That is something that people on the Oz_Clio_Sport list have said too. A few of us members suggested that people talk about the clubs when in need of a service, or an update, or a technical fix and suddenly because they are members they get a better deal, a better service or a more talkative service rep. Great news for club members and its great to hear that Renault are really supporting the clubs to the dealership level.
Ren_sport Car Club
- Thread starter Ren_Sport
- Start date
Things are obviously different in the Eastern states. The few times I tried to query for a discount when I was a member of the RCCSA (back when it existed), I just got laughed out of the shop. Frankly, I find the assumption that an establishment would even know of the clubs existence - let alone give a discount with no guarantee of repeat business - suprising. If I was a running a small business and some guy came in pleading for a discount belonging to an unheard-of-club, I'd certainly be very dubious about it.
The R15/R17 register situation is interesting. I remember when there was a big brouhaha about "combining" with the RCCV etc.
As far as I remember the R15/R17 Register basically said "Thanks, but no thanks", much to the RCCV's apparent disgust.
I don't believe the register ever set out to upset or "beat" any car club, it just happened that there were many "like minded enthusiasts" who perhaps wouldn't be interested in going through the whole car club process, but wouldn't mind a bit of companionship and the odd Sunday drive. In no way was the register ever going to "compete" with the RCCV, nor did it want to - the whole ethics of the organisation opposed the structured club arrangement.
Reading the register magazines located at this <a href="http://www.geocities.com/MotorCity/Speedway/9730/Reg/9/9.html" target="_blank">site</a> may be a way to gain some more insight into the registers goals.
I cannot figure out why the RCCV consistently presents itself as a big hairy monster as soon as someone even hints they might be interested in doing something that is related to Renaults. The argument put forth in an earlier post relating to the supposed "absorption" of the R15/R17 register into the RCCV is a fine example. Let it be said that this is NOT the case.
The Lotus Europa "club" (if you can call it that) was put forth as an example of a different way in which people can obtain the knowledge and companionship etc. It works especially well on an international basis, something that a local club would find a little harder to satisfy IMO
The R15/R17 register situation is interesting. I remember when there was a big brouhaha about "combining" with the RCCV etc.
As far as I remember the R15/R17 Register basically said "Thanks, but no thanks", much to the RCCV's apparent disgust.
I don't believe the register ever set out to upset or "beat" any car club, it just happened that there were many "like minded enthusiasts" who perhaps wouldn't be interested in going through the whole car club process, but wouldn't mind a bit of companionship and the odd Sunday drive. In no way was the register ever going to "compete" with the RCCV, nor did it want to - the whole ethics of the organisation opposed the structured club arrangement.
Reading the register magazines located at this <a href="http://www.geocities.com/MotorCity/Speedway/9730/Reg/9/9.html" target="_blank">site</a> may be a way to gain some more insight into the registers goals.
I cannot figure out why the RCCV consistently presents itself as a big hairy monster as soon as someone even hints they might be interested in doing something that is related to Renaults. The argument put forth in an earlier post relating to the supposed "absorption" of the R15/R17 register into the RCCV is a fine example. Let it be said that this is NOT the case.
The Lotus Europa "club" (if you can call it that) was put forth as an example of a different way in which people can obtain the knowledge and companionship etc. It works especially well on an international basis, something that a local club would find a little harder to satisfy IMO
Is that really true, or something which only happens here and there? Do you have many dealers with members? Which dealers give special benefits to Renault Car Club members?
From what I can gather, the PCCV doesn't really get you any real benefits with the Peugeot dealer network. Of course, there may be some differences.
<small>[ 27 March 2003, 09:38 AM: Message edited by: Pug307 ]</small>
When the RCCSA was around, Champions did offer and give discount (seemingly trade prices to Club members). However Jacques the Shark didn't, stating that there were not enough Renault's in the club to make it viable to offer discount. I think that was more on the opinion of one of their employees though more than anything else.
However in the post RCCSA days I did also get a substantial (well seemingly) discount on parts purchased from the then Renault dealer, even though I wasn't a member of a club. Clubs are like cars, some are worth joining, and others just annoy more than anything else. It is all a matter of personal taste and interests.
