Corvette Clubs: Yay or Nay?
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 54,204
Likes: 180
From: S.W. Ohio. . . . . . NRA Life Member
I went from seriously disliking Corvette clubs... to realizing that they OK for what they mostly are... fundraisers for a favorite charity.
In our area, seems all the Corvette clubs are charities first, representing one specific organization (St. Jude, Spina Bifida, Humane Society...). And these local charity groups have an overall "theme" to them... and in this instance it's Corvettes.
So, if you look at your local Corvette club as a charity mostly... with the theme being a car group... I think you will be more understanding of what they do - and why.
For me, I wanted a car group first, and do charity work in a different setting. The one club in the vicinity that is more a car group... is far away. We joined for a few years, but was not able to attend their car functions much.
In our area, seems all the Corvette clubs are charities first, representing one specific organization (St. Jude, Spina Bifida, Humane Society...). And these local charity groups have an overall "theme" to them... and in this instance it's Corvettes.
So, if you look at your local Corvette club as a charity mostly... with the theme being a car group... I think you will be more understanding of what they do - and why.
For me, I wanted a car group first, and do charity work in a different setting. The one club in the vicinity that is more a car group... is far away. We joined for a few years, but was not able to attend their car functions much.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 41,732
Likes: 1,718
From: Springfield MO
One speeding ticket since 1966, and it was in my Mercedes 4 door sedan, two years ago, not in any of they Corvettes that I have owned. I guess that I was driving it the way it should be driven. LOL. Just an old man driving the **** out of his daily driver. LOL
Last edited by JoesC5; Sep 6, 2017 at 07:07 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 1,633
Likes: 279
From: Dallas TX
I attended a couple local club meetings and got the same experience from both:
- Can be a good source of info; discussion of modifications, dealerships doing service at reduced prices for club members, etc.
- Crowd was typically quite a bit older than me, but I enjoy talking with diverse groups of folks, so no big deal...
- Except at both, the members were quite "cliquish" and it was pretty awkward to participate in conversations.
Like others have mentioned, it seems to be a more rewarding experience to gather at social events that are geared towards sports car enthusiasts in general, rather than corvette specific clubs.
- Can be a good source of info; discussion of modifications, dealerships doing service at reduced prices for club members, etc.
- Crowd was typically quite a bit older than me, but I enjoy talking with diverse groups of folks, so no big deal...
- Except at both, the members were quite "cliquish" and it was pretty awkward to participate in conversations.
Like others have mentioned, it seems to be a more rewarding experience to gather at social events that are geared towards sports car enthusiasts in general, rather than corvette specific clubs.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 3,189
Likes: 145
From: the island of misfit toys
Anyway, my friend said he preferred his own small, casual club, they meet for coffee and shows and barbecues, things like that.
Google says the Cars and Coffee event here only allows exotics, due to space constraints. I'm sure there are lots of informal gatherings, word of mouth, etc.
Last edited by the kid C6; Sep 6, 2017 at 09:53 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 3,431
Likes: 298
From: MN-C3, AZ-C7
We're all big boys and girls here. We all know or should by now, that clubs Have personalities that reflex the participants. You either clic with that style or not. Nothing right or wrong about that.....move on or join in.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 9,177
Likes: 4,018
From: 2019 CMG Z06/ZR1
I already belong to a pretty nice club. Every time I take the vette out, the "Save The Wave" members let me know I'm in the brotherhood. No useless fees, no mandatory meetings and no time wasted discussing the details of Gertrude's new bunion.
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Brett Foote
Race Director
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Team Owner
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 41,732
Likes: 1,718
From: Springfield MO
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 41,732
Likes: 1,718
From: Springfield MO
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2007
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From: Rougemont NC
Go Canes!
Joined: Dec 2009
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From: Boca Raton FL
St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-'18-'19-'20-'21
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 41,732
Likes: 1,718
From: Springfield MO
The people you meet in a club also have other interests besides Corvettes that you may never have had the opportunity to know if you hadn't joined the club.
Earlier this morning I made motel reservations to drive 1,000 miles(each way) to ride the Durango & Silverton in Durango, Colorado in the snow in cold, cold February.
Not many going, and we're not driving out Corvettes. Just a fun 5 days(four days of travel to ride the narrow gauge steam train for one day) playing in the snow.
