An annual International Speedster Owners meet

I've been thinking about this topic for a few months now so decided to throw the concept out and see if there is any positive feedback.

The single marque car clubs I belong to all have International meets each year. They move them around the country to allow regional members an easy trip for the festivities. Lots of people, myself included, will attend each meet from all over the country. Flying in or driving. These meets are usually in the summer, but fall is a nice time also. There are swap meets, car shows, autocrosses, literature and model car swaps and shows, an award banquet to cap off a fun few days.

It would seem that the Southern California area would be a natural for the first meet, the two builders there would allow us a chance to see their show and tell and maybe a tech session or two. Probably the biggest concentration of Speedster owners are in Socal with many others within a few hours drive. Maybe the following year we could have the meet in Vancover BC and visit (or buy) an IM. I think moving it around each year keeps the meet committies fresh for new ideas and concepts. The same people and places running the meet causes terminal burn out real quick.

Like to hear some feedback on the idea, and of course volunteers to head it up. I'm willing to help in any way to make this a fun and everlasting event.

Bruce

Bruce,

I agree. Would love to go to a National or International meet. It would be great to get ALL the vendors and resellers to participate and sell their wares. Also to see individuals show off their cars.

David

Bruce,

I like your idea and think an International meet would be great but to get us there (walk before we run) let me offer a starting point. As you read in another thread, I just coordinated the "Mid-Atlantic Speedster Meet" here in Maryland. I started with 70 east coast owners who I found registered on Speedsterowners.com and began email-ing many of them. I received enthusiasm, interest, no response, the owner sold the car, the e-mail address was no longer valid...etc, etc. I also watched for Speedsters at other events - car shows, vintage races, etc. and asked them to join us. It was alot of work just to get in touch with everyone, set up a few activities to attract people and then continue to communicate, remind, etc. A week before the event the list was dwindled to a list of 20 and we had a final turnout of 12. Don't get me wrong, 12 Speedsters was the largest turnout I have ever been a part of and I enjoyed every minute.....and I think I speak for everyone who attended when I say we had a great time. We only had one owner and spouse who stayed overnight so arrangements with hotels/B&B's were not a problem (they made their own reservations and I did not have to worry about working with hotels for bulk deals). An International event would be a LARGE undertaking.

Here is my suggestion. The two largest replica/kitcar events of 2004 are the Knotts Berry Farm event in California in April and the Carlisle Replica/Import event in Pennsylvania in May. Let's have a West Coast meet at the Knotts event and an East Coast meet at the Carlisle event. The kitcar magazines cover both events. The November, 2003 issue of Kit Car magazine called this year's Carlisle event the "Largest Kit Car Show in America" yet they only showed photos of vendor-owned cars (none from the show field and no Speedsters) and, if I recall correctly, there were only 2 or 3 privately-owned Speedsters on the show field. As a side note, I am really tired of the overwhelming coverage of Cobras in these magazines and the obvious lack of Speedsters.

If we would band together and have a huge attendance by Speedsters at these two events I believe we could influence the magazines and vendors to better support us - this will provide obvious benefits to us and our end of the industry. If Theron is okay with the idea we could participate/convene under the banner of "Speedsterowners.com" which would give us a rallying theme and increase interest in this site. And I am sure the vendors we support (and some of them are currently at these events) could participate in various ways - seminars, a cookout, donated items for drawings/prizes/souvenirs, etc. - and perhaps grow their businesses as a result.

Utilizing these two venues would ease the work of registration, location, coordination, magazine coverage, etc. involved with running a "greenfield" event and, as I said above, hopefully influence the press, vendors and the buying public. Imagine if we could get 20, 40 or more Speedsters/owners to attend each event! If successful, we could build on that success and move to an International event.

What do you think? Speedster owners unite!!

Okay, I'll get off my soapbox.

The other Bruce (on the East Coast)

I like this! Maybe we could caravan starting from three or four points on the east coast. The SE US and Mid Atlantic could take routes that lead to OKC (Route 66) and the NE groups to Chicago, down I-44 (route66) to OKC then follow the mother-road enmass to EL Lay. SW groups could go to I-40 (66) at coordinated spots like Amarillo, Flagstaff, and etc. and join in. NW and NW Canadians? Maybe down the PCH? Safety in numbers and more fun too. It'd be cool to talk a couple of friends to drive rescue trucks for towing and keeping the beer cold.

You know the Bikers "Ride To The Wall". Who has an idea for this one?

BTW. I live in OKC and could find us a good marshalling point for the different caravans to meet up at and stay overnight.

What a great idea. Let's do IT!

