MarinerChris
New member
I was just reading some websites and noticed that some say the 944 was released in 1982, does this mean that this year is the 30th year of the 944, and if so, is PCGB doing some big bash for it??
Is it 30 years of the 944 this year??
- Thread starter MarinerChris
- Start date
Copperman05
New member
Yes your right it is the 30th anniversary of the 944 this year, sadly no the PCGB are not organising a big bash, they are however incorporating something into existing events.
Edd
Edd
pauljmcnulty
Active member
To be fair, I've been asking all year for ideas around our 30th, but there's been no real enthusiasm for 944 celebrations from you guys. We are now far too late for most of this year's planned events, you have to accept that things need to be planned ahead. There were proposed events in Ireland and the Lake District but they can't go ahead as there weren't enough numbers to justify them. It's unfair to say PCGB aren't organising anything, I'd have loved to but have had no support from the members so had to take view that you guys didn't want to do anything special.
I've regularly repeated over the last few years that we can organise things, but we need to have ideas as to what people want, and help from you with events. It's your register, so please let's do something with it!
We have tried to get support for 944 displays at the major Club events as well, but apparently we are limited to a few cars at Chateau Impney. If you'd like to see more cars on display, or have any suggestions as to where we can get the cars together, then please let the event organisers know. I can't do anything other than suggest you all speak to the Register Director and ask him to give us some help, but please bear in mind that the current RD isn't responsible for the lack of support we've had over the last few years. [
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Copperman05
New member
Paul,
There have been plenty of suggestions going around and to be honest I'm getting pretty fed up with this pass the buck, no one has told us what they want so I havent done anything attitude. If you create an event people will attend it. To blame any non organisation of a 30th anniversary event on club members is just unacceptable. It has been us who have been pushing the event and trying to get something up and running, each time we have been told, sorry that cant be done, or cant do a separate event, etc. No threads have been created by the registry asking what people wanted to do (this was actually done by members).
In the Feb 2012 Porsche Post 944 registry section members were told about the 30th anniversary and asked, '...it would be nice to see as many of the cars as possible out and about at all the club events this year.' No mention of any specific event or invitation for ideas from members was made.
For the anniversary members have suggested a meeting and run from Cornbury House (which I believe you agreed could be organised), another incorporating something into frontrunner, trip to Porsche Museum...and several others.
Surely this is what the 944 registry is for? If not then what is our function beyond the confines of this forum?
I'm sorry if this is a heated reply but I have found your reply both hurtful and completely untrue considering the previous discussions on the matter.
Edd
There have been plenty of suggestions going around and to be honest I'm getting pretty fed up with this pass the buck, no one has told us what they want so I havent done anything attitude. If you create an event people will attend it. To blame any non organisation of a 30th anniversary event on club members is just unacceptable. It has been us who have been pushing the event and trying to get something up and running, each time we have been told, sorry that cant be done, or cant do a separate event, etc. No threads have been created by the registry asking what people wanted to do (this was actually done by members).
In the Feb 2012 Porsche Post 944 registry section members were told about the 30th anniversary and asked, '...it would be nice to see as many of the cars as possible out and about at all the club events this year.' No mention of any specific event or invitation for ideas from members was made.
For the anniversary members have suggested a meeting and run from Cornbury House (which I believe you agreed could be organised), another incorporating something into frontrunner, trip to Porsche Museum...and several others.
Surely this is what the 944 registry is for? If not then what is our function beyond the confines of this forum?
I'm sorry if this is a heated reply but I have found your reply both hurtful and completely untrue considering the previous discussions on the matter.
Edd
pauljmcnulty
Active member
Sorry Edd, it's genuinely not meant that way but I have to tell things how I see them; it's just my nature! And don't apologise, I welcome any enthusiastic replies rather than no interest at all. [
]Last year we laid on a day at the Silverstone centre for £10, but there were more volunteers there than 944 attendees. We changed Frontrunner to a different venue and time of the year after people said the Cornbury House event in previous years was too close in date and format to the Cotswold Rally, and we got what, 6 people turning out?
This year I've been handed Frontrunner, it would be the ideal event for a 30th gathering. Problem is, I was caught between two camps wanting different events; one at Cornbury House in July and one at the Register event in September. Given publication dates for the magazine I had to choose one. As Harriet has stopped any involvement in the open days at CH that was a non-starter, as we had no idea what the situation would be. Ken's Register event is desperately looking for support, and he's the 968 RS, so that was really the only option. I've really struggled to run a Register with no support from the Club directors over a few years now. With so many distractions and departures it's been largely impossible to get anything done. Ken was at least addressing that, but then he resigned. Hopefully Alan will be staying in his role a bit longer!
