Have we become too “exclusive”?

[Red Rooster]

Mike,
Great complaint letter! I LOL'd a couple of times in it. But seriously, try and look at this from the perspective of the volunteers.

* How do they know you really are PCA member Mike Dougherty and not KGB member Vladamir Gradvedenko? You can never be too safe.

* How do they know you are only trying to buy a couple of Porsche T-shirts from the Goodie Store and not trying to sell USA satellite technology to the Chinese Red Army?

* How do they know you aren't a member of the Alfa Romeo club trying to sneak in and learn the secrets of how to run an event and stay on schedule?

And perhaps most importantly, how do they really know you are a Porsche owner? For all they know you could be a Boxster/Cayman/924/944/968/928 owner and can you imagine the indignity of a Porsche owner having to associate with those unwashed masses?

"So I told the sentry"

C L A S S I C !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Tim Comeau]

Well,......
I'm kinda glad the thread lightened up some. But is it going to turn into a trash talking session between water and air cooled cars?
Hope so. Cuz that stuff gets pretty entertaining! We are here to have fun.
.and Ron...you don't want to give me the mic and ask me what I know about the development/advantages of the front-engined water-cooled models... or even Porsche history in general ....unless the audience is as passionate (psychotic) about this stuff as I am.

[ronaldtrotter]

Tim, I was thinking more paranoid about the cars. Anyway remember, "Just because you are paranoid doesn't mean they aren't out to get you "(or the cars).

[Dan Chambers]

Mike: I understand your frustration, and offer you a couple of possible explanations:

* I attended the Parade's Concours d'Elegance yesterday. I showed up at the host hotel to ride the shuttle with a friend who happened to be registered. I unfortunately, was not. We stopped by the “Cafe” that was setup, and I was escorted to the boss so I could beg for permission to accompany my friend inside the cafe. Fortunately for me, the boss was someone who recognized me as a club member, and I was permitted to walk around inside the cafe and talk to the vendors (as long as I didn't not go near the computers).

* After viewing all the beautiful cars at the Concours, I came back to the host hotel. Wanting to pick a couple more shirts for my collection I ventured over the Goodie Store. I was asked for my badge. I did not have one to present. I was then asked for my membership card. I don't carry my PCA membership card around with me, so I told the sentry “I do not have it with me, but I am a member and would like to pick up some things.” And for some reason, that was not good enough. Apparently I was lying about my membership status, and would therefore not be allowed to enter the Goodie Store and part with my money.

[I understand that the Parade needs to have something exclusive to the Parade registrants. And I do not question the value of that exclusivity. Otherwise, why pay the registration fees. But isn't that what the events (Ralley's, Banquette's, AX, Tours, etc) are for? Do you really need to make the Goodie Store and Vendor Row exclusive? Isn't that doing a dis-service to the Club and the vendors?]

I guess that depends on who you ask. Some folks want complete excusivity for their $$. One really important thing to remember: at Parade Portland Heaps and Heaps of merchandise and other items (griot's car washing equipment, etc) were stolen from the Parade grounds, the Parade Store, etc. I don't think it was so much the exclusivity issue as it was a security issue here in San Diego. There was a huge loss at Portland that SD and the National Parade comittee was trying to avoid. As an example of this: I was just informed that the two Parade Registration Computers may have been stolen at the Town and Country Hotel today!!

It's not you, it's the "unsavories" that the committees are trying to block. We all pay the price when the bad guys win.

* Earlier this year I attended a QDE to get some much desired, and inexpensive seat time. Through a fluke situation my pre-registration was not complete. So I was to complete the process the morning of. Well, with all the prep and busyness of the morning I forgot to go by the trailer. When I was reminded that I needed to complete the process, it was just as my students session was beginning. So on my way to my students car I stopped by the trailer and let the registrar know that I would complete the process after my students run session was through. But apparently that was not good enough. Either the registrar thought I was lying, or that waiting another 20 minutes would have brought the entire registration process to its knees and the event would have to have placed on hold.