Jim Ward

Hey, Nice to get some positive feedback! East coast Bruce's idea has merit, walk before we run. I haven't been to the Knotts show and am wondering if they run a swap in conjuntion with it? Is the Knotts show a one day or two day event? I'm sure Carlisle is at least a two day show. I still like the thought about having our own show with tech sessions and maybe an autocross. That would bring up insurance issues. Our National Studebaker club carries insurance to cover particpants in timed runs, also liability for national and chapter meets.

Maybe what we should pursue is our own mini meet either before or after the above mentioned events. If this goes OK then we could start planning on an International meet. Hey, think big! In any case I would sure like to meet everyone that drops in on the forum. We all have something in common, girls! No, that's right Speedsters so wouldn't it be neat to see a live body and a live car to go with the name. Does a one day event before or after Knotts and Carlisle sound like the way to go? Lets hear it for 04!

Bruce, (Oregon, that is)

Charlotte Motor Speedway
in North Carolina might be a a good location for a future event,in the years to come.
But not as nice as a mountian ride through the Blue Ridge Park Way.

Bruce....I have the contacts you would need for Carlisle Kit Car Nats in May '04 as well as a "pipeline" to the owner / editor of the Kit Car Magazine (we had dinner with him last Carlisle Show) ...I'm a member of the N.J. Replicar Club where we have at least 8 Speedsters and most do attend Carlisle ( weather was a factor this past year) . I live a quick 35 minutes south of Carlisle ... some say I moved here from North Jersey so I can be closer to the annual show ! This is a great place to meet as it is a 3 day event. Lodging is something that must be addressd early on on the '04 year as all of the numerous Carlisle area hotels get booked fast! Email me direct and we'll get this going !

Alan Merklin drclock@hotmail.com

Count me in for Carlisle, we need more Speedsters represented. The first thing I said to Alan when I met him was "Are these the only cars here"?
It needs to be more than a Cobra show. The swap meet was cool though.
(And so was the weather).

BD

Knotts does not have a swap meet. I sent email to all the IM owners in the files on the west coast and ended up with only 4 responses. I did get Henry down there and all in all, we had a great time. I would love to get a huge interdenominational group together this year at Knotts. Knotts is on April 24 and 25 (sat/sun)this year, same day as the 356 North Meets South event that I was invited to enter, and I will probably drive down to Knotts from Sacramento on Thursday and have Friday free to drive the coast. Any one else interested in a Friday get together? It would be great if EVERYONE made sure that their email address is correct.

Theron, is it possible to send out a blanket email to all members asking them to respond if they get an email from the site????

An International ( I assume USA-CANADA) highly unlikely any Euro members will fly their cars over. So maybe a North American event. Let's walk before we run! Sounds like fun. I could drive from Quebec City to NYC in about 8 hours. So that is trailerable. Our members in and around Toronto can also hit most of the BIG eastern US cities easily as well. Unfortunately 'snif' the west coast is out for us.

But it sounds like a great idea! Speedster owners annual meetings. Where we can have a car show, meet our E-friends and swap stories and have fun.

Mike ....Carlisle Kit Car Nats in May '04 is very do'able from NYC 3 hours west ....stay tuned as we figure the logistics

Alan M

East Coast, East Coast, East Coast. I guess the West Coast is still asleep? Knotts and Emory's in 2004!!!

Dale, Knotts is quite a haul from Portland, but the Parts Obsolete outing is already penciled in for 2004.

Dale- Count me in for the Knotts event in 04. I just purchased an IM Speedster earlier this month and can't wait for the gathering. Being only in San Diego I shouldn't/can't miss it. Also, there's a Porsche 356 swapmeet held in the Anaheim area every February at Dunkle Bros that I heard was a "not miss" affair

Maybe the folks that run Knotts could improve their offerings and build the event. For example, Carlisle has a Car Carrol for cars for sale, they recognize car clubs and provide an individual tent for groups with over 25 registrations, goody bags and dash plaques for the first 1,300 arrivals, an SCCA track with classes and track time, a scenic cruise at 6:00 PM Saturday (we've done it and it's a great time), on-site camping (we trailered and slept in the back of the Blazer the first year we went), several kitcar-related seminars, and they give away a car on Sunday at 3:00. Plus it's a three-day event, a huge turnout of vendors (indoors and outdoors), a large swap meet and many "real" sportscars on the other half of the field. Check it out at www.carsatcarlisle.com/schedule/import/schedule.asp

West coast meet update:

John Leader and I have been talking about this. I have never been to the Knotts show but John has. He says there isn't a swap but says the best attended day is Saturday. I think we'll try planning around that date and go from there.

Sounds like Alan Merklin is working on the Carlisle end of the East Coast Show. I took a quick look at the Carlisle web site and some interesting info there. If your club can get 20-30 like cars they will set up a class for you, also make available tents. Tents may be some $$ to shell out but would be a great spot to gather and bench race. All looks interesting, I think having this web site and access to its members is a plus.

