Out of intrest?
Discussion
Sorry Dave, I did not know it had been done before? I too have not yet renewed yet mainly because the VCA has dropped the link to renew 'online' via Pay pal. 
The thing is I'm sure there are more owners out there in the UK that are not involved in the club and surely some how we should be trying to get them involved
The thing is I'm sure there are more owners out there in the UK that are not involved in the club and surely some how we should be trying to get them involved
I don't really see the VCA as having much relevance in the UK, they(the merkins) don't contribute much/anything to the club we have over here, and that is reflected in the reduced price of membership, in essence we are getting the VCA for free on top of a subscription to the viper mag. IF you want the mag, take part in the raffles and probably a requirement for VOI this time then go ahead join, but it will have no bearing on your participation in the UK.
If we push the VCA side over here and make it a requirement for events etc then we will end up with a smaller club than we have now or a two tier club, that just seems daft. At the moment anyone is welcome to come along to our events, some are more restrictive than others, ie Xmas party is really down to people who have been around during the year/previous years and have connections with the club. Anyone can arrange something and if there is support it will happen, if its karting then good luck.
Yes there is an official side to the VCA in the UK, and Paul puts in a lot of effort to support that but i don't see there being many rewards for making the whole thing more official given the increase in overheads to do things like that. A official national club with a max membership of say 100 people, forget it.
As for recruiting more into the club (non vca side) i don't think we are doing too badly, there has been some new faces this year, there have been some new owners on the forum of late and hopefully we will see them at events next year, the main message to them is come along, your all welcome VCA or not, its PAYG on events, works pretty well, no accounting to be done.
If we push the VCA side over here and make it a requirement for events etc then we will end up with a smaller club than we have now or a two tier club, that just seems daft. At the moment anyone is welcome to come along to our events, some are more restrictive than others, ie Xmas party is really down to people who have been around during the year/previous years and have connections with the club. Anyone can arrange something and if there is support it will happen, if its karting then good luck.
Yes there is an official side to the VCA in the UK, and Paul puts in a lot of effort to support that but i don't see there being many rewards for making the whole thing more official given the increase in overheads to do things like that. A official national club with a max membership of say 100 people, forget it.
As for recruiting more into the club (non vca side) i don't think we are doing too badly, there has been some new faces this year, there have been some new owners on the forum of late and hopefully we will see them at events next year, the main message to them is come along, your all welcome VCA or not, its PAYG on events, works pretty well, no accounting to be done.
Edited by ViperDave on Tuesday 22 December 22:19
Im with Dave, im in the VCA mainly for the nice glossy magazines which cover their membership fee, we dont get much else out of it really anymore unlike the good old days, with no backing and a little contact really with VCA HQ that we see, what really cheese's Paul off is when he writes the articles for viper quarterly issue and they dont even bother to print it, from what Paul has told me a lot of his time is ate up by UK people ringing in looking for info
Paul will have the numbers but i reckon it will somewhere around 20 VCA members.
When we went to VOI in Dallas we had 15 members, 12 made the trip and we got a prize for the region with the biggest percetage turnout
Paul will have the numbers but i reckon it will somewhere around 20 VCA members.
When we went to VOI in Dallas we had 15 members, 12 made the trip and we got a prize for the region with the biggest percetage turnout
Edited by Viper on Wednesday 23 December 08:52
Wow, never knew that! That's impressive 
Have to admit I do like the magazine and enjoy the friendly banter on the VCA forums Also the helpful information on the How To's section should you need to do any work on your own car.
Would be interested to hear from any non VCA members what they would like from a club? Or what would make them join?
Have to admit I do like the magazine and enjoy the friendly banter on the VCA forums Also the helpful information on the How To's section should you need to do any work on your own car.
Would be interested to hear from any non VCA members what they would like from a club? Or what would make them join?
Edited by fatboy18 on Tuesday 22 December 23:39
Wow fella, lets back the truck up, first I have about 114 names and VINS on my database, which is only kept in case another recall occurs of those all have had a latter explaining membership of the VCA in the UK and also our group which really at most only includes about 25 cars/owners several years ago I ran a mailshot as well explaining the VCA again and providing membership forms in case of interest, result not one new member.
Of the 114 cars we have in the UK we have the following problems :-
Some are bought in by people trying to make a buck, very few suppliers in the American car scene even have premises, most trade from home trying to make a buck out of the Viper owners by sucking as much info out of us only to vanish.
Others just don't like clubs.
The steering wheels on the other side so quite a few end up in other parts of Europe when they come up for sale.
Chrysler in the UK are all but dead, so we will get little support from the manufacturer or the VCA unlike the old days when the Viper was a UK 'Halo product' it has not been available for sale in the Uk for years and they will certainly not take ACR or even SRT10 products, although I heard last week that they are trying to re-brand themselves mainly through the Mercedes dealerships,the one that looks after the truck called and asked if he could borrow either a Viper or the truck for a launch in UK, so watch this space.
Plus if we were sucessfull, cost would rise by perhaps 50% to keep us in line with the other large regions, that would also mean in the UK we would need a committe bank accout and all of the other items a club requires, and no doubt people would still be unhappy with the type of events.