Tough one. Enforcing policy for the sake of insurance, or other safety reason's can sometimes be frustrating, I know. I have missed a session or two in the morning for the same reason: didn't pay. So I sat out the first 10-minutes of the first session while they ran my credit card. Stupid me or stupid registration? On the other hand ... as the saying goes .... if everyone lagged in the am, when exactly would the people in the Trailer get a chance to drive their cars, or go home? Do we require them to sit in the Trailer all morning 'cause we forgot to handle everything and we want to ride or drive with out students? They - the Regristrars, drive too....

* Even earlier in the year, I had just had a new motor installed in my car. So I wanted to get some seat time before heading to the WSIR TT. I pre-registered (a week in advance? What ever happened to 3-4 days?), and then showed up. While getting my registration packet I was asked for my membership card. I of course did not have it, as I am not in the habit of carrying it around with me on a regular basis. So, my word not being good enough, I was required to find someone at the event who could vouch for my membership status. Of course their word somehow being better than mine I was just a little irked at being called a liar.

The problem we encountered a little while back was: people claiming they were PCA members when in fact they were not. After our Insurance Chair discovered we were having non-PCA members driving in our Q-events, they instigated the Membership Card Rule. Even I get asked by the Tech Guys to show my card ... and I know every one of them by name. Does this bite? You bet! You and I have to pay the price for others lying to the registrars about being members, and putting the entire Q-driving program at risk!

So my question is: What has happened to this club? I have only been a member for 5 years but have seen a great change in the attitude of the club in that time. When I joined in 2002 it was a fun group to be around. I fully believed the slogan “It's not just the cars, it's the people”. I didn't have to prove I was worthy enough to be a member. In fact, if I was at a club event it was assumed I was a member. Before becoming a member I was allowed to watch, and was told all about how great the club was and that I should join, by friendly people who genuinely seemed to want me to be a part of their group. So I did. But lately greetings by people I have not met before are antagonistic, as if to say “Are you a member? Prove it! Because if not, you are not worthy of being in my presence.”

I saw a sign yesterday at the Concours, it read “Porsche Family”, I believe it was referring to the fact that everyone who owns a Porsche belongs to the “Porsche Family”. But after talking with another friend of mine, I believe it was also referring to the “PCA Family”. I have only attended a few family reunions in my day. But I can't remember ever being asked for a birth certificate to prove I was a member of the family. If I said I was a member, then I was. Most times I was also asked what line I descended from, but my status as a member of the family was never questioned.

Hans-Petr Porsche and his family were here all week for the Parade. Could it be possible the sign you saw was for him and PCNA/Porsche A.G.? At every event that they attended, the "Porsche Family" and the PCNA/Porsche A.G. entourage had exclusive seating, meals, and areas held for them. Maybe you saw that sign.

If we really want to be the “PCA Family” then you really need to be more trusting of, and less hostile toward those who say they belong to the family. However, if PCA wants to become an Elite Car Club, then you seem to be heading in the right direction.

Jack Miller does an awesome job with the TT series. Safe, laid back process, fun, and inexpensive. I also really enjoy the once-a-year Club Race. For those reasons I will likely retain my membership for as long as I own a Porsche. But I am finding it more and more difficult to come up with reasons to attend other PCA SDR events and functions.

I can't answer all your comments, but I can try to help give you some insight. Us "older" guys .... those people who've been active at many Chair positions, and attend many different events .... know one another quite well. On the otherhand: we have a lot of new Chairs who are just learning the ropes, and don't know some of us "old fogies." So, they do what they're told to do: check everyone they talk to.

Since you are the TT Chair (read: away events at the big tracks), and also the Tech Committee guy (read: behind the scenes more than in the lime-light), your exposure at the Q-driving events, and other venues (tours, Last Tuesday Socials, Concours Judging Schools, Rallys, Charity fund-raiser events, other social events) is a little limited. Some of the "newer" folks may not know of your years of contribution to the club. Perhaps... try not to interpret their ignorance of your contributions as elitism or exclusivity. They may just not know you.

As "dorky" as it seems, carrying your membership card, or (gasp ) wearing your Time Trial Chair badge to events ... while silly, demoralizing, and down right "off the DORK meter" .... may help grease the wheels a little better and open more doors than they close.

I know you're welcome to any event I'm in charge of .....

Cheers!

