| Author | Message | ||
| Tania (F512trgrl)
New member Username: F512trgrl Post Number: 3 Registered: 2-2002 |
You guys sound like most of you are up north, but just in case that you are "taking up some sun" here in Florida: The FOC, FL has arranged for the club to view (live) the Brazilian Gran Prix at Ferrari of Central Florida in Orlando on Sunday March 31st. We will meet at our Rally meeting place in Sarasota (FCCI Bldg. parking lot, I-75 Exit 40, east to Town Ctr Pkwy take Right and 1st left into Parking lot) at 10:30 am and depart at 10:45 promptly. We will have a follow up support vehicle. If you live north of Bradenton we invite you to join us as we head north on 75 and east on I-4, contact me at e-mail below and we will make arrangements. No RSVP required. Regards, Paul Sloan [email protected] 941-349-0880 Also check out the WEBSITE: www.focfloridaregion.com We have people who come from everywhere to our events and all are welcomed!!! Hope to see you guys there. | ||
| Matt Karson (Squidracing)
Junior Member Username: Squidracing Post Number: 100 Registered: 3-2001 |
Frank, how are you pal? What am I doing in Vietnam? The same thing I was doing in Australia when we met.....HAVING A GREAT TIME!! After I hung around with your great group of Ferrari Nuts, I headed over to New Zealand. Had a great time hiking for days on end, bungy jumping 450 feet with a broken rib, but thats another story, white water rafting, glacier ice climbing (breaking a rib, but thats another story), sea kayaking, eating like a king, drinking like a jester and loving life! I only saw one Ferrari in N.Z.. Whats up with that? Got to Saigon a little while ago. Nope, no Ferrari's so far, and I dont think I will see one. Im off to Cambodia and Laos in a few days before heading back to Vietnam and checking out the north of the country. I am in Nah Trang right now. It is a little beach town. Awesome! How is everything going back in Sydney? Just so everyone knows, there are a great group of Ferrari fanatics over in Sydney! Bret and Solly, thanks for the emails, I responded to both of them. Im looking forward to having you guys involved. | ||
| Dave (Maranelloman)
New member Username: Maranelloman Post Number: 33 Registered: 1-2002 |
Well, folks, I know this is not much notice...but we're really going to make something of our new Hill Country Chapter of the FCA this year! So, to kick it off, we would like to have an informal meet-and-greet lunch (and car show-off, of course!) on the day before St. Patrick's Day, Saturday, March 16. It will be at the Oasis Restaurant, overlooking glorious Lake Travis here in Austin. We will meet for lunch at 11:30, and each of us will be responsible for our own food & beverage charges. We will have a Ferrari parking area in the lot, and we're working to have someone to watch the cars while we eat inside. Prior to meeting at 11:30, the folks from outside Austin will obviously have to drive in. Those of us local here will, however, meet at 10:30 at the Oasis parking lot for a spirited drive down Lime Creek Road to FM 1431 & back. We'll have to be careful, because Travis County recently rated Lime Creek Road as a "zero tolerance road" for speeding, due to some huge motorcycle races that have terrorized other motorists there lately. However, the sight of a bunch of Ferraris taking its challenging twisties, I hope, will warm the hearts of all the Deputy Sheriffs running radar along it... FYI, in case of rain, we will do this the next day, St. Patrick's Day, Sunday, March 17. If both are rained out, we will try for the following Saturday, March 23. If you're interested, please show up!! | ||
| BretM (Bretm)
Intermediate Member Username: Bretm Post Number: 1839 Registered: 2-2001 |
Sent over an email Matt. Thanks. | ||
| Frank Parker (Parkerfe)
Member Username: Parkerfe Post Number: 664 Registered: 9-2001 |
Matt, what are you doing in Vietnam ? And, are there any Ferraris there ? | ||
| Matt Karson (Squidracing)
Junior Member Username: Squidracing Post Number: 98 Registered: 3-2001 |
Brett, so glad to hear you would like to get involved! I am having trouble with my squidracing.com email (cannot access it from Vietnam for some reason) so would you please contact me at [email protected]? I will forward your email to the right people in the FCA Penn/Jersey region. Solly, I'm sorry, but I did not know about the email problem. Would you plese contact me at the above address as well? Thanks. Go Schumi!! | ||
| BretM (Bretm)
Intermediate Member Username: Bretm Post Number: 1813 Registered: 2-2001 |
