Well, its funny you should mention that. Auszcar was shunned by a member of Sydney club yesterday too, yet here we are, not being biggots, here for a shared interest in Zeds and cars a like. I think we should stay a non "club" just to spite the others, bugger em I say. I would much prefer to be part of a free/voluntary group with as much if not more knowledge on the car than a stuck wanker's lot like these "clubs".
I have seen this type of behaviour before Rev, so it wouldn't surprise me at all if you are correct.