| Author | Message | ||
| Dave L (Davel)
Junior Member Username: Davel Post Number: 111 Registered: 7-2001 |
Why private event? We did a Lotus Owners Gathering(LOG) in Atlanta in 96. The Concours was held at Chateau Elan, open to the public no charge and no cops.The attendees with cars paid for the display. Why not share the fun and love of your cars that way. I wont join the FCA or any other club when I buy my Ferrari if its that elitist. In the small scheme of this big, big universe, its just a car. Seems like it would be fun to have the public attend, learn about the club and the fine machines. If you need money that bad sell shirts, booze and up the dues! I can see the need for other events to be costly such as track day etc. We did ours at Road Atlanta and it wasnt cheap. The concours/car show seems like it would be ok to have some public exposure without nailing the public for it moneywise. More fun to talk to the public after talking all weekend with the same owners you've seen at past events. JMHO | ||
| Jim E (Jimpo1)
Member Username: Jimpo1 Post Number: 337 Registered: 7-2001 |
I'll admit it now, I crashed the concours last year in Dallas. I was surfing the 'net looking to buy my car, and came across the FCA website. There in big letters was the info on the meeting, that happened to be going on right then. I left the office, drove to that cow pasture where the concours was and drove in. I was stopped by the motorcycle cop who told me that it was a private event. I guess the look on my face softened his heart, because then he said "Are you Mr. Smith?" while nodding his head. I hesitantly told him yes. He said "Here Mr Smith, you forgot to pick up your lunch pass". I spent the next 2 hours roaming around looking at the cars. 6 weeks later, I owned one. | ||
| TomD (Tifosi)
Member Username: Tifosi Post Number: 517 Registered: 9-2001 |
chicane | ||
| Martin (Miami348ts)
Intermediate Member Username: Miami348ts Post Number: 1835 Registered: 5-2001 |
and how the hell do you spell shikane? | ||
| Martin (Miami348ts)
Intermediate Member Username: Miami348ts Post Number: 1834 Registered: 5-2001 |
Don't do what I did: have a shikane named after me, because I was to darn stupid to brake ahead and always spun out.  Enjoy, I would love to go myself! | ||
| Cmparrf40 (Cmparrf40)
Junior Member Username: Cmparrf40 Post Number: 173 Registered: 3-2002 |
FOC or FCA, I do not think it really matters as long as we are DRIVING our Ferrari's! I am going Karting this weekend in St Louis at Gateway race track so I am out of here. Thanks for your comments Martin, I really enjoy talking with you. Chris | ||
| Martin (Miami348ts)
Intermediate Member Username: Miami348ts Post Number: 1832 Registered: 5-2001 |
Thanks for the roses Chris  I have gotten more and more involved with the newly formed FOC chapter in Florida. There had been some fall out from the Florida FCA. The FOC is doing great things here in FLA: Lots of people got involved, Paul Sloan in Sarasota and others, planning and getting events started. the calendar is pretty full for this year. There will be some 20 or more local events and some regional events as well as 4 or 5 track events. Sebring, Moroso, Homestead Speedway and I believe Gainsville. In co-op with the Lambo club there was already another Moroso event! I know what you mean with the meals that is why I am more inclined to say get rid of these meal functions alltogether and get it organized a little different. The FOC had a similar problem with the first Homestead event. Guaranteed Hotelsrooms, one month after 9-11, food guaranteed and just not the turn out. The lesson l�earned, everybody is on his own in terms of dinner in a week for the Florida Keys Poker Run. I am sure though that we will all end up in the same restaurant | ||
| Cmparrf40 (Cmparrf40)
Junior Member Username: Cmparrf40 Post Number: 171 Registered: 3-2002 |
Martin, I do not know the cost for California Speedway, I am not on the FCA/LA committe. I do know that as late as December, there was serious consideration to cancelling FCA/LA due to anticipated poor attendence resulting from 9/11. One of the big problems associated with these events is gaugeing attendence. Hotels and caterers require guarantees months in advance for room and food. If rooms are not taken and more meals are contracted for than what is actually sold, FCA still has to pay for it. It can be a nightmare. If FCA could get more people involved the events would get better and the costs get more reasonable. I have been very disappionted in FCA (and FOC)in the past. It seemed nothing was going on in my area. I felt like I was paying for people 600 miles away in Chicago to have a party! I began working with Paul Gillpatrick last year to create a local FCA Chapter, a concept unheard of 2 years ago. Now I am president of the Kansas City FCA Chapter and things are great! We have a great relationship with FCA. Martin maybe you need to start an FCA Chapter, you would be a great asset! Chris | ||
| Martin (Miami348ts)
Intermediate Member Username: Miami348ts Post Number: 1827 Registered: 5-2001 |
Chris, I was thinking you had to buy the $395 package (Formular 3) to be a spectator. That is hefty. As for the track days $25 a day is not a whole lot but I am sure if they would advertise it for less and actually make LA know they are in LA, more people would show up and make this a bigger better event. As far as $25 a day I guess that is okay. Pretty much what everybody charges. Just over the edge if you just want to come for the concourse or one track day and have to fork $100. I respect the time and logistics it takes to take on any event. It is overwhelming. That is why a lot of retired Ferrari owners are getting active in the major events. Otherwise it would be impossible for us working schmucks to do our daily thing and be a host for a major event. I try to look at it for the perspective that showing our cars gives the opportunity to ignite the Ferrari-Fever in others and by charging admission it can prevent peopel from coming. Bad enough that you get the cold sholder as a prospective customer in some exotic car dealerships. Chris, we are still on the same page though. I would still try to do it at no admission fee for the track and concourse. What is a great deal BTW is $ 495 with all track for several days. Better than most local events. Renting Moroso in Palm Beach Florida is $2,000 a day. How much was LA? | ||
