Visit DtRC on the web at: www.downtheroadcorvettes.org
Visit the Rocky Mountain Region NCCC at www.rmrnccc.org
Visit NCCC on the web at: www.corvettesnccc.org
Next Meeting:
4th
Thursday
of the month. March 25th, 7 PM Go Chevrolet - 7320
North
Broadway near I-25 and
the Boulder Turnpike.
Guest Presenters - Limit of 2 presentations per meeting, please make
arrangements with the President at least a day in advance to be placed
on the
agenda and to see if the limit has been reached for this month.
President | John Maxwell 303-237-8582 |
Vice President | Don Roach 303-375-1453 |
Treasurer | Gail Krusen | Secretary | Joan Breher |
Governor | Nancy Burritt (303) 465-4664 vintageslots@hypermall.net |
Board Members | Mike Kelley Roger Less Joe Breher |
Newsletter Info
(Deadline the 15th) email: grandsport5@comcast.net 303 469-1521 |
Official Club Address Down the Road Corvettes 13902 Detroit St. Thornton, CO 80602 |
Well happy March All,
It's been a very quick year so far with very little Corvette weather. ;-(
I would hope that we can all get out and enjoy the weather soon and play with the rally! Don't forget the run through on March 28th, which is the Sunday immediately following the meeting.
I know I need to blow the dust off and get out and enjoy it. We'll have a good, fun lunch afterward so make a date and we'll see you there.
Let's not forget that our club has a great ability to raise funds, and there's still many folks out there that could use help, we need to talk about options for us. I would hate to see us give up completely. Let's mould it into something that we all like, not just something that we tolerate.
Keep the faith and we'll make it fun again!
Save the wave, and see you all soon.
Well, events at the last club meeting must have rubbed pretty much everyone the wrong way. Not only has the President recognized that something is off and needs addressing, but there is also an excellent article sumbitted by Bill Schultz below.
What I want to know is: what happened to our club?
When this club was founded 10 or so years ago, it was about making sure that everyone (including the participants in our events) had a good time and everyone felt as much a part of every event as they wanted to feel. This is not to say that everyone wanted to be deeply involved in every event, but that they felt as if they had something to offer at each event. It has been this feeling that the events are theirs that has made this club what it has been. No idea has ever been too far fetched to explore, no participation has ever been unwanted or desired.
I am very sad to report after the last
meeting, it's very clear that somehow the spirit that made DtRC what it
was, seems to have left the building. The phrases "I won't" and "I
can't" which were used so emphatically so many times at the last
meeting
must be purged from our club or it won't survive. In all honesty, I'd
rather the club die than to allow those phrases to overtake it.
In OUR
Corvettes club, we must not tolerate this This club is
about relaxing, having a good time with good friends and celebrating
the common love we have of all things Corvette. If someone feels so
strongly that they can't or won't do something, instead of proclaiming
"I can't" or "I won't", offer them
assistance in exploring that new idea. The idea might actually be great
for the club even if it's not for you.That spirit is what has made this
club one of the most respected and innovative clubs in the area - if
not the country.
One other thing that was stated and reiterated at the meeting I find extremely disconcerting. The need
to have all of our events include NCCC points.
This club was a far more
enjoyable group before we somehow got the mindset that if we don't have
NCCC points events associated with them, no one will come. We used to
get way too many Corvettes to attend our April Fool's rally. Then, we
started having these silly card game "car shows" for NCCC
points. The participation levels in the rally have dropped every single
year since we started that. I totally reject the statement that "if we
don't have points events, no one will come". This need to have points events to draw NCCC
participants has caused us to loose focus on havng fun and caused us to
lose participation of the non-NCCC clubs in the area - which just to
remind you - make up the vast majority of Corvette club members in the
area. Personally, if the only reason you are participating in the April
Fool's Rally is to get NCCC points, I'd just as soon you not come.
Based on the way the meeting last month went, I will be making a
request at the next meeting to cancel the points events that are part
of the rally. We instead need to reach out to the non-NCCC clubs and
make sure they know they are not only welocme, but appreciated at our
event.
Hope to see all of you at the meeting.
Alex Nelson of Rocky Mountain Corvettes.
Alex gave an update of all his new programs. June
20th is the Father's Day car show at Heritage Square with proceeds
going to Make-A-Wish.
A quorum was present.
A quorum was present.
submitted by Joan B.
Frank Arco |
April 3rd |
My new car - Project C5X is going to be
on the cover of the cover of the May issue of Corvette Fever magazine!
In addition, there wil be a 7 page article on the car even including a
(small) picture me. It's too bad that I won't be at the March meeting
to sign autographs, but be sure to pick up a copy and check out the
article. By the way, GRANDSPORTS RULE!
pasˇsion
Noun
1. any powerful or compelling emotion or feeling, as love or hate.
