[Fot] VTR & FoT

[Jim]

Jonmac,
 
Interesting points.  Maybe I missed the overall point (I *am* in Texas
afterall ;) but are you advocating for or against inclusion of FOT into the
VTR?
 
The Internet does have different effects.  On the one hand it does make it
easier to FIND local clubs.  10 years ago in Dallas we'd have people walk up
during a show and be amazed that there is a Dallas club devoted to Triumphs.
 
As you point out, having information "freely given" does make some people
feel less urgency to join a club to get answers to the mysteries posed by
the elusive "Stan Part".   As part of Allexperts I've been advising people
on how to fix their Triumphs.  My usual advice?  Look at the VTR website for
vendor information, and look at the VTR website for local chapter
information, as a way to hook up with other owners.
 
I also do strongly advocate picking up a Bentley manual for their car,
instead of relying on some idiot on the internet.  Wish I got a commission
from RB.
 
I think the US clubs are starting to hit a balance point.  The "original"
unmolested cars are either ratty or gone.  The "restored" toys are still out
there, although not driven anywhere as often at they were when new.  Most of
the people with restored cars are aware of the different clubs and I suspect
that when the cars are sold that information is also passed along.  The new
owners might not take note.. until something breaks and they're told by the
suppliers that it's "NLA" new.  Then they'll find the clubs again.
 
Some of the race cars will be "barned".. or put out to rust like the side
curtain car in NJ.  Some more of the ratty unmolested cars will find their
new lives as race cars.
 
As I understand it, the 1997 VTR National in Dallas was the first to have a
separate concours class for "prepared" cars.  Or was I just sunstroked from
running the Autocross that week?
 
I think it's in the VTR interest to recognize the racing community, as it's
one way to keep the cars in front of the general public.  I'm just waiting
to see what form that recognition will take.
 
 
Cheers,
 
Jim
Dallas
Too many toys, not enough time

  _____  

From: fot-bounces at autox.team.net [mailto:fot-bounces at autox.team.net] On
Behalf Of John Macartney
Sent: Wednesday, September 24, 2008 2:40 PM
To: N197TR4 at cs.com
Cc: fot at autox.team.net; bdischer at blakedischer.com
Subject: Re: [Fot] VTR & FoT


Andy Mace wrote:
This does raise an interesting possibility, were FoT members so inclined:
perhaps we could become some sort of "Special Chapter" or "Affiliate" of
VTR? 
 
I take a very 'broad church view' on issues like this, essentially
summarised as follows:
 
1. It doesn't really matter how you use your Triumph (or Standard) and
because of that, there should be room in your local or national club to
accommodate your usage preference.
2. The vehicle parc is getting smaller each year and current owners are
getting older. This largely explains the diminution of club memberships
3. A surprisingly large number of cars will outlive their enthusiast
custodians and will need to have 'a home'
4. Clubs (national or local) need to recognise this - and its my perception
in the UK that clubs don't adequately do this
5. There will come a time when the vehicle parc and custodian base is so
small that clubs as they currently stand will probably not be viable as
heretofore. This begs the question
6. What plans are national clubs making to address that inevitable
eventuality?
7. No-one can confidently expect to substantially 'grow club membership.'
The vast majority of cars that will survive are already known. Barn-Finds
will become ever more infrequent
 
With regard to point 6, my perception of the evidence as it relates to the
UK (and probably elsewhere too?) is "nothing at all." Additionally, for as
long as clubs and others continue to provide 'free' technical information on
"How to .....?" projects via the internet, clubs will continue to diminish
in size.
 
Rant off
 
Jonmac
 
 
 
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