Fo me having a big drive on the VCA would be pretty cool I would love loads of new members as long as they organised events or found events that would suit our group, yes thats all we are a group a group of friends with a common interest and thats goos enough for me.
Of the 114 cars we have in the UK we have the following problems :-
Some are bought in by people trying to make a buck, very few suppliers in the American car scene even have premises, most trade from home trying to make a buck out of the Viper owners by sucking as much info out of us only to vanish.
Others just don't like clubs.
The steering wheels on the other side so quite a few end up in other parts of Europe when they come up for sale.
Chrysler in the UK are all but dead, so we will get little support from the manufacturer or the VCA unlike the old days when the Viper was a UK 'Halo product' it has not been available for sale in the Uk for years and they will certainly not take ACR or even SRT10 products, although I heard last week that they are trying to re-brand themselves mainly through the Mercedes dealerships,the one that looks after the truck called and asked if he could borrow either a Viper or the truck for a launch in UK, so watch this space.
Plus if we were sucessfull, cost would rise by perhaps 50% to keep us in line with the other large regions, that would also mean in the UK we would need a committe bank accout and all of the other items a club requires, and no doubt people would still be unhappy with the type of events.
Fo me having a big drive on the VCA would be pretty cool I would love loads of new members as long as they organised events or found events that would suit our group, yes thats all we are a group a group of friends with a common interest and thats goos enough for me.
Completely agree with Dave,
The 'UK Viper Club' works as it is on a PAYG basis, those that choose to join the VCA are generally the more hardcore Viperholics and those who like getting the magazine etc. And as you have said the use of the VCA website for how-to's etc is also extremely helpful.
Stepping back and taking a look at what we have, there are VCA Members and Non-VCA Members, we have many members who attend as many 'Club' events as they can, and those who choose not to attend many of the events we have, (Not meant in a bad way, but yourself included Mark), but whichever way you look at it there is no clear cut sign of VCA members or Non-members who attend more or less events. The VCA aspect in the UK really is academic, we have a great 'Club' with some great members of that 'Club' whether you chose to join the VCA is your call. You can drag a horse to water, but you can't make it drink!
At the end of the day, apart from the magazines and full useage of the VCA website, their is no 'need' to join the VCA in the UK, (although some insurers will give discounts for club membership, which can be a bonus).
Long story cut short, If you have a Viper and you wish to attend 'UK Viper Club' events, meet a great group of people who will literally change your life for the better, and become part a great group of friends, then you are welcome to tag along to as many or as few events as you wish. As Dave has said above, the only event which is really more for those who have been more 'involved' during the year and are already known to us is the Christmas Do, but for the rest of the year, join in!
The 'UK Viper Club' works as it is on a PAYG basis, those that choose to join the VCA are generally the more hardcore Viperholics and those who like getting the magazine etc. And as you have said the use of the VCA website for how-to's etc is also extremely helpful.
Stepping back and taking a look at what we have, there are VCA Members and Non-VCA Members, we have many members who attend as many 'Club' events as they can, and those who choose not to attend many of the events we have, (Not meant in a bad way, but yourself included Mark), but whichever way you look at it there is no clear cut sign of VCA members or Non-members who attend more or less events. The VCA aspect in the UK really is academic, we have a great 'Club' with some great members of that 'Club' whether you chose to join the VCA is your call. You can drag a horse to water, but you can't make it drink!
At the end of the day, apart from the magazines and full useage of the VCA website, their is no 'need' to join the VCA in the UK, (although some insurers will give discounts for club membership, which can be a bonus).
Long story cut short, If you have a Viper and you wish to attend 'UK Viper Club' events, meet a great group of people who will literally change your life for the better, and become part a great group of friends, then you are welcome to tag along to as many or as few events as you wish. As Dave has said above, the only event which is really more for those who have been more 'involved' during the year and are already known to us is the Christmas Do, but for the rest of the year, join in!
FYI Details already posted here for renewals and new memberships for 2010
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a... VCA Membership/Renewal
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a... VCA Membership/Renewal
Thank you all, and Paul for the info And also GTS Dave for your thoughts I know we are fairly spread out across the country, and to be honest it is not always easy for us all to meet up!
I know we have the Events list, but sometimes its difficult to know weather anyone is actually going to turn up to these events? Personally I enjoy going on the PH events and mixing it with other car owners. I know Paul is involved in many charity events and I'm sure that takes up much of his time
This thread was meant, NOT to knock anything but to purely ask about the membership question
So while I'm rambling on here I would like to personally wish you all A VERY HAPPY CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR See you all in 2010
And also GTS Dave for your thoughts I know we are fairly spread out across the country, and to be honest it is not always easy for us all to meet up!I know we have the Events list, but sometimes its difficult to know weather anyone is actually going to turn up to these events? Personally I enjoy going on the PH events and mixing it with other car owners. I know Paul is involved in many charity events and I'm sure that takes up much of his time
This thread was meant, NOT to knock anything but to purely ask about the membership question
So while I'm rambling on here I would like to personally wish you all A VERY HAPPY CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR See you all in 2010
fatboy18 said:
I know we have the Events list, but sometimes its difficult to know weather anyone is actually going to turn up to these events?