I like rallies the most. Don't get me wrong, I like eating, but I'm happier being with my friends and hitting up Fridays or some Burger King. When I do Ferrari things I like rallies, tech sessions, car stuff. This is why I really liked the Long Island rally we did in the fall with the guys from FerrariChat. I don't know about the empire region, but as far as Penn/NJ it doesn't have much. Something about driving by myself (or with a friend, girl, whoever, but not another Fcar guy) like 3 hours each way to stop and have coffee in PA doesn't really appeal to me. I think the NJ region could use work. There seems to be a lot going for it. Matt you know about this stuff apparently, how could I get involved with setting stuff up? I have lots of free time, I mean I'm in college, I can take a break from watching TV or mountain biking to do some Fcar stuff. I'd love to help set things up in NJ, get some more events. We obviously have enough around. | ||
| '75 308 GT4 (Peter)
Intermediate Member Username: Peter Post Number: 1635 Registered: 12-2000 |
To all: Internet forums do not convey facial expressions or voice inflections to show sarcasm. Please use the little happy faces  to show the comment is made in good humor. It'll save alot of:  | ||
| Matt Karson (Squidracing)
Junior Member Username: Squidracing Post Number: 97 Registered: 3-2001 |
Steve, my comments were directed to refute the statement that "you have to have a shitload of money to participate in ANY FCA events", "I think their events are majorly overpriced". It was not a shot at a persons financial status, quite the contrary, I was pointing out the incorrect nature of the comment with sarcasm. I apologize if it was not clear that it was sarcasm. I was under the impression that telling one that a good reason to go was that free food would be available would be interpreted as sarcasm. My bad, sorry. I am not one to count or comment on a persons financial status. I do however feel that it is wrong and irresponsible to make comments such as the above quote, when they are obviously incorrect. ' Moving on, as I am now in Can Tho City (the largest city in the Vietnamese Mekong Delta, can you believe there is a cybercafe here, and that I am in it after a day on the rivers (11:30pm)) I cannot give you the schedule information at the moment. I can however hook you up with someone who can. Please email me, and I will give you the contact information. Im looking forward to seeing you at the track for some good times. | ||
| Steven J. Solomon (Solly)
Junior Member Username: Solly Post Number: 209 Registered: 6-2001 |
Matt- I, like you and many other users of this site, am extremely pressed for time. I have gotten used to getting a lot of my information from the Internet, which I have found to be very time efficient. I do not always get a chance to read the written material published by FCA. My comments about ESR's seeming lack of activity were based on the difficulty of obtaining current information through this medium over a long period of time, and were not directed at Matt Karson or other ESR members personally. Perhaps you could have used your position as Chief Driving Instructor and Board Member to provide me with some current information so that I could utilize the resources of the club to which I faithfully pay my dues. I am an avid fan of F-cars and would like to participate in as many events as possible, and meet as many other fans as possible. Unfortunately, this thread has made me no more aware of ESR's current events than I was 3 days ago. And what's with the comments on people's financial status? I think you were out of line with that one. | ||
| Terry Daniel (Dogue)
New member Username: Dogue Post Number: 15 Registered: 9-2001 |
Originally the FCA arizona chapter was very inactive with less than one event a year. A group got together and started a FOC region which grew from 8 members to about 35 in about one year. After many FCA members started switching ranks and joining our club. The FCA had offered to make the Arizona a region rather than a chapter and we could promote our club as both the FCA and the FOC. The FOC leaders where very offended that we had considered joining ranks with the FCA. At this point we had not thought of actually switching our membership rather just combining the regions and promoting both clubs. When we met much resistance from the FOC we started asking our membership which club they preferred nationally. We had a meeting and economically it made more since to be FCA and our members would have a better selection of national