FCA and FOC?

Doubt FCA and the FOC would merge although some local or state chapters have probably consolidated. Although I've let memberships in both clubs lapse several years ago, my impression is that the Ferrari Club of America is more track-oriented, the Ferrari Owners Club is more of a social, get-together group. Ever since the California Speedway tragedy several years ago, I'm pretty sure the FOC isn't sponsoring many track days anymore.

There's pros and cons for both clubs. Pick one that suits your interests and location. The FCA's Prancing Horse magazine is superior to the FOC's Pilota. However, the FOC does publish a nice hard-bound membership directory every couple of years.

Unfortunately, like many clubs and organizations, the personalities of people at the top can sour memberships, ie the NC-SC FCA chapter debacle. Now that that's been happily resolved, people can get back to building up the chapter.

The FCA National Meet in Savannah, GA next June will probably prompt me to rejoin. I have a feeling it's gonna be awesome!

KevFla

*I'm aware that Gimbels closed in the late 1980s, but the figure of speech remains.

 

There's not many regions of the US where they compete for membership, head to head???

I doubt they'll merge.

Make your pick based upon activity in your region.

FOC is worldwide, of course, so most of our UK chatters align with that, from what I see.....

 

There's also an FOG (Ferrari Owners Group)

 

The FOC was the first Ferrari club in America. I believe Ed Niles, Lyle Tanner and others started it in 1959. It is the only club recognized by Enzo Ferrari himself, hence the reason the FOC is still in dispute with Ferrari NA's declaration on the intellectual property rights and use of Ferrari logo and script. In response to Ferrari, the FCA has already given up on using these: http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=305386

Then again, I'm an 18 year member of both as I can't get enough Ferrari! Tex Otto is on the National board of both, talk about enthusiasm.

Generally, you're correct that the regions are mutually exclusive with very slight overlap.
I'd say that the FOC is more about driving and the FCA is more about garage tours and socials.

The FOC's motto is "We Drive" and they do. In the PNW, the FOC had two 3 day drives in June and July last summer; a trip with 54 people to Leavenworth and a trip to the Columbia Gorge with 91 guests and 52 cars (see photo). The NW FCA had no trips between May and October last year, but they had many great tech sessions, garage tours and single day events.

Photo of last July's NW FOC event below
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are any of the original founding members of FOC still currently members? if so, who?
tia
ed

 

I think you misunderstand (or I misunderstand you). There are clubs for Ferrari owners in many countries including the US and UK. They are separate entities. The Ferrari Owners Club GB (aka FOC) is in no way connected to the US Ferrari Owners' Club (also aka FOC just to confuse things) although both are recognized by the Factory and I know officials of both Clubs liaise and, indeed, meet peridiocally at the World Clubs meetings convened by Ferrari SpA. Also both Clubs have members outside their national boundaries.

Jonathan

 

I have been a member of both for a while now. When I was in California, I lived in between the SoCal FOC group and the Bay Area's FCA Pacific Region group so would go to events with both.

As stated, each region is different, and the character of each group is really determined by the people in it. I found the FCA Pacific Region to be much more of a drivers' group that really just loved the cars. I had a ball with those guys (and girls). The FOC group based in LA... Hmmmmm. Not really my crowd, I'm afraid.

My advice, see who is active in your area, see if you can go to an event or a drive or two, and see if that group of people is one you would like to hang out with. Because at the end of the drive, you want to be able to enjoy the company of your fellow members.