Ferrari Owners Club New Website

I'm a member of both clubs (FOC and FCA) and have always been a bit concerned with the statement that FOC is the "officially recognized club". Is the FCA not recognized? In fact, FNA advertises their events on the FCA website:

http://www.ferrariclubofamerica.org/ferraridrivingexperience.cfm

Seems like a pretty strong connection there. In fact the FOC website specifically says "first club RECOGNIZED by the factory"

Not trying to start a fight, as I enjoy both clubs and wish to see both continue to grow and improve.

 

So I guess I'm out of the game completely when I get the Maserati?

 

Not at all, Dana . Not that this should be of any importance to anyone since we all choose who we want to hang out with, but the only club recognized by the Ferrari factory in North America is the Ferrari Club of America. While I wouldn't dispute the fact that the FOC may have been the first club, for quite a few years now the "official" club has been the FCA. Just wanted to set the record straight on that. You can find all of the clubs - and Ferrari only picks one per country - on the ferrariowners.com site.
Cheers,
Will

 

Great write up Will,
but I believe Dana meant that he would be excluded from joining the FOC when he moves up to a Maserati as the FOC requires members to own a Ferrari.

On the other hand, the FCA members are not required to own a Ferrari and anyone can join and participate in the events just by going to the website
at:
http://www.nwrfca.org/

 

Thanks Will. I appreciate the clarification, as that point has always confused me.

Dave

 

I travel to a lot of shows and club events through out the USA each year...

AND the one common theme I always hear is...

"Ferrari Owners think their better than everyone else"

I do my best to try and bring lovers of ALL types of Exotics together, after all IMO it is not about the cars, it is about the fun we have as a group of car lovers that enjoy each others company.

I know I am getting blasted here, but this is just another example of the
"if you AINT got a Ferrari you AINT nothing" attidude that causes for "stereo-type" ill feelings to Ferrari owners by numerous other clubs and the General Public out there..

No ONE ever wins when you attempt to "single" your self out as something special above the rest.

Best of luck with your new website and club, I for one will not be joining NOR supporting it. Regardless if I owned a Ferrari or not.

 

Roy,

You should really learn how to share your thoughts and feelings a little more... I'm just afraid by keeping all them inside is just not healthy.... Maybe Marty can set up some counseling sessions on "Sharing the real you, don't be sad just be glad, turn that frown upside down little camper" I think the class is patent pending...... hahahha I make myself laugh..... It's also nice to see you don't have an opinion on owning an exotic in Washington State... Nice....

Also good to finally meet you at Cannon Beach, you did a good thing at dinner that Friday..

Sonny.....

 

Roy, I agree 100%.

 

+1

 

+2
The Cannon Beach trip was my first real exposure to it. No information given out unless you're a member. We won't tell you where we're meeting or what route we're taking unless you're a member. You can't park your car next to ours unless you're a member. Blah Blah Blah. Ironic, considering that when I drove my non membered vehicle through the streets of CB, all I got was waves and thumbs up from other people and cars (both members and non-members I'm sure).

I belong to several car clubs (Cadillac, Audi, AMG, Porsche, BMW, Lamborghini) and if/when I decide to purchase an FCar, I won't be joining either one of the owner's clubs. It's way too elitist for me. Everyone here is an enthusiast, I wish that were enough.

 

I'm confused. Are you ranting against the FOC or FCA? Or Both?

Roy Cats is a generous member of the FCA. I think his negative comment in the post was directed at the FOC.

Cannon Beach is a mostly private FCA event with a public carshow and charity rides. You belong to other car clubs. Do they not have private events also?

 

I really don't think its a matter of one make of vehicle is better that the other make of vehicle kinda thing at all. Its just that there are a few people who try and make it seem that way for whatever rational they seem to come up with.
It only makes sence to me if you want to join a Ferrari club you should probably have a Ferrari? Otherwise whats the point? Maybe they should allow studebakers in the club too? Perhaps there could be an NW exotic car club insted? May be I should buy a Pinto and join the cobra or maybe the mustang club? They should not have a problem with that should they? Or would that make them seem like there better that me because I only have a Pinto? Shame on them! So I revert back to my original statement. I thought this club was above this kind of crap.

 

Would you really buy a pinto???