[SDGT3]

I can't find my card. Will a recent copy of the Windblown Witness or Panarama with my name and a copy of my license do? I want to do a few autox and TT in the 2nd half of the year. I signed up with PCA in late 2006.

[Zulu993]

Pssss, Mike, I know where you can get a fake PCA membership card for less than the annual dues (however you won't be able to get that wonder, better know as the Panorama!)

On a lighter note, I was not registered for Parade but was never denied access to any of the Town & Country areas (wearing a t-shirt that said "Port-cha Securtee" must of helped). I feel your angst brother, I’ll gladly buy you a beer at the next social event.

[Curt]

I can't find my card. Will a recent copy of the Windblown Witness or Panarama with my name and a copy of my license do?

Oh ho ho. I don't think so buddy. This is exactly the trick Jack Bauer used when he needed to get into the Russian embassy and interrogate the ambassador about the stolen suitcase nukes. This will never get you through even the first layer of PCA security.

I have also lost my membership card, but I have heard through certain channels about a pair of stolen computers very recently available on the black market that contain a list of all PCA members. If you, Mike D and I pool our money, we can buy these computers and show the event registers our names on the massive database in these computers and gain entry into all events from here on out.

Look guys, this is serious stuff here. Entire defense systems of the western hemisphere can be compromised. Lives hang in the balance. Who knows WHAT Mike D would have done with those plutonium enriching centrifuges he was trying to buy from the Goodie Store? We can't have just any Tom, Dick or Harry walking around giving unmarked, untraceable bills to these vendors. Heck, along with PCA cards we should require W-2's to insure that the money is clean.

So when we have these autocrosses and driving events with 60-140 cars at them and most of us leave our tools and all our gear in our cars and many of us leave the keys in the ignition, unattended for very long periods of time, how much stuff ends up missing? How many cars have been stolen while their owner is out working corners for close to two hours? Exactly.

What does this prove? The track junkies in this club are as trustworthy as it gets. I'd take a serious look at those concours people though. You know how they say if you wash your hands compulsively, that you subconsciously feel guilty about what those hands have been doing? Well what does that say about someone who polishes a car like that?

And Dan C talks about the committee trying to block the "unsavories". Look man, Dan A and I aren't even going to the parade this year. I did however see Dan in the Huntington Beach 4th of July parade yesterday. He was the only guy on the float for veterans of the War of 1812.

[Bob Gagnon]

Mike -

I hear you on your complaints and what you want is exactly the way the club was when I attended the 1977 Parade as a non-entrant. Nobody asked me for an ID, I freely went where I wanted in the hotel. etc., I didn't get any free dinners though!!! Almost the entire Porsche family attended, the 928 was introduced at that Parade, a new car was a door prize, Pirelli introduced the super low profile tire and was showing them. Their was a real energy to things.

Also, at that time, we could take any passenger we wanted for a ride at a PCASDR autocross even if you weren't an instructor, I remember people taking their kids in a child seat for a ride!! We had far fewer at an Autocross and got 3 practice sessions. You signed up the day of the event with no penalties, etc.

It is too bad, but times have moved on. Just as the Porsche company and its cars have moved on from a simple family run company producing the 356 to a big corporation producing sports cars, SUVs and soon a 4 door sedan, the club has moved on from a "clubby 356 club" to more of a corporation with the attendant legal and other management issues that go along with that.

I think the biggest challenge the club will have in the future is not having it fragment into parts say a "Porsche GT3 Club", "Boxster Club" etc because of this.

Bigger is not always better....signed "The Curmudgeon"

[MikeD]

Wow! I got one or two emails on this thread so I thought it had just fallen by the wayside. Will have to look into potential email issues.

First, I would like to thank all who posted. The main reason I posted was to just get us thinking about what we are, and would like to be as a club. I know we are all volunteers. But the fact that we volunteer does not mean we are, or at least should not be immune to critique and correction. And I am guilty of needing accountability just as much as anyone else (right Steve?).

SDGT3 reminds me of a thought I have had, almost ever since joining this club. In Alan Johnson's book Driving in Competition he says something to the effect of "If you don't have a sports car, it doesn't matter, join a club, get involved and help out." (I don't have the book in front of me so that is very likely not an exact quote). I believe he was talking about people who have a passion and joy for the sport, and just want to be around it whether they had a car or not. After reading that I thought about the PCA membership application I had, at the time recently filled out, asking me for my VIN#. I guess Alan Johnson was not talking about joining the PCA.