I have asked regularly for ideas, I try to mention this a couple of times every year and in every new member's welcome letter. You can't just post ideas on a forum and expect someone to go away and organise it, you need to talk to the people involved and help. I've only had ONE person call me and suggest what they wanted including in Frontrunner this year, and unfortunately I've not been able to manage that specific request.
It's completely untrue to say "no one has told us what they want so I havent done anything attitude. If you create an event people will attend it." We did that last year and people didn't come to the events. It can cost thousands to lay on an event at Silverstone, for instance, and I can't continue to do that unless there is some interest. Because of this, we are, and have been told to, piggy-backing off events that are already running. There are problems with this as well; I now only have a few spaces for display cars at the National event, where I wanted a big display. In a sense that's not a bad thing though, as I've only had THREE cars volunteered for the anniversary display. I have asked for cars, but only THREE people have come forward to offer. If I'd been given 30 spaces I'd have looked an idiot.
We can all sit on the forum and come up with suggestions for more expensive events. I could ask if people want a 944 run to the factory and museum, with a day at the 'ring on the way home. Plenty would show an interest, but as we've seen with the Ireland and Lakes suggestions they don't get a big enough response when it comes to booking the dates and shelling out the cash. The only events that get a decent turnout now seem to be the Rally, Silverstone Classic, the National and Rutland! I understand the "build it and they will come" argument, but we just don't have any spare cash to build anything nor support from people to help with it.
I would love more people to come forward and help. The Register needs more input, particularly in the form of practical help. Anyone's welcome to do that, and it's a lot more useful than just criticising. It's the same as the forum, you get about four people willing to step up and help with it and 10,000 running them down for it!
THERE IS A FREE REGISTER EVENT AT CALKE ABBEY IN SEPTEMBER. WE CAN HAVE AS MANY 944S AS WILL COME. WE HAVE TIME TO ORGANISE OTHER ATTRACTIONS IF PEOPLE EXPRESS A GENUINE INTEREST. WE NEED VOLUNTEERS. IT'S OUR ANNIVERSARY REGISTER EVENT SO PLEASE SUPPORT IT! [
]There, I've asked again. Please can people not ignore the request, then claim I never asked! [&:]
Suffolk944
Moderator
I think there are alot of pressures in terms of both time and money for many people in the current climate which is bound to have an effect on getting anything too major off the ground.
Would happily put my car into the 944 display at the National event but I am only there for the one day so its not really practicable as far as I can see. Personally I think there is still time to organise something but it shouldn't bee too ambitious/expensive ie no overseas trips - Rather a gathering at Cornbury or elsewhere and a run out - We used to do a run from the Goodwood breakfast club along the south coast which was great fun as an example. Something along those lines would be workable imho - whatever is done needs to be as inclusive as possible in terms of budgets and spare time.
Would happily put my car into the 944 display at the National event but I am only there for the one day so its not really practicable as far as I can see. Personally I think there is still time to organise something but it shouldn't bee too ambitious/expensive ie no overseas trips - Rather a gathering at Cornbury or elsewhere and a run out - We used to do a run from the Goodwood breakfast club along the south coast which was great fun as an example. Something along those lines would be workable imho - whatever is done needs to be as inclusive as possible in terms of budgets and spare time.
pauljmcnulty
Active member
Yep. It also needs to be inclusive of non-members IMO; to me the Register is about the cars and their owners rather than the Club as a whole, and I consider any member of PCGB or Tipec, or anyone who chooses not to be a member of either, welcome at register events wherever possible.
Cost is an interesting one. As I've said before, last year's national event cost me around £500 all together, and I only did two days of the three. For that money I could have gone abroad!
The Hastings run was always popular, why not do it again? My problem is so much going on this year, as we've had the last couple of years, means I can't be everywhere because it's just too expensive to travel every weekend. I also work Saturdays so anything other than a Sunday loses me a day's income as well. We need Register members to help out at Silverstone, the National, Calke Abbey, and any other event where the 944 owners want to get together. It's always the same few people who offer to help out at all the events, so feel free to volunteer if you're planning to attend anything! [
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I am happy to hold a 944 30th display at our Concours event on the 5th August if I can get cars together. The 928 boys have their own display so there is no reason that we can't do the same for the 944.
Edited to add I am happy to arrange space for lots of cars and don't care if the PCGB, TIPEC or non members.
I think the 30th bit had sort of passed me by, so I am glad of the reminder, so I will put something together, just have to see how big it gets.
I suspect the problem with registers is the geographic separation between its members. It is hard to justify a 200-300 mile round trip for standing around a field/lake and the rallies are based around the Cotswolds, and that makes it an expensive weekend.
