Why should I join SCNAX?

[81MakoJ]

I'm in the process of considering what club to join, currently, and notice that this club is rather active on these forums so my question is why I should join SCNAX? I'm the guy with the red '81 Corvette, in case ya haven't noticed, and am kinda new as I've only been autocrossing since spring this year. I know some of the obvious things but what are some of the cool benefits that would make this club more desirable to me than the others?

Your info is appreciated. :D (I'm not trying to be a smarta$$ or anything either. I just want to see the differences in all of the clubs so I can see which one is right for me.) :)

[Mazda_Gremlyn]

You should join SCNAX because we are awesome... :D Seriously though, when looking to join a club I looked for the group of people that seemed to best fit my personality. Not having much experience with other club's internally, I can't speak for them, but we are a very laid back club, however we kick it in to gear when the time comes to get things done. Not having to pay to join the club is a bonus (at least for me as a starving college student), I think some other clubs ask for dues. We have quite varying age levels in our group too (from low 20's... right on up to well I don't know, people probably twice my age and maybe then some ;)), which gives us a lot of diversity and makes the club more interesting IMO. I think the best bet would be to meet some of the people from the various clubs and see which group suits you best. We all share the love for autoxing, so its a win-win situation in all clubs there.

[frosty]

I picked SCNAX partly because many hands make light work. Some of the clubs have a little more than 10 people (I think...), so each person is juggling a ton when they are hosting a Championship event.

Another part is we don't have monthly meetings, just a meeting to prepare for an upcoming event we're hosting (about once every 4-6 months I think...).

[Cullen]

Because we're cool, and you sound cool. ;)

Although since we're the SportCompactNAX club, you shound either add a fart can exhaust to your vette or neon lights....:D

[mievil]

Plus, Randy lets every new member drive his Elise.:D

[frosty]

Although since we're the SportCompactNAX club, you shound either add a fart can exhaust to your vette or neon lights....:D

My vote is for the neon lights. :p

[81MakoJ]

LOL @ the fart can! I could just take the glasspacks off of my sidepipes, that'd pretty much drown out ALL fart cans immediately haha.

I have noticed that y'all seem to have a really cool personality, as a club, and seem to be very laid back. I think I've mainly been sorta tossed between SCNAX and TART. TART, from my understanding, is more of a Corvette club so I kinda thought that would be a good club for me to join because I'm a vette driver, but no one else actually races the old C3 and they all have C4s, C5s, and C6s and mainly leave em stock. To me stock is boring and not as much fun for competition events like this. My girlfriend will, hopefully, be getting a C4 really soon and she'll be racing that, as well.

But yeah the main things that make SCNAX, to me at least, seem really tempting to join are no dues and no mandatory meetings. It seems the amount of members is rather high for a good reason. I'm not one to jump on a bandwagon, but if there's really a good reason for the amount of support besides it being "the cool thing" then I'll tend to hop on and stay on for the long haul.

Right now I'm hoping to be able to drive on the Nov. 12th event. Since my motorcycle accident on the 20th I'm still a bit crippled but have been driving the vette to work for the past couple of days. I'll find out from the doctor tomorrow if I'm going to be stuck on disability for a bit or if I'll be able to race and such. However, I really still needa get the carb and ignition set before I go racing again. With the new vortec heads it feels a bit rich at idle and lean at cruise and WOT.

Oh reminds me, anyone got an air/fuel meter or an adjustable timing light or any good at tuning old cars? ;)

[Pervis]

In defense of TART, I should point out that we have Vettes that are not stock also. They are just SO GOOD right out the door. Besides, if I change things, I would end up making it worse. And I don't have to mess with the idle circuit.

TART- No dues. No meetings. No hassles. 'Nuf said.

[mievil]

Wish I had a Vette. :(

[frosty]

TART- No dues. No meetings. No hassles. 'Nuf said.

You have an enrollment fee though, right?

[81MakoJ]

Oh snap I got a TART member's attention! (man this forum needs more smileys by the way lol)

Didn't realize that there were no dues for TART, either. There's just so limited information about the club on the internet that I'm having a hard time figuring out where to fit in, basically. I say SCNAX and TART have an all out war of some sort, and the winner gets my membership. LoL J/K

I just wish I could find more info about em without having to actually know someone. This forum makes it so much easier to exchange information and experiences and SCNAX members seem to be really active on here so that's one of the things I'm noticing to be to my liking. :D

The drive in Randy's lotus is a kinda neat incentive too! Haha. However, mebbe someone will let me drive a new Z06 if I join TART? *hint hint*

Decisions decisions!

