GS Nationals Dying

Considering the fact that there were ALOT less GS Buicks made compared to say GTO Pontiacs, the number of "customers" is going to be less and will dwindle since the cars haven't been made in 40 years. That's why I say open it up to Buick powered or Buick bodied. It's not our fault that GM started putting other than Buick motors in the later cars.

Sure, the purists will argue but then plan on the event getting smaller and smaller....
Example: what if someone wants to take a new TA block and put it in an old Pontiac Pro Stocker or other setup drag car or rail dragster? Tell em no...you can run but just for exhibition or brackets not Quick 16 or Super 8?

Or the example I mentioned earlier big power SBC in Roadmaster wagon......they are out there.

Or a 96 Camaro with a twin turbo V6. It came with a Buick V6.

We need to celebrate all things BUICK.

IMHO

 

Local track here is $7,500 a day. That's $22,500 over a 3 day span. They set the entry price around $35 and you get $2 of that back as the event orginizer. If you want to recoup your investment you need to pre-register people so that you can take in a higher entry fee and then pay the track on behalf of that person which allows you to retain more than just $2. The sponsorship has to go through the track so that it doesn't violate their exclusive sponsorship agreements, such as having a Buick sponsored day at an official Ford track. That means that the sponsorship for the event may be put towards the track rental before the event is even officially marked on the schedule.

I'd say compute how much the attendance has to be to break even on a $30,000 investment if the orginizer is bringing in roughly $20 at the gate per car (less if they preregistered at a discount rate). Divide that by the 3 days the event is being held, assuming participants pay by the day, and see if turnout was above that figure.

 

I think some people are confused here.

The Nationals and the GSCA are owned by 2 seperate entities. The have no legal ties to one another.

I only join the GSCA when I have to, like when I register a car to race at the Nats. You have to fill out a seperate check to each, one to the gsca and one to the nats.

Eventhough I don't like the pocket my money is going in to every year I still try to make it every year. Its the people and the cars that make this event for me, not the knucklehead running it into the ground.

Unfortunatly Bennet is not going anywhere, he owns this event. I would gladly pay and EXTRA $10 dollars a day just so he would stay home. Take him out of the picture and there are some really great people that actually runs this. Maybe we could get sponsorship for this.o No:

 

The GS Nationals is a 4 day event.

 

Thats what I was thinking and I bet on top of the 4 day track rental there is insurance also.....

 

I cant believe some of the questions and opinions being posted here. ou:

Who cares who OWNS the GSCA or the Nationals!?! Someone said to me the other day that he doesnt like the thought of a private business being called a "club". How about Sam's Club? Sam's Club is a private business that calls itself a club. How about the YMCA? How about the local "Country Club" ie golf course?? And there are a multitude of other "private" clubs in this great country. The GSCA was started 30 years ago, and its name was decided at that time. NEVER in its history has it been anything other than a business. Which is why it has survived so long, much longer than many many other car groups/organizations. Here is a fact. These things are either run like a business or they will die. A "not for profit" has a very tough time finding QUALITY individuals that are willing to stay on board for long periods of time out of the kindness of their hearts for no monetary reward. Therefore, you have people come and go, and come and go, with different levels of knowlege and skill, and before long the group will not be able to sustain capable management and you have to stick a fork in it.

Like it or not, it is not anyones business WHO owns either, or if they make a profit during the course of their business or not. Since each are private businesses, and are not publically traded, then nobody has a right to those records except the owners of each. End of story.

So, if you like going to the Nationals then go. If you think being a member of the GSCA is a good value, then join. If not, then dont go, and dont join. Except for a few individuals who get their jollies by complaining about anything and everything GSCA related (I think we can plainly see who they are), most everyone agrees that the NAtionals is a good time and a good value for many differing reasons, as has been stated many times in this very thread. Same for the GSCA. It is still the biggest and most professional all Buick group out there with the best publication.

So dont get caught up in the internet BS that is routinely started by the same group of nere do wells who only want to start controversy. Those antics have only brought the ENTIRE group down, including ALL events. Attendance at ALL of the events has been hurt by these individuals thru their efforts to drive others away. Think about it. WHY would someone complain about and seek to undermine an event they didnt go to, hosted by a car "club" to which they do not belong?

Also, think about this. This entire, worthless thread has been devoted to the prospect that a car "club" may be dying. This is due in part to a few individuals displeasure with the lack of acceptable payouts at the event. While I agree the payouts were unacceptable, I have to ask: What the hell? Take a look at the NHRA! There has been quite a few events this year where they did not field entire classes, at the PRO level no less. Take a look at NASCAR! MANY teams are scrambling for sponsor dollars, and many are accepting FAR FAR less sponsor dollars for the prominant spots on the race car. Neither of the two are filling the stands even at their premier events. This is not even to take into account the sheer number of local dragstrips that are closing across the country. Yet, we think there is a specific problem with the GSCA and or the GS NAtionals that will be corrected by coming onto V8Buick and complaining??? Again I ask, WHAT THE HELL??? The NHRA and NASCAR have some of the brightest minds available on their side, and they dont have the answers either.

Look, these are tough economic times we are in right now. Yes, maybe a little personality from some of the higherups would be appreciated, and maybe a little more effort to reach out to sponsors would be beneficial, but neither is going to bring back the pre-recession days, or the days when our cars and their "owners" were younger and more willing to travel across the country to attend an event. What we are witnessing with ALL forms of automotive extracurricular activity is based in large part on it being a "sign of the times". So dont listen to the naysayers and their negativity, because for the most part it is out of anyones control. There are bigger factors involved than just who likes whom.

