Entry Fee for Beaumiont TX National Show ???

[CharlesTurner]

If the current BOD is going to listen to anyone on the subject of judging, it should be Charles Turner.

Thanks for the vote of confidence, but I'm just an outsider these days. They are always welcome to contact me for input, I'm a dues paying member just like everyone else.

[b17drvr]

MCA, your at 30,000 feet and you've lost an engine, you need to ask for an emergency landing real soon before you crash and burn, and Mr. Valeri seems to be your pilot!

Just because you lose an engine at 30000' (actually flight level 300) does not mean you will crash and burn ( since you said an engine and not the engine, you mean a multi engine aircraft) I routinely fly over the Pacific in two engine aircraft, and if I lose an engine I have up to 3 hours to get to an alternate on one engine. Losing an engine does not mean a "crash and burn" is imminent.

Sorry for the tread drift.

[66fastback]

Just because you lose an engine at 30000' (actually flight level 300) does not mean you will crash and burn ( since you said an engine and not the engine, you mean a multi engine aircraft) I routinely fly over the Pacific in two engine aircraft, and if I lose an engine I have up to 3 hours to get to an alternate on one engine. Losing an engine does not mean a "crash and burn" is imminent.

Sorry for the tread drift.

So the MCA has three hours to get its act together........

[74384]

I wasn't going to get into this any more because in November, MCA is getting my card in the mail. But let me say this:
1. George said, " non-MCA cars beat me out, and that frosted me, I started this change".
2. The last GN would have lost $8,000.00 with these 2013 rules in place.
3. The prices have to go up in 2013 in order to cover the losses these rules are going to create.
4. Your car is worth something if you care for it. Not because MCA judges it and gives you a trophy.
5. Our club sent a letter to MCA about the rule changes, and it wasn't even answered.

Guy's, this is a problem and nobody's listening! You clubs in 2013 holding a show, good luck, your going to need it!

I have been a board member, a vice president, and now a president of my club. I am giving that up, not to put up with MCA any longer!

[fastlane65]

The only true benefit to most MCA local clubs is the low cost insurance. If there was another avenue to give our club a $1 million policy for $3 a member, we'd be all over it and not worrying about MCA. We would still have plenty of members that would pay their MCA dues and enjoy the MCA shows, but we wouldn't be forcing other financially strapped members to pay an extra $50 membership every year just to meet a quota.

Many have been saying this for a while, but haven't been heard: until the MCA can give everyone equally great benefits for joining, the membership will evaporate. There is a limited supply of concourse perfect 66 GT fastbacks in the world. Once they have all their grill medallions, judging won't matter. X-plan pricing is nice, but most people can get that through their employer, civic organization or church these days, and dealers can offer the same price outright if you work with them. Very few of the vendors on the "benefits" list hold value for more than a small segment of the members. One of the main benefits of being a member was a discounted show entry, and now that is gone.

I joined MCA in the early '80s when I got my first car - a '66 coupe. I was a teenager and didn't have a lot of money, and after a few years I realized I was getting nothing for my dues, so i didn't renew. Sure, I got a magazine and a sticker, but nothing I saw a a benefit. About 15 years ago I rejoined. Now I am beginning to feel like I did when I quit 30 years ago - where is the benefit for my membership?

MCA officials should be begging people to join, not arguing with them about getting judged at a show. Dues are high because fewer people have to pay more to meet the same overhead. Supply and demand. Supply something people really want and they will demand to join. A monthly magazine and some judging rules aren't the ticket to the future of MCA.

And - - - anyone that gets "frosted" because their car lost to another car that didn't pay $50 to join the club.... George, I've seen your car. I like your car. It is a wonderful car. I totally respect you because it is a driven car, not a total trailer queen. Whats more important - that huge hunk of metal that lets you travel around with the wind in your hair (or scalp for some of us) and your girl at your side, or that $14 trophy?

[CW4macret]

I have read allot differing points of view on the issue of MCA rule changes BOD decisions and agree in today’s world of video teleconferencing, mass email and on line polls the BOD should reach out to the membership for concensus when changing rules, increasing dues or planning celebrations that are outside the box. That being the case I plan on attending the Regional Directors meeting in Dallas this October where the issues can be discussed with all the members of the BOD in open forum. I hope all of you who have raised issues on this forum will send your clubs regional director or president loaded up with your issues and your clubs position on them. It is open to all members so you can attend also.

[aslan]

"Add 40 more for those shows. So for 2011 MCA took in 240 members." This needs to be put into the context of what it was 5, 6, 7, etc. years ago. Still haven't seen stats on membership now versus 5 years. . .anywhere I can find that?
Stan

[xcalakmatt]

We are held to the new MCA rules in 2013 for ALL participants to be MCA members, with ALL entries having to be pre-registered, taking away the incentive for reduced early registration prices, and MCA member discounts. You cannot compare this years shows with next years due to these new rules. The cost of the facility is not out of line, it is a great venue, with great facilities.

After going to poniesinthepark.com to register for next years national show in Beaumont I stopped dead in my tracks.
$75 with NO early or MCA member discount?? Really guys?
To compare: this years Grand National in Mustang, OK is $60 with a $10 discount for MCA members.
So Beaumont needs to be 50% higher??
Is the cost of your facility out of line?
I also noticed that a vendor space was $50? Someone that's attending to promote/sell a product should be able to pay their fair share. It takes the teamwork of the show organiser, car owners and vendors to put on a successful show
I understand shows are expensive to produce, but the cart needs to be pulled appropriately.
Perhaps hiring someone on a commission basis to sell sponsorships/advertising/vendor space, etc would help bring down your net cost.
My opinion is that your putting too much of the burden of pulling the cart on the car owner.
Just my 2 cents - carry on.

[xcalakmatt]

How can it be "apple to apples" when there is no longer an MCA discount in 2013, nor a pre-registrant discount?? Why is it costing you $50 for the Grand National?? Because you ARE and MCA member which qualifies you for the discount...which will no longer be the case next year as EVERYONE will have to be MCA members. Now it is an option as you said, which make the MCA membership benficial because you get the discount. When everyone is an MCA member, the playing field is level, and NOONE gets the discount.

I am aware of those changes. It is completely apples to apples to compare a 2012 show cost to a 2013 show cost. I'm a member of MCA and preregistered for the 2012 Grand National - it cost me $50. I am still a member of MCA and am trying to preregister - my cost will be $75!!! You can't get any more apples to apples than that. Just because it wasn't required in 2012 and it is in 2013 doesn't change the fact that I meeting the same criteria and my cost is 50% higher. Whether it's a "new requirement" or an "option" (as it was in 2012), it's still the same guidelines being met with a 50% higher cost. I can't believe you would state it's "apples to oranges". Pretty simple - it is costing me $50 to register/attend the 2012 Grand National and it will cost me $75 if I choose to attend your show.
I'll bring up my point again that expenses need to be shared more equitably and you need to find a way to bring your net cost down instead of just passing it along to the car owners.
Thank you for your time.
Respectfully, Jimmy Austin

[jacostang]

These new rules will not produce new memberships in the droves that people are thinking, they keep the shows within the silos of the MCA and not draw new prospective members in. We should be welcoming non members in and showing them what we are about. Charging them $50 on top of the registration for being a non member will not be beneficial to the MCA.....