Dover Car Count?

[JRoberts]

Personally I enjoyed the Studebaker only driving tours. I really got a kick out being in line with other Studebakers. I rarely sign up for bus tours so I like these kinds of activities, after all we are a Studebaker Drivers Club. I realize that not everybody can or cares to drive a Studebaker the SDC's International Meets. I have not always done so. But for the ones that do, it is really nice to have such tours available. I thank the organizers for these.

As far as kids and summer events goes, if we want to attract our own adult children, we MUST cater to their needs, such as having kids of their own. If all we do is cater to folks 60 and older ( I don't mean forget about us) the club's life expectancy will be a short one.

[sals54]

Mobility Carts??? Oh my gosh what next, do they come with Cup Holders?

[Jet Green Daytona]

The driving tours were a favorite of mine also. As far as people not having a Studebaker to drive during these events, I made the 3 extra seats in my Daytona available to anyone that was interested enough to join me, that alone made the meet much more enjoyable for me and hopefully for them. I did the same thing in South Bend 2012 during the proving grounds drive, again that put my enjoyment level over the top. All of this was at the last minute and not planned at all, it all had to do with someone walking up the line of cars and asking if they could ride in a Studebaker. The answer was yes, you can ride with me.

Todd

Personally I enjoyed the Studebaker only driving tours. I really got a kick out being in line with other Studebakers. I rarely sign up for bus tours so I like these kinds of activities, after all we are a Studebaker Drivers Club. I realize that not everybody can or cares to drive a Studebaker the SDC's International Meets. I have not always done so. But for the ones that do, it is really nice to have such tours available. I thank the organizers for these.

As far as kids and summer events goes, if we want to attract our own adult children, we MUST cater to their needs, such as having kids of their own. If all we do is cater to folks 60 and older ( I don't mean forget about us) the club's life expectancy will be a short one.

[Deaf Mute]

There are talks of slightly lowering the meet registration fee, for those that register at the previous years meet. Then as the meet gets closer the fee goes up & up & up. Hopefully that will convince the procrastinators to register early enough so the meet planners can make plans accordingly.
My wife belongs to an organization that has meets once every three years. If they register in at the current meet, they save $100 off of the normal $300 registration fee (this for a week long meet). Last time it was in Spokane, WA, later this month they are in Charlotte, NC.
All the above mentioned facts by others should make us realize that if we want the club to continue, we have to keep attending the meets and put it on our calendars as soon as a date is announced & then get registered a year in advance for the meet.

[Hallabutt]

As for the over used excuse that we need to cater to the kids, I really see very few at national events. I see few things that would interest a youngster at event where 99% of the people are their grand-parent's age. Ask your grandkids whether they want to leave their friends to spend a week with a bunch of old folks and see how excited they get. Few kids today have any interest in cars at all especially ones whose names they probably can't even spell. I think that getting young people interested in the events has to come from the locals who could bring their kids on concourse day, but having the concourse on a Thursday seems to defeat an purposeful attempt at bringing locals out on a work day. I think that if one of our goals is to bring out the locals, a Saturday show would make a great deal of sense.

It may sound selfish but the kids have a lifetime to awaken to the joys the old car hobby but for us old timers our time is now. Has anyone given any thought to how many of the older members participation we have lost because of catering to the phantom young people who are obvious no shows. At seventy years of age I have no plans to attend another summer national where I am overwhelmed by the weather.-Bill

[Pat Dilling]

As for the over used excuse that we need to cater to the kids, I really see very few at national events. I see few things that would interest a youngster at event where 99% of the people are their grand-parent's age. Ask your grandkids whether they want to leave their friends to spend a week with a bunch of old folks and see how excited they get. Few kids today have any interest in cars at all especially ones whose names they probably can't even spell. I think that getting young people interested in the events has to come from the locals who could bring their kids on concourse day, but having the concourse on a Thursday seems to defeat an purposeful attempt at bringing locals out on a work day. I think that if one of our goals is to bring out the locals, a Saturday show would make a great deal of sense.

It may sound selfish but the kids have a lifetime to awaken to the joys the old car hobby but for us old timers our time is now. Has anyone given any thought to how many of the older members participation we have lost because of catering to the phantom young people who are obvious no shows. At seventy years of age I have no plans to attend another summer national where I am overwhelmed by the weather.-Bill

I don't disagree with you on the younger kids. I think the ones we need to attract, not necessarily cater to, are the 30-50 year olds. They are ones likely to remember our cars and they are starting to have disposable income to apply to the car hobby. That said, those folks have younger kids that need to be considered.

[jg61hawk]

I thought there were less Studies because I attended......then again when I watch football I always think the guys in the huddle are talking about me! Maybe I'm paranoid....then again maybe not. Hey what are you thinking right now? Hey!

[Jet Green Daytona]

Hey JG, I think I just got finished reading an advertisement for Time Warner cable with the psychic guy! I'm going to head out with the Daytona and get something to eat at a local cruise night, what do you say, want to get something to eat?

Todd

[rockne10]

Most first-prize vehicles get trailered to the meet. Driving a car several hundred miles to a meet is pretty much incompatible with a first-prize award. Bugs, dust, mud, etc all must be removed -- just so you can win a $10 trophy (which will end up in the attic).

A little bit of dust and dirt will only dock you a couple points and you can lose twenty-five and still get a 1st.
I'm pleased that my own amateur restoration and modified update made the drive over 200 miles and still garnered 392 points; this after being driven to and from work on numerous occasions, to the grocery store, hardware and wherever else weather did not appear inclement. The thunderburst late Wednesday-early Thursday only assisted in cleaning before the judging. Now, having received that first place, I plan to drive the wheels off!

[jg61hawk]

Todd,

Wait until midnight and I'll grab a bite......LOL. (inside joke).

I agree judging is fun (I think rockne10 said that to a certain extent). I always wanted my Hawk in Turning Wheels at a National Meet since I was a kid. My car was a daily driver to the point the seats were falling through the floors. As life went by the Hawk and I both grew old together. In 2003 I began a modified restoration to get it back to a driver. That turned into a full blown restoration, but with the idea that I would still chip it up and drive the crap out of it. That has been the case. I loved being judged and picked apart. I thought the fact the judges hit me for improperly stowed jack handle was kind of funny because they completely missed my trunk lettering is a disaster. I say all this in good humor. We all belong to the club, we all love the brand and no one wants to be a judge...but we all respect those who do VOLUNTEER to judge. The fact that I could take my car, which at one point was trash, to a National Meet and have it's photo shown at the banquet was something I can check off the "bucket list".