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<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=140574622-24092008>Jonmac,</SPAN></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=140574622-24092008></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=140574622-24092008>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?</SPAN></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=140574622-24092008></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=140574622-24092008>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.</SPAN></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=140574622-24092008></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=140574622-24092008>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.</SPAN></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=140574622-24092008></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=140574622-24092008>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.</SPAN></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=140574622-24092008></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=140574622-24092008>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.</SPAN></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=140574622-24092008></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=140574622-24092008>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.</SPAN></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=140574622-24092008></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=140574622-24092008>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?</SPAN></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=140574622-24092008></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=140574622-24092008>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.</SPAN></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=140574622-24092008></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=140574622-24092008></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=140574622-24092008>Cheers,</SPAN></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=140574622-24092008></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=140574622-24092008>Jim</SPAN></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=140574622-24092008>Dallas</SPAN></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=140574622-24092008>Too many toys, not enough
time</SPAN></DIV><BR>
<DIV class=OutlookMessageHeader lang=en-us dir=ltr align=left>
<HR tabIndex=-1>
<FONT face=Tahoma><B>From:</B> fot-bounces@autox.team.net
[mailto:fot-bounces@autox.team.net] <B>On Behalf Of </B>John
Macartney<BR><B>Sent:</B> Wednesday, September 24, 2008 2:40 PM<BR><B>To:</B>
N197TR4@cs.com<BR><B>Cc:</B> fot@autox.team.net;
bdischer@blakedischer.com<BR><B>Subject:</B> Re: [Fot] VTR &
FoT<BR></FONT><BR></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3>Andy Mace wrote:</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT id=role_document face=Arial size=3>This does raise an interesting
possibility, were FoT members so inclined: perhaps we could become some sort of
"Special Chapter" or "Affiliate" of VTR? </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3>I take a very 'broad church view' on issues like this,
essentially summarised as follows:</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3>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.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3>2. The vehicle parc is getting smaller each year and current
owners are getting older. This largely explains the diminution of club
memberships</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3>3. A surprisingly large number of cars will outlive their
enthusiast custodians and will need to have 'a home'</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3>4. Clubs (national or local) need to recognise this - and its
my perception in the UK that clubs don't adequately do this</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3>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</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3>6. What plans are national clubs making to address that
inevitable eventuality?</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3>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</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3>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.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3>Rant off</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3>Jonmac</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3></FONT> </DIV></BODY></HTML>
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