2. strong amorous feeling or desire; love; ardor.
3. a strong or extravagant fondness, enthusiasm, or desire for anything: a passion for music.
4. the object of such a fondness or desire: Accuracy became a passion with him.
5. an outburst of strong emotion or feeling: He suddenly broke into a passion of bitter words.
6. the state of being acted upon or affected by something external, esp. something alien to one's nature or one's customary behavior (contrasted with action).
comˇradˇery
Noun
'kóm,ra-d(u-)ree [N. Amer], ,kóm'rey-du-ree [Brit]
The quality of affording easy familiarity
and sociability
- chumminess, camaraderie, comradeliness, comradeship,
good-fellowship
Over the years, Cathy and I have had the pleasure of belonging to a few different clubs: GWTA- Goldwing Touring Association, HOG- Harley Owners Group and DTRC. Each “club has its own interesting aspects and members.
Each club, we have found, has one unique issue, poor participation by some members. I am sure all clubs in general share in this issue. It seems that it is always the same members that participate in certain events much more than others. Based on my observations, Down the Road Corvettes has always been fortunate to have a “larger than average participation percentage”, still the same issue exist in our club.
I have talked to many of our members the past few months regarding this issue. I could not arrive at an answer to my satisfaction. Finally, I had the opportunity to have lunch with the HR/councilor of a major company and client of mine. Our “one hour lunch” ended up becoming a several hour meeting. While at lunch, I ask him his opinion on the participation issue of most organizations, companies or clubs. The following is his opinion.
“People in general have primarily one “passion”. This passion provides the person with many opportunities to branch out in differing areas to share this passion.” Example, I have a real passion for Corvettes. “This passion has led me to join a Corvette club so I may share this obsession with others suffering the same ideals.” I naturally assumed that everyone in our clubs shared that same passion. Nothing could be further from the truth. While it is obvious that we all share the same <strong>interest</strong> (Corvettes), we by no means share the same passion. Look around the club as it exist today. I is fairly obvious which members are passionate about their car and which have other passions. Some members join for the <strong>comrodery</stong>. Why join a Corvette club for comrodery you ask? Many people have a passion completely separate from Corvettes or cars in general. They may be passionate about fishing, skydiving, knitting etc. More often than not, these people own a Corvette and find that a Corvette club has members not only with the similar interest but more than that, most members are of the same age bracket, same financial responsibility, same “class” to be politically incorrect. Some people are passionate about organizing events, their reward is a well run function that everyone enjoys. Others may be passionate about fast cars or racing, not necessarily Corvettes but fast cars in general. The list can go on forever. All these varied passions may draw people to the same social group.
So where is the problem you ask? “There really is no problem, only conceived problems.” Everyone in our club has heard statements from time to time concerning lack of participation or taking control etc. These are “conceived problems”. A person that is passionate about Corvettes may get involved with events simply through a feeling of obligation. By no means is this person totally committed to that event therefore their participation my be perceived as less than desired. (“Some unfortunate people may not be passionate about their jobs. They show up for the paycheck or they have been there along time so they feel obligated. These people may be very good at what they do but without passion, others may perceive them as less than stellar employees. These people may look for excuses to miss work, decline extra hours work load etc”).
Bottom line, you will probably find yourself enjoying your club more if you realize that the Corvette owner sitting next to you enjoys sharing your interest and company but they may have a different reason for being a member, perhaps for the comradery. I personally don’t believe that any passion is more relevant than any other in our club. If we were all the same it would be very boring to say the least. “Any two people with the same passion working together on one project may omit sparks!” If you show up at a event in your freshly shined Corvette and another member shows up in a SUV, don’t sweat it, they may be interested in being part of the club or the event that is happening at the time, but passionate about something completely different. Be truthful about your passion. I will be the first to say that I am passionate about the Corvette. Shows, races, etc. are lower on my list. I live to get the Vet out for a ride!! I may be going to a show or just a road trip, the fun is the car (for me). When I hear someone say they haven’t touched the Vet for several months or they wear “low mileage as a badge,” I go crazy inside until I remember, Their passion is different than mine----Their interest is the same!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Save the wave!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Rather than try to put the entire schedule in here, I've opted to include items both NCCC and otherwise into a close up schedule. If you want to see the entire NCCC schedule, please go to the Rocky Mountain NCCC regional site at http://www.rmrnccc.org/
Date |
Event |
Sponsoring Club |
Mar 6th |
RMR regional Awards Banquet |
RMR-NCCC |
Mar 28th |
Triple low speed Auto-x - Fruita |
CWC |
Apr 11th |
April Fools Rally |
DtRC |
Apr 24th |
Auto-X Driving School |
CSCC |
Apr 25th |
Double low speed auto-x - PPIR |
CSCC |
May 8th |
Fun in the Sun Concours Show |
CSCC |
The new club directories are available at
the meeting. Maybe we'll even have new phone cards. (Ed.)