Is it true?
I can say that when I purchased my Clio Sport, well.. they hadnt had anyone else walk in and order one at the time. It was a day after I got back from the Melbourne Motorshow in 2001. At the dealer launch and various times I went to the dealership I was recognised and had my questions answered. I'm sure not many of the "general public" spoke to the bosses of the dealership or of Renault/Nissan, but plenty of the RCCA members did. The people we spoke to were all interested in the cars we had, had had in the past, and of course if we would be 'upgrading' to a new model. The salesperson I ordered the Clio from was certainly interested in my 5 GT Turbo when I went to the showroom one day. They were all very upbeat about how excited they were about getting into something new and different in the Australian market. Taking No. 1/85 Clio for a fang was also a different experience, I dont think that many of the public were told to treat it how they wanted to.
Clio Sport buyers and owners have definitely found an increased level of service if they mention they are club members. Of course, and unfortunately, this sometimes relates to issues that have not been solved with various cars. Happily I'm able to say that most people seem to have their stuff sorted out now. I'd like to quote though (without permission but its anon anyway)
"-since I mentioned i was RCCV member, and cliosport forum issues, i get treated with more respect than i have ever found in car industry.
like i actually know what i am talking about!!! very satisfying."
I think thats one of the things that I found. In a lot of ways I knew more about my arriving Clio than Renault did. I knew of issues that people had found in Europe and told the dealership about them. They certainly listened when it was either an issue with a model, or even just a general knowledge thing from the current range or from historical models.
I can say that when I purchased my Clio Sport, well.. they hadnt had anyone else walk in and order one at the time. It was a day after I got back from the Melbourne Motorshow in 2001. At the dealer launch and various times I went to the dealership I was recognised and had my questions answered. I'm sure not many of the "general public" spoke to the bosses of the dealership or of Renault/Nissan, but plenty of the RCCA members did. The people we spoke to were all interested in the cars we had, had had in the past, and of course if we would be 'upgrading' to a new model. The salesperson I ordered the Clio from was certainly interested in my 5 GT Turbo when I went to the showroom one day. They were all very upbeat about how excited they were about getting into something new and different in the Australian market. Taking No. 1/85 Clio for a fang was also a different experience, I dont think that many of the public were told to treat it how they wanted to.
Clio Sport buyers and owners have definitely found an increased level of service if they mention they are club members. Of course, and unfortunately, this sometimes relates to issues that have not been solved with various cars. Happily I'm able to say that most people seem to have their stuff sorted out now. I'd like to quote though (without permission but its anon anyway)
"-since I mentioned i was RCCV member, and cliosport forum issues, i get treated with more respect than i have ever found in car industry.
like i actually know what i am talking about!!! very satisfying."
I think thats one of the things that I found. In a lot of ways I knew more about my arriving Clio than Renault did. I knew of issues that people had found in Europe and told the dealership about them. They certainly listened when it was either an issue with a model, or even just a general knowledge thing from the current range or from historical models.
I still don't think it really matters to the dealer whether you area club member though. Years ago when I used to bug the local dealer about, um, a 19 16V, they were quite interested in the differences after they tried offering me a standard 19 with a body kit. I said I'd rather have the engine and suspension without any body kit. However they said they would like to supply the cars but they were unlikely to be brought in, but at least they did show an interest rather than just tell me to go away. Surely the sign of a professional dealer more than anything else.
Here at work a WRX owner took a new S1 RSC for a spin at the local dealer and was told to "drive it like you stole it" probably not a good thing to do, but it was a totally free hand none the less.
The R15/17 register was never absorbed into the RCCV, all I said was the founding members are now members of RCCV. The 15/17 is still a sepperate organisation, the RCCV suggested that they become members for the benifit of the register, not the club, because of insurance reasons and the reasons I said before in regards to a Clio register, the 15/17 register said thanks but no thanks and in hindsight it's rather a pity.
Knowing the register organisers as well as I do, I know the register never wanted to take over the RCCV but there were so strong during the 90's rumours were flying.
