Free track-time for FCA Houston members (thanks to sponsors) if I read the invite correctly. Looking forward to meeting some local folks. Who's going?
I was thinking of going just joined Ferrari chat here and FCA recently after purchasing my 07 f430 spider. I don't know anyone on either place. Have you ever been to one of these events before? I would like to start participating with group here in Houston. Sent from my SM-N950U using FerrariChat.com mobile app
wayne, congrats on the 430. solid car. you will find the club members are true enthusiasts, especially the track guys. see you at an event soon. barry
I’m a new owner as well. Been to many track days (including MSR) but not in the Ferrari. You’ll have a blast I’m sure. As far as Ferrari club events, this will be my second. The first being about 15 years ago when I joined the club with plans on finding a good local car. Attending that event made me decide to go buy a Porsche. With that said, I’m expecting a different experience this time.
Don’t want to turn this into anything it’s not, or put a damper on what I’m sure is a great club/chapter. Keep in mind this is one guy’s experience from about 15 years ago. It may have been my expectations. It was hosted at a member’s lake house. I asked the organizer if it was an appropriate event for a new member and was told it would be great and please come out. When I walked up to the group of 20-30 and said hi how y’all doin and gave a little wave, I was met with silence and stares; it was very awkward and unwelcoming to say the least. One person stood up and introduced himself (I think somewhat out of pity) and he turned out to not be a member, or owner, but a relative of the chp. president. He introduced me to the president at the time who was expecting me and he was very nice. Other than that the only people I could get to converse with me were the hosts, who were very friendly and gracious, but also very busy hosting. There were 3 (maybe 4) Ferrari’s there and I could not get any of the owners to discuss their cars much at all much less show me their car. I had never ridden in one, or even sat in one at this point. Finally just asked one guy if he would show me something on his car (since had just mentioned it). He said “it’s over there, go take a look.” A young attractive girl did get offered a ride though. Overheard one guy ask the chp. president “why is he here” with a reply of “he paid his dues,” and that didn’t help the experience. Caulk it up to expectations, and probably not the best event for a new guy looking to talk cars and hopefully find a good local car. Turned me off on Ferrari’s for a while, but 15, or so, years later when I got interested again I emailed the chp. president (before restating my membership) and asked if there was anyone in my area with a 355 or 348 I could talk to before buying a car. A couple of days later I got a phone call from someone in my area that said “come out and take a look and you can ask me whatever you want.” Again, just one guy’s isolated experience.
I hope that's not the case and they will welcome me with open arms. I just want to share some stories and some driving experiences with like minded individuals. I hope that was just a one time bad experience, I'm sure it was. looking forward to meeting everyone and enjoying their rides as well as some time tracking our cars
Sorry about that. I was never interested in the social events and never attended the lake house party. But, there used to be a good group who liked to do drives. Moreover, back in that day, Risi would have track events at TWS, which were a blast. Unfortunately, real racing has taken over Risi's time, and TWS is gone anyway. I haven't been a FCA member in about 10 years, but I'm sure there are still some real car people there. I hope so anyway.
Are these events acceptable to bring spouse alongside? Sent from my SM-N950U using FerrariChat.com mobile app
I have been a member since 2011 and I do not attend every other club event. It is conglomerate of like minded people. I do not expect every one to talk to me or be friends with me. Over the years few become friends and many other become my acquaintance. I never came across any incident so far. Come over for the next event, I am sure you will have a positive experience ( I am out of town that weekend so will not have a opportunity to meet you). No body owns the club any one with a passion for F cars can become a member. I will your past experience to the attention of the office bearers.
Definitely not necessary. This was 15 years ago. I meant it when I said I didn’t want to turn this into anything; maybe I shouldn’t have replied/mentioned anything. It was a social event. I wasn’t part of the social circle. Plain and simple. If I would have attended a first event (or subsequent event) that was car-focused I’m sure it would have been different.
Hi QSA, It is always good to review historical notes and be able to compare them to more current events and member experiences, so thanks for voicing this. I joined the FCA almost 10 years ago and at that time did not own a Ferrari, but had made my mind up that I will very soon, like you I had no prior personal experience and was looking for any advice that I could get. I reached out to the President at that time, and asked if I could attend an event in the near future, told him my situation and indeed there was one coming up. the F1 Watch Party for Australia in a members house, so I went along with my then 14 yr old daughter. I had never met a single person in the FCA or even sat in a Ferrari (I was nervous to be honest), the host welcomed me in and introduced me to about 6 or 8 members (probably 40 folks were there), by the end of the brunch I had spoken with almost everyone, informally and without any push for information etc, by me. I was blown away with how easy and friendly this group of folks were, 3 even said here's my number I'll take you for a spin, one even let me drive his 550, that was certainly a brave move on his part, it was a Stick shift and I crunched it a few times. So why am I writing this... well, I get your point, and hopefully reading my similar experience yet different (result), will show that perhaps it was just an odd day where folks just didn't connect, and we've all had those. I now have over 100 friends in the Ferrari Club of America just in Houston, I have attended events and met with FCA chapters in other States, and introduced myself to several out of town Dealerships as a loyal and ecstatic owner of a Ferrari. I'm now on my 4th car. To comment on how the FCA and Dealerships interact, the Ferrari dealer in Denver let me take a 458 Spider out to help a colleague who had lost his business partner recently in a Mountaineering fall, and was very depressed, as an act of kindness they said here give him a spin to lift his spirits. I spend quite a bit of tiome at Ferrari of Houston and have seen on several occasions where someone from the general public walks in and wants to simply admire the cars, and have been allowed to sit in them and even get to rev one if outside. So is there value in this community, and do they (Dealer and FCA) reach out and touch peoples happiness ...heck yeah So in conclusion, I have made many genuine and lasting friendships both locally and across the United States, I support and highly encourage the welcoming of new members, their families and friends, I have followed closely the example and kindness shown to me in those early days, I always talk to new folks and sometimes take them for a drive in my car, and let several drive it themselves. 15 yrs is for sure a long time ago, and back then for me to see a Ferrari was incredible (still is really), I hope my story is encouraging to you personally that perhaps your first experience, which didn't quite go according to plan, may have just been a bad day for some reason and no excuses for being ignored, so I'm with you there. I would personally like to invite you to any upcoming event, especially next Sunday June 10th at MSR, search me out Ged Farnaby, I have a Silverstone 458, and if you want a ride then its on. I'll even buy you lunch (actually its sponsored) Take care for now, and I would be very pleased to correct any errors from your past to the best of my ability.
I'm relocating to Houston in a month and a half, do you guys do these track days pretty often or is it a once a year kind of thing?
Howdy and welcome back to Houston.. We typically host 2 a year at MSR, however we team with other FCA Chapters and associated sponsors/organizers, and visit COTA and sometime other regional locations as we are notified. Being a member of the FCA will ensure that you receive the appropriate information. Send me a private message if you would like more info.
Bummed I had to miss for a number of reasons, was really looking forward to it. Hope I can participate in another one coming up. Did you attend? Sent from my SM-N950U using FerrariChat.com mobile app