events. We were told that FNA supported the FCA more so than FOC. We then switched our region to FCA they gave all of our existing members memberships for a year as well as added 40 members to our roster. I think the FCA has a better national publication and they were very supportive of our questions and comments. I really liked the FOC and was sad that we had to change, but we wanted to have only one club in Arizona and FOC was unwilling to accomodate this. We are still experiencing some growing pains, but we do have a good core group of people and have about 100 members. We have been toying with charging for every event, but we have met some resistance from some of our more active members. We have decided to raise club funds with a fund raiser and silent auction, rather than nickle and diming our most active members. We have also thought about creating regional regalia to help raise operating capital. I hope we can continue to grow, and with keeping our event costs down we can encourage enthusiast as well as owners to join the club and participate in the events. | ||
| Matt Karson (Squidracing)
Junior Member Username: Squidracing Post Number: 96 Registered: 3-2001 |
TomD, Im looking forward to meeting you at an event of ours. Regards from Saigon. | ||
| Dave (Maranelloman)
New member Username: Maranelloman Post Number: 31 Registered: 1-2002 |
...meant to type "NOW the president...", not "NOT the president..." Damned sprained index finger! | ||
| TomD (Tifosi)
Member Username: Tifosi Post Number: 318 Registered: 9-2001 |
Matt I can understand you are just responding to posted comments but I would think rather than taking an aggressive/sarcastic tone you would take the opportunity to englighten people as to everything the the Empire state region is doing. Maybe I am too laid back but a I think a better response to Steve's comments would have been: "Steve sorry you encountered website problems but we spend more time organizing events then on the website. Last year we held 200 events and this year we are holding 300, here is a list of them, hope you reconsider joining us - we want all the ferrari guys we can get" Maybe things are just getting lost in the translation - anyway best regards- PS I will now join the FCA since I know the empire state region has more events than I previously thought. | ||
| Mitchel DeFrancis (4re308)
Member Username: 4re308 Post Number: 439 Registered: 6-2001 |
Matt, I'm sorry but your response made you appear to be a smart ass. "4re308, were you able to join us at the annual brunch at Lundys? It was $50. We do it every year and we get a great cross section of owners. The tech events are free. The F1 race we watch at Ferrari of Long Island is also free. If things are that tight, you will be happy to know that they provide a nice spread of food at the event." Things have never been "tight" for me Matt, I just do not like spending over $1000 for a FCA event. If that makes me appear cheap or poor, so be it. I'll just take the Ferrari to the soup line. And what the heck is Lundy's anyway? I live in Atlanta, so I would not know anything about the events in your area. | ||
| Matt Karson (Squidracing)
Junior Member Username: Squidracing Post Number: 95 Registered: 3-2001 |
TomD, I only reacted to what I read. ' "I'm an FCA member, NY region. This regional is extremely inactive, I'm not real happy with it. For many months you couldn't even access their website, and when it was finally up and running last month all the events were already a year old" ' Well, I was a member of the FCA for many, many years. I did enjoy it a lot. I let my membership lapse because, although I own a Ferrari, I am not a rich man by any means. You have to have a shitload of money to particiapte in any FCA events, and I choose not to attend any of the events. I think their events are majorly over priced. ' This is just what I was refuting. I thought it was clear and consice. I understand that the 'net is cool, but I dont usually make judgement on a product by the websites page layout. That would make me a bit .....how can I say it???? Improperly educated on the product. If the product is solely the web content, then I guess that is the proper criteria to use. Otherwise........... ' And I do agree with you, "granted maybe some additonal research may reveal otherwise but it takes time." ' It usually shows some smarts to then withold comments until the additional research is completed, and then an educated opinion would be forthcoming. | ||
| arthur chambers (Art355)
Junior Member Username: Art355 Post Number: 216 Registered: 6-2001 |
