Any interest in forming local 914World Chapters?, One Lesson Learned from European 914 clubs |
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Any interest in forming local 914World Chapters?, One Lesson Learned from European 914 clubs |
JeffBowlsby |
Jul 3 2014, 09:55 PM
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#1
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914 Wiring Harnesses Group: Members Posts: 8,663 Joined: 7-January 03 From: San Ramon CA Member No.: 104 Region Association: None |
My recent visit to the 914 International meet in Italy opened my eyes to some interesting differences in the 914 communities here in the USA vs Europe. I had the great pleasure of meeting and spending a few days with our very own Gustl, Johannes, Peter and many others with the 914-passion and I think that common bond is an aspect of 914 ownership that most of us are interested in. 914s are not just about the cars – its about the people.
Europe is roughly ¼ the size of the USA, and they have multiple local 914-dedicated clubs mostly organized by country – 914 clubs exist in Germany, France, Italy, England, etc. These clubs meet from time to time locally to network, socialize and promote the 914 hobby in their regions (check out their individual websites). Once a year they all get together for a major high quality International 914 event somewhere in Europe. The International meet is always well attended (limited to 100 914s and their owners!), booked/paid a year in advance, and is hosted in a different country (by the local 914 club) each year on a rotating basis. It has official support from Porsche. The European approach is very supportive, and non-competitive in the negative sense. In the USA, we have no organized, local 914-dedicated clubs. We have no regularly (monthly-quarterly-ish) organized local 914 events. We have no annual USA National 914 event. Europe has nothing like our 914world.com forums…in a literal sense, 914world.com is THE international 914 Forum because we have many international members here. I would like to see if we can increase international participation on the forum in the future. The USA is much larger geographically than Europe which is a challenge for holding larger national events. PCA, SCCA, and similar groups are good events for some, and not that we want to withdraw from those, but they are not an ultimate 914 venue for most of us. Thanks to the camaraderie on this Forum, we do have a series of what I will characterize as fairly regular, regional, moderate-sized events that are always fun – Red Rocks, WCR, ECR, Okteenerfest, etc. Some locales have sporadic informal 914 breakfasts, drives etc. Only when someone volunteers to host an event does it happen – I think we as 914 Owners could all really benefit with better organization and regional leadership. New 914 owners need a venue to hang out face to face, and long-time owners can share their experiences. A real world, local, in person, ‘914 Garage’ experience is one of the great things about our community. My idea is that we form local/regional 914World Chapters to generally help better organize us and promote the 914 ownership experience on multiple levels. 914World.com will always be our playhouse. None of us wants a dues paying, card carrying, rules/regulations format and I don’t propose anything like that. The idea is intended only to be a way for 914 owners to connect locally and informally, and perhaps hold a national event in the future. I don’t see the concept as divisive, but rather as unifying us, prospering the 914 experience and being a supportive environment. What say you? Attached image(s) |
Manny Alban |
Jul 7 2014, 01:30 PM
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#2
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Member Group: Members Posts: 60 Joined: 14-September 05 From: Abingdon, Maryland Member No.: 4,798 |
So here's my two cents from a long time 914 owner, president of PCA and pretty much a lurker on 914world......
We all know PCA is the largest Porsche club in the world-by leaps and bounds. It is also one of three Porsche clubs in North America recognized by Porsche (the other two are POC and the 356 Registry). PCA has had a 914 Register in the past. I would love to see it revived again. It would not replace 914world but rather provide resources to host 914 related events under the PCA banner AND insurance. Yes, there are rules, guidelines, etc. You need these to get decent insurance. We want not only our organizers to be protected if something goes wrong but entrants, regardless if they are members or not. Because the factory recognizes PCA as an official club, they allow us to use their crest, script and images. Something that is worth quite a lot, especially since Porsche has two lawyers in the US that are in charge of copyright violations. We also have the financial and volunteer resources to help with event planning and promotion. As an outsider put it to me recently "I have to spend thousands marketing my item, you just have to send an email to 117K members". I know some folks say that PCA doesn't care about 914s. Personally, I think that was in the past-if it ever existed. I joined PCA with a rusted and barely running 73 1.7. The members could have cared less what I drove. It wasn't the car that determined whether you were accepted, it was your personality. I became President of the region with that same car. Now when I bring my 914 2.0 to events, it always draws a crowd. Some curious, other appreciative of its survivor status. However, it is as rare to see 914 as it is seeing 944's. While I'm a car guy, I love hanging out with fellow Porsche nuts. Driving the 914 is great. Driving it in a caravan of Porsches is even better. Having more than one 914 in the group is icing on the car. |
SirAndy |
Jul 7 2014, 01:41 PM
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#3
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Resident German Group: Admin Posts: 41,815 Joined: 21-January 03 From: Oakland, Kalifornia Member No.: 179 Region Association: Northern California |
So here's my two cents from a long time 914 owner, president of PCA and pretty much a lurker on 914world...... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/welcome.png) Thanks for chiming in here. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) |
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