Without the drive, I'd have to think long and hard about attending. I do very much like getting together with all of my friends and meeting all of the new ones, but I also think the drive is an important part of the get together.

I hope that not everyone has gotten so intoxicated with the track as to completely abandon the drive. I like the drive. As for the unofficial drive, I sort of liked the official drives because of the planning and care that went into them. I'm not sure that a 3 1/2 hour unofficial drive would work.

I thought that Fall Colors '04 worked out pretty well.

 

WOW! Sounds like I'm definitely in the minority. The drive is the least important part of FC IMHO. Bonding with my son is high on the list. Seeing old friends, etc.

 

As a veteran of many motorcycle rallies with Hundreds/thousands of bikes in attendance, I would like to see a set of "self guided" tours. 3 to 5 of them, based on the area and the sites in the area. Yes, there is some planning involved but then groups can form at their leisure and drive at their pace and enjoy the surroundings and the companionship of the group.

This works well for the bikers. It would work well for the cars too. We just need someone (preferrablly local to the FC location) to assist in organizing the drives.

Using other Motorcycle and Car club experience is an excellent idea. I belong to GWRRA (Goldwing Road Riders or America), so I can easily hook into the bike "club" to many great rides in just about any location.

We cant lose the drives.

My .02

Steve

 

First off, there is nothing that is definite at this time.
Second, the one thing that is truly no definite is whether there will even be an FC05.
Third, I am little surprized here. Let's look at the S2Ki Headquaters meet. There is NO sponsored drive. The liability implications for an organizer are mind boggling.

I am certain that there will be many people that will put together drives or rides or tours or whatever you want to call them.

I have to many, many meets over the years. Meets are about getting together with people that share something with you. I can drive my car any time I want, but it is virtually never that I can get together with my friends and acquaintances from this community. So it seems that if there is no drive ther is no community?

As most of you know, I host a meet every year. And the reason for that meet is to see folks that I would not normally get a chance to see. I think that they call that fellowship. I am attending Spring Fling, why, to see the folks that I know from this board. Is it all about spending hours driving around WV? No, it is to see people that I share something with.

If I have offended anyone, I apologize, but I've been around the community a long time and it's as much about the fellowship as it is driving. I also find the attitude that Rick or any organizer should be put at financial risk to "put on a good show", upsetting.

Rides can be set up by anyone, and if that's the only reason that people attend a meet of this caliber, then I am disappointed, because I go to meet and greet the folks that I have a connection to.

Just my opinion

 

^ Hmmm...well, I don't think anyone was saying that Rick should assume a high risk to put on this event. That is something he has to weigh himself. But I do like the idea of driving with other peeps at these events, in addition to the social aspects. I'm sure we can organize smaller drives, similar to the ones being planned for the meet in Escondido. I'll be a +1 on one of those.

 

Deb, sorry if I seem a bit irritated.

In the past two years we have had two substantial off roads, and thank goodness they were not an issue. But if someone were to go off road and strike and kill or maim a non-participant, you can rest assured that Rick's name would be #2, as organizer, behind the driver. (and the $1M policy from S2KA or S2Ki would do very little these days).

To set up "unorganized" rides is a great idea, but the idea that this thread is even posted before Rick has the opportunity to discuss it with the folks here is very disappointing. Dragon has the right idea. I just hate to see people considering not attending the biggest meet in the country (maybe the world) because of issues that should be discussed by the organizers so that we all have a better understanding of why one part of what has proven to be an incredible weekend needs to be rethought.

 

^ Yes...well look who did the posting? Our very own VSA and official pot stirrer!!

BTW - The thread can be deleted if peeps feel strongly that it is premature. I can go either way...

 

It is about the people, not the car.

And I think we are a bit pre-mature in starting this rumor.

 

Ken

I disagree. I think it a good idea to have a thread like this. I think it is good feedback for Rick and the other organizers. Rick still calls the shots, all we are doing is expressing an opinion. What could possibly be wrong with that?

As far as the off-road accident, I believe it occured in an aggressive group. Rick has said that future drives will only be moderate/touring. I think that, by itself, goes a long way to solve the liability question and to lessen the risk. I do think that Rick should ask each participant to sign a waiver, similar to the one that has been used by others.

I agree that a big part of the meets is the comraderie and socializing with all of the other owners/members, and I think the introduction of the track event gave another dimension to the tour, but I also think the drive was an enjoyable part of the event that many of us would like to see continue.

 

^^We've already pretty much decided that we will not make the trip for FC this year. Hate to miss out on seeing good friends, etc., but its just not on our calendar this time. I dragged Jim all over the country last year to meets and events and I'm planning to spend more quality time with him this year that's all about him instead of all about me and my S-car.