If you are interested in being on the Social Committee, just mention it
at the meeting. I'm sure we'll take you up on it. (Ed.)
Hi Everyone,
Great news on Frank getting the track for July 17th - that will be a blast. The first autocross of the season is as usual - in Fruita - on March 28th. So here are some pre-season reminders so that you don't get to a race and be disappointed.
-- Helmets must be no older that 10 years from date of manufacture. Many of you started about the same time Dave and I did. We have one season left on our helmets - and then they will be more than 10 years old. So check your helmet tags now in case you need new ones.
-- Our RCD is strongly recommending that all clubs jack up all cars to check the wheels this year - instead of just tugging on them while sitting on the asphalt. All four wheels off the ground. They had several cars at convention fail that part of tech - including our RCDs car. So two things - before the season starts - you might want to check the car yourself or have someone else do it. Also - at events - while the host club will have jacks there - it is expected that for liability reasons that the car driver/owner jack up the car - so you will want to know how to do that, and be dressed appropriately.
-- At the last meeting the RCD mentioned that exhibition class has gone away. I scanned the rule book online on the iPhone on the way to Vegas and still saw it in there - so I need to investigate further. I'm not sure if he meant this year or next year. But be prepared for it. Of the club cars - I don't think anyone has modified theirs such that they won't fit in some class - but all class 2 and higher cars need to have an appropriate fire extinguisher (or fire suppression system), no more getting out of the safety equipment requirements by running exhibition. It is quite easy to put an extinguisher in most cars, and easy to take back out if you don't want to leave it there. Just remember it must have metal bracket and strap, and a gauge to tell if it is full - not a push button. If you aren't sure - please check the rulebook before you buy one or let me know you have questions, and I'll read it more thoroughly and get back to you.
Check out the calendar on the regional website. Casper is hosting many more autocrosses this year - and they have a couple of different venues. Torca is hosting their first sanctioned autocross (they've been having club only ones for a couple of years now). CSCC has added at last one extra gimmick rally (early May), etc. So some new events that weren't there in previous years are now on the calendar. Lots of chance to go show off your car and have some fun.
If you have any questions let me know
By Joan B.
First test 'n tune is April 28th. First Club Clash is April 30th. Remaining Club Clash dates are: 5/21, 6/4, 7/30, 8/27, 9/10, and 9/24.
Come out and support our racers. If we
can get a field of 5 club cars to run the entire season, I'll bet we
would sponsor a Club team next year. (Ed.)
By Frank A.
We have reserved the Colordo State Highway Patrol track for an auto-x July 17th. (Ed.)
By Mike and Martha P.
New shirts are coming soon! (Ed.)
By Richard Loch
For the latest news and events at the museum go to http://www.corvettemuseum.com/.
If you are a member of Down the Road Corvettes, you may place a For Sale or Wanted Ad for any Corvette related items in our newsletter for free. Submissions must be received via E-mail to the editor no later than the 15th of each month.
Disclaimer: All prices listed here are not guaranteed. You will need to confirm any and all prices with the selling party.
Advertising
*************************************************************************************
*** Member Ad ***
For Sale:
1980 Corvette 4 Sale, Automatic, 60K miles. glass tops, Silver / Dark Blue,True Spoke wheels & new tires, + original wheels.
Original and stock. Good condition. Tell me what it's worth.
Bruce Kinney
(303)
543-1238
*** Member Ad ***
For Sale:
2003 50th Anniversary Corvette convertible, 52K miles. 2 more years on GM bumper to bumper warranty.
Going cheap - $24K.
Mike and Jackie Malouf
*** Non-Member Ad ***
1969 Corvette Sting Ray
Black Paint (painted last summer)
Red interior (needs carpet kit. Interior is not bad being its still original)
T tops, rear window removable
Small block 350 motor, Automatic transmission (motor and transmission have been rebuilt, it runs GREAT)
94,000 miles on odometer
Air conditioning
Phone 970-402-6060 for more details
Make offer.
Dealer Rep |
Mike K. |
Membership & Directory |
Cathy S. / Nancy B. |
Social Committee |
Mary Kay, Mary and Cathy |
Merchandise Committee |
Mike and Martha |
Rally Committee |
Nancy B. |
Show Committee |
Open |
|
Richard Loch |
Webmaster |
Mike P. |
Newsletter |
Tim B |
Drag Racing Competition Director |
Joan B. |
Autocross Competition Director |
Frank A. |
Tim's Challenge Representative |
Open |
Sno'Big Deal Extravaganza |
Open |
Roving Reporter/Photographer |
Bill S. |