[81MakoJ]

Wish I had a Vette. :(

Oh forgot to reply to that in the last post. Ya know C3s and C4s are rather inexpensive. You coulda gotten one for a bit less than your Focus cost, probably. No ill respect towards you getting what you got but I'm just guessing insurance and gas mileage were probably some of your incentives. I would really like to note something to those that think Corvettes are expensive to buy and own. They really aren't. Parts for them are easy to find and usually pretty inexpensive and insurance is actually really cheap on em. My girlfriend's '04 Focus costs more to insure than any vette made prior to 1992. :eek:

Oh and the most expensive cars to insure are the Lancer Evo, the WRX STi, SRT-4, Acura RSX, and Nissan 350Z. They're in the top 10 costliest cars to insure. ;)

[mievil]

Yeah, I'd really love to have an old one like yours, and a new z06, and an Evo, and a Renault R5, and a 66 goat, and.....and....and.....lol

Got the Focus cause it was $10k out the door brand new. If I could have gotten a vette for $10k new, I would have done it. lol :p

[mievil]

And on note of the original post, I think one of the main statements that people say about choosing a club are included in the following:

Go to different events hosted by different clubs. Mingle with the host club for that particular event. That will be enough to help you choose if you really want to get into one of the regional clubs. You'll find out what sort of people are going to be in the clubs you are looking into. There are good people in every club, and skilled drivers in every one. So if you need help or advice or tools, most of the folks throughout all the clubs should be quite helpful. But if you find yourself naturally drawn to certain individuals who are in a particular group that may be one of your choices, that will help with your decision. :)

One thing to note is that you don't necessarily need a Datsun to be in the Datsun club, or a vette to be in Tart, or sport compact to be in SCNAX. Every group has a nice mingle of different vehicles.

[81MakoJ]

Excellent notes of advice there, mievil. I definitely see what you mean and I'll try that at the up and coming events. SDAD is holding the next event and I've been to their previous ones but I don't think they're the right club for me mainly due to style. Nice people there but I just don't think I'd fit in with that one. As I stated I'm kinda drawn towards SCNAX and TART. I've chatted with a few members of TART and I like their style of courses and such, but not sure if I'd have as much fun with them as I would with SCNAX. I think it may be an age thing, though.

On car choices, I getcha then. That's fair enough. It's hard to beat that for a NEW car. I'm currently looking at new cars because I was hit on my motorcycle on the 20th (rear ended at a stoplight on miramar road) and am pretty banged up from it. After the settlement I'm expecting to be debt free and have some cash in hand. So now I want a reliable mid-sized daily driver that isn't overpriced. Hence I'm looking at a possible Pontiac G6 Coupe or maybe a Saturn Aura. I test drove the G6 coupe on Sunday and was really impressed with the comfort and power it had. I'd go with a Cobalt, but I don't want to go too small if I'm going to have back problems like I'm having. However, also in my price range is the Pontiac Solstice and Saturn Sky. I'll needa test drive and sit in em to see how I feel about it, but if I find those to be easy enough to get in and out of I may very well get one and be one of the first to actually take one of those for a spin around a course. :D

I originally paid $5000 for my vette and have probably dumped that much in to it with all of the work I've got in it, now. I'll most likely end up dumping another $5000 in to it before I actually say it's done. lol That's what I love about old cars, though, they're easy to modify and make them better.

Here's some other stuff I have questions about. How many members in SCNAX do y'all estimate run in the SM2 category? My vette is basically already stuck in that category and from what I've seen in the past results I'd have a better chance competing in that category. It'd be impossible for an old shark like my vette to really compete in a stock, IS, or SP class because it's against things like the RX-8. A 190hp stock Corvette with a suspension system designed in the '60s has no chance against a modern car. So stock is obviously out of the question. Street prepared allows a bit more modifications to make it a little more worthy competition but again it's still up against modern cars with modifications similar. In order to get any horsepower out of a C3's engine you have to go with different heads and a better profile cam. Well simply changing the cam automatically puts you in the SM category which also allows changes to the suspension. So in the SM2 category I can put a front monoleaf suspension system in (like the C4 - C6 corvettes have) and upgrade my engine's performance to a more modern level. I can also use different rims and tires so now it'll be able to grip with modern tires and I can have a shot at actually competing.

