DeTomaso Mailing List: May 98, Message #41

Item Subject: Re: My view on Vegas....
     I've been silent about the Las Vegas track issue.  I guess it's time 
     to state my feelings since I'm the one organizing the track event.
     
     Joe Moor proposed to the board that money from the raffle be used to 
     help fund the track event as well as the car show.  The amount would 
     be about the same as the amount used to support the open bar.  Kent 
     said that he would not oppose this measure since it didn't raise the 
     cost of attending the event.  I also support this idea.
     
     The majority of the board felt that since TPOC didn't need $ to put on 
     the event, then why should PCNC.  Some also felt that so few people 
     were interested in the performance aspect of the Pantera, then why 
     should the many pay for the few.  Please note that this is what I was 
     told.  I was not present at the board meeting.
     
     My hope was that through receiving additional funding (POCA 
     sponsorship) that I could put on a free lunch time track tour and free 
     all-day autocross; as well as reduce the cost of the track event to 
     about $50.  The price reduction was not just to keep more money in the 
      pockets of the racers but to attract more people to join us on the 
     track by offering very very low prices.  
     
     This year the $5 spectator fee was dropped from the track event.  We 
     didn't drop it because we didn't need the money.  It was dropped 
     because we want people to attend and enjoy seeing the Pantera doing 
     what it was built to do.  My goal is to spread the gospel of the track 
     as the only true place that you can become one with your sports car:)
     
     At a price of $50, many people would take their car on the track just 
     to see what its all about.  Hopefully they would get hooked and become 
     a performance person.  The autocross would also offer a performance 
     starting point for Pantera owners.  They could start off autocrossing 
     and then move up to the big track.  In fact, the winner of the 
     autocross could receive free track time next year.
     
     Wouldn't it be wonderful if we had over 100 cars on the track and over 
     20 in the race?  Now that would be a sight!
     
     We have over 200 Pantera owners on the net.  How many would actually 
     support using raffle money to reduce the price of the track event?  
     How many would oppose it?
     
     If someone wants to take a serious pole then maybe we could present 
     the board with the results.  We just might find out that the majority 
     doesn't want to see POCA as a partial sponsor of the track event.
     
     If it's true that the majority doesn't want to see POCA sponsor the 
     track event, I think we should respect that.  I plan on organizing the 
     event next year with or without POCA sponsorship.
     
     If the majority actually wants to use raffle money to support the 
     Motorsports day and the board still wont go along, then is the time to 
     see if any net people are actually interested in running for positions 
     next year.  I do believe the board want's to do what they feel the 
     majority would like.  We need to let them know what the majority 
     wants.  
     
     I understand that we are just a subset of all Pantera owners, but we 
     might just be a valid sampling of how the rest of the club feels.
     
     We have had a chance to state our positions.  Anyone interested in 
     polling the net?  If your wondering why I'm not doing it, I'll tell 
     you.  I'm still a little burned out from the event and I have three 
     articles to write.  I've done my share....
     
     If someone does decide to do a poll, here is the question:
     
     Would you support POCA using some of the proceeds from the Las Vegas 
     raffle to help sponsor a Las Vegas track event, autocross and track 
     tour?
     
     If you agree that raffle money should be used, what is the maximum you 
     would feel comfortable authorizing?  Select a number between $500 and 
     $5,000 (evenly divisible by 500).
     
     PS.  I've limited it to $5,000 because I would hate to see us spend 
     more on a Pantera Motorsports day than on the open bar.  A Sports Car 
     club must have it's priorities:)
     
     Ed
     
     


______________________________ Reply Separator _________________________________
Subject: Re: My view on Vegas....
Author:  Non-HP-POCA1 (POCA1@aol.com) at HP-Sonoma,shargw1
Date:    4/30/98 7:10 PM


Hi Jim;
     
Nobody is pissed off at this end.
     
Just one correction, however.
     
In 1997 our attendance was about 700 with 650 attending the dinner,  (They 
count plates).
     
In 1998, our attendance was about 700 with 650 attending the dinner; again 
they count plates.
     
I, and especially Sandi, agree that the Saturday Night display was the 
highlight of the weekend.  She will never forgive the city of "destroying" our 
street.
     
We also agree that the event will NEVER be the same as it was and that is why 
we are looking for other ideas, that won't increase the cost of the event, to 
keep the event attractive to as many people as possible.
     
This year we had over 40 people in attendance from Switzerland, Sweden, and 
the United Kingdom (England), who all had a ball; several of whom were repeat 
attendees.
     
They all enjoyed the event, and several stated their intention to return in 
future years.
     
We also need to remember that this event has been going on for 17 years now, a 
success that no one, least of all Eric, Linda, Sandi or I expected.  We don't 
experct everybody to attend every year.
     
However, when you read the posts on the net, how many say that they couldn't 
make it this year but they plan to attend next year?!
     
Sandi and I agree that the event could be made better and are actively working 
with the POCA Board to find ways to improve the event.  I went over a lot of 
material at the President's Brunch in Vegas, so I won't go over it here, it 
concerns the logistics of our site, what we need, space requirements, etc.
     
At this point, the Plaza is still the OVERALL best location for the 
Convention, based on all of the factors, not just the hotel quality.
     
I have no problem with POCA assisting the chapters financially with their 
events, only by doing so on the backs of those attending the convention, and I 
think this point can and will be worked out to all parties satisfaction. 
     
As an aside, my hat's off to Ed Kornegay (we found your button, your refund 
will be on its' way to you soon) and John Bratta, for the outstanding job you 
two did with your events, and I look forward to working with the two of you in 
1999 and 2000.
     
Mad Dog, Kick Ass in the Silver State!
     
Kent