Membership and the Autocross

[ronaldtrotter]

I didn't mean to start this whole thread. But, Kim finally gave me the answer to my question. I don't know if my friend can make it. but he has since joined and if he comes will bring his proof.

[ronaldtrotter]

I have re-read my question. What I really was asking is could he join PCA at the AX. And if he could join PCA and did join PCA at the AX could he run. He owns a Porsche and is not sure he will like Autocross and wants to try it.

[Michael Dolphin]

Just for the record, Porsche Club of America and our insurance DOES allow non-members and non-Porsches in our Autcross Events -- at the discretion of the event management. The policies being discussed here are a San Diego Region policy and are not a Porsche Club policy.

[ttweed]

Just for the record, Porsche Club of America and our insurance DOES allow non-members and non-Porsches in our Autcross Events -- at the discretion of the event management. The policies being discussed here are a San Diego Region policy and are not a Porsche Club policy.

Thanks for the input, Michael. I know we have allowed non-Porsche vehicles to participate in PCA-SDR autox, DE and TT events in the past, at the discretion of the event Chair, but I don't think the "non-member" exclusion has ever been represented as "discretionary" in our past discussion of these topics. I have always heard PCA membership characterized as mandatory, and we are in fact now enforcing that policy in tech inspection.

TT

[kary]

Just for the record, Porsche Club of America and our insurance DOES allow non-members and non-Porsches in our Autcross Events -- at the discretion of the event management. The policies being discussed here are a San Diego Region policy and are not a Porsche Club policy.

Thank goodness, I revoke the return of any products you all may have bought, jeez that was close

[Kim Crosser]

...we don't want to reduce the track time of members in favor of non-members. This became a big discussion item over a year ago, along with allowing non-Porsches at events. With events of only 80-90 cars, it isn't an issue, but when we are struggling to get 12 laps in with 110-130 cars, we really should keep it to PCA members.

I have a hard time understanding how a PCA member who is a regular attendee at our autox events increases the crowd or reduces track time for the other participants by showing up and driving a non-Porsche. What am I missing? Aren't these two different issues-- non-members and non-Porsches? How did they get lumped together?
TT

Tom - I think you read too much into my statement. The "non-member" stuff started becoming more vocal around the same time as the "non-Porsche" discussions a year or so ago, but if you read the rest of my comment, I was only talking about "non-members" taking up driving slots/times. I have no problem with PCA members showing up with non-Porsches.

[Dan Chambers]

One thing not mentioned here: the reason we got a little tighter in the membership checking (in Tech inspection, and at the Trailer) was becasue we had, on more than one occasion, non-Members "slip" into our A-X's in their "friend's cars." These drivers were, in effect, "stealing" valuable space from paid members at our very popular driving events (AX's). They were driving Porsches, but they weren't members, or their membership had expired. So, we instituted a membership check in Tech to let everyone know (especially those who were attempting to "slip in" again) that we were checking ID's.

And what-da-ya-know ... we haven't had a "non-member" at our events since then. This has helped improved the condition whereby only bona-fide members/affiliates are participating .... keeping the door open to our members first, and reducing the chances of being crowded out by "fakey's".

As to getting a taste of being in "the club", I think this is where making a friend your affiliate is a great tool. My neighbor is my affiliate, and has driven my 944 at AX's. He's now considering selling his 'Vette for a 944Turbo. (His rationale: "I can have speed, power, and cornering?!? The 'Vette's outta here!") So, "getting a taste" is a easy as going on line and changing your affiliate member name.

The issue of non-Marque is for another thread, another time.

My 2-cents.