So any suggestions on my philosophy there? Car modifications advice and such is another thing that will factor in to my decision on membership. ;)

[froggy47]

You have an enrollment fee though, right?

One time, lifetime member, I forget how much. Wasn't more than $50 when I joined, maybe less, real nice group, no aXXholes allowed, best money I spent (except for sticky tires)


:)

[mievil]

As far as how many of any particular club run in certain classes, this doc seems to have the best layout:

http://www.sdr-scca.com/solo2/results/Points_10-21-06.pdf

But as far as I know, you should be able to ask advice from not only SM2, but also the SM folks.

The obvious best modifications you can do to your car are participating in every event that pops up, both practices and champ events, including rocking up to the CalClub events if it suits you. I'd like to get out there someday. We've got members that run solely in LA, members that run solely in SD, and some that roam between both sites.

Oh yeah, and tires. lol

Oh yeah, and letting the guy that drives the white Focus ride with you on a run. ;)

Other than that, I have no idea and some of the other folks would be able to help you out trmendously with real advice. That may be beyond the scope of this particular thread though. :)

[81MakoJ]

Gotten a bit more info on the clubs now and am still basically stuck in the same place, really, hah. I really guess I shouldn't get too hung up on the types of cars the members race in because my C3 is actually quite unique, compared to the rest of the cars that even race. No one around here even races one and the only thing my C3 really has in common with a C4 is the brand, name, and engine block. Otherwise the suspension, top half of the engine, transmission, differential, gearing, body, powerband, and wheels/tires are completely different. So it's not like there's really anyone, in our area, that could give me real solid advice on settings and handling the ancient beast. lol

I actually don't mind if anyone wants to ride along on most of my runs. I prefer to drive the last run that counts alone but the ones prior to that I'll definitely accept passengers! I'll let anyone that drives a difficult or powerful RWD car even take my vette on a fun run, with me in the passenger seat of course. My vette isn't an easy car to handle and it can get squirrely quite easily. That's the only reason I'm a little picky about who I'll let drive it.It is tons of fun to drive and has the potential to be able to keep up with the big boys, it just needs some more modern stuff added. ;)

Overall I'll probably have my decision before the next event and anyone that wants to ride along with me let me know now because I do know how much everyone loves to just sit in an old Corvette. Hehe. :D

[frosty]

Since it's not like we share pit crews, and not being in a given club doesn't stop you from asking a guy from that club for advice (I do it all the time).

The way I see it, you need to pick a club with people you like being around and can work with when an event comes up (and for the non-event stuff), and that works with your financial and time availability (I think that's how I did it). People with similar cars can be nice, but as you said, yours is unique.

[81MakoJ]

Precisely what came to my mind last night, frosty. So in all honesty you all seem like a truly nice bunch and I really like the fact that many of you are on these forums. Those two things are what's giving me a good feeling about it. I'll still see how I feel about a couple of other clubs at the next event, first, before I all out decide. So far, though, you all have been the friendliest bunch I've met and your club "philosophy" as I'll put it seems to be a little more in my favor.

To sum things up, I'd put SCNAX in the front running for which club I'll join, because of reasons I've already mentioned. :D I'm a fair person, though, so I have to give the other clubs a chance to see if they want my membership. :)

Now I needa start a thread on tuning! hah!

[Pervis]

the fact that many of you are on these forums.


Hate to burst your bubble, but this is only one forum, and it is a SCNAX FORUM!

[81MakoJ]

Hate to burst your bubble, but this is only one forum, and it is a SCNAX FORUM!

I meant the whole SD Solo forums in general. Most of the active users seem to be SCNAX members. I'm guessing it has a bit to do with the amount of members + age group of many members involved, though. Heck, look how few posts are in the rest of the other clubs boards. DCCSD has zero posts even in there and they actually have quite a few members. The TART board hasn't had a new post since June. SDAD has ONE thread and SCAT has 4, both are relative inactive basically. Overall, most of the discussion on the majority of these boards has posts by members of scnax more than any other club. Not saying the other clubs are bad because of that, but it is an observation I've made.