To a small extent, I understand why the PCA would want you to have a Porsche to be a member. But on the other hand I think it more valuable to the club as a whole to allow people in the club who do not have a Porsche, but might just be more passionate about the marque than those that own multiple Porsche's. Do we really think that if we opened up the membership to anyone that there would be a mass influx of ricer-this and pimp-my-that owners signing up? Really, do we?

And Curt, in his usual hilarious way has made, probably the most valuable point of all. Would it really have been all that bad if one or two (or even 10) non-PCA members got past the guard and purchased a T-Shirt, or coffee cup, or pin?

Dan A, I don't know what to say about the thievery. I do not like to hear that, not at all. But I'm not completely convinced that locking everything down to the most minute level possible is the answer. I mean, look at what you said. We had all this security and someone still walked out of the hotel with two computers. I will probably get flamed for this, but maybe if the security team had been paying more attention to those leaving than those entering, we might still have those two computers.

I would like to make one thing clear. Far and away, the majority of the people in this club are accommodating, friendly, and a lot of fun to hang out with. I don't want anyone to get the impression that I think we've all become a bunch of Sticks-in-the-mud. Just a few people, and a couple policies that seem to be taking all this just a little too seriously.

Anyway, thanks again for contributing to the discussion. I appreciate seeing what you all have to say... well maybe not Gary... but the rest of you sure .

Thanks

[Kim Crosser]

Hi Mike,
Just a couple of comments that may (or may not) make you feel better about the policies...

I am an AX chair for Corner Working - have been for 4-5 years now, and they ALWAYS check my PCA membership card, even though I attend virtually every AX and my membership is good thru 2008. Yes, it is a slight nuisance, but once you put it in your wallet with your DL, it is no big deal.

The "cross my heart and hope to die" form at the events was put into place to AVOID sending people home who didn't have their PCA cards with them. I drafted the wording and maybe put a little too much "contractese" into it, but the intention wasn't to challenge anyone's claims, but to provide a way of letting people drive who were members, but had forgotten/lost their cards the day of the event - without jeopardizing our insurance.

I agree with you about the Parade Goodie shop - it seems ridiculous to prevent people from buying Porsche stuff just because they aren't registered in the Parade. As for the security, my wife had to surrender her purse on entry and everyone in the shop did seem very security-aware (read: paranoid).

Whenever you get an event of that size, there will be some "bad apples" in the bunch. I was told that there was even some thefts of items from the AX parking lot in the cold pits - where only the event drivers were allowed to park, and the parking guards were very strict about that. So, with the theft history in Portland, and some thefts during Parade here in SD, it seems like the security was necessary (if not completely effective).

[SDGT3]

HI all,

I found my card!!!! Now I don't have to wait until the renewal letter comes in to attend a driving event

I still haven't put it in my wallet, but I'll remember it before I go out to a PCA event, right? I kind of like living dangerously.

[KeithV]

Mike,

Quit your darned whining and bring your membership card to events like everyone else - you big baby . Geez Dude! Try some decaf!!

Everyone is NOT out to get you, no one is calling you a liar. We ask ALL members to bring their membership cards to events. Take a look at the SDR Tech Inspection form you fill out before every driving event, it asks EVERYONE (not just Mikey) for verification of membership ...... you do fill out a tech form .... right?

Just like CHP ask you to carry a drivers license.

In both cases, if you choose not to - then that's fine - it's a free country, but be prepared to face the consequences of your decision!

The REAL problem with PCA nowadays, is that there are now too many spoiled people who think the rules don't apply to them - or are distraught because "society" forces them to carry sooo many heavy cards in their wallet that they can barely manage - poor dears!

By the way, the sign at the concours saying "Porsche Family" was not a Philosophical mantra, it marked a parking area reserved for Peter and Suzanne Porsche and the rest of the Porsche family that came over to San Diego Parade from Germany.

Let's just do whatever it takes to go out and drive.

[LUCKY DAVE]

Gee, I wish I had something to complain about, I feel left out.....
I guess I could just make something up...