Part of the NCRS problem....

**Kenneth B.** · September 30, 2012, 10:20 AM

Re: Part of the NCRS problem....

Originally posted by Bruce Bursten (27670)

Yesterday some members of the Queen City NCRS Chapter participated in a road tour (about 35 Miles each way) to the ECTA land speed trials at Wilmington Ohio.
Out of a membership of approximately 119, 6 (six) cars made the trip.
The weather was perfect, the racing was great and we had a great time.
To bad some of the other 113 members could not attend. Obviously there are many good reasons some could not participate but the overall participation was rather pathetic.
Do we belong to NCRS to preserve and enjoy our cars or just do it as an investment, or what?
[ATTACH=CONFIG]41815[/ATTACH]

I think this goes back to the graying of NCRS. I think that as we get older we go to less things like that. I used to go to all the car shows,ND football & races but I am 68 & it's not as much fun now. It's sad in a way.

**Stephen B.** · September 30, 2012, 10:24 AM

Re: Part of the NCRS problem....

I too attended this event and enjoyed it immensly,in fact I organized it. I too was disappointed that ONLY 6 cars participated. Come on boys out of our 120 members and perhaps 2 or 3 hundred cars owned you can only get 6 cars out on an absolutely beautifull fall day.We attended a very uniqe speed event were you see just how fast your car will go in a measured Mile, and yes there were several modifide CORVETTES there. More importantly how can you claim to care about Restoring Corvettes, hands on resto technics and articals in the restorer Mag. and not be interested in the uniqeness of this grass roots event . There's got to be more to NCRS than the repeated conversations about bolt heads ,matching numbers, overspray and date codes. I understand boys,but look around at your next meeting. What's the average age of the membership ? I garantte the next owner of that car you so treasure will drive it more than you did. These cars were built to drive from C-1s to 6s.
Stephen Barrett (21558)
59,66,71,73

**Rich G.** · September 30, 2012, 11:11 AM

Re: Part of the NCRS problem....

In a related issue, I wonder what percentage of members belong to the National Organization only and not to a chapter? I don't belong to my local chapter for no other reason than that I found I never had the time to participate in their events. They have many good ones, but it seemed I was always doing something else. I also am not the kind of person who enjoys being at a show for more than an hour. I have more fun driving there and back.

The "greying" problem is pervasive throughout almost all the specialty hobbies and by specialty I mean those that require real commitment to participate. General aviation has the same issue, maybe worse.

Rich

**Bruce B.** · September 30, 2012, 12:20 PM

Re: Part of the NCRS problem....

Ken,
Well I'm 69 I agree it's not as much fun but it is still fun.
I drove my 62 4 speed car and once I figure out how to get into the car, loosen up my legs so I can work the clutch & brake it's time to go. Run through the gears and have a ball.
We old guys react sort of like are Corvettes; The longer we sit the more that goes wrong and has to be fixed. Believe me after driving nice country roads for 40 miles it feels real good to get out of the damn car and stretch.
But I would not give it up for anything else.

**Rob M.** · September 30, 2012, 12:21 PM

Re: Part of the NCRS problem....

That's too bad.

When I joined the organization about 10 years ago, I felt I was pretty young. Now at 44, I feel like a "tweener" (between old and young). But, I enjoy driving my car and I enjoy restoring it as I go. I am very proud to have earned a Founders Award this summer with my '66. Not easy, but very rewarding and I got to drive the car! The organization has much more to offer than the Flight awards.

My nephews are really getting into cars. When they visit, they love going for rides in the vettes (old and new) - they're hooked. Now, two of the three have their licenses and I can't wait until they learn how to drive a manual so that I can let them drive one of the vettes to seal the deal. Just trying to pay it forward with what my uncles did for me 30 years ago.

As for me and my clan . . . we're going to drive 'em!

**David G.** · September 30, 2012, 12:50 PM

Re: Part of the NCRS problem....

And the Vinson Corvette ran how fast for a new track record???????????

Dave Gray

**Bruce B.** · September 30, 2012, 01:05 PM

Re: Part of the NCRS problem....

