Ideas for Fall 11' Spring 12'

[Ryan T]

If anyone, whether MM function or just wanting to go, ever wants to do TOTD my house is pretty much halfway between Harrisonburg and the dragon, I'd be happy to offer free lodging (re: floor space).

I think the Nascar idea would be fun too. We've got members near three of the most exciting tracks on the circuit (Justin and whomever else by Richmond, Lee at Lowes, and me at Bristol). And Jake, if you've gotten your fill of drunk rednecks at hyperfest than you're right, you don't need to go to a Nascar race, because those two events aren't even in the same ballpark.

[JustinG]

if you've gotten your fill of drunk rednecks at hyperfest than you're right, you don't need to go to a Nascar race, because those two events aren't even in the same ballpark.

I guess its more fun when your one of the drunk rednecks....

[Ryan T]

Agreed. Around here the Nascar race isn't just a day of racing, it's a week long event. People roll in with their campers and tents a good 5 or 6 days before the race.

[V1GiLaNtE]

I never got to make it out but I'd like to go to the "strip" with a group sometime again..

EDIT: Hell I still haven't been to a Rally-X.. THIS is on my bucket list..

[NTIman]

Agreed. Around here the Nascar race isn't just a day of racing, it's a week long event. People roll in with their campers and tents a good 5 or 6 days before the race.

Actually, speaking of that, the Charlotte race(s) in May bring a ton of stuff to do: Speedstreet in Charlotte itself with live music, etc, a truck race, sprint all star race, coke 600, nationwide race, plus late model dirt track racing. It actually falls Memorial day weekend, which is obviously after the semester ends, which could be good or bad.

Just think of stuff outside the norm. Not everyone has to enjoy everything or want to be a part of it. NASA racing in this area bores the crap out of me. I enjoy going to hang out with people, and now that I do the picture taking thing, it gives me a way to enjoy it. I hate drag racing too, but given the right crowd, I'd take the Corolla down the strip

[Jake]

does a switch turn as you move out of harrisonburg? just watch the great hate key words

It's not that a switch turned. It's just that at the last meeting of this school year, at which we had an "open forum" and elections, we had students who never came to any events try to suggest events that we had already done. And when you do other events (like group drives) where nice requests are blatantly ignored, you get a little pessimistic about said group drives.

I'm not trying to stir shit for the sake of stirring shit. I'm just relaying my experiences as a leader of the club that defined my college experience. I'd hate to see it lose the focus or get the charter revoked for something dumb. Do other events, sure, but remain true to the core that attracted all of us in the first place.

[D_Eclipse9916]

[NTIman]

How about crewing for teams/drivers at events? I know this is a little harder because we don't have a lot of racers in the club currently, but a lot of drivers/racers could use an extra set of hands during the weekend, and I'm sure someone involved with the club knows about them

[Goodspeed]

Joeeey, Joey my dear man - its cool, be calm. Serenity now, Serenity now. :lol:

This is a thread for ideas. Not necessarily good ones, and those will be thrown out I'm sure. Its part of the brain storming process. You could've grumped the pants off of Scrooge McDuck with that one :wink: (if he wore pants that is)

Here's an idea, going along you're "this is a motorsports club, not a club for all people" credo (which is correct) - if people are being dumbshits (listen up incoming officers): KICK THEM THE F*CK OUT OF THE CLUB.

If it takes you more than once to set them straight, after explaining how they represent the club to JMU and the public, tell them they're no longer welcome. Tell them to peel off any MM stickers and move on. I prefer being hard-line (and I/we were) to thinning the schedule of events.

The fact of the matter is, some people need nurturing and group activity to turn them into the people we want them to be. A balls-out, busted knuckles hardcore motorsport club is cool, but without some introductory/gateway events that are low-pressure, the club will be in for a hurtin'.

[G.Irish]

How about crewing for teams/drivers at events? I know this is a little harder because we don't have a lot of racers in the club currently, but a lot of drivers/racers could use an extra set of hands during the weekend, and I'm sure someone involved with the club knows about them

Crewing would be an easy way to get involved in motorsports and get a taste of what pro racing is like. It's hard work, but it can be really fun and rewarding. Depending on how mechanically inclined someone is, they could easily jump in and crew for one of the bigger club racing teams. Next step would be Grand Am, and they have a race at VIR and at NJMP. A lot of the teams have room for local volunteer crew.

[V1GiLaNtE]

^ Now that would be one helluva a weekend..

[Jewels]

Also, keep in mind that your officers include an Alumni council this year. Goodspeed isn't wrong, if the idiots want to be idiots, then they don't have to be a part of this club. You can also have events that the officers have to sign off on for you to attend. TOTD, you gotta prove to this club you want to be safe and smart on the road. By having to have approval from the officers that allows for people who don't take this seriously to not be admitted to drive, they can attend, but don't need to be behind the wheel. I think getting Skyline Drive cruises together is a good way to have alumni come out, because its in between here and NOVA. I think going down to VIR for a Grand Am race would be awesome. I'm sure Mitchum Motorsports would let us at least watch them in action, that Camaro has an MM sticker on it somewhere.

