I'm a few months new membere to the C3VR and have already receivewed valuable insight from the membership and this website!!! 

 

Gatherings always offer attendance challenges for those who would like to attend.  Distance and associated time and cost is a big one.  I support your intent and the benefits of one large annual event.  However after reading some of the reasons posted for not attending and what would be my own in the future, I'm wondering if smaller regional gatherings under the C3VR heading might allow greater participation.  Based on the members locations, a regional location might be selected.  I know this paradigm shift wouldn't be without its opportunities/challenges i.e. regional representative, agenda etc.  Just a scaled down version held regionally (regions to be defined i.e. XXX sq milles or combination of states keeping it compact) and throughout the year depending on regional weather constraints.  And for those with the time and money, they would be welcome to attend as many regions as they liked.  Scheduling these around other large competing Corvette gatherings would also be a consideration, but could be an advantage.

 

I'm not planning on attending this years C3VR gathering.  For a year I've been saving and planning on participating in the National Corvette Caravan, which happens only once every 5 yrs.  At 67 who knows?   I'm taking my '98 C5 back to its birthplace, so this year that is the major focus for my free time and money.  However smaller regional C3 gatherings might be a fit/consideration.

 

I'm just offering a thought to ponder for the future.  While one large event draws a certain number or % of  the membership, perhaps regional gatherings would in the aggregate, make attendance and participation more attainable.

 

Just a thought from a newbie,

 

God Bless,

rick

Welcome to the Shark Tank!!!

You have very valid points and they are much appreciated. 

The neat thing about C3VR is that there are "unofficial" regional events. All it requires is for someone or a group to take the initiative to pick a time, place and agenda. Then invite everyone to join in on the fun.

 I have done this a couple of times for the northeast. Others have done it as well.

You just missed the 2013 Gathering. Or were you there?

I hope to meet you at the NCM Caravan. We plan to get together for dinner that Friday evening in Cave City. Watch for a new thread soon.

 

Thanks for you response and sharing the unofficial gathering.  I missed your recent annual gathering in Colorado Springs, as I only just got my first year '68 Shark in late Oct.  Interesting that I didn't hear anything about it through my local Corvette club.  Is there an out reach for these events through local corvette car clubs?  You might attract new members to C3VR.

 

I'll keep an eye out for these unofficial gathering that might be within my miles and $$$ limits.

 

As for the Corvette Caravan, all my reservations have been made.  Although I know all corvettes are welcome, I will be driving my C5 for the creature comforts and since it was born in Bowling Green.

 

Thanks again,

rick

 

I have to say when I stray from Stock, the flag colors will be a priority!

 

Are you anywhere near Kingston NY?  I've been tracing the history of my '68 and it was sold in 1999 from Jim Glass Corvettes Kingston NY.  I contacted him and he went into his attic and found some of the mileage certificate and sales documents and made copies and is sending them  to me.  Nice guy.

 

rick

 

Time would be my primary reason...closely followed by trusting the car...and by default, lots of money to support the previously mentioned two reasons.

 

I think most of us here pretty much need 2 to 3 weeks of time to go long distance in a car that may or may not be completly trusted. And with that being said, you have to consider what would happen if you did break down. Knowing my luck, I would break down in the middle of the night, 300 miles from anything that resembles a town, cell phone goes dead, and the nearest Chevy dealer in another 400 miles out, and they wouldn't have the part that caused you to break down in the first place. No body carries 30 to 40 year old parts anymore. 

 

For me, anything outside the State of Florida, or to even consider a trip to the west coast in the '82, is where the 'trust' factor/issue comes in. I think if I was to take such a undertaking of about 2000 miles, I would first dedicate that distance to a long time bucket list of completing the entire distance of Route 66 (Chicago - Santa Monica). Not to say that I would never do a C3 event until Route 66 is accomplished, its just my personal priority if I going to travel great distances in an old car, Route 66 would most likely get first dibs. Would I combine Route 66 and a C3 event? Of course! But read on...

 

Combining events...hmmmmmmmmmmm...getting that one past the wife alone is more monumental than having brain surgery while having dental implants done at the same time. She does not have the same endurance when it comes to the '82. She loves the car, but when I mention I want to go a couple of hours to a car show, she bows out. She would rather do anything distance wise in the '06. Time, distance, money, and heat all become factors with her (sometimes with me too) when the '82 is mentioned or involved with a planned or scheduled activity. And when you combine other activites in our lives such as Bike Week, Biketoberfest, events in and around Daytona/Orlando, the beach, local car and Corvette stuff, mulitple relatives/children wanting our attention, money, and vacation time...it all leaves very little time for anything else (yes, we both have Harleys). I know, simple little reasons, but yet, reasons nonetheless. Now you see how 2 or 3 weeks can be used up fairly quickly. I think I should mention at this time too...where's there vacations, so goes the money close behind...  

 

Just my 2 cents!