The 944 Register

[pauljmcnulty]

Hi all,

I'm off to the Worker's conference this month. This is the time where I have the opportunity to put the views of the Club members to the Board, and get their feedback. Any questions or concerns please contact me and I'll do my best to get an answer.

It's also worth taking the time to ask all of you if there is anything you want the Club to do for you, or the Register specifically. You will all be aware of the regular events next year, and there will be more details after the conference. If you think there's an event worth our while organising then let me know.

 

[craig2105]

Paul

Two opinions for discussion and one suggestion for you:

1. The main annual event e.g. Blenheim is way too pricey and if you read the opinions of many on here, will have put quite alot of members off attending. A high priority needs to be placed on delivering a good event at lower cost. We already pay a fair membership fee and shouldn't have to fork out almost as much again for the priviledge of attending our own club's annual event. That's not to say I don't appreciate the time and effort that members put into organising these things, but I'm sure organisers and other members want to feel a good event has been delivered at reasonable cost.

2. All this race car stuff - I get the impression that a disproportionate amount of the club's resources are expended on the racing car fraternity, when only a small proportion of the members have much more than a passing interest or involvement in their activities. Some rebalancing required here in my view and more resources could be freed up to support more grass roots activities like WOTY's

3. Porsche Silverstone facility - How about some low cost, member accessible events at Silverstone organised by the club? I'd love to get the S2 on that low friction surface! Also am I alone in thinking that most of the Club track days seem rather expensive compared to others on the open market? One of the limiting factors to attendance at track day events is obviously the cost side of things, and within that one has to consider the insurance angle, which unless you have that element taken care of in your annual policy is a pain in the butt to organise, and fund. Can the club make this easier - perhaps with a group policy for attendees or some means of gaining an "approved" level of cover with ease and transparency? Accessibility is the key.

Hope the above helps.

Awaiting the backlash!

 

[ukmastiff]

Re the above , I hope a comment from a 'prospective member' isnt out of place.
Most of what craig says would in my opinion also be spot on as to why many folk who love this forum don't join the club. I always say to folk why didnt you join PCGB and they mention exactly 1 and 2 abovew plus one or two other things (which may or may not be fair)

Regards Mas

 

[ukmastiff]

wooooow , youre completely off line there . That is if my opinion isn't
" rubbish" .

I never mentioned excuses or forum members and for your information 50 pounds or 150 is irrelevent to me and a lot of folk I know.

I made a constructive comment as to what migh encourage more members from my own point of view, I dont have to make excuses for my choices.

You may have just proven one of the other two points that I didnt list out of good manners. Maybe in your circles, commenting that other people are making excuses and their opinions are rubbish isn't arrogant it may just be my strange imterpretation.

We are all aware that there is a common belief amongst many of the general public that PCGB over price events and that 'some' of its followers can be arrogent and unfriendly. Thanks for helping me make my mind up re at least one of those popular points of discussion.

Regards Mas

 

[944Turbo]

Say a thankyou to the 944 register team - thanks!

+1 for the silverstone porsche driving centre or mercedes world (though IIRC you already spoke to them Paul?)


Miss the camping at the national event (though Yudra says she doesn't) - well actually its the evening round the bonfire getting pi**ed and putting the world to rights I miss.


Why are the trackdays more expensive than commercial operators with similar numbers on track.

all for now.
Tony

 

[Suffolk944]

1. Other registers should be as good as the 944 in terms of camaradarie etc. []

2. Would in part agree with the cost of the National event issue. It was certainly too pricey this year given the content of what was there, however I wouldn't mind the price if the content improved. The National event needs to decide exactly what it is. At the minute it is bigged up as "the" event whereas in fact it offers no more and indeed possibly rather less than some of the other events ( such as Porsche and Polo, Hedingham, Cotswold Rally etc) which cost far less.

3. I agree on the Motorsport point as well - too much money going on too small a group.

4. Porsche Silverstone idea also a top one as stated above.

5. Club should perhaps look at some sort of "introductory" membership rate to encourage new members.

6. Maybe a cheaper alternative membership rate that does without PP and just has a condensed electronic version or nothing at all.

