Corvette Club Members need to remember their start
Hey All
I identify with some of the comments that some have been made,and have has similar issues with Corvette Clubs in New Zealand.
I am generally not one to be shy! (some of you.... just may have guessed!), that said I was extremely frustrated at the first local club meetings I attended following the purchase of my L81 "RAC3R", there is only one club in my neck of the woods, the next ones 7 hours drive, so you gotta make it work - right?.
However if you are passionate about Vette's, keep at it.
True enthusiasm
is a hard thing for anyone to ignore for long. Even those die-hard grumpy old buggers we all know.
Example; My first meeting with "the Club" There were a bunch of people (about 30) who obviously all knew each other really well, who chatted before the meeting, held the meeting, then coffee and nibbles after. During that period (over 2 hours) not one introduced themselves, or even aknowledged a newbie. Eventually I began a conversation with another guy who looked a little arkward, only to find it was his first meeting and no one had talked to him either - well except me!.
Finally I got up and walked up to one of the groups and introduced myself and the other newbie tagging along behind me.
The first question was what type of Corvette I drove, fair enough start I suppose. When I replied with the type, year and some of the small mods already done, the apparent leader of this group stuck his nose in the air and said he was studing to be an NCRS judge and that modified vettes were just an abomination! - Well excuse me! but rather than throw abuse back - I just quietly left him to his reality.
After a few more memorable meetings like this, the same topic was thrown in my lap again by my now good friend (?), the grey haired self proclaimed expert in all things Corvette.
However this time I replied that he must have been horrified at that "Duntov" fellow then, as he was always tinkering & cutting up & modifying Corvettes, even brand new ones!. He must be the equivilent of the NCRS Anti-christ!!
To that the rest of the group burst into laughter, and they told the "Richard Cranium" to pull his head in and consequently, things are now really quite good.
Sorry, didnt mean to write a novel, however I needed to get accross the point, that we all, as enthusiasts need to remember to openly involve new people and owners to the clubs to keep things progressive and the club fresh. It really is the best thing for - EVERYONE!!!
Otherwise we could all just play Bingo! it would definately be cheaper!
Just my $0.02 worth.
Grant
PS: By the way, I found out after this event that the "Expert" didnt event own a Corvette, obviously just enjoyed picking everyone elses Vette apart through green tinted glasses - tee hee.