Do you really want to know how much Renault Australia support the club? Only the RCCV members will know exactly how much Renault Australia gave us for the All French Car Day, and how much there giving us for our 50th birthday party. I phone them when ever we have a problem and the only thing they've deniyed us from is meeting the F1 team, everything else they bend over backwards to help out. A lot of our members have bought new cars and all talk about the service they got when mention RCCV. I got the royal treatment myself at the motor show, the Renault stand manager, (Donna her name is) could talk old and new Renaults as well as I could. One of the dealers even gives the club a kick back for every new or used car they sell to a member.
I understand all you cynics and in the old days it would never happen but these days it is fantastic.
I have in my house some promotonal videos belonging to Renault Australia that they told me to hang on to in case the club wanted to see them.
Back in the dark days of Volvo distributorship we just would never have thought it possible but I must point out that I've heard some dealerships are asking to see your membership cards in case anyone has any smart ideas.
David.
Knowing the register organisers as well as I do, I know the register never wanted to take over the RCCV but there were so strong during the 90's rumours were flying.
Do you really want to know how much Renault Australia support the club? Only the RCCV members will know exactly how much Renault Australia gave us for the All French Car Day, and how much there giving us for our 50th birthday party. I phone them when ever we have a problem and the only thing they've deniyed us from is meeting the F1 team, everything else they bend over backwards to help out. A lot of our members have bought new cars and all talk about the service they got when mention RCCV. I got the royal treatment myself at the motor show, the Renault stand manager, (Donna her name is) could talk old and new Renaults as well as I could. One of the dealers even gives the club a kick back for every new or used car they sell to a member.
I understand all you cynics and in the old days it would never happen but these days it is fantastic.
I have in my house some promotonal videos belonging to Renault Australia that they told me to hang on to in case the club wanted to see them.
Back in the dark days of Volvo distributorship we just would never have thought it possible but I must point out that I've heard some dealerships are asking to see your membership cards in case anyone has any smart ideas.
David.
That's good to hear.
Doesn't surprise me in regards to Volvo Australia. Sure, they put club info in the owners' magazine, but their PR guy is nicknamed in the industry as "Granville", and well, you don't get that for nothing!
Doesn't surprise me in regards to Volvo Australia. Sure, they put club info in the owners' magazine, but their PR guy is nicknamed in the industry as "Granville", and well, you don't get that for nothing!
I'm not sure who would have started "rumours" other than bored committee members in a club with a low active membership wondering what they were doing wrong...
I suspect many people who were happy to be in a register didn't join the club because of all the aforementioned reasons - they didn't join because they weren't interested in the commitment and cost (in time and money) that a club requires. The occasional drive day / newsletter was more "their scene"
Not everyone (and their respective partner!) is a rabid car enthusiast. A good example would be the last Vic French car day. Bitumen airport car parks on a 35 degree summer day cannot compete with a nice drive up to Maroondah dam. The latter event would attract many more casual car enthusiasts (ie. trad R15/R17 register members) than the former. I know I'm going to have to work damn hard to convince my partner to come to the next Vic French car day - I'll have no hope in hell if it's going to be there again, looks like it will be a lonely trip!
So the register was more a gathering of like-minded people who were interested in a bit of socialising and driving. Some were into the "nuts and bolts" but many were just there for a picnic. Probably not a fashionable point of view in regards to the membership of this bulletin board, but there you go.
Ren_Sport,
You've gone very quiet, anything further to add to the discussion question
You've gone very quiet, anything further to add to the discussion question
Originally posted by Europa:
I'm not sure who would have started "rumours" other than bored committee members in a club with a low active membership wondering what they were doing wrong...
Europa, I don't understand what your saying. Why would RCCV or any club for that matter start rumours against themselves? That doesn't make sense to me.
I suspect many people who were happy to be in a register didn't join the club because of all the aforementioned reasons - they didn't join because they weren't interested in the commitment and cost (in time and money) that a club requires. The occasional drive day / newsletter was more "there scene"
I thought people joined a club or a register because they shared a common interest, call it a club, call it a register, if people are interested in what was on offer they joined. Every club I've ever seem, whether it be a car club of a darts club can only expect about 10% of it's members to be active, most members would rather sit at home and read there newsletter and come on the occasional drive. RCCV and the R15/17 register were the same, and the same theory applies to nearly every other organization I know of.