Paul if you need help with the forum I am happy to help, after all I spend enough time on it.
Edited to add I am happy to arrange space for lots of cars and don't care if the PCGB, TIPEC or non members.
I think the 30th bit had sort of passed me by, so I am glad of the reminder, so I will put something together, just have to see how big it gets.
I suspect the problem with registers is the geographic separation between its members. It is hard to justify a 200-300 mile round trip for standing around a field/lake and the rallies are based around the Cotswolds, and that makes it an expensive weekend.
Paul if you need help with the forum I am happy to help, after all I spend enough time on it.
GlennS
New member
Paul, as you are aware from previous conversations, the 944 Register is my sole reason for remaining a member of PCGB. I admire greatly the work you do for it and enjoy the register events I can get to.
My participation is not as full as I'd like it to be but that is the result of a very busy calendar and numerous commitments, in fact, as things stand at the moment my first "free" weekend is 10th/11th November and my annual calendar is pretty much set in stone by February each year. I can sometimes change things around but if I am going to do that I need to know early.
I will definitely be at Silverstone for the Classic on all three days (with PCGB) and I am hoping to be free for Calke (if I can wriggle out of a trip to Poznan). Chateaux Impney has dropped off my list (well the Sunday has, Saturday remains an outside possibility).
If I have a preference it isn't for the "grand events". A few cars out for a drive with a pub meal and some tyre kicking works for me. "Rutland without the Rain" would have been perfect, it was pretty good as it was.
My participation is not as full as I'd like it to be but that is the result of a very busy calendar and numerous commitments, in fact, as things stand at the moment my first "free" weekend is 10th/11th November and my annual calendar is pretty much set in stone by February each year. I can sometimes change things around but if I am going to do that I need to know early.
I will definitely be at Silverstone for the Classic on all three days (with PCGB) and I am hoping to be free for Calke (if I can wriggle out of a trip to Poznan). Chateaux Impney has dropped off my list (well the Sunday has, Saturday remains an outside possibility).
If I have a preference it isn't for the "grand events". A few cars out for a drive with a pub meal and some tyre kicking works for me. "Rutland without the Rain" would have been perfect, it was pretty good as it was.
andy watson
Moderator
Blimey Glenn you saved me from compiling a post..... I could not have put it better myself I have made a small edit..[
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You are all welcome to join us at Hatton on the 27th May, we might even bake a cake[]
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andy watson
Moderator
Would have loved to Sean..........on Holiday though!!
pauljmcnulty
Active member
ORIGINAL: Sean Smallman
You are all welcome to join us at Hatton on the 27th May, we might even bake a cake[
Sadly the "powers that be" moved the Cotswold Rally to that day. Unbelievable that no-one seemed to have a calendar to hand, as the Cotswold has always been an event that appeals to the same sort of member as the Tipec event.
Have a great one, perhaps we should have a 944 "raid" on next year's Tipec National event to celebrate our 31st anniversary? [
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pauljmcnulty
Active member
Glenn's summed up what I hear time and time again from members of the register now. Everyone loves to come together for one massive event every year if they can; Ragley Hall was outstanding for us with around a hundred 944s throughout the day, and who will ever forget 75 or so 968s arriving in convoy to Silverstone a few years ago?
The rest of the year we need more local meets. The Ace Cafe is a good one, Rutland is great, Heckfield was OK until it became cliquey, we used to do Husbourne Crawley every year and I'm sure I've forgotten plenty of informal gatherings. Let's face it, we get more 944s meeting up at a Goldtrack evening at Silverstone than attend most big Club events now. Whether driving or spectating, followed by a fight for food at the Green Man, it gets owners out in their cars.
I'll throw one in to the hat. Region 21 (Chiltern) have our annual "amateur" concourse and social at Hatfield Porsche Centre on July 3rd. Always a few 944s there, so why not join us? [
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I would just like to say that it's all fi8ne and dandy setting up events,however if you continue to do them in the deep south you won't get alot of us northern and scottish guys turning up.We had a gathering at Suzleruk's lock up and 12 944's turned up.If you try and do something in the middle of the country then we would come down.( by the middle I mean yourshire or manchester area and not Birmingham) If you live in london and drive 3 hours you will be in york or manchester and if we drive 3 hrs we will be with you.The yorkshire region do would be ideal as it's not a 600 mile round trip for anyone.Un less you live in cornwall or aberdeen.Hastings is a 7 hour drive from here and cornbury house is also around 5-6 hrs.You haver to remember we grive 944's and not brand new 911's therefore most of us don't have the budget or free time off work to go big distances.So lets try and be a bit more realiastic about tghe whole thing.
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