There is usually a corresponding thread running around the time of an upcoming event, which usually includes attendees... If not, best thing to do is start a new thread and see who's goingPaul, great news about Mercedes showing some interest, although strange they are doing it now after DC split up to D and the remains of C. It would be good to get some new dealer support though, Official parts (the ones chuck cant post) have been a bit of a nightmare since they closed down my local Chrysler's that was really good. the remaining one, is err ...... Why is it always the case the good guys get shut down and the turds remain?
ViperDave said:
Mark, i think i can see the problem, out of the six people who have posted to this thread so far, all of them are VCA members.
Can i ask what you are expecting to get from this? Do you feel your not getting what you want from the club, in which case what do you want?
Last year it was this... so I'm completely confused...Can i ask what you are expecting to get from this? Do you feel your not getting what you want from the club, in which case what do you want?
http://forums.viperclub.org/vca-members-only/62101...
Just realised that, rather thread topically, you will only be able to read that if you are a VCA member... Even more reason to join!
Edited by GTSDave on Wednesday 23 December 12:39
Well, I guess what I do find a bit confusing is the Website for the UK club? No hang on were not a club just a bunch of owners Seriously though, I had no Idea how many owners or enthusiasts there are in the UK. I was wondering if there was a way we could get more of these people involved with event meets etc?
For example, over the course of this year I have noticed a few people from PH becoming interested in the Viper brand. Now even if these people don't yet have a Viper I think it would be good to welcome them to events, and who knows it might push them over the edge to Ownership
I will say this again though, This is NOT an attack. I was purely asking a question as you would at any AGM if we were a club Lets face it I could ask the same questions on the American VCA website under the UK section but hardly anyone would read it 
Seriously though, I had no Idea how many owners or enthusiasts there are in the UK. I was wondering if there was a way we could get more of these people involved with event meets etc?For example, over the course of this year I have noticed a few people from PH becoming interested in the Viper brand. Now even if these people don't yet have a Viper I think it would be good to welcome them to events, and who knows it might push them over the edge to Ownership
I will say this again though, This is NOT an attack. I was purely asking a question as you would at any AGM if we were a club
Lets face it I could ask the same questions on the American VCA website under the UK section but hardly anyone would read it Edited by fatboy18 on Wednesday 23 December 12:50
GTSDave said:
FYI Details already posted here for renewals and new memberships for 2010
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a... VCA Membership/Renewal
Cheers Dave, Missed that one http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a... VCA Membership/Renewal
GTSDave said:
http://forums.viperclub.org/vca-members-only/62101...
Just realised that, rather thread topically, you will only be able to read that if you are a VCA member... Even more reason to join!
And there you go GTS Dave on the Attack / Defence again! Hardly encourages membership does it! Just realised that, rather thread topically, you will only be able to read that if you are a VCA member... Even more reason to join!
Edited by GTSDave on Wednesday 23 December 12:39
Edited by fatboy18 on Wednesday 23 December 13:16
fatboy18 said:
I had no Idea how many owners or enthusiasts there are in the UK. I was wondering if there was a way we could get more of these people involved with event meets etc?
For example, over the course of this year I have noticed a few people from PH becoming interested in the Viper brand. Now even if these people don't yet have a Viper I think it would be good to welcome them to events, and who knows it might push them over the edge to Ownership
I can't really see any reason to encourage non-Viper owners to join in with Viper Club events? Am I missing something here? We do have a couple of enthusiasts who often turn up at events that a Viper might be at, Anjie for instance is a prime example, and the true enthusiasts are not the issue, they share a common interest with us all. For example, over the course of this year I have noticed a few people from PH becoming interested in the Viper brand. Now even if these people don't yet have a Viper I think it would be good to welcome them to events, and who knows it might push them over the edge to Ownership
This year we tried to organise another Dyno-day... Apex66, who we are now fully aware was a wind-up, started on about coming along and bringing a load of his mates with their jap-mobiles, people started backing out of going... Inviting loads of interested parties just doesn't work. We have a great group of people, a great group of friends, what aint broke don't need fixin!
It's the tyre kicking, test pilot wannabes that we've been dealing with on the odd occasion or the dodgy traders with their cut and shuts, they are the issue, and the reason that some of us are a little wary when someone new pops up asking loads of questions, and wanting help without properly introducing themselves first. It's nothing personal, but I am afraid that a few previous problems have set the club on a bit of a back foot with 'enthusiasts'.
I agree that we have seen a few new owners this year, which is great! And I am sure there are people out there who as you say, have an interest in the Viper Brand, but it's exactly the type of event that the PH multi-car events that you mentioned you like going to, and things such as the Goodwood Breakfast Clubs are aimed at. The enthusiats can go to those kind of events, look at all sorts of car, and are able to go to and see some bloke dressed in this weeks panto outfit with his stickered up car and go Ooh and Aah at him... That's where you come in...
It all works
Edited by GTSDave on Wednesday 23 December 13:20
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