Author Topic: What club to join  (Read 6137 times)

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Offline metermatch

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What club to join
« on: July 02, 2012, 02:45:49 PM »
I would like to try LSR at El Mirage and Bonneville. (convert from ET

Bracket drag racing).  I believe I need to join a club, but which club

should I join? I am leaning towards the Roadrunners, mainly because my

girlfriends' father was a Roadrunners member in the 1940's and 1950's,

and held some LSR records at the time.


My concerns (perhaps unfounded) are that the older, historic clubs have

most of their interest Ford hot rod type vehicles.  My car is a 1990

Honda CRX that I bought from someone else, that already holds its'

class record at Bonneville.


Another concern is that the Roadrunners meet 80 miles from me.  I am in

the Los Angeles/San Fernando valley area.


Any recommendations on what club is appropriate for my car and

location?  I am going to try to make it to El Mirage July 14-15 to tech

car and go through the rookie training.


Thanks,

Jeff

Offline Dakzila

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Re: What club to join
« Reply #1 on: July 02, 2012, 02:56:05 PM »
The Sidewinders meet in the SFV the first and third Tuesday of every month.
Maybe before you join any club you should attend a few meeting to get a feel for the club.

PM me if you want additional info on the sidewinders.

Buzz
"Marred by indecision; vision is blurred, confidence deteriorates and progress stagnates."

"It's not about what you did.....It's about what you do!"

 "Regret is part of the aging process and should never be confused with failure."

Offline Dynoroom

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Re: What club to join
« Reply #2 on: July 02, 2012, 03:10:39 PM »
I agree with the above post. Visit a few of the clubs, they are all the same but different....  :-D
I'm sure most would love to have some new blood, we would be glad to see you.

The LSR (Land Speed Racers) meet at the Dad Miller golf course 430 N. Gilbert St. Anaheim on the 1st Tuesday of the month 7:30 pm.

That's tomorrow so stop on by.

However the Sidewinders are just a bunch of old guys who just talk about what it was like back in the day.
Michael LeFevers
Kugel and LeFevers Pontiac Firebird

Without Data You're Just Another Guy With An Opinion!

Racing is just a series of "Problem Solving" events that allow you to spend money & make noise...

Offline John Noonan

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SDRC is the best Club...
« Reply #3 on: July 02, 2012, 07:02:55 PM »
Do you want to be part of a winning club?    :evil:


J/K all the clubs are cool, the larger/older clubs will offer more chances to see some of the older running historical vehicles.

I am in the SDRC (San Diego Roadster Club and live in Orange County)   The Sidewinders and Rear Finders/ Gear Grinders are the largest clubs.. :cheers:

Offline 55chevr

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Re: What club to join
« Reply #4 on: July 02, 2012, 09:06:38 PM »
John,


Which club was the winning club again?


Joe

Offline 4-barrel Mike

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Re: What club to join
« Reply #5 on: July 02, 2012, 09:22:13 PM »
Is it time for the Groucho quote yet?   :mrgreen:

Mike
Mike Kelly - PROUD owner of the V4F that powered the #1931 VGC to a 82.803 mph record in 2008!

Offline ol38y

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Re: What club to join
« Reply #6 on: July 02, 2012, 09:52:14 PM »
That was my first thought as well Mike...  :mrgreen:
Larry Cason
Bakersfield,CA    It's a dry heat!

2010 BUB 1350 M-PG record
2012 Speedweek  1350 A-PG record 169.975
2014 El Mirage Dry Lake  1350 A-PG  172.651

Offline metermatch

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Re: What club to join
« Reply #7 on: July 09, 2012, 10:29:28 AM »
The Sidewinders Club has their meetings in an extremely convenient location for me.  The other clubs are quite a drive.

I went to the July 3 Sidewinders meeting, unfortunately I was the only one there!

I will try the next one.

Thanks,

Jeff

Offline 836dstr

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Re: What club to join
« Reply #8 on: July 09, 2012, 04:44:58 PM »
Jeff,

Even if you were the only one there, you probably;
1. have been voted in as a member.
2. Now have a July El Mirage Duty.
3. Have been nominated for Club Office.
4. now owe Club dues.