7. Might be worth building on the success of the Cotswold Rally with others dotted round the country - Yorkshire, Peak District, East Anglia for instance.

 

[supersport]

ORIGINAL: Suffolk944

1. Other registers should be as good as the 944 in terms of camaradarie etc. []

2. Would in part agree with the cost of the National event issue. It was certainly too pricey this year given the content of what was there, however I wouldn't mind the price if the content improved. The National event needs to decide exactly what it is. At the minute it is bigged up as "the" event whereas in fact it offers no more and indeed possibly rather less than some of the other events ( such as Porsche and Polo, Hedingham, Cotswold Rally etc) which cost far less.

3. I agree on the Motorsport point as well - too much money going on too small a group.

4. Porsche Silverstone idea also a top one as stated above.

5. Club should  perhaps look at some sort of "introductory" membership rate to encourage new members.

6. Maybe a cheaper alternative membership rate that does without PP and just has a condensed electronic version or nothing at all.

7. Might be worth building on the success of the Cotwold Rally with others dotted round the country - Yorkshire, Peak District, East Anglia for instance.

We already have our very own "Wolds Wonder" which is the same as the Cotswold Rally just smaller. Has run very successfully for two years. I believe the plan is to get the format right and then advertise more wildly. This year was very exciting as my car was on the front of the road book, sadly my car wasn't in the rally as it was in the garage being serviced.

 

[graham.webb]

Paul

My first comment would be a very positive one: that the growth of Register activities is a big plus, I'm just sorry I haven't managed to get to them all but it's clear to see the value it adds to membership. Needless to say, the 944 Register is a good example, but there are others that have just as much fun. Perhaps the Club could consider more support at Register level?

Second, the Motorsport thing is enjoyed by many ordinary members and I've really enjoyed my days out at Silverstone and Castle Combe to spectate. Great fun to see the continuing 911/968/944 battle, and it's great to wander around the paddock and see what people have done to their cars. Here's a postitive suggestion...discounted entrance to circuits and venues might just encourage members to discover the joys of club racing and hill climbing! This worked well at Castle Combe this year, and was combined with a concours and club parking...excellent.

Third, Blenheim was just fine, and I thought it provided a sufficient variety of interests and activities for everyone, bearing in mind this is a CAR CLUB (and not a creche or a play group). The venue was a great setting, but it would be nice to reduce the cost (only if that's consistent with PCGB not losing money on the event of course). Perhaps the Club needs to define whether it's aiming to hold an event for members/owners or a family day out?

Fourth, I'd like to see more member events at Cornbury House. Such a nice place, but underused?

 

[Suffolk944]

Would agree that the National event needs to be that of a Car Club as Graham says - just needs more "car stuff" along with the bits to keep family members happy at the price it is now.

 

[pauljmcnulty]

I meant by PM, not on the forum! [][][]

Thanks for the input so far. Interestingly most of the points above have been addressed already, or aren't ever going to be addressed. For instance, next year's events will fit a lot of what's been suggested including cost. I'd give up on the motorsport thing, as long as it pays for itself. It's like all the other things within the Club that are minority interests, such as concourse or factory visits. Great to have them available if you want them, and not affecting anyone else as they are cost-neutral.

Mas' points are very valid about membership, but that's another question. To be honest anyone who doesn't get the membership fee back in discounts alone isn't trying very hard. With all the hundreds, literally, of different events throughout the country and abroad every year there is something at any budget you want to pick, from free to £000s.

The issue of being seen as arrogant or unfriendly, that's probably not really valid now. Sure, with 15000 members plus their families it's easy to find someone you don't like, but just as easy to find a crowd you do enjoy spending time with. That's what we have within the 944 Register, we're not often accussed of being eliteist! [][]

Anyway, I don't want this to be a long thread arguing about track day prices or the brand of coffee at Cornbury House, just some comments about what we've done right that you want to see continued and what we could do differently.

Thanks again, we get very little feedback and it does help.