Not everyone (and their respective partner!) is a rabid car enthusiast. A good example would be the last Vic French car day. Bitumen airport car parks on a 35 degree summer day cannot compete with a nice drive up to Maroondah dam. The latter event would attract many more casual car enthusiasts (ie. trad R15/R17 register members) than the former. I know I'm going to have to work damn hard to convince my partner to come to the next Vic French car day - I'll have no hope in hell if it's giong to be there again, looks like it will be a lonely trip!
Now you've really lost me with this one. Were you even at the All French Car Day? Probably not. I seem to recall you were one of the whingers who wanted a venue that was immune to the weather so they didn't drive all the way here only to have it cancelled (as in 2000), so we give you a venue with hard surface so mud wouldn't be a problem, plenty of shade so the sun won't be a problem and still you whinge. Why?
Or are you one of those people who don't do anything except whing about everybody else, well if you are then please don't come next year because everyone else was so impressed with the venue that there is talk of it being held there next year. I shouldn't get upset, there was about 400 people there and only one whinge.
David.
I'm not sure who would have started "rumours" other than bored committee members in a club with a low active membership wondering what they were doing wrong...
Europa, I don't understand what your saying. Why would RCCV or any club for that matter start rumours against themselves? That doesn't make sense to me.
I suspect many people who were happy to be in a register didn't join the club because of all the aforementioned reasons - they didn't join because they weren't interested in the commitment and cost (in time and money) that a club requires. The occasional drive day / newsletter was more "there scene"
I thought people joined a club or a register because they shared a common interest, call it a club, call it a register, if people are interested in what was on offer they joined. Every club I've ever seem, whether it be a car club of a darts club can only expect about 10% of it's members to be active, most members would rather sit at home and read there newsletter and come on the occasional drive. RCCV and the R15/17 register were the same, and the same theory applies to nearly every other organization I know of.
Not everyone (and their respective partner!) is a rabid car enthusiast. A good example would be the last Vic French car day. Bitumen airport car parks on a 35 degree summer day cannot compete with a nice drive up to Maroondah dam. The latter event would attract many more casual car enthusiasts (ie. trad R15/R17 register members) than the former. I know I'm going to have to work damn hard to convince my partner to come to the next Vic French car day - I'll have no hope in hell if it's giong to be there again, looks like it will be a lonely trip!
Now you've really lost me with this one. Were you even at the All French Car Day? Probably not. I seem to recall you were one of the whingers who wanted a venue that was immune to the weather so they didn't drive all the way here only to have it cancelled (as in 2000), so we give you a venue with hard surface so mud wouldn't be a problem, plenty of shade so the sun won't be a problem and still you whinge. Why?
Or are you one of those people who don't do anything except whing about everybody else, well if you are then please don't come next year because everyone else was so impressed with the venue that there is talk of it being held there next year. I shouldn't get upset, there was about 400 people there and only one whinge.
David.
I tend to agree that Essendon airport carpark was a bit of a sad setting for a good show. If people are coming from interstate i can see the dissapointment. Its kinda like having the F1 Grand Prix in Adelaide mallet
But ofcourse, im from the opposite side of Melbourne (the good side
). My opinion is that next time we should exclude venues from the West and Northern suburbs. Ive been going to Uni at Footscray for 4 years and have passed through the other 'delightful' suburbs in Western Melbourne (St Albans, Broadmeadows, Campbelfield, Sunshine etc) and frankly, its the worst Melbourne has to offer.