Now if you mean the whole sdsolo.com is a SCNAX forum, that's not true because it is called SD Solo which means San Diego Solo (not SCNAX solo) and it's linked from the San Diego Region autocross site on the home page. :p Also anyone is allowed to register on the forums, so it's not like only certain people are allowed to post here.

[woodrufj]

Actually it is. This forum was born of SCNAX minds and is really kind of donated to the region, who only recognizes it as unofficial. From the official SDR informational pages, you can only get here through the 'SCNAX Forum' link.

SCNAXers tend to be more computer oriented and tech-y. THat's the main reason you see so many floating around here.

Jay W
505/287 Dakota

Now if you mean the whole sdsolo.com is a SCNAX forum, that's not true because it is called SD Solo which means San Diego Solo (not SCNAX solo) and it's linked from the San Diego Region autocross site on the home page. :p Also anyone is allowed to register on the forums, so it's not like only certain people are allowed to post here.

[Cullen]

Dude, just join SCNAX. I was pressured into it, and it's really not that bad here. :p

It's the wave of the future

[frosty]

Dude, just join SCNAX. I was pressured into it, and it's really not that bad here. :p

You sound like like a drug dealer on the street corner. ;)

[RandyC]

To add a point of clarity, this forum existed before there was a SCNAX SD club. I used to be a member of SCAT also. The forum is not a club specific forum, regardless of how some may perceive or want to portray it. There is a DIFFERENT FORUM that is a SCNAX forum. I started this one way back when in the late 90s.

Now back to your regularly scheduled programming...

Randy (stuck at SEMA)

[Cullen]

You sound like like a drug dealer on the street corner. ;)


Those were my intensions :) (this smiley remind you of anything? lol)

[Mazda_Gremlyn]

Randy (stuck at SEMA)

BAH! to you sir... :D

[Cullen]

Was it like this? :eek:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v111/sdmetalman/get-the-newbie.jpg

LOL. No, but in the future it will, when SCNAX becomes the mightiest club in the country! Muhahaha. Although, I am relatively new to SCNAX and better keep my mouth shut....:) Has anyone joined the club since July 06?

[81MakoJ]

Dude, just join SCNAX. I was pressured into it, and it's really not that bad here. :p

It's the wave of the future

Was it like this? :eek:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v111/sdmetalman/get-the-newbie.jpg

[frosty]

Was it like this? :eek:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v111/sdmetalman/get-the-newbie.jpg

LOL!:eek:

[stsss37]

DCCSD has zero posts even in there and they actually have quite a few members.

That's because we're busy driving! Corvette National Champions of the last few years from DCCSD - SS, SSL, ASP, BSP, SM2. And I've probably missed some - that's just off the top of my head. And that's just 'Vettes.

Not that I'm saying to join DCCSD - SCNAX is a great club.

Leslie
Z06, Camaro, Honda driver

[mievil]

That's because we're busy driving!

Quiet you. :p

[froggy47]

Randy (stuck at SEMA)

Post a pic of your fav SEMA girl.

:)

Thread drift OFF

[RandyC]

That would have been my wife and daughter, both worked my booth. :)

I am not a fan (sorry) of all the boobage at SEMA. Or the bling. I am looking forward to being at PRI (Performance Racing Industry) next month in Florida. Much more about cars and less about bling and scanty clothing.

[CNaylor]

DCCSD has zero posts even in there and they actually have quite a few members. The TART board hasn't had a new post since June. SDAD has ONE thread and SCAT has 4, both are relative inactive basically. Overall, most of the discussion on the majority of these boards has posts by members of scnax more than any other club. Not saying the other clubs are bad because of that, but it is an observation I've made.

You'll find that SCNAX posts more often partially because it's the clubs primary for of communication (the tech/age group is also a contributer). As you mentioned other clubs have meetings. SCAT for instance has monthly meetings, and a private yahoo blast email account that consists of most internal info. DCCSD for years has held weekly vollyball games down at Mission Beach where they communicate information, in addition to their meetings. SDAD at least a few years ago relied heavly on the telephone for internal communications (at least from an outsiders perspective.)