 

[MarkK]

1/Really really enjoy this forum.Many thanks to all the organisation of all the events(of which i wish i could attend more of) and the work that goes into the magazine.
2/I would deffo be up for a club organised 944 trip to Silverstone driving experience great idea,it could be really special to have a load of 944s attending then having dinner afterwards[]!?

 

[cococola]

1.Forum is fantastic and a mind of information which is this good due to members/non members taking part.

2.I know its always a matter of opinion...but there seems to be alot of negetive feed back on PCGB main events sometimes not always constructive(bandwagon!) I think it should be remembered and praised the people who give up their time to make the events work.

3.I like the idea of a 2 level membership price,maybe lower for non race/track day people just a thought to encorage non members maybe?

 

[craig2105]

ORIGINAL: Suffolk944

7. Might be worth building on the success of the Cotswold Rally with others dotted round the country - Yorkshire, Peak District, East Anglia for instance.

Brilliant idea! [] There's some spectacular countryside out there that unless we know where to look, we'll never find the best of it and I'd certainly like to see more of this country. Anyone else ever feel they've seen more of "abroad" than home?

Oh yeah, and this Register and forum are brilliant - so helpful, informative, entertaining and friendly.

 

[cococola]

It is a great idea and worth showing great routes that are available as part of the events callender

 

[carreraboy]

ORIGINAL: pauljmcnulty

I meant by PM, not on the forum! [][][]

Thanks for the input so far. Interestingly most of the points above have been addressed already, or aren't ever going to be addressed. For instance, next year's events will fit a lot of what's been suggested including cost. I'd give up on the motorsport thing, as long as it pays for itself. It's like all the other things within the Club that are minority interests, such as concourse or factory visits. Great to have them available if you want them, and not affecting anyone else as they are cost-neutral.

Mas' points are very valid about membership, but that's another question. To be honest anyone who doesn't get the membership fee back in discounts alone isn't trying very hard. With all the hundreds, literally, of different events throughout the country and abroad every year there is something at any budget you want to pick, from free to £000s.

The issue of being seen as arrogant or unfriendly, that's probably not really valid now. Sure, with 15000 members plus their families it's easy to find someone you don't like, but just as easy to find a crowd you do enjoy spending time with. That's what we have within the 944 Register, we're not often accussed of being eliteist! [][]

Anyway, I don't want this to be a long thread arguing about track day prices or the brand of coffee at Cornbury House, just some comments about what we've done right that you want to see continued and what we could do differently.

Thanks again, we get very little feedback and it does help.

Does it Paul?

 

[pauljmcnulty]

ORIGINAL: carreraboy

ORIGINAL: pauljmcnulty

I'd give up on the motorsport thing, as long as it pays for itself. (As in, what I mean is, stop moaning about it as it might not be your thing but it's self-sufficient so doesn't affect us either way)

Does it Paul?

Excuse the edit to get it into context....[&:]

Des, I'm sure that anyone could find one year where Motorsport lost money, and had to be propped up by the general membership. Or, one year where it made a profit and that was lost in the accounts even though it benefitted the general membership. Over a number of years, I'd suggest it doesn't cost money from the wider "pot".

Whether it actually adds value, to sponsors etc, is another argument. In the current climate I'd guess most motorsport sponsorship is a shrinking market, witness F1. Long-term, it's got to be a good thing that we have a big Club presence in motorsport and trackdays. Sure, I would think that very few people are making a fortune in these markets at the moment, but that's not a reason to pull out.

It's like owning a house, you have good and bad housing markets but you have to live somewhere and it's better than renting over a lifetime. I can't see that over, say, 20 years, there wouldn't be a benefit in having the motorsport and trackday arm of the Club.

Either way, I don't really do motorsport or trackdays, or concourse, or factory visits, or the 'Ring, or WOTYs, or any number of the things the Club organise. I just like the few things I have time to do, like the 944 Register stuff, Cotswold Rally, Frontrunner, Porsche and Polo, those sort of events. I don't mind others enjoying the aspects of the Club that suit them better. []

 

[carreraboy]

Paul tell me about the housing market mate! [&:]