I have a question: Would you attend an Event even if it Rained? Whether it be a Car Show. Cruise Night. A Drive. A Parade. A Track Day....Whatever. And,does it make a Difference as to what Type of event it is? If the proceeds went to Charity? And,would it make a difference if you showed up solely because of a Non-Refundable Entry Fee. Otherwise,you wouldn't. Would you do it once in awhile,but,certainly not make a habit of doing it. (Certainly TRY to avoid it,but,if it happens,it happens...?) Or,is it a "Never, Ever will I drive my car in the rain"... Just wondering how everyone feels about that......Personally,I just,this Year,finally got over being "Paranoid" about getting caught in the Rain. No,I don't like to. And,try to avoid it....But,it's no longer THAT big of a deal to me after almost 4 years of Ferrari ownership....(I always took any of the 7 Corvettes ,and 1 Porsche that I owned out,Rain or Shine....But,NO SALT,or,After the Roads have been Salted...) It's always a 50/50 Crap Shoot when you try to plan an Event...Will it Rain? Will it be nice out? Will nobody show up if it's raining?....Hard to plan,hard to speculate... But,will be easier if we can get an idea of how everyone feels about it.
I voted never. It is just my years spent down in Florida speaking out: it rains when it sunny out and when it pours its like using Buckingham Fountain for a drinking fountain. Plus, it seems rather strange to work at getting your car all cleaned up, get it so dirty that you have to spend the next day doing the exact same thing. If Im driving the H2 or just going to visit using my daily car, none of this really matters anyway. What type of show is very important. I feel more connected to something that supports a needed cause. Shows like Chelle's Vet Hospital visit were perfect. A nice drive along a highway, people who were very supportive and appriciating once you arrived. The Hooters thing was alright, but I did not clearly see the results of anyone's participation and I think that if you show a car, you should not ahve to register. Have the viewing public pay if you brought a car. European Imports/Russ' Tuscany show was fun too, as it was in a nice location, very rare cars, lots of room, and there was a silent auction for kids charities. A cruise in the rain, I think that goes without much detail on why I wouldn't show. Based on all these questions, will there be one last cruise planned before the cold comes to stay? RocketBoy
Yes,we are working on some things. But,it will be Rain or Shine. Just cannot plan something,and if it Rains,no one participates. I'm sure that everyone can appreciate that.... No,I pride myself with keeping my cars extremely Clean and Detailed. I've always done that with every car that I've ever owned,(around 30 since 1975) Even Work Beaters!... Sure,it's a pain in the ass to do it all over again. But,I really don't mind at all. It certainly is not a problem with me. But,I've finally come to the point that I'm not going to miss an event simply because it's raining out. I can clean my car again. That is not a Problem or a Big Deal,really. And,ofcourse,it depends on the Event...If it's a local Cruise Night. I can pass on that if it's raining. They come every Week. A Drive? Well,sometimes we can have a "Rain Date" and just do it the following week. Sometimes we can't (Like if arrangemnets have been made at a Restaraunt or something.) But,something Like the FCA Oak St.event. Haley and Chelle's V.A. Car Show. Or Any other Planned,advertised Car Show somewhere. A Parade. Things like that. Where you are committed to that date. I'd go,Rain or Shine. A Track Day. If they had a Rain date,fine. If not,I'd go. Unless they wouldn't let you drive the Track,(or at slower speeds,obviously) Because,if you make the effort to plan something,Co-ordinate something. It's gotta go,Rain or Shine sometimes. It's a 50/50 Crapshoot,as I said. And,I just wanted to get an idea of how everyone feels about that. So,that we can plan accordingly in the future. We have lots of ideas for some really great events for next Year. But,they will involve Planning. Lots of effort. Probably some Money and an Investment involved,too. These are all intended for everyone,To enjoy. But,if the Enthusiasm is lacking....Or,if no one will show if it rains,I'd just like to know now,ahead of time. So,we can adjust just how Big or Small to Plan. (Great Example of lack of enthusiasm....This thread. As of right now,there have been 54 "Views",yet only 5 people voted...)
Well,the Poll ends in one Hour. After 5 days,there were 129 Views. Yet,only 8 votes. And,3 responses....2 of which were mine! (Thanks,Jack) I guess that the enthusiasm is desperately lacking....
Andreas,you might as well remove the "Sticky" now. I think thats about it for this one....Thanks though!
Frank- Did it occur to you that the poll was pretty lame? Many times people will commit to an event, and then not show; not necessarily because it was raining. There can be many other mitigating factors which prevents one from attending. The reason you didn't get much response, is because your question was inane. Not because there's a lack of 'enthusiasm'!
