about in Road and Track.

I have never been to a Parade but I have enjoyed plenty of other activities. And I have quite a few friends that are or have been involved at the national level.

Since I started before there was an internet, I have been able to watch a bit of an evolution. I feel that the internet has "watered down" the connection between the present and the past. Of course the cars and the company have changed as well.

I still feel the PCA is worthwhile. One of my favorite stories goes back to 1999 or so when I had a chance to buy a 993 that came to CA from FLA. It arrived and a friend declined purchase because he found a local car that was a better match.

I liked the 993. It was a cab. It had holes from having had a roll bar. I thought that was strange for a car that was reportedly never tracked. I got the previous owners name through the broker. I contacted the FLA region where she lived. The pres as I recall.

Well I got all the details. The owner had held regional office and she had grandchildren she would take for rides. She had a roll bar installed for extra safety. She had driven to the '95 parade in Oregon... from FLA. Basically I got a favorable report.

Then I went to my archives of Panos to read about the '95 parade. And voila, there was a full page picture of the PO in the car getting ready to enjoy the rally event.

I think membership is worth it.

- Mike

[Nine17]

Originally Posted by RichardNew

Panorama will be redone shortly. It's become a pr organ for PCA. Once the Turners retire PCA can turn it into a real magazine. At least we can hope.

I like the incoming editor; this might get me to re-join next year if the re-vamped Pano is anything like his current work.

I've been in BMWCCA for 20 years, and their "Owner Loyalty" program with BMW NA has netted me huge rebates on new and CPO car purchases as well as discounts on parts and service at both the dealer and at independent shops. PCA gives back nothing and seems to exist solely for the benefit of the club hierarchy. My local chapter is composed of old-fogeys (sorry) and auto-x fans (I don't like beating up my equipment). Not much in it for me.

[CCM911]

Our region, RTR Has taught me how to drive my car on the track, has taught me how to repair my car, has brought me into an awesome group of friends.

Joining the PCA is the best thing I could have done when I bought my 84 Targa. I am lucky that our region is made up of a bunch of guys that just love to work on their cars.

My membership has given me back so much more than it has cost. I can only say good things about the PCA. Sure there are d-heads who only care about new cars. Just ignore them and hang with the cool kids.

Join the club NOW!!!!

[CCM911]

PS - Panorama, the club magazine is really weak. It could be me, but I just don't care about the new cars, and the repetitive stories on the old race cars are boring. Hopefully, one day they will get more into the tech/restoration side of things.

[McLovin]

Originally Posted by bbdhull

Just the Panorama magazine is worth $5.00/year

fixed it

[GH85Carrera]

Like many have said, it all depends on the region. As a long term PCA member I have made more friends than I can count. I have only met a few jerks in PCA. There are jerks in all walks of life, PCA does not have a jerk filter.

I drive a 85 Carrera and I have had more than a few members with new cars come look at my car and admire that clean looks of a classic shape of the 911. I drove a 914 for many years. I never felt like the red headed step child.

[Number1_dog]

I haven't read all of the replies, but the bottom line is if you don't participate then you loose out. Push yourself to get out there and try each of the event types that PCA offers.

I threw myself into Autocross and have been having the time of my life for the past 4 years. The first two in my daughter's 1992 Miata, last year in a 1979 911SC that wasn't working too good, and this year in a 1979 911SC that has been running great.

I live with a wife and two daughters (who each have a female dog) and so I need my "car" time and I can tell you that I look forward to each event as if it was my first. The people that I have met, both male and female, are the best, from the GT3 guys to the rest of us Poor-sche owners!

One word "PARTICIPATE!!!!!!"

dog
metro PCA Autocross enthusiast of the year 2011

[drtyler]

Who is the new incoming editor for Panorama?

Originally Posted by Nine17

I like the incoming editor; this might get me to re-join next year if the re-vamped Pano is anything like his current work.

I've been in BMWCCA for 20 years, and their "Owner Loyalty" program with BMW NA has netted me huge rebates on new and CPO car purchases as well as discounts on parts and service at both the dealer and at independent shops. PCA gives back nothing and seems to exist solely for the benefit of the club hierarchy. My local chapter is composed of old-fogeys (sorry) and auto-x fans (I don't like beating up my equipment). Not much in it for me.

[GH85Carrera]

Originally Posted by Number1_dog

I haven't read all of the replies, but the bottom line is if you don't participate then you loose out. Push yourself to get out there and try each of the event types that PCA offers.

I threw myself into Autocross and have been having the time of my life for the past 4 years. The first two in my daughter's 1992 Miata, last year in a 1979 911SC that wasn't working too good, and this year in a 1979 911SC that has been running great.

I live with a wife and two daughters (who each have a female dog) and so I need my "car" time and I can tell you that I look forward to each event as if it was my first. The people that I have met, both male and female, are the best, from the GT3 guys to the rest of us Poor-sche owners!

One word "PARTICIPATE!!!!!!"

dog
metro PCA Autocross enthusiast of the year 2011

I could not agree more. Even more important, if you see something that needs attention don't just complain, make a suggestion on how to make it better and then volunteer to do that. You will soon be in the middle of the group and the real fun begins.

[daniel911T]

If you do join, be sure to participate. The club I used to roll with in Northern Virgina was a pretty cool bunch, and I always really enjoyed their weekly brunch / drive get togethers.

You knew you were among a cool bunch when the Chevy V8 powered 944 got more interest than the GT3, and my '69 wasn't always the oldest car there. We even had one strange guy who showed up in a really clean early 928. The air cooled cars were still pretty rare as newer cars tended to prevail, but it was a diverse bunch of all races, both genders, all income levels, and ages.

Most of them did tend to have more money than me... by a lot... but for example, there was a 19 broke year old kid with a beat down, base model 944, who was a probably the most enthusiastic member and was given some kind of "spirit award" by the club.

-Definitely a great bunch.

[Fleming]

eolson,

you got the right group connections, first you are posting on Waynes Pelican site (tons of good and essential info to be found here) and you've made the connection to Nord Stern PCA in Minneapolis. I've been around that group for years and I'm still enjoying the folks and the fun.

People have moved (business, family, winter...) but maintain contact and are still registered members of Nord Stern, and most come back for the events at BIR and our "out of region" event at Road America...it's the best recommendation you can get.

[Tidybuoy]

One more thing....being a member of my local PCA reminds me of being a member of Pelican - there's something for everyone and not everyone does everything. I find myself on the Pelican boards daily.