Essendon airport carpark was more suited to a stolen-recovered car show But hey its only my opinion
But ofcourse, im from the opposite side of Melbourne (the good side
). My opinion is that next time we should exclude venues from the West and Northern suburbs. Ive been going to Uni at Footscray for 4 years and have passed through the other 'delightful' suburbs in Western Melbourne (St Albans, Broadmeadows, Campbelfield, Sunshine etc) and frankly, its the worst Melbourne has to offer.Essendon airport carpark was more suited to a stolen-recovered car show
But hey its only my opinionNot having been lucky enough to have attended this years Vic FCD (been to others in the past from 1989 though), the description given in the previous messages gives me mental images of the closing titles of one of my fave movies. Trafic with Jacques Tati.
Thanks Simon, thats pretty much the scene we wanted.
David.
What I was alluding to was the intense lobbying from the RCCV to the various R15/R17 Register members for the club to become amalgamated. It seemed to me that there was some feeling that the Register was doing something successfull and the club wasn't (ie. a single model club having a greater turn out to a French car day than the official "all model" club)
I believe the R15/R17 Register events had greater than 10% turnout at events that were held. I know what you mean regarding active members in club situations, this is a common problem. For some reason the register seemed to always have a good turnout.
I attended the All French car day, as previously mentioned in an earlier post. I am not alone in my thoughts regarding choice of venue. I just hate the "carpark" style car days, especially as for the previous events there have been some wonderful venues selected.
Your right, the register had good turn outs, but only some of the time, some of the runs there were less than 10 cars French Car Days are always a good turn out for all the clubs and probably not a true measure of member participation, the club is the same, we've had runs where there was just the committee and other runs with a great turn out, the 10% rule is an avarage only.
As for the your French Car Day comments, you do realise that the reason for the "carpark" style was for the benifit of the interstaters. After all the bagging we got from the cancelled 2000 event no one wanted it to happen again so to avoid it the car park was the obvious choice.
On the Friday before it bucketed down all day and everyone said how lucky we were that we were not on a oval, beleive me, it really did rain, I remember saying that although we desperately need rain please not this week end. So I'm annoyed about the negative comments because it was done that way to garrantee it would not be cancelled because of bad weather so the interstaters wont be pissed off again.
David.
As for the your French Car Day comments, you do realise that the reason for the "carpark" style was for the benifit of the interstaters. After all the bagging we got from the cancelled 2000 event no one wanted it to happen again so to avoid it the car park was the obvious choice.
On the Friday before it bucketed down all day and everyone said how lucky we were that we were not on a oval, beleive me, it really did rain, I remember saying that although we desperately need rain please not this week end. So I'm annoyed about the negative comments because it was done that way to garrantee it would not be cancelled because of bad weather so the interstaters wont be pissed off again.
David.
Yes, I know it rained very heavily for the previous couple of days to the event - when we flew in to Tullamarine, the pilot had to make two attempts at landing because of poor visibility.
When I was part of the organising committee for the all French automobile day in Adelaide (I was involved for about 10 years) we always tried to choose venues that had a "wet weather" capability.
ie. Seppeltsfield winery had a large grassed area as well as an adjoining white gravel car park. Car park would have been used in the event of rain (or overflow of cars), grassed area if conditions were favourable. Turned out OK, there was some rain earlier in the week but dampness was largely confined to two areas which were avoided.
That was an excellent location for many reasons:
1) Nice 80km drive to the location (organised departure & route)
2) Located in heart of Barossa, so alternative activities if people decided to leave earlier. Also attractive for interstate visitors.
3) Location is part of Seppelts winery, so people went on tours, tasted wines etc.
4) BBQ facilities were in existence so people could bring their own food and cook it.
5) Room for kids to race around safely and for partners or other "non-car loving" attendees to do other things
We had the most amazing turnouts to those events. People and cars came along that we had never seen before (and cars we never knew existed) - including a lot of vintage/veteran vehicles.
A lot of these people had never joined car clubs, nor were interested enough to join. These days had such a spread of activities that we were able to capture a new market, just for that event. We had many repeat visitors over the years, also many new ones. It was a great way to get people interested, it may have even caused a few to join the relevant car clubs.
In recent years the event has been run a lot differently to the past, the AFAD committee disbanded and the event was picked up by CAF. IMO it is not a patch on what it was.
