Let's start a car club - discuss

[luvemfast]

Getting away from the point Simon MaygZ is asking for discussion.

He's Basically calling for people who want a drivers club. Rather than a meetings club.

See my first response that it "has some merit and should be looked into".

 

Craig. Please try and refrain from personal jibes.

It's not making "your" club look very inviting.

 

Had you have actually asked the question of the foundation member.

"Why is it that you formed the original Datsun Sports Owners Club?" in the first place. You may have been suprised with the answer.

Because its pretty similar to what this entire thread is about.

[MaygZ]

Ok.  It seems a lot can happen in just 8 hours at work 

 

Firstly will people please stop attacking NDSOC AND will people please stop promoting NDSOC.  Start another thread if you want to have either discussion.  In fact I'm very surprised that the latter hasn't been done in an ongoing recruitment thread.    Why not? (rhetorical question for another thread)

 

Why do I want to start a club rather than join an existing club that seems to provide all I need?

I want to be part of a car club that is more focused on driving (either cruises or motor-sport) than meetings.

 

I want to be part of a club where things are made easy, rather than more complicated.

 

I want to be part of a club that has 21st century thinking rather than fight against traditions and ideals that are entrenched in the past.

 

I want to be part of car club that not only encourages, but promotes driver safety and training (I think most if not all of them do that)

 

I want to be part of a club that doesn't have chapters (splinter groups) that compete against each other for golden egg (end up killing the goose)

 

I want to be part of a club that doesn't require me to put more effort into fitting in with them before I'm welcomed or can enjoy the benefits of membership.

 

I want to be part of a club that is focused on building cars, building friendship, building experiences, building skills, not building clubrooms, bank balances, ego or empires.

 

I want to be part of a club that is small enough where everyone knows your name.

 

I would like people to move on from the 'slippery slope' argument or the 'they'll take club plates away altogether' arguments.  They are boogieman stories. 

Firstly to take them away will take an act of parliament.  It is a significant source of Govt revenue.  They will not be in a hurry to kill that goose.  If we are shown to be reckless in regard to the issue of the plates, then our club will be banned from issuing plates.

No person who forms the executive of our club would be so reckless as to give club plates to a death trap.  It's not going to happen.  I drove a car last week that came close to that definition that at some stage has had a RWC, does that make Vic Roads or that mechanic responsible for its condition now?  Any club formed will be incorporated and thus the executive and the membership is protected from litigation if the club is sued.

 

Let's please get back on track as to what you want from a club.  members of existing clubs can't be 100% happy with their clubs.  There must be something that cheeses you off.  I would like to hear what they are.  I would also like to hear what you club does really well.  Please don't name the club, so as to not start another argument about my club is better than any club you can start.

 

I want this made clear also:  Non of my above comments are directed at any individual person or club, but rather the 'institutional clubs that are a plenty.  I am not trying to steal members from, or belittle, or beat in battle any existing club.

 

Starting a car club is easy.  It has been made that way to encourage people to start clubs.  Building a club and keeping it going are whole different skills.  I see a chance to start a club from scratch and learn from the success' and failures of others to ensure our club lasts.

 

I agree with Luvemfast:  I truly love this forum, but it is not a car club.  This is a forum, this is a community, this is a group of people who are passionate about Zeds, this is many things to many people, but it is not a car club.

[620Z]

Well said Simon I like your pashion and comitment. 

[reverendzed]

This was a good read at 11:30pm last night! I think this is the greatness of this forum, people can express their views.  As someone said this is a forum not a club, i guess we have all blurred the lines a little simply by appreciating one anothers friendship.  For many of us we are not names on a forum we are faces and people who enjoy our cars and getting to hang out when the opportunity arises.  If it takes the formation of a club to appropriately and expediently accomodate club reg and we get to continue the investment of friendships that are already in place then I think it is worth actioning.