Dave,
I did not see the Vinson Corvette run. Possibly it ran later in the day. There were lots of delays so we didn't see a lot of cars run.
In one situation a car oiled down (water?) and they had to move the whole lane over.
But it was a great day in spite of the delays.
I'll check the results when they are posted.
Bruce B

**Paul O.** · September 30, 2012, 01:05 PM

Re: Part of the NCRS problem....

Originally posted by Bruce Bursten (27670)

Yesterday some members of the Queen City NCRS Chapter participated in a road tour (about 35 Miles each way) to the ECTA land speed trials at Wilmington Ohio.
Out of a membership of approximately 119, 6 (six) cars made the trip.
The weather was perfect, the racing was great and we had a great time.
To bad some of the other 113 members could not attend. Obviously there are many good reasons some could not participate but the overall participation was rather pathetic.
Do we belong to NCRS to preserve and enjoy our cars or just do it as an investment, or what?
[ATTACH=CONFIG]41815[/ATTACH]

Sorry guys I could not make it due to I had a flat tire, I ran out of gas, my phone was broken, I ran out of change, my watch stopped, my alarm clock failed me, the house lost power ( you know Duke energy)!!!!!!!!

Just kidding was changing the timing belt, hoses and front brakes on the wife's car now you know which one has the priority in the house. Would have been a great day but had to due my duty. One other thing the car battery was DOA.

**Bruce B.** · September 30, 2012, 01:11 PM

Re: Part of the NCRS problem....

Paul,
We missed you......
See ya L'ville.
Bruce

**Dale M.** · September 30, 2012, 01:16 PM

Re: Part of the NCRS problem....

I am one of the 6 members that drove my '64 on this trip. Our club is attempint to get an award, and it was disappointing to get such few members. I believe that in our club ist more that just being busy or not fitting into their cars. It seems to me that most of our members NEVER DRIVE their cars. If you have done a "full NCRS Restoration" and spent thousands of dollars, its not a driver anymore.

I have been and contining restoring my car, but I will drive it a few hundred miles a year. I feel that I am an unusual member of our club, there are only a handful that drive to meetings and attend other activities with their cars. I have not seen most of the cars that our members own, or even know what they own. Many do not want anyone to know about their cars and a security measure. I would like to see some other judging standard for cars that are driven, not just trailered cars. I am also not comforable with the judging rules, it seems like I am just trying to find faws in someone's car. I wish I could give points for everything that is correct.

I love the technical seminars and also would like to have some type of method to help each other restoring their cars. I wich we could have a garage with a lift and tools to help members with their cars. This is cost prohibitive. I have seen many corvette parts purchase by members that were not correct. This is frustrating and discouraging when restoring a corvette.

This form is also a great place to gain understamding and gain knowledge. I came from a drag racing background and I am learning all of the details regaring mie-year corvettes.

**Tony S.** · September 30, 2012, 01:27 PM

Re: Part of the NCRS problem....

Since completing the body off resto of my '65 convertible 2-1/2 years ago, I've put 2,500 careful miles on it. The more I drive it, the better it operates. I keep it looking fresh enough because I plan on registering it for the 2014 Kansas City Nationals. As you can see from my NCRS number, I've been a member for a long time. I do think we drove our cars much more back in the day. Bad things happen to cars that are never driven.

**Stephen B.** · September 30, 2012, 01:42 PM

Re: Part of the NCRS problem....

Tony
Wish we had more members like you, would you consider moving to Cincinnati and joining our chapter ?
Stephen Barrett (21558)
59,66,71,73

**Erik S.** · September 30, 2012, 01:47 PM

Re: Part of the NCRS problem....

The dutch chapter is a younger chapter which is also true for the members. So certainly not graying. We have members that still have a zillion other things on their plate. Careers, young children, other family commitments etc which precludes people sometimes from participating. So there isnt a quick fix.

**Jaime G.** · September 30, 2012, 03:07 PM

Re: Part of the NCRS problem....

So here in southern california, going out for a drive can be a real challenge because there are not many
roads condusive to enjoy a leisurely dirve. To be stuck in bumper to bumper traffic is no fun in any car
let alone a vintage corvette. I take my cars out to exercise whenever possible and try to attend as
many chapter events as possible. The NCRS is many things to its members and we should rejoice in any
and all events which have attendance whether we like the numbers or not. Lets be positive about the
future and enjoy what we do with our cars.

Part of the NCRS problem....

Part of the NCRS problem....

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