So I wouldn't base club activity strictly on postings on the forum. SCNAX is probably the club who has the highest member activity both on the board and at events, but the other clubs all have more outside beyond the events.

[nalbar]

I agree Craig, except for this;

"SCNAX is probably the club who has the highest member activity both on the board and at events"

True about the board (forum), but not about the events (meaning all events). I would hate for the other clubs to read that and think SCNAX thinks that is true. SDAD and DCCSD are pretty widely involved in all facets of the region, SCAT perhaps a little less than them, but still pretty involved. SCNAX members are what I would call 'more passive' when it comes to ALL events.

It is certainly true that the main 'burden' of region leadership is taken by the other clubs. After all, just look at the San Diego region officers, no SCNAX among them (well, a SCNAX is sound chair). The Pres is SCAT, Treasurer is SDAD, and so on.

Who puts on the Tour? A DCCSD member (perhaps the most important, hardest job in the region, certainly the most pressure filled one, and the most thankless).

I have my own opinions on why SCNAX lacks in this direction (and will never post them here). I just don't want the other clubs to get the impression that SCNAX (at least me) is not aware of their work, and our lack thereof.

IMO this whole thread is dangerously close to being inappropriate. It gets to close to dissing clubs (if only through ommision). What particular club a person belongs to is almost irrelevent. Each has GOOD reason to belong to THEM, you just need to 'match up' comfortably. A person joins a club either strictly for the points, or a desire to contribute in some small way to the region through volunteer work. I joined a club because I could no longer stand to watch others work while I 'drove away'.

I appreciate the contributions other club members make to the region. And am sometimes more than a little jealous of their successes.



nalbar

[cshodges]

Most true. A couple other clubs have drastically fewer members than us, so when they put on events, it's the same people every time. We get to spread the load around a little more. Yet, they still do it, and put on just as good an event. The timing lights and radios "magically" appear at every event fully charged and ready to go, thanks to Jeff (of TART), who does this for every event for every club.

I joined SCNAX because of it's online-oriented nature. That suits me. Join whatever club suits you, an be active in it.

Hehe, Randy said, "boobage." :D

[RandyC]

IMO... the amount of contribution to the entire organization is almost nothing about clubs but about individuals that step forward. And SCNAX has been well represented. Speaking as a past Chair of the board and sitting in on most board meetings and a few committees. And also Matt Kogan (SCNAX) was Secretary this year before he became burned out. :) And I have chaired the Tour before.

It does not matter what club they are on. Just like ANY volunteer group, there are people that step forward because they recognize that things need to get done, and that they feel qualified to do it. I would suggest though, that a longer bit of experience increases the feeling that one is qualified... (and rightfully so often). If you look at the e-board and those that are core volunteers, it is mostly veterans of this sport. And SCNAX is a relatively young club.


P.S. I think Craig was saying that in sheer numbers of participants (ie: "at events...") SCNAX was well represented, not suggesting we share an equal load of volunteerism.

[81MakoJ]

Yikes we should probably close this thread before it gets a little too heated. Good discussion but it could get out of control, if we're not careful. I only created the thread in hopes of getting more information about the clubs out there before I decide which to join. Thanks to all for the information provided, though. :D

[CNaylor]

P.S. I think Craig was saying that in sheer numbers of participants (ie: "at events...") SCNAX was well represented, not suggesting we share an equal load of volunteerism.

Thank you Randy. :)

You are correct on my intent of the sheer numbers on the forum and at events. I was not however making any comment on any clubs share of work load, or volunteerism. Every club has had membership highs and lows. SCNAX is definitly on a HIGH, they are currently very visable. EVERY club puts on good quality events, no matter the membership volume at the time. EVERY club falters with hickup's at events no matter the membership volume. Every club has a representitive on the Committee. Every club has had ups and downs on BOARD positions. With five clubs and four board positions, inevidable one club will not be able to be on the board, that said the reps really are the power holders, so no one is left out. We have had a few years where one club held all of the Board positions.
All I was trying to say in my prior post was don't judge the clubs by volume of posts on the forum. Check them out in person. They all have good attributes, and good members.:D They all have there share of rabble rousers too.;)