Rev

[be-zed]

You are right .You will never be 100% happy with a club( any club for that matter) . But what puts a smile on my face about my club is they had the balls to back my idea of a Z national event some 22 years ago. Contacted other clubs to sell the idea and the ball was rolling .It then picked up speed to become the NDN events. One of which is only months away. Now they are looking forward to the next one          ( NDN15) and at the moment they are at the bottom of the hill looking up . This time around it seems a lot steeper to them than last time. But I believe the concept will stay alive.  Yes they can piss you off some times , there will always be a difference of opinion  ,some times very heated.

But then they can do something brilliant like this.

Nissan Datsun Nationals   

 

[Zedman240®]

One thing I can't understand is this thing about how hard it is to get CH rego for the zed. All it took me was one Sunday drive to Don Hill's house (Authorized club inspector? not sure of title..) down faaaaar west, a thorough check of all major safety items and then 5 minutes typing out a letter then 2 hours of chatting about zeds. Most grief was caused by the police who pulled me over once on the way there and once on the way back; with both needing me to explain to them the process of the CH registering process. Question asked was why was I driving with a permit on a Sunday. I explained it was the only time I had and Don Hill had free to do all of this. Not sure as I never talked to you about that at the BBQ Simon but would like to know what you have heard or been through?

[PB260Z]

The good things about forums is you can be as active as you like, there are plenty of discussions active on this forum and whilst I read most of them I only get involved in some, it is the same sort of things with club social activities and meetings, some may want to some won't.

 

I suppose what I am saying that if people want to engage in the "club" side of the forum great, but if they don't that is also OK. The thing with some car clubs is they all but insist you get involved in the face to face side and whilst we all want the help, support and advice available not everyone will want to engage in the face to face side.

 

I agree with Rev, if some members what to form friendships and socialise that is great, but unlike a club not everyone has to socialise.

 

I have only met one member of this forum so far, but have been made feel welcome by all.

 

Just my (newbie) opinion.

 

Cheers

 

PB

[260DET]

My observations on car clubs.

 

Firstly, the bigger the club the more likely it will be willing and able to run events, particularly national events. Secondly, most non specialist clubs have room for any sort of legal event being organised by those who who want that sort of event. Thirdly, small clubs tend to be dominated by a very small group of people which is not always a good thing. Fourthly, the bigger the club the more members are likely to be exposed to different ideas and views which can open member's worlds up considerably.

 

There are more but the above will do, in my experience resulting from holding various car club positions the bigger the better in so many ways, small clubs are usually not very healthy or democratic nor do they usually do anything much above the mundane.

[gav240z]

My observations on car clubs.

 

Firstly, the bigger the club the more likely it will be willing and able to run events, particularly national events. Secondly, most non specialist clubs have room for any sort of legal event being organised by those who who want that sort of event. Thirdly, small clubs tend to be dominated by a very small group of people which is not always a good thing. Fourthly, the bigger the club the more members are likely to be exposed to different ideas and views which can open member's worlds up considerably.

 

There are more but the above will do, in my experience resulting from holding various car club positions the bigger the better in so many ways, small clubs are usually not very healthy or democratic nor do they usually do anything much above the mundane.

 

I tend to agree mate, a Zed car only club in my opinion can only do so much. Now if we were to consider an early or classic Datsun club I would think that would be a better proposition. However that opens a whole new can of worms...

[chris240]

You Mexicans are spoilt. Try living in Canberra, we have nothing even resembling a classic Japanese car club...

Ive had discussions with our local Rta about CH plates because the local ford and holdens clubs dont like the idea of a datsun member joining , I cant even get CH plates    Im stuck with $900 per year rego..

Sorry if im venting.

[Gordo]

$900.00 holy c#%£

[sco_aus]

Yeah, we have the choice of NRMA, NRMA or NRMA for CTP.  It's a fucking joke and each government promises to change it at the election and they don't.  It makes me wonder why they keep getting re-elected.  /End vent.

[Agno]

CTP is the same in Victoria and is bundled in with your rego renewal costs. Last year registration was $796 for my daily and $135 for my Zed.

 

I should just go buy 3 more "classic" Jap econoboxes (Colt, 120Y and 323?) and be in front on Rego every year!

[luvemfast]

I should just go buy 3 more "classic" Jap econoboxes (Colt, 120Y and 323?) and be in front on Rego every year!