Ah,yes...speaking of lame...here's my usual "Lame-Basting" from the Peanut Gallery...er...Skip... No,I just wanted to know how people felt about doing an event if it was RAINING out....JUST about RAIN...Nothing Else. I completely understand that there are dozens of other mitigating circumstances that may prevent someone from being able to attend an event. But,I wanted to narrow it down. We are planning alot of really nice events,especially for next Year. And,I simply wanted to get an idea of how people feel about attending an event if it Rains. After all. Sometimes there will be alot of Time,Money and Effort involved in Planning something. And,it's always a 50-50 Crapshoot if it's going to Rain or not. And,all I wanted to know is if people will attend,Rain or Shine...Simply asked,I think... Whether they can't attend due to a Graduation,or a Wedding,or whatever....I wasn't asking about that. And,from the response that I DID get. Apparently,7 out of 9 people,or,the vast majority,don't care if it's raining out. Very Scientific...But,minimal response or not. My question was answered... Now,go back to Sleep!...
Along the same topic, I've discovered that the problem I've been having with scheduled events is that there just seem to be so many of them. Almost too many, if I dare say. So while it usually doesn't depend on the weather, it falls more into whether or not it conflicts with all the other events/obligations/etc. from which we must choose. I guess on one hand it's good to have a lot of events so people will always have something that works for them. On the other hand, having almost weekly-scheduled drives or shows or whatever tends to cause me to tune out, almost taking them for granted and not prioritizing any of them. I mean, I think it's awesome that there are so many passionate Ferrari lovers in this area, and perhaps it just isn't the priority for me right now that it is for others. I just feel bad sometimes like I don't participate enough. What do you guys think?
Oh Yes,I can certainly see your point. But,the reason that we do try to plan so many events,is that everybody DOES have other things to do. I know that I certainly do. I have a Family. 2 Kids who have activities that I have to attend. A house with a Big Yard that needs attention,(although,I do have Landscapers doing all of that.) NON-Ferrari friends to do things with. Relative Parties and get togethers. Starting up a new Business. Church,(Believe it or not... ). Watching the F1 Race on TV. And,sometimes I just plain hurt too much to be able to do anything. Etc...Etc...Etc.... So,by offering so many options...so many things to do. There's got to be an open time for Someone. If you can't make one of them,maybe you can make the next one. I've missed a few events this year,too. And,I certainly wouldn't expect anyone else to be able to show up for Every Event,either. Also,FCA has some great events. Lake Forest has a couple events. Continental,Fox Valley,too. Then,there's the rather Short Driving Season to contend with...and,ofcourse,a 50/50 chance of Rain on top of all of that. So,there really isn't a whole heck of alot of time to get in the Ferrari and go for a nice Drive with other Ferrari Enthusiasts,after you narrow it all down. So,by offering alot of Choices,there's got to be something for everybody. And,we are doing this,not just for us,but for all of You Guys,too. So that,if you have a chance,you can get out for awhile and drive with us. I know that everyone here must Love to Drive their Ferrari. Thats why we have them... But,when there seems to be such a lack of interest. It gets a little bit depressing. As I said. We are doing these...offering these... for EVERYONE. Not just a few of us. I mean,I take my car out by myself,or with my Wife or one of my Kids,all of the time. I get in some good driving time. But,I really enjoy getting together with the rest of you guys and doing things together. Comaraderie. Exchanging stories,Tech Tips,seeing every one,and their Beautiful Car. It's nice. And,there hasn't really been all that many. Once a Month. Maybe....occassionally....twice a Month. (Look at www.focmidwest.com it shows the events that we've done this year.) And,what kind of strikes me as funny,is that the Ferrari people down in the SouthWest-Arizona,California-who CAN drive their cars all year round. Get together as often as they can for drives,etc... In Scottsdale,AZ. The Ferrari Club would meet EVERY Sunday Morning at the Ferrari Dealership and go for a nice little drive,then Brunch. And I see it in the Ferrari Club Magazines. Yet,up here in the Midwest,where the Driving time is limited due to Winter,there isn't the same enthusiasm. Again,I realize that people do have more important committments than just going out for a drive. But,we try to accomodate everyone as best as we can,so that they can come along if they desire. Thus,plenty of offerings. And,we have some really great plans for next Season. Again,for EVERYONE to enjoy. We don't get Paid,or Recognition or anything for doing these. It's simply for our passion for our cars,and hopefully,everyones else,too.... And,my point of view is this...I was nearly Killed in 3 different,very Severe Accidents-NONE were my fault. My best Buddy died when He was 36. His family is Extemely Wealthy. But,all of the Money in the World couldn't save him. I'm 44 years old,with severe Arthritis. Getting worse. A very "Bad Back". There will be a time...I don't know how long...but when I will not be able to climb my Big old rotten ass into this Beautiful little Car that I've lusted after for most of my life. Life is too short. Even If the Man upstairs allows me to live to be 88,I'm half way there! And,personally,I don't EVER want to look back in regret that I didn't drive my Beautiful Ferrari enough. Because,by then,it will be too late....
