Why do people NOT attend 914 events ?

Brad Roberts · 10-14-2002, 09:06 PM

Another curious question....

The turnouts are HORRIBLE for these events.

I can attend a VW Type 3 event and see more cars and people participating.

The West Coast reunion had more 914's attend that event (7 years ago..before web was popular) than I have seen at the last 2 events I have attended.

I know 914 people are cheap... but you could at least attend some events.

Any idea's why these events dont work ??

B

a914luvr · 10-14-2002, 09:32 PM

I guess it depends on the type of event, the location and who's hosting it. I'm happy and thankful to say my 914 swap meets have always been very well attended. We usually have close to 100 people come out. Only 2 times has attendance been lacking a little; once when we held it at a repair shop in Ontario and once last Nov. when it was rainy. I try to attend other peoples events, but I haven't had a running 914 for years until recently and sometimes its on a bad day for me or its farther than I want to or am able to drive in one day. I don't do long drives very well. I tend to get sleepy at the wheel! Anyway, I've also lost alot of respect for the 914 Owners Assn. over the last few years for several reasons, but that's a whole 'nother story. I dropped my membership to the OA a couple years ago and am not interested in renewing and the OA will not allow a non-member to attend a reunion. Would you believe that the founder of the OA, Dennis Deeds, who lives less than an hour from San Bernardino has never been to even one of my swap meets?! My overall opinion is that its just us Californians are spoiled and have alot of options for things to do. For me, family stuff comes first. PCA events and just plain 'ole recreational beach type stuff is penciled in on the calendar too. I know in our PCA (Riverside) region, we struggle for decent attendance at alot of events. I have to pick and choose what I can do and what I can afford time wise and financially. So at this time I'd like to thank in advance those who come out on the 27th. I know you made the drive one time Brad and I appreciate it. Hope you can make it again sometime. Glenn

derek_sf · 10-14-2002, 09:35 PM

I'll start attending some events and fun runs once I have a 914 again, I promise.

friarjohn · 10-14-2002, 09:43 PM

Too. Far. To. Travel.

Actually, I may be visiting SoCal next year and will try to time my visit with some kind of event. Of course, I may be riding my Trumpet. My 914 certainly won't be ready.

John

Zeke · 10-14-2002, 09:56 PM

I guess there were a lot of teeners at the Autofest on Sat. I didn't know any better, so I went on Sun. There were about 4 left if you don't count the one or two that were part of a display. When I go to POC short track, there are 3-4. The HSR west event at Fontana produced about 12. Well, there's that many street cars at D & G's swap, a lot smaller event, but geared toward 914s. It might depend on where you are at the time. I've begun to wonder if there are that many of these cars still around running.

mike95125 · 10-14-2002, 10:07 PM

Hell B, the most teeners that I have ever seen (other than a wrecking yard) were at the San Diego get to gether that Herb and others put together. There were four. At least two were bad ass. I dont live anywhere near your neck of the woods anymore so no dice there. Also, I am not interested in racing mine out so race events, to the best of my knowledge, wouldnt be my cup of tea. My goal is to find some local SOB that nees some weekend muscle and pseudo intellect to tool with his heap. Thats my kinda 914 meeting

Mike

Brad Roberts · 10-14-2002, 10:10 PM

Thanks Glenn,

The reunion I was referring to was the Renegade 914 reunion. I'm pretty sure our old pal Dennis had nothing to do with it. I plan to attend more of your swap meets after I get settled into SSI.

We normally have 30-40 cars attend the Roadglue events (even in the rain one time) sooo.. I know they are out there.

I would think that people without a 914 would want to attend these events (people thinking of buying a 914) to gather information and the such.

Oh well. Can't win them all. I personally try to attend every event I can. Its a long haul for the MidWest ramble from the SF bay area.. but I seem to make every other year or so. I attend Dunkles every year in LA (6.5 hour drive).

The passion for these cars shows up in these forums... but the attendance numbers dont show it per event.

B

anthony · 10-14-2002, 10:38 PM

If I bought my girlfriend a Porsche I could probably attend more events!

Seriously, I think there are almost too many events to attend and the 914s can get spread thin among all of them. I bought my car in March and so far this year I've attended at least 12 events, swapmeets, and Roadglue breakfasts. Timing with work wasn't good for the Ramble and if I ever wanted to go down to an LA event I'd probably drive my sedan.

HMeeder · HMeeder's Garage

You forgot the SDR AX on November 30th. That would make 8 in a row for you.

Brad;

Kevin is right. there are so many things to do in California. Neglected to mention the Historic Car Races on Coronado.

Too much fun stuff.

Brad Roberts · 10-15-2002, 12:14 AM

I knew Cal was loaded with events (I live here ..lol)

..Just wondering.

San Diego Mike..

I get 8-10 people at the shop each weekend.. I know all about "gatherings".

It just amazes me that a Boxster event in LasVegas can get 200 cars to show up (I realize they are newer cars that actually run)

B

Kevin Powers · 10-15-2002, 06:28 AM

i need a push.

SummerSledSix · 10-15-2002, 06:36 AM

B, maybe you just hit the nail on the head. From the topics on this BBS, looks like a substantial portion of the teeners we hear about are up on jackstands for one reason or another. Might be an interesting poll to run - is it currently roadworthy? Of the time you've owned your teener, what percentage has it been driveable...

