Im in on that as well. :cool:
Sorry for ruining it with my ratty 308. I just go to see the cars, not to be seen. There was a 412 there. How often do you get to see one of those!
Listen- the true enthusiasts don’t care what you have. We all just love cars and like to talk shop. Next time stop by and say hello. For me it’s peobably March. Maybe April.
https://www.scuderiasouthwest.com/blog/2019/4/12/0oncnfwqzue88izndjb38s2ihyfjat?fbclid=IwAR3R4p8TYSHQCbqX_7-iPbfYCR1JAdA7em34n7seTsQYraTJiTwCSszpirQ Now halted. Dave says it isn't permanent...but look at the trend. Alpios Cars N Coffee seem to attract a smaller, more Ferrari oriented crowd but it is on the 2nd Sat of each month https://alpiosattroon.com/cars-coffee/
Can't say no one saw this coming. The crowd was starting to look rougher and rougher, and many of the cars were not really interesting to look at. The Pinnacle Peak option seems very interesting but it would be nice to have a venue back in Gainey with a restriction on cars allowed, I know some complained that their cars didn't make the cut to be "shown" but that's up to the discretion of the event organizers.
IMO, it was becoming more and more like the Pavilions Rock 'n' Roll show ... but less fun. Sure, there are more European exotics at the Scuderia event, And the Pavilions show has lots of the same cars on display. Entire rows of identical Corvettes, Mustangs and Camaros, but there is atmosphere at the Pavilions that is more down to earth and every week lots of unusual hot rods, roadsters and other quite interesting cars. I love walking down the aisles of older cars. I really enjoy the Pavilions and seeing people camping out with their camp chairs and taking in the social aspects. The event up at Mayo Blvd has lost the camaraderie of the venue at Gainey Ranch. There seem to be fewer genuine classic car buffs and more dealers and commercialization. There is very little commercialization at the Pavilions. There are fewer and fewer really interesting cars at the Mayo Blvd event. Much fewer hot rods, classic cars and preserved exotics. I hope the organizers can restore some of the atmosphere they had at Gainey, but I fear their attention has become too focused on the commercial aspects.
Why not try something that is PM Saturday instead? What are thoughts of that? I think attendance would go up. At least non summer. F430
The show was getting to be not fun. When there was empty spot after empty spot in the exotics area- not too much fun about that. I go there 6-7 times a year with friends but it’s becoming less and less interesting. We are just thinking of just getting together and just meeting up someplace and just have coffee- like it was intended to be.
Sam: As you know, I was one of the founders of Gainey. It all started from a group of friends that had been getting together for Weekend coffee for literally years. This same crew of like minded enthusiasts (mostly Ferrari/exotic owners) were so tired of the FCA and their politics of posing, that we gravitated together and just shot the breeze, went on a few drives and just generally shared the love and passion for exotics. One day (seemingly out of the blue), we thought it would be fun if we invited a few friends on the 1st Saturday of the month. It quickly grew into the huge event that was the Motorsports Gathering (coined by myself and Steve Mrav). Unfortunately, whenever something is grown from a love and passion it attracts people that decide that it needs to be "taken to the next level"..... that usually means commercializing. You know that I have a bit of an injury and have a tough time getting around. For years I would park near Oliver's Jewelry (great guy and contributed so much to that event) and hang out by the 'Fountain', until one day I found that my spot had been taken by a dealer that had 'bought' that area. I think that may have been the last time I made the effort to go. As for the event at Mayo, it is basically a zoo and lost all of the atmosphere, intimacy and camaraderie of Gainey, for a big, empty parking lot with no shade or interesting stores or restaurants. I had to go once, when the McLaren dealer was going on a drive and insisted on leaving from there. Never again. I have a new crew that gets together on the weekends for coffee and some camaraderie. If you feel like getting out and talking cars, give me a call and likewise, if you have some guys that want to do the same, let me know where/when.
Sad that Gainey Village went away - I went several times, probably a decade ago, and it was awesome - “Copterjon” gave me my first tour of the event. You guys had an awesome event going on back then. MDS
I was at Oliver’s yesterday buying a watch and George and I were talking about it. It would be nice to start something up there again (unofficial and low key). Maybe have a contacts list and be more random with the get together dates.
Scuderia Southwest just put out an email, looks like the event will start up again on Sept 7th. Says details to follow.... Would be nice if it went back to a smaller event at a better venue...
I just received an email from Scuderia Southwest. They are now soliciting memberships at $137 per year. For that membership you get multiple "benefits" including the eligibility to attend social events, drives, car show events, free special merchandise, additional members-only merchandise and special discounts. This confirms my thoughts that they have gone over to commercializing things like the Cars and Coffee event. I would assume general admittance to events will likely be free, but I assume they will look for membership to show your car. I think this is a bit crass and I expect if my supposition is correct about members only displaying cars it will reduce the number people bringing cars to events. So it may have the benefit of reducing the zoo like atmosphere that many people have observed at their current location ... but, I think they are going to lose the spontaneity and camaraderie that used to be present in the old days. I have no intention of enrolling this. Hey Dino ... I like your response a bit back ... the idea of returning to the way this was originally intended. This approach that the organizers are taking may work out for them, but I am done with it. I will take my car to the Pavilions or one of other venues in the valley.
Just got the same email. They are launching a membership - $137 for the year. right now you get a coffee mug and some access to special events- I wonder if they are going to rope off the display area for members only- Id pay $137 for that for a guaranteed parking spot- but I dont go every month- need more details.
I miss the old Gainey venue, haven't been able to go for the last few years do to work but sold my business and would like to have another event to look forward to and talk cars!
Gainey is gone. Not coming back. Not sure how this whole membership thing is going to work - if there are actual benefits to keep out the rif Raf....maybe $137 is worth it. Not sure.....need more details....
Sam, I agree. If this fixes most of the problems, hopefully it will be enjoyable again. Beats a golf membership!
Rob, im getting a golf simulator installed. Trackman. Goes in next Monday! Better money than paying a club.
Do you really want to pay $137 to put your car in a parking lot? Gainey was great and it actually wouldn't be hard to get going,,, and just keep it for fun, friends, cars and shooting the breeze.
I get it. But it’s just a chance to get out and blow some steam. Hell I’ve spent 137 on beer in a night. If it sucks I won’t go. I’m hoping it’s better than before.
The magic of Gainey was the spontaneity, the non-exclusion and the lack of snobbery. It was the venue and the sheer gathering of exotic cars, that seemingly just came together. The old, "Bring it and they will come" really worked out and it just naturally became THE place you could bring your exotic and meet other exotic owners. As a result it became THE place you could go to actually see them as a fan and car lover. And everyone just mingled and enthused about cars. You could see the latest and greatest Ferrari parked next to a Pebble Beach winning Packard. We forgot about the BS of the week, and just escaped into the thing that most of us have loved since we had a grasp reflex! It was pure and most importantly, it was fun. I've been at the car club thing since the 80's and every time (especially with the dancing pony crew), snobbery, exclusivity and exclusion (and let's not forget ridiculous power struggles and commercialism) always (and I do mean always) set in. I think I would rather just get together with like minded guys for a few laughs, cars and just see what happens. All the while, just having some fun.
Yup. Dont disagree. But its gone. I dont have the energy or time to bring it back. Someone else is putting on a show. They started a membership- its lame but its lunch money and they have a hundred or so folks signed up. I just want to hang out with car enthusiasts and talk shop. If it costs me 10 bucks a month to do so, so be it. If it sucks, I wont go anymore. Sometimes we put too much thought and energy into why something sucks instead of just saying - I tried it was fun ill do it again or it sucked, ill stop.