It looks like there are differences between the various regions between the clubs. The FCA Pacific Region is good, the people not stuck up, but other regions may not be as good. I had a membership in the FOC, but in Northern California, there was almost nothing to do. All the activities were in Southern California, or so it seemed. Too bad it can't be just one club, but that's the way it is. | ||
| Martin (Miami348ts)
Intermediate Member Username: Miami348ts Post Number: 1536 Registered: 5-2001 |
As MAtt had laid out pretty good, it all depends on the region you are in. The NE Region of the FCA is very active and has apparently some fun people. Down here in FL I can not say it is the same. I am a FCA member since 2000 and have attended one event. Had registered for a 2nd event but never received a confirmation or where the event was held. Ended up spending $100 for registration and food drove from Miami to Palm Beach to find out that where the event was the rest of the days it was not that morning. Nobody to reach, nobody knew. In general the FCA members in FL are snobby. Not all but most I'd say. There had been some political biggering which ended in a coup against the then president of the Florida region by the former president of the FCA and that was when I said no more. Don't need that Sh*t in my off-time. The former president, David Bobe, had then founded the FOC (Ferrari Owners Club)-Florida Chapter. All the cool people went there for fun days and fun events. There had been some free events, some low cost events and some higher cost events. In total there are many many events planned for this year and I always look forward to them and to meet old friend and new friends. www.FOCFloridaregion.com The FOC has started in the CA area and is spreading fast. Reading thier newsletter there is a new FOC Chapter opening almost every month. So the FOC will get stronger and stronger while at least here in FL the FCA will become a Country Club for snobs. My FCA membership is not being renewed this year. | ||
| Dave (Maranelloman)
New member Username: Maranelloman Post Number: 30 Registered: 1-2002 |
I joined FCA in 1999, and am not the brand-new president of the HillCountry (Austin/San Antonio, TX) chapter, which is also brand-new. After a number of missteps and years of inaction, FCA is finally serious about our area, and about helping us produce quality, affordable, fun (read: no snobs!) events in the beautiful Texas Hill Country. FCA members in this area, expect to be hearing more from me very soon. | ||
| TomD (Tifosi)
Member Username: Tifosi Post Number: 315 Registered: 9-2001 |
Matt I think you took the comments a little to personnally- hey we are are F-car fans right? These days websites are like store fronts or club headquarters and maybe people put to much emphasis on them but if you walked up to a store and found it closed or having old product isn't it natural to assume something might be amiss - granted maybe some additonal research may reveal otherwise but it takes time. The reason this site is so great is that it is so active and current and is great for organizing local events. I look forward to becoming more active in the FCA in the NY area and look forward to meeting you guys | ||
| Marq J Ruben (Qferrari)
New member Username: Qferrari Post Number: 4 Registered: 2-2002 |
Dave(360dave): The FOC web site is www.ferrariownersclub.org | ||
| Matt Karson (Squidracing)
Junior Member Username: Squidracing Post Number: 94 Registered: 3-2001 |
Solly, I am having a bit of trouble understanding what you are talking about. Perhaps you missed the over 15 events we, the Empire State Region of the Ferrari Club of America (ESRFCA) put on last year. Actually, did you go to any of them, or is your idea of a car club based on the quality of their web site? As the Chief Driving Instructor of the ESRFCA, as well as being a Member of the Board of Directors, I can personally tell you that you missed two of the most awesome, and yes, AFFORDABLE track events that I attended last season. As I go to the track on average 40 days a season, I presume that I have a bit of an idea of the cost of track days. Please correct me if you feel I am wrong. 