FUTURE Z CAR NATIONALS

[be-zed]

I may be wrong on this. But have there been any Z only Nationals since 2003. They seem to have become Nissan Datsun Nationals open to all makes of Nissan- Datsun models. Through the 90`s there were Z only Nationals with other nissan-datsun makes invited to take part. But in whole it was a celebration of the Z series cars . I have been told that there is not enought interest from Z owners to justify a Z only event. There would not be the numbers to cover its cost to put on. Can this be true and there be no more Z Nationals?   

[.]

That is certainly the case for the more remote states. Here is QLD we just can't attract enought Z cars to justify a pure Z nationals. We struggled to break even after including the other models.

It might be a different story for more central states like NSW.

But to be honest I like the idea of leaving it open to all nissan and datsuns. It broadens the experience.

[Lurch]

I will NOT partake in an event that is solely 'Z' orientated.
I boycotted the event last year because it was touted as a 'Z Only' Nationals, with the 'other' models invited just to bring in some extra $...
It's a boring event just looking Zeds & inviting the broader Datsun community make for a much more entertaining event.

The OP is a sad old rhetoric & shows that some Zed owners STILL have there heads firmly jammed up......................................

[chev z]

But you partake in a site that is solely for Zeds, interesting.

Weren't we celebrating 40 zed years at these nationals

Personally I like checking out other Nissan /Datsuns and chatting with their owners, but then I love admiring any make or model vehicle ...ala at the Picnic at Hanging Rock.
It's a reality these days that to run a successful event big numbers are needed to ensure no monetary loss,so I don't care what they call the event as long as the car club that organisers the event doesn't lose dough.I also appreciate the effort and time that it takes to setup and run a large event ,given that,perhaps they are entilted to call it whatever they like .
People who boycott these nationals are probably cutting there nose off to spite their face i.e.for if we all took that attitude then there will be no nationals and I'm pretty sure we who use this site wouldn't take up the challenge of running a similar event ...i could be wrong  but we don't have a committee etc for starters.

I didn't care what the nationals were called this year I had a great time meeting other like minded car nuts .
Perhaps look at the bigger picture

[gav240z]

I have a feeling I know where this thread might end up going, so with that in mind can we try and keep it positive around ways to improve it in future?

[260Coupe]

Hi guys,  this topic has been covered a number of times and the reality is the $$$............. as the guys have stated

I have been involved in organising three Nationals with the NDSOC, the last been the 2007 Nats at P.I and many years ago we found that to confine the event just to Zeds is not financially viable (if you want to hold a track day in particular) hence why we initiated the "Nissan/Datsun Nationals" in 2001............together whith the fact that the NDSOC has over 50% of members who have vehicles other than Zeds...........and it adds to the "colour and variety" of vehicles and their owners.
The 2007 Nationals had over 200 vehicles entered, of these we had around 50 Zeds ............if the event was confined to Zeds we would have gone broke or not held a track day and not had merchandise.....etc.........so it would turn into a "nob polishing fest" in a park rather than the multi event that we held (Show n Shine, Nav rally and track day) .
 These events take a huge amount of organisation and funding to get up and running, as such no organising club wants the event to fail and we have seen the success the viarity of vehicles has brought to the bi-annual event.
Whilst I cannot speak for the Sydney or QLD Zed club, the NDSOC maintains individual classes and trophies for Zeds to maintain the heritage of the "Zed Nationals" , so for those who felt that past couple of events may have lost their  "Zedness" ........be assured that whilst all marques will be catered for and celebrated , the Zed focus will return for 2013.

Alan
NDSOC
 

[gav240z]

Alan is the NDSOC organising the 2013 event? If so may I suggest asking for more help from Auszcar in terms of promotion? I feel that in the last couple of years this site was not leveraged to it's full extent.

I would be happy to help promote it via front page news and setting up a page if req. Can also do banner advertising on the site (no charge of course).

We may also be able to do a mail out to members etc... really drum up enthusiasm and interest.

I was just never asked in the past or only contacted once or twice for a couple of small things. I found it a bit odd personally.

Just a suggestion to whoever is organising the event, feel free to reach out to me. I'm eager to help.

[chev z]

Well done Gav , the best way to promote zeds / datsuns/ nissans is to get behind OUR national event and help out whether it be advertising , money , prizes , marshalling or just entering.
Keep the zed dream alive and make it a grand event.

Usually the best way to change something is to become involved and be proactive not back away and criticize others good intentions.

GO ZEDS  etc

[1600dave]

These events take a huge amount of organisation and funding to get up and running, as such no organising club wants the event to fail and we have seen the success the viarity of vehicles has brought to the bi-annual event.

A comment often made is the amount of organisation these events take (which is undeniable), and there is always the accusations that the event "favours Zeds", or "favours non-zeds" (often from different people discussing the exact same event  ).