I am also considering the 550 Spyder group, everybody OK on that too? Think it would add to a sea of tubs!

Bruce

I vote for Knotts. Reason? Spring is such an "offy" time to drive a Speedster anywhere. I would rather take my chances on California than PA that time of year.

I believe we are boxing ourselves in here folks by tying our gathering to these two specific events. School is not out yet for those who have kids or their spouses teach.... and driving trans US is a roll of the dice anywhere in April/May.

If we are so intent on tying in with another event then why not find something in June or July. JMO. But if it comes down to it I'll drive to Anchorage in winter if that's the vote.

I really like this idea..... as long as we can decide on a time/place that favors ALL members, not just locals. California sounds better in spring to me than PA.... sorry!


Jim

Jim,

No sorry necessary, if I lived in OKC I would also head to Ca rather than Pa. You're an interesting case as you are pretty much smack in the middle of the country so you have that option. I've seen people come to meets in Pa and Va from as far away as Fla and Ohio (maybe farther) but suspect no one would drive from West of the Mississippi to Pa and probably those east of the Mississippi may not drive to Ca. Suprisingly, vendor turnout here from the west has been pretty good.

As I said above, my reasoning for using a major kitcar venue is to get the shoppers, vendors and press to see/touch the size and interest in these cars, maybe get better vendor support and "sell" a few more Speedster owners (BTW, I am not in the industry). But, obviously, anyone who wants to coordinate an event can choose their own venue. The real trick is getting folks to come out.

Alan,

We'll have to put our heads together and plan this one. I believe a few other folks would be interested in working with us. Twelve of us can vouch for the fun factor in having a group of Speedsters together.

KNOTTS ROCKS!! Count me in. Can we have a go-to person volunteer for this event? We need someone who will set up the registry sheet, caravan route, hotel, give a way

If we have enough people interested, who will make a small donation. I will contact Knotts and see how much it would cost to get a space so we have a meeting place.

The nice part about Knotts is that all the vendors will probably already be there.
-=theron

I have to mention that the Carlisle Kit Car / Replicar Nats show tends to be "iffy" unsettled weather as mentioned . Past history has proven this to be but ...I / we live with it and prepare accordingly ...

Someone mention a Flea market ...this one takes hours to walk through....

New kit car manufactures and vendors it is something to see!

Hotels run about $110 per night as this is the norm for any Carlisle event . The group I am with from NJ Replicar Club heads out on Friday night to a place called Rods Roadhouse Cafe" a 50's-60's place that has a DJ in a booth like the old roller rinks had good food and grog dancing etc etc. Followed by a long day on Saturday at the Carlisle fairgrounds. We then all go out to dinner as a group at the same place. We then head out across the street to an indoor / outdoor go cart track where we almost get asked to leave ..." rules what rules?
Sunday Am it's back to the Fairgrounds..Oh did I mention that each year they give away a car Sunday at 3:00PM ?

All in all a fun filled weekend!

Alan M

Hey,

Sounds like we're getting a great core group, both coasts. My humble opinion is the Knotts venue in April sounds like the perfect spot to get going, same with Carlisle in May.

Theron, John Leader is going to talk to John Steele this week and get some good info. I think JPS has been doing the Knotts show for some time now. I think a central tent and Speedster compound is a definate plus. If we could have a hospitality tent set up with goodies available, soda and cookies, etc that sure would make it the central gathering spot for us Speedster and hopefully Spyder guys. Beer is probably out because organizers usually frown on the golden goodness because of liability. I think we could find a cool place nearby where we could have dinner after the show and kick back.

Theron, I might ask you along the way to come up with a general "E" mail posting to the west coast group with info on the meet, time, place, etc. Is that OK? Alan might want the same thing for the right hand coast also.

As far as the International meet heading. In the Studebaker club there are a lot of owners from outside the North American continent
that fly in each year for the meet. We set up a large world map with stick pins to indicate your home, lots of people from outside the country attend! Never can tell, might pick up some foreign visitors too. I have to believe we might have some Canadian and distant US visitors fly in to see what it is all about.

Stay tuned, Bruce

Where exactly in CA is Knotts? We have some friends down there, so might be able to combine the two (by air). But Carlisle would be a driveable distance.

Bob

Knotts is located about 5 miles from Disneyland
-=theron

Knotts is in Buena Park California at the Kotts Berry Farm amusement Park.

www.knotts.com

This is in So Cal not far from Disneyland.

Mike

If it's gonna be in southern California, try to schedule it in between the mud slides, fires, and earthquakes...:o)

about time for a riot i think

Robert,

Maybe you could be the coordinator for the contingent from eastern Canada to Carlisle.