In closing, I still suggest that if anyone has a particular idea for improvement or if you want to pitch in and help with sponsorships, organizing the car show, the swap meet, vendors row etc then pick up the phone and call Richard, or Ron Joseph, or Jim Carswell, or the Carolinas Chapter and offer your services. I assure you your contribution and help will be appreciated by the GSCA and NAtionals staff and the members combined.

Sorry to be so longwinded, and have a nice day. :beer

 

X-2/ I had fun and will continue to go as long as I can afford it. It Is a small group and we usually have a blast. If U think U R going to make money racingou: (i have a roadracer for you)
Been there done that! (SCCA NAT DIRECTOR AND NYR DIRECTOR, INSTRUCTOR ETC) It is the people and BUICKS.
Screw the politics. I will be a member and help. (I think everyone knows this. Esp the NEGSGN Club.( I will not accept or run for any office ever again.) Get involved in running a NON-Profit or For-Profit club again? NO WAY! (65,000 members) To much of all this B.S. and this before internet! Come have fun RACE, SEE FRIENDS, ENJOY.:beers2:

 

At this time I have DELETED any and all of my posts on this thread, except this one !!!

It has been two weeks and it seems that the powers to be care not to respond to the concerns of the Buick Community on this site or on their own site. Nothing has or ever will change.

I will not participate any longer and refuse to beat a dead horse.

As a business not making a profit, I see the handwrighting on the wall.

Good luck to the club and I hope they survive for the good of all who love Buicks.

 

I say go where you want to, who cares? I'll support my passion of Buicks by choosing to attend the GS Nationals. Whether or not it's like 1990, It is still the premier Buick event in the World.

 

:gp:

:beer


This is relieving and understandable news. If they are not going to listen to you, you should just leave it alone and move on. That is the best for all of the community.

As I suggested before, the "powers to be" have no responsibility to respond here or even on their own board - especially to those that do not attend the functions or belong to the business "club".

I too wish the club good luck and hope they continue surviving this downturn that our economy has had.

I wish you well with your endeavors and functions. Maybe we will meet at one of the functions and get some ideas off our chests on how to better the Buick community for all to enjoy.


Michael

 

If your not happy with the drag racing payout stick around till Sunday where Dallas pays a minimum of 3 classes and 16 cars each class.

 

The have some local ringers with regals running slow for dough..... i'll save my money:bla:

 

Not to beat a dead horse, but you forgot one. :bglasses:

 

Sorry Alan, I just saw this question...

They have valid concerns, but are they exactly the reason for leaving is the question. They may very well be. Another point that I have tried to get across, but has not been understood (at least not admit they understand it) is that by coming here and complaining is not the best solution. They need to call Richard or Ron and voice their concerns. Even not being a member and state that these are reasons they do not want to support the club. I do not know for sure, but feel that this action has never been taken. Especially in a manner that is portrayed in many posts here that they want to club to succeed.

Posting issues like this on a forum is not the best method to approach with. On the phone is better, and in person is truely the best. We can't hear, see or give expressions when typing and/or reading. We tend to read into the comments with what we expect to receive, not exactly what is meant. I have always tried to arrange in person discussions when something is wrong as it is easier to find solutions that each are satisfied with.



Michael

 

In post #168 Jim you put everything into perspective. Doubt it could be said any better. From my own point of view I couldn't possibly care less about the politics and even the payouts for that matter. I have made it to 5 nationals from a distance of about 2500 miles one way and 2 trips to the Reynolds GA event. In 2001 I thought I was attending an event sponsered by Muscle Car Review Magazine only to get there and find out the Mag had folded and so no sponsership. As Luck would have it I won the Stock Appearing event and then went on to win the King of the Hill event against the winner of the Modifieds. Winnings----- Zero. Not even a trophy. LOL. It still didn't deter my enthusiasm for attending other GSCA events. I look forward to the racing for the sake of racing, The car show to remind myself how these cars are supposed to look, and the vendors to locate some hard to find and ship parts. As far as Bennett Jones goes I find him quite interesting to talk to. He has seen more of Canada than I have from the seat of a bicycle no less and has resolved a few issues to my satisfaction as they arose. So it is not all negative. The last year I attended BG (2007) was the first year of Jim Roger's Stock Appearing event. I lost due to a blown posi in the final round but was ecstatic with the runner up prizes. I haven't raced for 4 years now solely due to the economic downturn, but I haven't given up on building a purpose built SA car to attend the GSCA Buick Nationals at a later date. I have every confidence that the event will survive and we will see some better turnouts and even payouts in the future.

 

Thanks Tom. I think we all, especially me, could benefit from looking at things with your perspective.

We have missed having you at the Nationals and hope that some day it is possible for you to come back again.

 

Sorry for the late reply,but I certainly appreciate your congratulations to me,Jim!! The two prestigeous awards my 1970 GS Stage 1 received are great honors indeed,and with heartfelt thanks I do thank the GSCA and Karen Miller for presenting them to me. (As a side note: As you and other people know,my GS was not in the best of shape and required many years and hours of extensive restoration that I performed except for the professional paint and bodywork performed by Gran Sport Autobody. You certainly played a part for donating various NOS parts that I put on my car and I truly thank you for those,Jim!)I had a great time as usual and saw many friends that I have known for the 25 years of going to the nationals. For me,I truly enjoy the nationals every year and anxiously wait for each and every nationals. I look forward to seeing everyone once again this year and will see you all in October!!

And No,The Buick GS Nationals are not dead,they're alive!

 

I happen to like the change to October since the weather is more favorable compared to the past 2 decades.

 

So, when it the 2012 GSCA nats this year?

Tim