considering joining a Ferrari Club

I joined Ferrari Owners Club in San Diego, because it's huge here, but I've been told they're not too big in the east. Maybe FCA would be a better bet.

 

FCA has a really good presence in Southern Florida. Nice group of folks, plenty of activities.

 

I joined the Florida region of FCA last year when I bought my car. I don't know if I am missing something, but basically I get a FCA news bulletin once a month, got a nice name tag and sticker for the car, and went to the holiday lunch at Amici last year. They are a nice group of people, but for me the SSF and Fchat group are much more active.
BT

 

Bill, I am sorry that you missed the 3 track events that we have had since November. The track event at Roebling Road in Savannah (end of October) is also an event that is an easy drive for most folks in Florida. The Summer Get-Away is coming up in July so you may want to checkout that as well. You should be receiving the Prancing Horse as well as the national newsletter and the Florida Region Redline as well. I hope you take advantage of some of these great events in the future.

 

I don't think I have ever gotten the 'Prancing horse'. Most of the FCA info I get comes from Paul Bianco. I am not sure about signing up for the next year. The fee seems kind of high for what I am getting out of it. I enjoy the events with the Fchat group and will probably just continue that. Robert, you might send a PM to Paulie_B to ask some questions about what the FCA offers. Or if you are coming to the July SSF dinner, talk to him about it then.

BT

 

Bill you may want to call the FCA Membership number at 1-800-328-0444 to check on your Prancing Horse subscription. This is a great magazine that you should be getting from the National FCA.

 

Prancing Horse IS an awesome magazine. Very high quality writing and photos (and great tech articles).

 

Sure the magazine is nice but the only reason I see to join is to participate in track events. All the useful stuff in the magazine is available online. As a member you can run your car or spectate at Ferrari Club events held at road tracks in your state. They have very nice expensive dinners at primo restaurants you can sign up for (you pay) on the weekend of the meet. You get a one-time-only decal for your windshield. The newsletter has a "sale" section to shop for parts, etc. If I had lots of money I would join to keep up w/ club events to participate in throughout the US.

 

Bill, the Florida Region of the FCA is the ONLY way to go.......other than Scuderia South Florida.

 

membership in any group is what you make of it.

the newsletters (and websites) include information about all sorts of events, some cost, some may not.

This one hits home for me. I bought my first BMW (so shoot me) in December of 01 and joined the club... by June of '02 I was heading a committee/event and I'm currently sitting on the board of Directors (Secretary, at the moment).

WHY??? because I got off my but and went out to meet some people. and shared my ideas.

if you'd like some lower key events, suggest one and help plan it!

I did just that last year and got to plan my dream event, and it was AWESOME and everyone had so much fun we've made it an annual event!

you HAVE to get off your butt and get involved... otherwise it is just an expensive magazine subscription.

 

I agree Bill. My dad's been a member for years and since I bought my 550 in January, I've done more with the SSF group than my dad has in 20 years of FCA.

The reward's just not there. But again, like someone said.... You get back whatever you put into it.

 

True but what if, let's say, you join FOC here in New England. They have pretty much zero events. Worse still, they do not answer e-mail to their regional or to their county representative. Sure i called via voice, but that seemed useless. Have had more fun with FCA EMPIRE region and www.SCDA1.com guys.

Heck, the local New England Fchat guys have a lot of awesome get togethers and drives... but i lean more towards track events.

Maybe FOC is good if you live in California, but that seems about it. As for the book and magazine, i am STILL trying to get SOMEONE at FOC to ensure my name and address and personal data DO NOT appear in their book.

YOU HEAR THAT FOC GUYS? DO NOT POST ME IN YOUR BOOK!!!!!!


There, maybe that got someone's attention since they do not reply to e-mails.


Imagine your name and address and the car you own being book anyone can get their hands on. Hey, let's get the FOC book and see where to get these great cars to our friends South Of The Boarder, or to...

 

Was a member for one year, way overpriced for what you get.

 

maybe its just an east-coast thing... all the clubs out here are great... the KC FCA/FOC (I honestly don't even know the difference) are great, the KC BMWCCA chapter is almost as much of a bunch of well-meaning full-grown hooligans as our chapter... even most of the Great Plains Region of PCA are good people...

with only a couple odd exceptions, I never encounter a car club of any variety without a bunch of cool, fun people involved.

if there are no events, that's another story entirely... your best bet SHOULD be going to the national organization and letting them know that the chapter is not fulfilling its charter...

we don't have a ton of events (don't have a ton of members either), but we do at least 6 significant events each year on top of the odd tech-session/group-wrenching and impromptu social gatherings.

Club people are just normal people like you and me... get to know a few and have a good time.