Jeroen · 10-15-2002, 07:16 AM

It's the same or worse over here...
Our club has about 250 members
At an event, we're lucky if 10 show up
Usually it's half that number and in some cases we've canceld events because only 3 or 4 people signed up

You won't believe the "excuses" some people come up with...
Like "too far away". You can drive across our country in 3 hours, for crying out loud!!!

Now people start complaining. "why aren't there more events?"
Well, you think that anybody, who organizes an event, is gonna go through all that trouble again, when they know that only 5 people show up (or worse, the event has to be cancelled)?

This year, we've actually tried everything.
Our last AX was organized together with a 928 and 944 club.
A small track was rented for it.
Oh, and the entrance was free (!)

You'd expect everyone to be there, right?
Wrong... 4 people (914-ers) showed up.
One drove one (!) lap, prolly got scared and went home.
The other three parked their cars and sat next to them. Haven't seen them talking to anybody else the whole day...

Most of em are just cheap or lazy (or both)...

Cheers,

Jeroen

Bleyseng · Bleyseng's Garage

In the Seattle area, I attend atleast 50% of the Autox events where there are 10-15 914's. Depends on the weather on how many show up.
There is one swap meet a year so everybody shows up for that one (JohnWalker's).
I have driven to Oregon to a meet there (3hrs) and will go again sometime. I do want to go to Calif in the car to attend some event and meet people too. It's a loong drive though in a 914.
There is not a 914 club that is active in Seattle right now, unless you count the informal gatherings at my house. There are several people on the BBS that I have not met from the Seattle area and would like to.....
Jereon-
Hi Jeroen, ik heb genoten van mijn trip naar Suriname, at roti, rijsttafel en heleboel andere lekkernijtjes.
Groetjes Monique

friarjohn · 08:01 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bleyseng

There is not a 914 club that is active in Seattle right now, unless you count the informal gatherings at my house. There are several people on the BBS that I have not met from the Seattle area and would like to.....

Anybody remember this?

http://members.rennlist.com/washington_state_914s/

Gawd, I haven't touched this site in years.

John

rfoulds · rfoulds's Garage

When I lived in CA, I would pick Porsche events I wanted to go to that would fit around my family schedule. Soccer games, home renovations, etc.

Then, my 914 would break the week before the event.

Back then in CA, and now in New Orleans, I find that I can't get enough advance notice of events to plan for them..

My local PCA website still lists a weekend in June as the next DE.

Scott S · Scott S's Garage

I only "plan" on attending 3 per year: The summer kick off "VWs on the green", the PCA concour and the big end of summer Bug In.
I am not really a road trip person, and sort of lump "tours" into this category. I wish we had more local events like the so-cal group, but out here we have a lot less cars, and (as per this thread topic) peoples schedules are tight. I am usually the only 914 at any of the above listed shows in Denver - even the PCA show.
I think that some may be put off by the terms "car show" and "concour", thinking that their cars are not preparred enough. The VW shows are full of un-restored/non "show cars" and the concour has many more cars in the display only category than those that are actually judged. The main focus of the concour is to raise money for charity - thats why PCA invites the Ferrari Club, Jag Club, Vintage VW, Vintage Racing as well as many others (even those gold chain wearin, raised white letter tire buying, fiberglass and tuck and roll interior detailin corvette guys).
I would love to see more of our local crowd at these shows. To see 10-15 914's all lined up - regardless of if they are "show" cars would be very cool.

Bleyseng · Bleyseng's Garage

John, I remember that site. The guy who did the sitework sold his slantnose car so that was the end of that club. I attended several of their meetings including meeting JP at the one at David Saids. The NW misses David Said (Triad ) as he was such a promoter of 914's! Maybe I can get ahold of that site/club to restart it.
Geoff

friarjohn · 10-15-2002, 09:33 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bleyseng
John, I remember that site. The guy who did the sitework sold his slantnose car so that was the end of that club. I attended several of their meetings including meeting JP at the one at David Saids. The NW misses David Said (Triad ) as he was such a promoter of 914's! Maybe I can get ahold of that site/club to restart it.
Geoff

Yeah, that was Mike Couch. His was probably the nicest Chalon2 body kit installation I've ever seen. He was the "content guy" and I was/am the "web guy." If you want to revive the site I'm willing to help on the web side of things. Of course I still have all the files and such. It really needs someone to drive the group, though and that's not really feasible for me. Contact me directly if you want to talk about it. 914@johnbedard.com

John

URY914 · URY914's Garage

As far as attendance to events goes I've had it explained to me as the 10/10 rule. In any club there are only about 10% that really show up on a regular basis, of that group there are really only 10% who get involved with helping out and work. So if your PCA region has 1000 members and 100 show up for the event and only 10 really doing anything. How many of the 1000 members own 914's? Than apply the 10/10 rule and about .25 of a 914 owner shows up.
I drove three hours to get to the Brumos swap meet last friday nite. I had eight 914 owners come over to look at my stuff. I think that is weak for all the ads and posts that promoted the event. And at the autox the next day there were 12!!! cars there. The President of the club didn't even show up.