Some of our members take cruises together, to enjoy each other's company, or go to NASCAR races all over the US.
Earlier this morning I made motel reservations to drive 1,000 miles(each way) to ride the Durango & Silverton in Durango, Colorado in the snow in cold, cold February.
Not many going, and we're not driving out Corvettes. Just a fun 5 days(four days of travel to ride the narrow gauge steam train for one day) playing in the snow.
Some of our members take cruises together, to enjoy each other's company, or go to NASCAR races all over the US.
Last edited by JoesC5; Sep 7, 2017 at 03:31 PM.
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 208
Likes: 69
From: Norman OK
We have a couple local clubs that I have heard have a lot of rules. But a few weeks ago I went to an event with NCCO - The Non Club Car Club. Its Corvettes only. No dues, no required participation. I met up with them for lunch and declined to go on to a Christmas parade they were participating in. They hold a couple cars shows a year to raise money for Toys For Tots, they take a few road trips, eat ..whatever. I like that I can participate or not. They seem to be mostly my age and older. They tell me that another Corvette club calls this one the 'Youth Group'. Nice group, I'm sure I'll do stuff with them occasionally.
I plan to get involved with SCCA for some autocross - I used to do that with BMWCCA in the past.
Here is the NCCO Non-Membership application. I know they can't kick me out because I'm not a member and neither is anyone else.
I plan to get involved with SCCA for some autocross - I used to do that with BMWCCA in the past.
Here is the NCCO Non-Membership application. I know they can't kick me out because I'm not a member and neither is anyone else.
APPLICATION FOR NONMEMBERSHIP
NON-CLUB CLUB
I, ____________________ SOLEMNLY SWEAR TO PAY NO DUES, NEVER TO VOTE ON ANY MATTER OR ACTIVITY, TO JUST SHOW UP WHENEVER MY PRESENCE IS NOT REQUIRED AT BUT IS ALLOWED, THAT I WILL NEVER COME TO ANY NON CLUB CLUB NON OFFICIAL ACTIVITY IN ANY CAR OR TRUCK THAT COULD BE DESIGNATED BY ANY OTHER NON CLUB CLUB NON MEMBER AS A "RICER". I FURTHER PLEDGE TO SCORN AND PHYSICALLY FIGHT IF DEEMED NECESSAY BY A NON VOTE OF THE MAJORITY OF NON MEMBERS ANY ATTEMPT BY ANY NON PREAPPROVED "UN" MEMBER TO NOT WANT TO BECOME A NON MEMBER IN THE NON CLUB CLUB WHO APPLYS FOR SAID NON MEMEBERSHIP IF SAID NON APPLICANT DOES NOT OWN AT LEAST ONE
CORVETTE
SO HELP ME, BOWLING GREEN
SIGNED___________________ DATE_______________
Please print, sign and date, then destroy in a manner that leaves no evidence whatsoever!
NON-CLUB CLUB
I, ____________________ SOLEMNLY SWEAR TO PAY NO DUES, NEVER TO VOTE ON ANY MATTER OR ACTIVITY, TO JUST SHOW UP WHENEVER MY PRESENCE IS NOT REQUIRED AT BUT IS ALLOWED, THAT I WILL NEVER COME TO ANY NON CLUB CLUB NON OFFICIAL ACTIVITY IN ANY CAR OR TRUCK THAT COULD BE DESIGNATED BY ANY OTHER NON CLUB CLUB NON MEMBER AS A "RICER". I FURTHER PLEDGE TO SCORN AND PHYSICALLY FIGHT IF DEEMED NECESSAY BY A NON VOTE OF THE MAJORITY OF NON MEMBERS ANY ATTEMPT BY ANY NON PREAPPROVED "UN" MEMBER TO NOT WANT TO BECOME A NON MEMBER IN THE NON CLUB CLUB WHO APPLYS FOR SAID NON MEMEBERSHIP IF SAID NON APPLICANT DOES NOT OWN AT LEAST ONE
CORVETTE
SO HELP ME, BOWLING GREEN
SIGNED___________________ DATE_______________
Please print, sign and date, then destroy in a manner that leaves no evidence whatsoever!
Last edited by Soonere39; Dec 19, 2017 at 03:05 PM.