So maybe a venue can be found that is similar in Victoria. I can't believe SA has a monopoly on recreation areas with alternative "hard ground" facilities should they be required. I think at least one of the past venues had that capability (was it a Uni oval on the eastern side of town?)
Or maybe people could be encouraged to travel to one of the wine growing areas. Based on the previous articles written on Aussiefrogs, I'm sure a lot of people would enjoy a drive to the venue.
Insurance shouldn't be a problem in this case, if a destination and time is given and it is left up to individuals to find the most appropriate route.
When I was part of the organising committee for the all French automobile day in Adelaide (I was involved for about 10 years) we always tried to choose venues that had a "wet weather" capability.
ie. Seppeltsfield winery had a large grassed area as well as an adjoining white gravel car park. Car park would have been used in the event of rain (or overflow of cars), grassed area if conditions were favourable. Turned out OK, there was some rain earlier in the week but dampness was largely confined to two areas which were avoided.
That was an excellent location for many reasons:
1) Nice 80km drive to the location (organised departure & route)
2) Located in heart of Barossa, so alternative activities if people decided to leave earlier. Also attractive for interstate visitors.
3) Location is part of Seppelts winery, so people went on tours, tasted wines etc.
4) BBQ facilities were in existence so people could bring their own food and cook it.
5) Room for kids to race around safely and for partners or other "non-car loving" attendees to do other things
We had the most amazing turnouts to those events. People and cars came along that we had never seen before (and cars we never knew existed) - including a lot of vintage/veteran vehicles.
A lot of these people had never joined car clubs, nor were interested enough to join. These days had such a spread of activities that we were able to capture a new market, just for that event. We had many repeat visitors over the years, also many new ones. It was a great way to get people interested, it may have even caused a few to join the relevant car clubs.
In recent years the event has been run a lot differently to the past, the AFAD committee disbanded and the event was picked up by CAF. IMO it is not a patch on what it was.
So maybe a venue can be found that is similar in Victoria. I can't believe SA has a monopoly on recreation areas with alternative "hard ground" facilities should they be required. I think at least one of the past venues had that capability (was it a Uni oval on the eastern side of town?)
Or maybe people could be encouraged to travel to one of the wine growing areas. Based on the previous articles written on Aussiefrogs, I'm sure a lot of people would enjoy a drive to the venue.
Insurance shouldn't be a problem in this case, if a destination and time is given and it is left up to individuals to find the most appropriate route.
Free speech is truely wonderful, as is the individuals right to choose which events to attend or not!!!!!
The positive feedback so far is i believe enough to applaud the organisers and to hold future events at Essendon also during the FCD we were approached by a Hotrod club member for details on hiring the grounds. Personally i see being part of a car CLUB as helping to promote sensible and safe driving practices, that being so any event under the auspices of a car club being held at a winery or ending up at a pub is irresponsible.
Even if the driver dosen't drink it gives the wrong message to the children involved with their parents activities.
And before you start, no i'm not a wouser i enjoy a Rum & coke occasionally but NEVER within 4 hours of driving and i believe the limit should be "00" for all drivers not just P platers.
2_cents
The positive feedback so far is i believe enough to applaud the organisers and to hold future events at Essendon also during the FCD we were approached by a Hotrod club member for details on hiring the grounds. Personally i see being part of a car CLUB as helping to promote sensible and safe driving practices, that being so any event under the auspices of a car club being held at a winery or ending up at a pub is irresponsible.
Even if the driver dosen't drink it gives the wrong message to the children involved with their parents activities.
And before you start, no i'm not a wouser i enjoy a Rum & coke occasionally but NEVER within 4 hours of driving and i believe the limit should be "00" for all drivers not just P platers.
2_cents
Believe me, it wasn't the sort of event where people embarrassed themselves WRT over-consumption of alcohol.
I would imagine most people would have had a glass of wine or a beer over a Sunday lunch in the country before driving home.
I find the suggestion that this would endanger lives or teach children bad habits quite
preposterous.
I would imagine most people would have had a glass of wine or a beer over a Sunday lunch in the country before driving home.
I find the suggestion that this would endanger lives or teach children bad habits quite
preposterous.