Also, alumni, Our house is 10 minutes from Verona, if you ever want to come down for an autox, you are welcome to stay with us, we have 1 extra bed currently, and are working at getting another bedroom set up, and we have tons of floor space.

[NTIman]

How about crewing for teams/drivers at events? I know this is a little harder because we don't have a lot of racers in the club currently, but a lot of drivers/racers could use an extra set of hands during the weekend, and I'm sure someone involved with the club knows about them

Crewing would be an easy way to get involved in motorsports and get a taste of what pro racing is like. It's hard work, but it can be really fun and rewarding. Depending on how mechanically inclined someone is, they could easily jump in and crew for one of the bigger club racing teams. Next step would be Grand Am, and they have a race at VIR and at NJMP. A lot of the teams have room for local volunteer crew.

If I ever had get things worked out with my girlfriend as to where we'll live (together) I would definitely be in for helping someone at each race. Great way to learnnew skills, even if you're not too mechanically proficient.

[D_Eclipse9916]

Also, alumni, Our house is 10 minutes from Verona, if you ever want to come down for an autox, you are welcome to stay with us, we have 1 extra bed currently, and are working at getting another bedroom set up, and we have tons of floor space.

...Do you have room for a truck and my trailer? hock:

This next year Cassie is going to be in a bunch of apartments (stonegate) that isnt so friendly for a high-profile car around drunk college kids so im trying to figure out where the heck I can park the combo when im in town for Verona Autocrosses.

[SlimKlim]

Here's an idea, going along you're "this is a motorsports club, not a club for all people" credo (which is correct) - if people are being dumbshits (listen up incoming officers): KICK THEM THE F*CK OUT OF THE CLUB.

If it takes you more than once to set them straight, after explaining how they represent the club to JMU and the public, tell them they're no longer welcome. Tell them to peel off any MM stickers and move on. I prefer being hard-line (and I/we were) to thinning the schedule of events.

The fact of the matter is, some people need nurturing and group activity to turn them into the people we want them to be. A balls-out, busted knuckles hardcore motorsport club is cool, but without some introductory/gateway events that are low-pressure, the club will be in for a hurtin'.

I agree with you. However i my experience it isn't one out of control asshole and 15 responsible citizens with halo's on their head. Its easy to identify and kick out one bad egg, its been done before, it'll be done again. Its more like a whole group of angsty, tailgating, inexperienced drivers with a lil' bit of something to prove. If you kicked them all out of the club, no one would be here.

BBQs, Top Gear/movie nights, wrench days, a skyline cruise, wash/wax days could all be good low-pressure events to get new people hangin out. And the best event yet, with a free cruise thrown in, is a good old fashioned, all-American, homegrown Verona autocross. Right in JMU's backyard, free and easy to spectate, people to talk to, cars to see, good noises and smells. mmmmm mmmmm good.

[Goodspeed]

OK well, if you have a club of 15 little rascals who are too immature for their age/to be behind the wheel of an automobile, then there are other problems entirely hock: . I wouldn't be gung-ho about getting people on track if they can't even drive to the track without being dickheads. I understand the catch-22 there though, all I can say to the incoming guys and gals is, uh...

Its been my experience, and I believe everyone before me, that a good, structured, formal meeting at the beginning of the year to give new members a good talking-to on what not to do was very sufficient at cutting down that kind of behavior. Again, whats in the water down in Hburg :lol: . Maybe the new officers will have more luck in this category.

[Jewels]

Maybe that's another thing to add. When we were "students" the meeting at least included some presentation on a different car each meeting. So everyone could learn from others. Just something to think of. Structuring the meeting so its a little more formal, might help to have people take it seriously. But again, if people can't even drive to the track without being jackasses, then that's definitely a problem that needs addressing.

[Sully]

Honestly, I enjoyed the atmosphere of the club that we had this past year. I don't think we need to change the entire way MM operates and we seemed to get by just fine without cruises. I'm going to say it again becasue I like reading my own posts. Karting is a very effective way to encourage participation without any risk to life or property. Top Gear Nights are a great way to socialize as well as other things but those are nothing new. I understand everyone wants new and exciting, but if it works why not just increase the frequency of what we did.

Yea trips down to places are great too, but they kinda need to be reserved for the summer. I noticed that there are almost no current memebers participating in these conversations which is understandable becasue we are definatley an Alumni club now. We threw around the idea of Alumni paying dues which may or may not be a good idea. I'm sure it would drop the price of karting but who knows, I'm not saying we should or shouldn't charge alumni dues but the club is now definatley diproportioned now, maybe a donation from alumni would get you a nice set of yellow M's under your name on here. the gixxer forum did that with a giant red R when you donated to the site. It could be a way to lower G-force costs to alumni and show your support although I know many of you alumni show massive amounts of support already.

