Greetings. As we finish the 2004 season, it's a good time to look back on all we did as a chapter this year. The chapter had 19 official events this year, including Second Monday gatherings Poker Run FoD Car Show Strade di Autunno Exotic Car Nights Ferrari Fine Dining. Some of the other non-FCA, DFW area Italian car actitivies that our members participated in this year included the following: F1 watching parties, sponsored by Lineback The Italian Invasion of the British car show, by the Maffia Car Club The Italian Car Festival, by the Fiat Club of North Texas The Lay's First Annual Celebrazione, sponsored by Rob and Jennie Lay The MAFFIA/ Rodney & Marci Christmas party (sorry about the scheduling guys!) The Pantera/Ferrari Dyno Day The Italian Festival of Speed, by the North Texas Panteras Road to Adventure by Texas Driver Magazine Texas Track & Concourso, by Texas Driver Magazine and Lamborghini of Dallas And a host of spontaneous gatherings! That's not a complete list, just what I can recall off the top of my head. My question to you all, what did you like about this year? What could use some improvement? If you don't want to post in public, feel free to send me a PM. We're putting together the 2005 schedule, and looking for suggestions. All the events you love will should return. If you want to jump in and help organize an event, please PM me and we'll put you to work Thanks again to all the members who participated through this year, and made 2004 one of the best ones so far for the new chapter. Tillman
I would specifically like feedback on the events I take responsibility for. I'm pretty much at capacity and can't add events to organize myself, but I can certainly realign some and make changes. Additionally, if you have some ideas for an event, please feel free to get it started. Tillman and I will support you every way we can. I just can't take any more load to lead it up. Second Mondays - We discussed moving to Tuesday in 2005, would everyone prefer that? Not as close to weekend activities. How about locations? I don't think we should have one place now that TBC is gone, but throw out various locations you want on the schedule. It doesn't have to be game related, it can just be a happy hour or we can do new stuff like rock climbing. Fine Dining - We did two this year and I plan for the same next year unless I hear otherwise. Please send suggestions for restaurants. Exotic Car Nights - I plan on two again next year. Still happy with Carsons? They have treated us well going on 8 times now. 2nd Annual FCA DFW Car Show - I need to make sure BFMoD will be happy with us again. I think last year was very successful considering the rain. No reason we can't get 30+ Ferraris out and who knows, maybe BFMoD will want us to open up to more Makes. Please provide your feedback. The reason our chapter doesn't do track days is because there aren't the numbers and interest for it. It's best we piggy back with other clubs and organizations.
This has been my best car guy year with all the events you guys put on. Fchat has kept me abreast of additional events, and I commend those whose hard work made it easy for the rest of us. After my first taste of MSR, I am ready for more track days, and hope that the increasing numbers of participants might make the track rental more doable. Really like the informal meet for drinks groups, and the car shows are great! Hope I can organize and event to East Texas to see a large collection, but I think TDMagazine is looking into the same spot. Keep up the good work guys and gals, and I hope to attend more events in 2005. After seeing the New Orleans pics, I think I have to be there next year. Thanks to FCA and FCHAT and the new group of friends I have made this year.
Ok, I'll jump in. Second Mondays- Yeah, lets move to Tuesdays. The Speedzone/D&B route has been reasonably successful. It's nice to be able to 'race' at Speedzone, but with winter coming it may not be a great option for a few months. I think the central location is pretty good for everybody too. Fine Dining- I only made one of them, and it was really good, but the room sucked. Sitting around the low tables on foot stools wasn't so great for a 3 hour event. Yes, I also know it was my suggestion. I do know that the owner would like to have us back though. We used to do this 4 times a year, is that too many? 2 times almost doesn't seem like enough. Exotic Car Nights- Always one of my favorites. Fond memories include Yoshi and the harem, the run when I got the 'nipple' in my fender after the event, Rob getting stuck with a large bill, and Jerry's fascination with the bartender girl. I'd like to do these quarterly again and would forgo a fine dining event. FCA DFW Car Show- was fun, but not as fun as the 'activity' events. I'll still attend if they continue to happen. Poker Run- Probably my favorite event of the year, every year. Even though I had a 'piece of sh*t on my throttle blade'! The fall run was a very close second. Thanks again to Jim and Tillman for organizing these, they were both awesome. I love driving along with 20 other Ferraris. All in all, I'm amazed how active this club is. We have an event every 3 weeks on average, how cool is that? Great work Rob and Tillman!
FWIW, I discovered last night that Speedzone now conveniently has the infamous Derby Owner's Club game for all you die hards out there. D&B isn't the only place for it anymore.
Honestly, I had a good time for all these events, and appreciate people who coordinated events. Second Tuesday will be good for me, as Monday night could turn into hectic for my business. (just personal reason)
I'd like to suggest that the first Saturday night in December be reserved for the MAFFIA Car Club Annual Holiday Party. Everyone is, of course, invited - with and without the cars!