I've often thought the same thing.

There are sooo many cool old cars I'd love to have.

Even my first car again, Peter Wherret Special Sigma!

[Agno]

Insurance would be dearer and probably counteract the cheap rego benefits, but I would still own 4 cars! If I actually had a choice of what I would own I would get a 1600, Super Six and a Crown

[PZG302]

Insurance won't be too bad for 4 old clunkers.

 

My insurance bill for my 4 cars comes in at under 2k a year, albeit 2 are on laid up cover at the moment, but the S14a is $850, the S14 on laid up cover is about $150, the charger about the same for laid up cover and the hairdresser car is just under $250 a year. All with Shannons. Obviously individual circumstances may change these figures.

 

Back on topic, regarding clubs I'm a member of 3 for what I want out of them, the MX5 club for track days and social events, the HRCC for racing, well events they run that I like to compete in that membership can make easier to access, like the Noosa Hillclimb and the Cootha Classic as well as the free entry to the National historic meeting each year to watch. The final club is the prod sport association in Qld for racing in their series.

 

If you want the proposed club to give access to motorsport, be maindfull of who you want to be associated with. CAMS require affiliation fees based on member numbers, but gives access to CAMS licencing and events. AASA, well the insurances are a bit of an unkown at the moment as no one to my knowledge has had to make a major claim, ie disability and/or loss of wages, which CAMS does cover in their insurances for particiants and officials. Also CAMS events do seem to be better run and more pprofessional than AASA, up here in QLD anyway.

 

As with any club, you won't please all of the people all of the time. In some ways I wonder what isn't available in Vic for those who are looking to be potential members of the proposed club.

 

At the moment I am not what you would call an active member of any of the cubs I am a member of. I help at the MX5 track days if I am not running and have the day off work for their Monday track days and participate in probably half a dozen social runs a year including running one run a year, the HRCC I am just someone who pays their dollars, for PSCRAQ again I am using the club to race, at this stage I turn up at race meetings when I have the time to give anyonne a hand that needs one for a rce meeting but would rather be racing.

 

many years ago I was a very active member of the Z club in Sydney, on tha committee as motorsport editor and general comittee person. The biggest challenge is finding someone who is commited to the club and can give their time as and when requires. At this stage in life I can't give that commitment to step up in any of the clubs I am a member of.

[MaygZ]

There has been some discussion behind the scenes.

 

'A' club will almost certainly be going ahead and I hope to have it up and running by June, 2013 (if not before).  I still need a couple of people to form the executive.

 

I am interested now in hearing from people who would like to be a part of it.  Please contact me (either by email, PM or post here) if you are interested in either being a part of the executive or just part of the club.

 

Stay safe for Christmas all and take care coming home from your Christmas parties.

 

MaygZ

[sco_aus]

Good on you Simon, 'if you build it they will come'.  It can't hurt trying and we still have the forum so nothing changes there.  BTW, will members be able to CAMS licenses through the club?  Ill join for that alone

[dat2kman]

Insurances are a rip job. Why?

'cos say you own a few cars, you may want the lower cost "laid up" sitting in the shed or some workshop insurance on them, but,

You can nly drive one of yor cars at a time.

We should ge able to insure the "driver" not the car, whilst in use on public roads.

 

The rego and insurance authourities know this, but, as it is not in their interests, they will never suggest it to we dumb sucker car owners.

 

[MaygZ]

Good on you Simon, 'if you build it they will come'.  It can't hurt trying and we still have the forum so nothing changes there.  BTW, will members be able to CAMS licenses through the club?  Ill join for that alone

 

Scott,

 

that is something we will look at and it will be dependent on numbers.  From memory it's about $500 for a club with 40 members.  Cheap if you have 40 members, but pretty pricey if you on have 10 (add licence cost to that)

 

It is however my plan to do so.

[sco_aus]

Good luck mate.

[lightmaster240z]

I am more than happy to join up when you get it started. I personally love  Auszcar as it is and can only see a positive out come with this direction. 

[Gordo]

Good work Simon , I will be happy to be a paid up member.