But back to trips reserved for summer, for students, it can be hard to travel long distances from campus when everyone class schedule is so different and tests/projects are coming and going...but summer get togethers are not illegal! I attempted a summer gforce thing but lack of forum participation over the summer kinda killed it and it just hasn't worked out yet! Probably just needs more effort on my part.

We are a drivers club but also we are a go to for people at JMU who are interested in cars, and we have the chance to show them the light of skilled driving. We don't always need to drive, I enjoyed MM so much becasue at JMU, I feel a car person is somewhat of an outcast among the fratstars and people only in college to get fucked up. MM may or may not provide a place for shenanighans..(I am unable to confirm or deny that at this time) but meeting people who share a passion for motor related things is what originally made me join MM. Once I joined, it taught me Top Gear (An amazingly awesome show that I shared with many of my hall mates), Autocrossing ( I never knew there was such a venue to drive my car in an organized affordable race setting), Track Days ( without MM, I would not know where to begin to meet NASA officials and start working, which is the most fun "working" I think I have ever had), and many other things that just made my passion for MM and JMU in turn grow stronger. MM made me want to stay at JMU which was questionable before I started getting involved. We don't neccessarily need new and amzing crazy events that draw the attention of all the ADHD people running around JMU drunk on a thursday, but show are presence and we will attract people who otherwise have no where else to go and don't know what the next step is after they buy their dream 240sx (Next step is to sell it for something less tail happy)

Once again though, I am a Karting Nazi (now that I'm decent..Thanks Dr. Thomas for the run down of the g-force track (thats why you should come to meetings noobs)) and I will stand on my soap box all day arguning that moar karting will always be good. It provides freshman with a way to participate becasue they can't have cars(unless they know people :wink: ) and it is the same price of an Autocross( Kart Enduros) with no wear and tear on our daily's. It can be close within an hour of JMU (Summit) and almost every time there is almost always a Twilight Enduro tied to NASA events now. Both experienced race car drivers and inexperienced new memebers can get on track together which helps the new member learn how to drive and use lines and braking to become a better driver.

We do need to do sometihng about meetings to help get more participation but with our electronic mediums, we don't need to only rely on meetings. Maybe an incentive can be arranged but forum participation wouldn't hurt either. I mean look at this thread for example, where are all our memebers, plenty of Alumni's but no memebers and even two of our officers are missing from the discussion. Facebook will help and I hope to learn and get the Google Mass Text thing up and running when I get back.

More participation is what the ultimate goal is..correct? More events to participate in will help that whether it be Karting, Track Days, Top Gear nights, BDUBs, Wrench days(I have no tools at school so :dunno: ) but many members who don't do anything else all yaer will come to G-force so theres a start. But to show new students and old alike, we need more advertisement. We have some awesome shirt designs already ( Love the Tach :thumbup: ) but we pretty much only have one design at a time and the Tach has dominated our closets by now. Perhaps one or two fresh desgins drawn up by some of our computer genuis alumni's or our art majors( JMU is a fine arts school) and put into print. I know I would rock a MM shirt everyday of the week if I had some different designs so as not to look like I'm wearing the same shirt over and over again. Maybe a colr besides black like have balck but have more choices too ( I know its our colors but we can still have the yellow or black on the shirt) Black doesn't always get worn when its 95 degrees out. Apparel is our medium of advertisment, lets use it.

I need to go to class now but I will be back with more ideas becasue I'm sure I will be brainstorming during class tonight

[Ryan T]

Also, alumni, Our house is 10 minutes from Verona, if you ever want to come down for an autox, you are welcome to stay with us, we have 1 extra bed currently, and are working at getting another bedroom set up, and we have tons of floor space.

...Do you have room for a truck and my trailer? hock:

This next year Cassie is going to be in a bunch of apartments (stonegate) that isnt so friendly for a high-profile car around drunk college kids so im trying to figure out where the heck I can park the combo when im in town for Verona Autocrosses.

You could always give Scott Powell at Bob Wade a call. He may let you park it behind the Subaru building a weekend or two. Behind the building is out of the public view. Better than a house? No, but def. better than Stonegate.

[WRXtranceformed]

I don't care if it gets club approval or not, I'm going to go ahead and extend an open invitation to anyone who wants to come down for a NASCAR weekend.

It is stupid fun down here for Speed Street and I have never even gone to a race yet. Anyone who wants to organize can bring their significant others and everyone has a free place to stay

The rest of yall can turn wrenches and be free labor for rich guys while we get hammered and watch drunk rednecks puke off the tops of their campers!