4re308, were you able to join us at the annual brunch at Lundys? It was $50. We do it every year and we get a great cross section of owners. The tech events are free. The F1 race we watch at Ferrari of Long Island is also free. If things are that tight, you will be happy to know that they provide a nice spread of food at the event. As we had around 15 or so events last year, most of which cost under $100, I am really trying to understand what certain people base their comments on. Last season we organized and carried out these events, and it is not a complete list, but as I am now running around the world (Vietnam at the moment) I do not have a complete list of all the events we had season. Concours, track events, tech events, F1 brunches, Skiing events, Rallys, autocross, ESRFCA Montreal F1 Weekend Trip, 2 day arrive and drive, dinner party, and Christmas party. The point I am trying to make (without being too sarcastic) is that the FCAESR provides a great cross selection of events which we hope will cover all types of owners of the Prancing Horse. My name is Matt Karson. I head up the Lime Rock and the Watkins Glen track events. Feel free to introduce yourself. I assure that I can introduce you to several other enthusiasts who share similiar interests. My trailer has 'SQUIDRACING' on the sides of it. Again, as I am out of the country, I am not up to date on the events we have planned for this season. If you do have any question, email me and I will direct you to the proper people to contact. I just looked at our web site, it is not up to date. Based on this, I guess our club stinks. | ||
| William H (Countachxx)
Intermediate Member Username: Countachxx Post Number: 1084 Registered: 2-2001 |
Steve, wait till summer, the ESR FCA will be holding several track events at Lime Rock & Watkins Glen that will b a blast | ||
| '75 308 GT4 (Peter)
Intermediate Member Username: Peter Post Number: 1619 Registered: 12-2000 |
Wasn't Rob supposed to come up with a Ferrarichat Club? Different regions across North America, racing teams, etc...? P.S. FCA member since I got the car two years ago. | ||
| BretM (Bretm)
Intermediate Member Username: Bretm Post Number: 1781 Registered: 2-2001 |
Solly I think you and I should take over our area of the FCA. We could get Tom, Billy, and Adam in on it too. | ||
| Randy (Schatten)
Junior Member Username: Schatten Post Number: 214 Registered: 4-2001 |
no F-car with VIN here, so I cannot become a member... yet. =) | ||
| Dave Mills (360dave)
New member Username: 360dave Post Number: 29 Registered: 1-2002 |
Does FOC have a web site? Dave | ||
| Marq J Ruben (Qferrari)
New member Username: Qferrari Post Number: 2 Registered: 2-2002 |
Member of both FCA & FOC for 3 years. FCA much more active in my DC-MD-VA area(18 events scheduled for this year so far) including picnics, drives, tours of private Ferrari collections, track days,etc.) & seems to have events spread pretty much all over the US. Adam is right, FOC definitely slanted towards CA/West Coast. Latest issue & most issues of 'Pilota'(FOC mag) mostly filled with vendor ads and full page forms for upcoming events (again, mostly CA). The 2/02 issue of 'Pilota' was 31 pages with 18 pages of ads/event forms. Very little tech stuff ever. Personally, I much prefer the FCA. | ||
| Steven J. Solomon (Solly)
Junior Member Username: Solly Post Number: 204 Registered: 6-2001 |
I'm an FCA member, NY region. This regional is extremely inactive, I'm not real happy with it. For many months you couldn't even access their website, and when it was finally up and running last month all the events were already a year old. Publications are good though. How is FOC? | ||
| William H (Countachxx)
Intermediate Member Username: Countachxx Post Number: 1079 Registered: 2-2001 |
FCA since 91, ocasionally run with FOC | ||
| Adam Goldman '86 TR (Icnsltmfg)
Junior Member Username: Icnsltmfg Post Number: 236 Registered: 8-2001 |
I belong to FCA and FOC for the track events, but FOC (Better known as Ferrari Owners of California) is not great if you live in NY/NJ. Even FCA NJ region makes you drive to PA for Coffee. We need a good NJ chapter of either club. | ||
| Tillman Strahan (Tillman)
New member Username: Tillman Post Number: 12 Registered: 11-2001 |
I was a member of the FCA, but here in the D/FW area there was absolutely no activity of which I was aware (with the obvious exception of last years' gathering). I let my membership lapse, though I may renew when I pick up a 308 this summer. | ||
| Willis Huang (Willis360)
Member Username: Willis360 Post Number: 532 Registered: 8-2001 |
The national newsletter is good for looking up schedules for other regions and checking the ads. I think our region (Northwest) is blessed with many active, enthusiastic, and knowledgeable owners. Plus a few big time collectors willing to show their toys to us mortals. Only thing missing here are dry weather and smooth, clean roads. | ||
