Ideas for the next Reading.

[svxcess]

.


Compared to the Readings in prior years, this Reading was a "bare bones" event.

In the past, we had tech sessions, scenic drives, scavenger hunts and rallies, drag strip events, raffles and giveaways, and so on. Everyone always talked about what a fantastic time they had.


This year, except for Nevin's swaybar and a rather pathetic parts raffle, there was not much else to really embrace.

We need to get back to developing events and itineraries that will bring back those positive memories.


Raffle
In the past, we had raffles of parts, with everything from new sets of drilled/slotted rotors, complete brake pad sets, rebuilt powder coated calipers, cat-back exhaust systems, and various new parts donated by local Subaru dealers.

This year seems like we were giving away mostly used parts that someone did not want and did not want to throw away. It was a very meager offering to say the least.


Scenic Drives
The scenic drives I remember most are the ones with a definite theme. The best was the "Covered Bridge Tour" back at Reading III. Not just a road, but a chance to stop and have photo opportunities and enjoy a unique piece of history. Driving an SVX over a 100 year-old bridge designed for horse-drawn buggies, one car at a time, was a memory to remember. A 50-mile drive should not be out of the question in the future.

All it takes is a little planning to find an interesting route sometime within the next year. The roads will still be there when it comes time to drive them.


Rallies and Scavenger Hunts
These are a little more complicated and require much more work and planning. In the past, members had put a lot of time into planning these and many times there were not a lot of members interested in going.


Special Events
There will not always be a Pace Car to show up, so other special events should be considered. There could be a car concours or some other automotive event nearby that we could interest people with. It just takes a little advance research to find them. Simple things that we could offer and let members choose from.


One of the newer members sent me a PM, inquiring on the schedule of activities and events, as he saw none listed.

He said: "I'm coming a long distance. If we have a lot planned and things to do, I'm definitely interested in coming. If all we're gonna do is stand around in a parking lot all weekend, then not so much."


We need to restore this meet to it's former glory, as much as restoring the SVX's. Somehing to really get excited about again. Look at any od the "post-Reading threads and posts from prior years.

Reading is still mainly about the people and I would hate to lose some of them in the coming years because it just wasn't fun anymore...

We need willing volunteers to offer their services in whatever way they can.
We are a family... and families pull together for the benefit of all.


.

[Subix]

I would think a huge part of going to any meet like this would be for some sort of group driving, scenic or not. Something about seeing a large group of our cars together on the road at one time sort of makes me smile on the inside! (with photo ops of course!)

Then again, thinking about driving 700 miles to the meet to begin with I might have second thoughts getting there... but it's all about resting up the day prior to the real event I think, lol

I'm not exactly sure what was involved in getting the Pace Car last year but it sure would be interesting to see it at some point of time in my life. (not to mention the concept car itself... but to my understanding would be a much more difficult task to accomplish)

I would also think a decent/nice food outing would be in place as well. (Maybe this is the norm?) but just saying. (as I've not been to one yet)

[Hocrest]

I miss the rally's, but as you say there is a huge amount of time involved and then it seemed like we would be twisting arms to get more than a few to participate.

Even last year, the drive to Yeungling only involved about half a dozen cars, and the drive to the Hershey Auto Museum couldn't gather enough interest to happen.

This year I posted about leading a scenic drive on Saturday morning and got no replies so I didn't plan anything. The short drive that happened was a result of Nancy showing me a map and asking about a nice road at the same time that I was about to take Ben's TVR for a test ride. That did gather a fair amount of participation for and when it came together I wished that I would have had a better route prepared.

[Sean486]

I was thinking it would be fun to give out a few awards. Best maintained.. Most modified... Best overall... Furtherst to Drive to Reading... Nicest Pearl etc.

[SilverSpear]

Originally Posted by Sean486

I was thinking it would be fun to give out a few awards. Best maintained.. Most modified... Best overall... Furtherst to Drive to Reading... Nicest Pearl etc.

I completely agree A+++ for the idea.

[LetItSnow]

I had no idea we went for a drive, either meandering or to the museum this year. I would have been in for both!

The two sets of DIY hood strut repair hardware were part of my donation. That's something that pretty much everybody can use (except purists like Will who prefer $$OEM$$ ), and are about $10 of specific parts each. I hope that's not basement junk.

It is safe to say, though, that the selection was slimmer this year! Did we have an imbalance of new-to-Reading members who weren't aware of the raffle? Have the most generous donators from the past cut back, either from resources or from feeling taken for granted?

[newsvx]

Originally Posted by SilverSpear

I completely agree A+++ for the idea.

I also agree ...... We could have a "car (SVX) Show" where awards are given out - "BEST OF ......." could be many things like
- best of show,
- best wheels / tires combination,
- best looking engine,
- most unique,
- most original,
- etc.
These awards could / should be judged by the group attending as a whole - each registered SVX owner having a single vote. We have done this kind of thing at local car shows forever.
We could also have the following:

- best mechanical condition (judged by a knowledgeable tech person)
- coming the greatest distance (registration based)

Events during the meet are, I think, also important, but as John alluded to, these things take coordination and volunteers - who will step up to the plate? If not for John H., this last Reading probably would not have happened. In the past the same applies for Dave and Ben and others.
Even a "Dine and Drive" would be nice - a nice ( perhaps 25 - 50 mile) scenic drive to a nice place to eat that has reasonable costs and good food.

I also think there should be less emphasis on "drinking" - sorry, OT, Ron and others. I would not want the READING meet to become (as I am afraid it has) for simply drinking in the parking lot using the SVX as an excuse.

Tech sessions are good also, but this could (and usually is) a huge burden on a select few, and if not enough are doing it, those individuals end up only fixing other people's cars - for nothing.

Just my two (or three) cents ...... BOTTOM LINE: Those that complain about the meet need to step up and help with the organization and conduct of the meet. If not willing to do so, then DON'T COMPLAIN .....

Harry