Tom

Offline Stainless1

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Re: What club to join
« Reply #9 on: July 10, 2012, 09:47:43 AM »
I'm not from California so my choice would be the Bonneville 200 MPH Club  :-D
The up front costs to join are high but the dues are affordable
 :cheers:
Stainless
Red Hat 228.039, 2001, 65ci, Bockscar Lakester #1000 with a little N2O

Offline Dakzila

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Re: What club to join
« Reply #10 on: July 11, 2012, 12:35:22 PM »
Jeff,

Even if you were the only one there, you probably;
1. have been voted in as a member.
2. Now have a July El Mirage Duty.
3. Have been nominated for Club Office.
4. now owe Club dues.

Tom

Jeff,
I have to agree with Tom on most of his points.

1. have been voted in as a member.

This may not be a correct statement. Normally you’ll have to attend a minimum of two meetings in order to get voted into the Sidewinders. There are a couple of exceptions where you can be voted into the club on the first visit but I’ve yet to see anyone voted in without any members being present, maybe I just missed that meeting!
The twelve clubs (maybe now 11) that comprise the support structure of the SCTA are, all, willing to accept new members. In fact all of the clubs need new members in order to survive. Without new club members to offer fresh ideas, new perspectives, and yes, additional revenue any club would eventually fade away.

2. Now have a July El Mirage Duty.

Yes, Tom’s correct. You will be asked to sign up for club duty, at El Mirage, once you become a member of the Sidewinders.
The SCTA is an all volunteer organization. The members of the supporting clubs are the backbone of the organization and without club volunteers pulling “duty” at El Mirage, there would be no racing. So yes, club duty is important to us and we expect our members to pull their fair share of duties each year so racing can continue at El Mirage

3. Have been nominated for Club Office.

Again, Tom’s right. There is opportunity for any club member to hold a club office, though I really don’t see that as a negative. The Sidewinders are run by the club officers and the members, again all volunteers. If a club member wants to offer his or her time in support of the club as an officer or SCTA club representative then that opportunity is available, no matter how long you’ve been a member.

4. now owe Club dues.

Tom’s right on the money (yes, pun intended) with this statement. You will be asked to pay club dues if you want to become a member of the Sidewinders. Not sure how the finances are handled at Tom’s club but the Sidewinders want, and need, to be cash positive for a number of reasons.
The dues you’re asked to pay are for, Sidewinder club dues and SCTA dues. The SCTA dues allow you to participate in the events at El Mirage and support other needs the SCTA has in order to remain an all (again) volunteer organization.
The Sidewinder annual dues support the members, and others, in a number of ways. The dues help in financially supporting two club events each year. An annual club picnic each fall and an annual club banquet each winter after the racing season ends. The dues also support the cost of having our meetings twice a month.
In addition to supporting our club, your dues go toward support of other organizations as well.  To name a few, the Sidewinders donate money to; Save the Salt fund, The SCTA Scholarship fund, Friends of El Mirage and others as the need arises and the expense is justified. All donations are voted on by the Sidewinders general membership.

So like I said before Jeff, go to a few of the area clubs meetings and see if one group or another has a better feel, where you will be comfortable an feel a part of the club.

Join up soon and come out to El Mirage and enjoy the racing.

Buzz (Ron Buzbee)



   

"Marred by indecision; vision is blurred, confidence deteriorates and progress stagnates."

"It's not about what you did.....It's about what you do!"

 "Regret is part of the aging process and should never be confused with failure."

Offline 836dstr

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Re: What club to join
« Reply #11 on: July 11, 2012, 02:43:40 PM »
Buzz,

I actually did the post in jest, something about hearing that railroad whistle.

They are all part of the process, over time, and I think you did a very good job expanding on each point.

Regardless of what Club is joined, you only get out of it what you put into it!

Tom
« Last Edit: July 11, 2012, 06:21:37 PM by 836dstr »

Offline Glen

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Re: What club to join
« Reply #12 on: July 11, 2012, 02:57:45 PM »
Don't the super 4's meet in the valley.
Glen
Crew on Turbinator II

South West, Utah

Offline John Noonan

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Re: What club to join
« Reply #13 on: July 11, 2012, 03:05:14 PM »
Don't the super 4's meet in the valley.


Glen,

Yes all "4" of them... :cheers:

Offline johnneilson

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Re: What club to join
« Reply #14 on: July 11, 2012, 03:22:30 PM »
Thanks Noonan,

Glad to see that at least 1/2 the club represented.

John
As Carroll Smith wrote; All Failures are Human in Origin.