| David Harris (Dakharris)
Junior Member Username: Dakharris Post Number: 122 Registered: 6-2001 |
I've been a member of the FCA Pacific Region for about a year. Not anything like other car clubs I have belonged to in the past in terms of support/advice from other members (nonexistent). They put on 1st class events, often at 1st class prices. Therefore, they tend to attract the wealthier 355, 360, 550 set (models that don't need constant tinkering like my '85)...or maybe the events are planned with those participants in mind. The magazines and newsletters are worth the dues, but gaining access to a track event or to their tents at the Concorso Italiano or Monterey Historics are very nice benefits. | ||
| BobD (Bobd)
Member Username: Bobd Post Number: 251 Registered: 3-2001 |
I'm an FCA member but I don't know why. It's very useless in the Texas area.... although I believe they are trying to turn things around (sent a questionnaire out a few weeks ago). Rosso is nice but I sure don't get much out of the FCA newsletter. | ||
| BretM (Bretm)
Intermediate Member Username: Bretm Post Number: 1770 Registered: 2-2001 |
I'm in the club since I got the 308. Have never gone to anything of the things though. This summer I think I will though, tech sessions and stuff look cool. | ||
| Mike Fisher (Mikef)
New member Username: Mikef Post Number: 35 Registered: 11-2001 |
I've been a member for four years and found it to be enjoyable. It is like any car club; some real nice people, & some ......well you know! It can be a great source of help and information. I would recommend joining. | ||
| Dave Mills (360dave)
New member Username: 360dave Post Number: 28 Registered: 1-2002 |
Just as a data point, I've been wondering if anyone knows the cost of the FCA Pacific July 15th day at Thunderhill. I just started looking at FCA, and am not a member yet. I know what I *usually* pay for a day at Thill... Thanks, Dave | ||
| arthur chambers (Art355)
Junior Member Username: Art355 Post Number: 192 Registered: 6-2001 |
I belong to the FCA, Pacific Region and occassionally attend their events. For the most part, the people are interesting, and we all have a common bond, the love of our vehicles. Art | ||
| TomD (Tifosi)
Member Username: Tifosi Post Number: 312 Registered: 9-2001 |
I know this has been debated before but is FOC or FCA better? | ||
| Willis Huang (Willis360)
Member Username: Willis360 Post Number: 531 Registered: 8-2001 |
Our local events are not expensive at all. | ||
| Frank Parker (Parkerfe)
Member Username: Parkerfe Post Number: 650 Registered: 9-2001 |
I have been a member since I bought my 328 in 1991. And while the events can be pricey, they are always first class. And the friends I have made over the years are priceless. And, I get a little business from time to time from fellow FCA members as well. Well worth the $90.00 a year I believe. | ||
| Terry Daniel (Dogue)
New member Username: Dogue Post Number: 14 Registered: 9-2001 |
I am a member of the FCA, and I agree that a lot of the national events are overpriced. Our Arizona Region is very active and besides paying for your own food and drink the majority of our events don't cost the members anything. We are a very young region and are exploring other ways of raising money for the club budget. I am hoping that we can continue with this practice. Frank, you don't get Cavallino for joining FCA, that I know of. | ||
| Mitchel DeFrancis (4re308)
Member Username: 4re308 Post Number: 429 Registered: 6-2001 |
Well, I was a member of the FCA for many, many years. I did enjoy it a lot. I let my membership lapse because, although I own a Ferrari, I am not a rich man by any means. You have to have a shitload of money to particiapte in any FCA events, and I choose not to attend any of the events. I think their events are majorly over priced. My opinion and my .02 | ||
| Willis Huang (Willis360)
Member Username: Willis360 Post Number: 529 Registered: 8-2001 |
Joined when I got my 360. Got Prancing Horse, FCA Newsletter (national and local chapter), and the fabulous Rosso Ferrari magazine (gorgeous pictures). Fellow members are very nice and not uptight like I was told by some people before I joined. | ||
| Bob Campen (Bob308gts)
Junior Member Username: Bob308gts Post Number: 64 Registered: 9-2001 |
I joined end of last year. | ||
| Frank Parker (Parkerfe)
Member Username: Parkerfe Post Number: 649 Registered: 9-2001 |
I was just wondering. The subscriptions to Cavallino, Prancing Horse and FCA Newsletter magazines alone are worth the membership fees. |