 

Not sure what your rant is about, but IIRC, Ferrari ownership is not required to be a member in FCA-NW. I know it has been sometime now since I was able to attend an event, and I know things has changed, but I am 100% sure that this rule has not changed. I too belong to many car clubs here in the NW and they operate pretty much the same way. Membership is required to attend official private club event or enjoy special discounts, and rightfully so, but ownership was never required to be a member.

 

Roy is from the Groucho Marx School of memberships: "I don't care to belong to a club that accepts people like me as members." Groucho also said:
"Those are my principles. If you don't like them, I have others."

PS: I don't get any of this BS in the Prius Club.

 

I'm sorry this has denigrated into a slugfest. Look, both clubs are comprised of some great, and friendly people. I'm sorry Ben feels "left out" but all one has to do is simply JOIN the club. I did not attend the event, but I know there are specific reasons that routes and other info are not given out....there have been incidents in recent years around the country with the general public showing up and "chase" the cars down the freeway and other such antics...the liability is just too great. For the past year or two, it has been FCA club policy not to give out too much information on destinations, meeting places and routes, if at all possible, unless you are a member or guest.

In addition, it IS a private, social event for the FCA, and their invited guests, which (I believe) happen to include both the FOC and Lamborghini Club. The simple way around it, is to join the FCA. There are many members in the FCA that are not owner's of a Ferrari, it is hardly a big deal. The FOC chooses to require ownership of a Ferrari as part of joining....it's a private club, and that is their choice. It you don't like it, they can choose to not join. I haven't seen any snobbiness from FOC members; in fact most all of them are FCA members as well.

 

I guess I'm not sure what differentiates a private club event from any other show/meet/drive. What I was ranting (not really a rant, but I'll accept the adverb for now) about was moreso the extreme level of secrecy involved in the CB event. All I wanted to do was drive my Lamborghini down with other Italian cars. I thought of it as an Italian car show and wouldn't the spectators and participants enjoy the presence of an LM? But the meeting place and route information was not given out publicly. Was this to weed out the Pintos and Studebakers or the non FCA members? I wanted to show my car, but wasn't allowed because I'm not a member. Okay, I'll park across the street and enjoy the day. I would've loved to join you for dinner, see Roy's new costume, and make friends (which could have very well led to me wanting to become a member).

I don't know, when I'm asked to pay to join a club before I'm ever allowed to participate in one of their activities, it just doesn't sit well with me. It feels less about the cars, and moreso about the dues.

For example, the event in BC has always been a favorite of mine. I'm looking forward to Dave's iteration of it this year and I truly enjoy driving/parking/showing alongside all makes and models of Italian (both members and non-members alike) over the course of that weekend. I thought that CB was a similar type of event. I now see the difference. No big deal.

Regardless, we all have lovely cars. Let's enjoy them!

 

I was the Cannon Beach Coordinator for 2007. This was a private event for members of the NWR Ferrari club and NWR Lambo Club. There are hidden costs in putting on one of these events not to mention a lot of effort by the volunteers. The members of these clubs share this burden in their club dues and get credit for their efforts also with the local community. The local community is well aware its the clubs and their Members that are putting out the real effort and in exchange can participate by demonstrating and showing their cars. Throughout the year there are many events, some almost as significant as the Cannon Beach event that take hundreds of hours to prepare and lots of volunteers. Each Member of these clubs that participates in these events has his time in the barrel.

I would invite you to join the Lambo club if you prefer that affiliation or the Ferrari club or both - many are members of both whether they own a Ferrari Lambo or not. Our current club Treasurer is without Ferrari along with other prominent members. I was a member of the Ferrari club for 6 months before I owned a Ferrari.

Ask yourself if it really is the $135 that's preventing you from joining the club and becoming an active participant or is it something else.

 

HEEEEYYYYYYYY!!!!! I used to have one of those!!
It didn't explode either......................

 

So you're telling me if I drive my Ford Expedition to a Prius Club event I'll be welcomed with open arms? I'll have to give that a try.

 

- Unless its a different Lambo club than the one Roy and Albert are affiliated with, I sent Albert all the registration info several times prior to the Cannon Beach Event and properly invited the Lambo club to join - other Lambo members attended and paid and went to dinner - Even the ones from Canada.

 

The intro is awsome for the 2`nd site