Auto show info?

[grovefromnh]

Any info on the World of Wheels autoshow? Is it still being held @ the Bayside Expo? Workers needed?

[bhoss]

At this point I do not think that there has been a decision on the clubs participation in either the World of Wheels or Race-A-Rama shows next year. I have just been asked to take over as the clubs publicity chair and am in the process of putting together a proposal for the Dec board meeting.

I believe that the best use of the clubs (limited) publicity budget is to utilize grassroots type communication (no- not the magazine). We need to be active on a large number of internet boards & forums to publicize what we have to offer as well as our schedule. We also need to commmunicate and prospect with a larger number of the racing vendors/tuners in the area as well.

I do not believe that we get the bang for the buck at these shows. Its a fun social event but are we really pulling in any new members or getting any additional attendees at our away events from these shows. The limited internet/board/forum publicity that we did in the latter part of this year has shown some promise.

What I am interested in finding out is how some of our newer members found out about the club - word of mouth, advertising, shows, friends? There is a large audiance out there that is interested in what we are doing - the key is finding the right medium to get to them.

If you have any ideas or thoughts on this matter please email me at bhoss47@comcast.net

[WillM]

=D> =D> =D> =D> =D>
Thanks for stepping up and taking the lead Bill!

[brucesallen]

Bill,
You might have heard me mention at the Board meeting you attended that I think advertising in other local car club magazines should be fertile ground as well as their forums. White Mountain, Boston and Connecticut BMW clubs, Porsche club, Audi club, -- even subie club?? SCCA Pit Talk.
Go where the track rats already exist. They are few but rabid.
Thanks for taking over!!

[Tripingram]

I told all my 240sx and GTR buddies about the club and some of them seem real interested, I say if everyone who visits other forums help out to tell what COM does we could pull in a lot of people.

[mossaidis]

What I am interested in finding out is how some of our newer members found out about the club - word of mouth, advertising, shows, friends? There is a large audiance out there that is interested in what we are doing - the key is finding the right medium to get to them.

How did I found COM? Tons of hours of internet searching.... it wasn't fun. I was looking for inexpensive track time without having to purchase additional safety equipment (when I was looking back in June'05, having a roll-bar, seats and harnesses would have been too expensive for me). SCDA, PCA, COM and BMWCCA clubs were my only options in the NE. (there is one more, and I can't remember being tooooo expensive). when I asked the autoX members in NER and Mohud, Patroon BMW, SCDA and COM were all recommended. When I got down to it, COM offered:

- inexpensive track time (less than $330/2 days)
- being able to track w/o any more than stock safety equipment and my helmet (in SS and ST)
- full instruction, with the chance of solo time trials
- heathly positive competition w/o bumper to bumper racing, hence the oppurtunity of drive-to/drive-on/drive-away from the track in one piece
- the variety of tracking world class tracks (Mosport, MT, WGI, etc)
- never heard of any bad "wrap", i.e. no a$$holes (still true)
- I was told everyone in COM were talkers and had lots of fun... so true at my first event in MT of Aug'05, case in point, Chris Connicher was my first instructor!
- point-by's!!!
- best long term decision for time trial/driving school... and perfect training environment to segway into EMRA or SCCA club racing

Key point was that I personally motivated to go out to the track. I did my homework per say. Many folks are really on the fence about tracking. I doubt many others sat in front of a TV at 5 years old watching Rally Acropolis or F1 wondering what it would like to drive fast. Well, I shouldn't say that, I was never involved with a REALLY bad accident, which might deter others. If they did watch racing when they were younger or drive a fast car now, they still think about tracking a car. Most important, we all should know that we should save fast driving for the track, not for the road. It's meant to be our outlet. So why not? If skip barber can make attract drivers with his track schools, why can't we?

Makes me think about a situation that happened the other day. More graphic apparel would peak some interest as well. I was walking back from NYSC (my gym) in mid-town NYC (ta-ta) to go my apt in Hell's kitchen (not so ta-ta). I was wearing a bright orange long-sleeve (patroon BMWCCA club shirt) with a fully preppared E30 outline in the front with 12 or so sponsores printed in the back. Some guy in the typical monkey suit kept starring at my shirt. Not that he was looking at my svelt body, but at the bimmer in the front. And if he wasn't with some hot blonde, I am sure he would of stopped and ask about it.

- More graphic apperall (and no I don't mean naked women)
- Perhaps updated web site with one-click web pages directed towards new and experienced drivers new to COM

The largest factor---- everyones know it--- networking! Combined with a standard message outlining the key features of COM, I think we could go a long way promoting COM on other forums and auto-X events.

Being random on my b-day,
Mickey

[chaos4NH]

Mickey, email me. You have moved, don't have your new one.

[mossaidis]

pm sent.

Though in NYC now, I am able to help expand interest in COM in the Albany and NY areas.