At the risk of suggesting a radical change, perhaps rather than having each Nationals organised by the "hosting state" club alone, consideration could be given to having future events (say, from 2015 onwards) run by a committee of volunteers recruited from numerous clubs. These events could be run to a standard formula so the "look and feel" is the same from year to year ? Also possibly expanding the list of clubs involved in the organisation of the event (the three existing clubs, plus other Datsun / Nissan-oriented clubs) ?

This may solve the problem of getting enough volunteers, would ensure consistency from year to year (ie categories, number of trophies, judging, etc, etc), may spread the financial pressures, and may save some work (by having a "template"or "framework" to work from).

There are potentially a few downsides such as people in different states having to get together and arrange stuff (although in this digital age there are plenty of alternatives to face-to-face meetings), and potentially the need for a reasonable number of volunteers from the "local" club to actually run the event (but again, as an example I personally was involved in timekeeping at this years nationals despite not being from the Sydney Z Club so there is no reason why volunteers couldn't be drawn from a number of clubs).

Just my thoughts 

[dat2kman]

Dave, well suggested!
In 2009 QLD, the club lost money, no biggie, it is expected, but with recent financial times we are trying to run events for members and guests, but when there is no or very little interest, or when you just don't get the numbers turning up and entering, the two years to rebuild clubs funds are just not there, the last three local events z QLD have run have made no money, so no funds to deposit, last weekend we grid a dat at a track, 12 said yes, 3 paid, it WAS going to cost the club $1500 it got cancelled. I am trying for a June 2012 Queens g'day weekend three days of pure motorsport for ALL Jap cars here in QLD, but the committe have canned the idea, as it is deemed too financially risky.
Track owners want big dollars, it costs a lot for all the other stuff involved, only a financially healthy club can do this.
A few individuals on a forum think yep easy peasey it can be done, but no, it takes a core group, with additional manpower, and the backing of a healthy bank balance.
ZClub Qld gave away the rights to the CJSS the new organizer has just run it at Lakeside, he got a huge turnout, plenty on show and plenty on track, very disorganized, but the attendees didnt mind, they loved it

Z club QLD is due to host NDN in 2015, the current committee are now wary of taking risks with club funds, ffs we have some 12 k in bank, ndsoc have 28k it can be spent, just how much do we need to keep, I am one voice, no matter what position I hold if any within a club!

[jamo240]

When and where are the 2013 Nationals slated to be held....I'll be there, and I haven't been since Shepparton 200?3!

Jamo

[zed74]

Shepparton was 2001!

[sco_aus]

They will be held at Phillip Island, and I think I might go.  I have free accommodation there

I like Dave1600s idea of people from all clubs getting together to organise, it would encourage more people from each state to attend rather than relyign on the majority of the attendees coming from near by.  The downside will always be politics in these sorts of comings togethers, as has been in the past.  You can only hope the people selected could be happy to co operate. 

Last years Nats were great, I had a ball and I was happy with how well it ran.  There was a slight lack of communication, but over all well run.  I considered boycotting when it was announced as a zed nats with others invited, but it didn't at all feel like a zed orientated event, not even zed only categories. 

[jamo240]

Oh....2001 then! I know it was Shepparton though...I remember driving to Winton for the track day only to have to go back because I left my helmet at Shepparton!

Jamo

[260Coupe]

Alan is the NDSOC organising the 2013 event? If so may I suggest asking for more help from Auszcar in terms of promotion? I feel that in the last couple of years this site was not leveraged to it's full extent.

I would be happy to help promote it via front page news and setting up a page if req. Can also do banner advertising on the site (no charge of course).

We may also be able to do a mail out to members etc... really drum up enthusiasm and interest.

I was just never asked in the past or only contacted once or twice for a couple of small things. I found it a bit odd personally.

Just a suggestion to whoever is organising the event, feel free to reach out to me. I'm eager to help.

Gav

Thanks for the offer and yes we will take you up on the advertising side of things..............I do recall posting regular updates for the 2007 and trying to generate some enthusiam but felt there was little return (possibly due to some residual politics at the time) 
Whilst the advertising would be great, we would also like real world assistance in the form of people who volunteer their time to assistance in organising events both during the planning stage and over the duration of the event............this is where we always struggle to find people with the real commitment.
1600Dave has a great idea however we have tried this in the past and we have found that the invited clubs where "all show and no go" .....plenty of enthusiam but no real action .......we will try again for 2013. The other point is management committees often turn events into a 'commercial' enterprise whcih sees entry prices sky rocket and go beyond the reach of many..........at club level we try and keep entries fees to an absolute minimum as we are not in it for the big profit margins.
On the subject of venue..........Winton is out as they have moved the "Bogan Nats" to Winton over Easter so we are trying to lock in P.I again, the issue is that P.I will not commit to a booking until early 2013 and insist that we hire the track for a minimum of two days (around $20k).....in 2007 we managed to get the BMW club to take on one day to split the cost.
So we have a number of challenges to overcome for 2013 however I you where one of the 200 entries we had for the 2007 event at P.I, I'm sure you will attest to a great weekend it was..........the next one should be even better.

Alan
Life Member
NDSOC