Huh? Someone say party?
I jus' woke up, sniff, snort, wheeze...
Count on the Medicine Man for Knottzzz. Hell, I may cruise back east as well, I understand there's another ol' geezer fixin' up a new car... Anyway, I have some organizational skills I would be happy to donate as well as a few buckzzz. Keep me in the loop at either WideRidezzz@aol.com or Paulsmoney@aol.com

I like events where we don't have to necessarily re-invent the wheel. The more we can piggy-back on an established format/program/producer & their event planners, the easier it will be on 'the usual suspects' who volunteer all the time.

There were only eight speedsters in the show put on by the Northern Ca Kit Car Club in San Leandro... It does seem as if the other speedster owners 'out there' are in coma or somethin'!
Hell, by April even Ricky may be tired of driving his car in and out of the garage and across the lawn and want to participate,..Outlaws wanted, no 'sperience needed.
MM

knotts, I'll fly in, but sorry to say no car to bring .....YET

Alan Merklin and I agreed to take the lead for the east coast end of the deal and add volunteers as we go along. Who is going to take the lead out west so we can work together to make this an overall event?

We have a few ideas and decided a name would set the foundation to build on so we came up with "Eastern National Speedster Meet at Carlisle, 2004". We didn't think we were ready for an International meet just yet so want to go national this year and see how it goes. How do you east coast guys feel about the "Western National Speedster Meet at Knotts, 2004"?

I really like the idea of a Knotts Landing reunion,......wait sorry wrong foursome,...I mean forum.

Knotts Berry would be great. How about an impromptu NorCal quickie before the rain starts to generate even more momentum.

Dale B I was awake I got stuck on the "Anything Goes" forum for a little bit there.

For us West Coast Canadians, Oregon is doable, Knots is a bit far. Also, June is way better than April from "up North" (if I am getting the dates right).

Then again, maybe we can all ride down with Henry in his suburban. Roadtrip!

East Coast Bruce:

Looks like the left coast party will start with me, Bruce Williams, with the able help of John Leader and other jolly elves as they volunteer! I am at somewhat of a disadvantage, being due north about 700 miles of the Knotts site. I forsee several trips down to La La land after the first of the year and the fires are out. Should get interesting when the rains start! I think Knotts is level, help me here SoCal people! I think we will get more info in the next few weeks and really start the planning procedure after a few questions are answered. We'll keep you updated on what is going on and we'd sure like to hear your plans too. I kinda look at this as the first step in creating a fun, driver oriented, annual event. We could move it around to other locations or keep it in one place like Knotts. That will all come out after the show is over and we get the critiques
from everyone. It should be a lot of work but fun work. I am retired so this can take 1st place in my things to do this winter, no lawn to cut or snow to shovel,(I hope.)

Bruce Williams

Knotts is a bit far for me as well this year and by April I might not even have anything to drive. Parts Obsolete in June might be a better first jaunt from here.

Chris,

Hopefully I'll be there too, (at Parts obsolete). At my age it is probably not prudent to plan too far in advance but 7-8 months away should be safe, LOL. It sounds as if our BC buddies may be down to try some of our Silver Bullets, Coors lights for you BC guys. It ain't real good but good for putting out brush fires, even after drinking and aging awhile in your bladder.

Bruce

Bruce, this Knotts event is a great idea. Any comments on the Shasta Mtn pass condition on I-5 in mid-late April? I would love to drive the speedster even though its about a 20-24 hour trip for me. Any thoughts on accomodation in Anaheim? If I can't make this deal, then the Parts Obsolete picnic is another opportunity for a group from the NW to meet. Does anyone have the exact dates for Gary's event? Down the road maybe we could arrange a gathering this side of the 49th at Whistler or in the Okanagan wine country???

Hi Rick,

The pass going into California,(highest spot on I-5) should be open with no problem in mid April. Would be great if a bunch of us NW guys could band together and circle the Speedsters at night to fight off those marauding Indians or the occasional Big Foot that has been seen in our area. I plan on going down a day or so earlier to help set this thing up, probably will leave here on Thursday before the show. It is 700 miles from our house and don't know if I can herd the Speedster that far in one day. My SUV is no problem, but the Speedster is a question mark and I MUST drive the Speedster down.

The Parts Obsolete show in McMinnville, Or is in early June, either the 4,5,6 or the 11,12,13. I'm thinking it is the ealier date but will check and post it. Some info and the camp out agenda is on Parts Obsolete web site if want to take a look at it, they have a nice web site and some nice pics also. Hope to see you at one or both shows. John Leader and I are in the planning stage for the Knotts show and will issue periodic updates, one things for sure, fires are out and the show will happen!

Bruce

Parts Obsolete camp out is the June 11-13, Also I have checked Hotels in the Knotts area and looks like we have everything from economy like Days Inn and Quality to the $150 a night rooms. I guess we can survey the group and see what their preferance is. I'm going down there the end of January and will check these out and see if they will give us a special rate. Then this will be posted here.

Bruce