| Cmparrf40 (Cmparrf40)
Junior Member Username: Cmparrf40 Post Number: 169 Registered: 3-2002 |
Dave thank you, It is easy to forget what it takes to put on such an event and the associated costs, when you step back and take a long look at it, it is really pretty reasonable. Chris | ||
| Dave (Maranelloman)
Junior Member Username: Maranelloman Post Number: 92 Registered: 1-2002 |
I agree with Chris here. The actual, real-world costs, in this era of everyone-has-a-lawyer, are horrendous. We all need to remember that. There is no free lunch. | ||
| Cmparrf40 (Cmparrf40)
Junior Member Username: Cmparrf40 Post Number: 165 Registered: 3-2002 |
I would like to address a statement made on here. I really respect Martin, and have always agreed with him in the past, but I would like everybody to consider a few things. The costs associated with putting on a major event such as, FCA/LA can be mind boggling. The track rental for 4 days was so high, that without the help of Ferrari North America at the last minute, the cost would have been prohibitive. In addition, you must add insurance costs, ambulance fees, security, track marshalls, caterers, trash removal, etc. As you can see the costs add up fast. Anyone wanting to attend 4 days at the track and go to the concours or any other daytime event can do so for $100. That is $25 a day. Is that is too expensive? You can do EVERYTHING, including driving on the track, attending the concours, going on the Rallye, having meals, and going to all cocktail parties and the award dinner for $495.00 not bad. Not driving on the track? it is only $395.00. Shahin can go to the track everyday and go to the concours for $100.00, sounds reasonable. I belong to other car clubs, and have heard these exact arguments before. If you try to do it on the cheap, everybody complains. You try to do a nice event some people say it costs too much. It hard to make 300-400 people happy. Somebody has to pay, nothing is free. I think the people that attend are usually satisfied. Car clubs are usually only as good as those members that attend events. You only get out of it what you put into it. If you think something needs changing, get involved and change it. That is what I did in Kansas City. We have a great FCA chapter because we encoraged eveybody to participate. Martin, I really respect you. I think we will be friends for a long time, but maybe you might want to rethink this a little......... With your knowledge and background, you could be an invaluable asset to any club, FOC or FCA. Chris | ||
| shahin tabassi (Shahin)
New member Username: Shahin Post Number: 3 Registered: 4-2002 |
Thanks so much for your help. I called the (818) number but its just a recording. I believe I have until the 15th of April for my registration to be postmarked. Hopefully they will call me back soon. Btw: I am in the LA area. | ||
| Ernesto (T88power)
Member Username: T88power Post Number: 311 Registered: 2-2001 |
Shahin, just show up and talk your way in. I have just shown up at lots of FCA events without having purchased anything and I usually just talk my way inside the facility as a spectator. The guards or checkpoint people at the gates usually arent too strict, just make it clear that you are not there to drive, but to watch. It helps if you are an FCA member like I am and you can show the little badge they give you. Ernesto | ||
| Martin (Miami348ts)
Intermediate Member Username: Miami348ts Post Number: 1819 Registered: 5-2001 |
Shahin, call Tina Tinkham: 858-792-5838. She is the San Diego FOC Club contact. She is very nice. I had asked her for some infos on a rally they did and she was very helpful. They have meetings all the time in San Diego and LA area. If that is your area, go and meet with real F-Enthusiasts. also www.Ferrariownersclub.org You will possibly find somebody to give you a ride during one of the events. Hell I would down here in FLA. As I said, contact them and tell them your dilema and I am sure someone will help you. | ||
| bruce wellington (Bws88tr)
New member Username: Bws88tr Post Number: 34 Registered: 4-2002 |
martin good point..right on..i quit the fca and joined up with about 8 guys from my area and we do all things together..plus no fee and political b.s. | ||
| Martin (Miami348ts)
Intermediate Member Username: Miami348ts Post Number: 1818 Registered: 5-2001 |
my point exactly about the FCA membership. This is how you attract new owners and members? Charge them an arm and a leg to see other peoples cars drive the track? Who needs that crap? | ||
| Rob Lay (Rob328gts)
Board Administrator Username: Rob328gts Post Number: 1418 Registered: 12-2000 |
Last year in Dallas you had to buy the F3 to access the concours and also watch the track event. It basically gives you access to everything, but not as a participant. Last year the awards ceremony is only for F1 entrants. | ||
| DBP (Dilly)
Junior Member Username: Dilly Post Number: 73 Registered: 9-2001 |
Shahin, try this website www.fca-sw.org or this phone number (818) 971-3355. | ||
| Martin (Miami348ts)
Intermediate Member Username: Miami348ts Post Number: 1809 Registered: 5-2001 |
call them up and find out if the track is open to spectators. They may have a $20 charge for specs. The car show should be open to attend but with the FCA you never know. Don't do the lunch, bring your own sandwich! | ||
| shahin tabassi (Shahin)
New member Username: Shahin Post Number: 2 Registered: 4-2002 |
I was hoping you might know which package I would have to register for if I am only interested in being a spectator at the track events as well as attending the car show. Do I register for Formula 3 or Formula 1(im not sure about this because the price seems high for just a spectator) Thank you | ||
| TomD (Tifosi)
Member Username: Tifosi Post Number: 501 Registered: 9-2001 |
go to www.ferrariclubofamerica.com | ||
| shahin tabassi (Shahin)
New member Username: Shahin Post Number: 1 Registered: 4-2002 |
Hi, I currently own an M3 but I am very interested in attending the Ferrari Meet in Los Angeles during the time period May 22-26. Is it possible that I come as a spectator and what are the costs, registration, and any other information I would need. I appreciate your time |