Not Ranked
Ed,
You would never guess it by my past attendance, but I fully support you and Dan’s efforts to get this club more involved. Even though I haven’t yet been to a DSCC event, I believe I can guess what has caused the low turnout. Consider these impediments.
1. Distance: We are more spread out than any other club listed, except the Australia club. It takes all day just to drive the length of Florida, either North-South, or East-West. Add in the other states and there is a vast distance between us.
2. Weather: The southeast has the most unpredictable weather I know of. Rain? . . . usually . . . except when they predict it. . . and always if they say it won’t. Many folks don’t have tops or windows.
Those are the big problems that face us all. But those issues are not what kept me from the Silver Springs event. I have a top now and side-curtains, so sporadic rain doesn’t worry me any more. There is a bigger issue for me, and I don’t think I am alone here:
3. Security: I won’t park my expensive car in a hotel parking lot overnight. I know it isn’t nearly as expensive as the Mercedes that is parked right next to it at the hotel, but Cobras draw people like a magnet, and that includes the unsavory types. If some hooligan is out there looking for an expensive car to vandalize to make up for his low position in life’s food chain, which one do you think they will pick? The Mercedes, or the pretty Cobra? I know that Silver Springs had locked gates and security over night, and nobody had any problems. But I have never been there, and I didn’t know how good that security was going to be. I had heard something negative about the security at the previous Atlanta event, so I wasn’t going to risk it sight unseen.
So what to do about it? Well, someday I will have an enclosed trailer, and something to pull it which. That will solve ALL of the above issues for me. No more problem! But what about in the meantime, and what about those who can't ever get a trailer? We must ensure some kind of overnight secure parking, preferably enclosed. Maybe one of the local members has a company where we can park in his warehouse. Or perhaps someone’s securely-fenced backyard. Or perhaps get a weekend special rate to park several cars in mini-warehouses for the weekend. There are several possibilities. That might help ease people’s minds about over-night events and bring greater attendance. I am curious how this was handled at the DVSF event. How did everyone get their cars there, and where did 285 Cobras park for the weekend? I was really impressed at the way the Californians got their cars there in a big-rig transport. Very secure and insured. I would certainly pay several hundred dollars for transport and peace of mind. We could probably learn some valuable logistical lessons from DVSF.
If you ever have an event in Jacksonville, I would be happy to offer up my 2 acre yard for car parking, or trailer parking. There is plenty of room. And I hope to make it to your next event.
Respectfully,
Charlie
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