Just from the big dogs... people who've set up and run the major meets: what does it take to set one of these things up and actually pull it off? I'm talkin about costs, organization, etc...
I was seriously thinking about trying to get us east coast people together for a summer 04 NICO meet. There are so many of us that have been slighted (!) by those midwest meets that there's gotta be people just dying for this (riight?). Anyways... how is this done, any advice on how I should start researching it, etc?
What does it take to set up/run a real NICO meet?
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Touchdown038
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AZhitman
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^ That's how it starts.
You'll need a HUGE parking lot, a place for some BBQ's, some tunes, maybe a grassy area for football / frisbee, and a place to go afterwards (track night or racer hangout).
Try to organize around a dyno, a 1/4 mile or road track, or some other attraction, and the rest can just be "hangout" time.
You'll need a HUGE parking lot, a place for some BBQ's, some tunes, maybe a grassy area for football / frisbee, and a place to go afterwards (track night or racer hangout).
Try to organize around a dyno, a 1/4 mile or road track, or some other attraction, and the rest can just be "hangout" time.
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elwesso
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You can organize them however you like...
I posted an idea about the indy meet, and I (with the help of others) decided on the location.... I then set the date and stuff like that..... It was very laid back and I would highly recommend doing something very simple.... The kind where you go and just hang out and enjoy a park or something can be just as fun as going to the track!!
Getting people to come is another thing.... You need to have people spread the word to other forums....
I posted an idea about the indy meet, and I (with the help of others) decided on the location.... I then set the date and stuff like that..... It was very laid back and I would highly recommend doing something very simple.... The kind where you go and just hang out and enjoy a park or something can be just as fun as going to the track!!
Getting people to come is another thing.... You need to have people spread the word to other forums....
I do meets in philly on a monthly basis, i started doing this a few months ago...there is one tommorow actually. I have noticed that for the most part, people don't want to jsut hang out, they want something to do. I think the best idea, and a good way to get the best turnout would be to hold the event at a track. We could meet somewhere close to a drag strip, BBQ, then head there later to do some runs.
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Bubba1
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You can easily piggyback onto another enthusiast club event. I attend 4 Audi Club track events per year. Audi welcomes all enthusiasts regardless of make. Lotsa fun and you use your own car. There are always big groups of non-Audi owners that show up. Last event at VIRginia International Raceway for example, there were at least 15 'vettes, plenty of DSM's, Subies, Bimmers and Porsche's. Very few Nissans representin' which is a disappointment.Next Audi track event is April 26-27.
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whiterps13
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Englishtown would be a good place to meet, 'specially for a drift event, then there would be something to watch at the same time (or enter into)
It would be about 3 hour drive from Boston I reckon, less for CT folks. Easy for NY and Philly crew to reach also.
Maybe Lime Rock? (probably expensive and/or booked up) but that would be awesome.
It would be about 3 hour drive from Boston I reckon, less for CT folks. Easy for NY and Philly crew to reach also.
Maybe Lime Rock? (probably expensive and/or booked up) but that would be awesome.
I'm actually from CT, so that's good - just goin to school up here in beantown 
Englishtown DOES sound good.. I'm just a little worried about putting out dough to get the place reserved and getting things ready, then gettin left high and dry on it with people not coming. I donno, I guess when things start getting a little closer we can talk more seriously about actually getting a core group or organisers together... I know ride4lame already expressed interest, that's good. Anyone else who would be interested in really gettin their hands dirty and helping us make this happen? Preferably people who are plugged into local car scenes and stuff... IM me, email me, post here, whatever.
Englishtown DOES sound good.. I'm just a little worried about putting out dough to get the place reserved and getting things ready, then gettin left high and dry on it with people not coming. I donno, I guess when things start getting a little closer we can talk more seriously about actually getting a core group or organisers together... I know ride4lame already expressed interest, that's good. Anyone else who would be interested in really gettin their hands dirty and helping us make this happen? Preferably people who are plugged into local car scenes and stuff... IM me, email me, post here, whatever.
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jEzTeR
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Looks like I am too late to offer a whole lot of information here.Everyone else kinda said it all.
#1 start small - get some monthly meets going.(our louisville group started with Fred calling 4-8 people to go hang out at a park)
#2 find something fun to do - Dyno/racetrack/gocarts/paintball/ect...
#3 get some help - large meets are usually a group effort
#4 Convince people to get off their lazy arse and drive a bit to meet and have fun - this is hard to sometimes.
Good Luck!;)
#1 start small - get some monthly meets going.(our louisville group started with Fred calling 4-8 people to go hang out at a park)
#2 find something fun to do - Dyno/racetrack/gocarts/paintball/ect...
#3 get some help - large meets are usually a group effort
#4 Convince people to get off their lazy arse and drive a bit to meet and have fun - this is hard to sometimes.
Good Luck!;)
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Bubba1
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Lime Rock is a great little track but expensive. You'd need at least 150 attendees to make the cost close to reasonable, plus you'll need a good group insurance policy. Plus the track owners are not going to simply just turn a bunch of newbies loose on the track. The only way to get a group of you onto a real track like LimeRock with your Nissans is via an existing car club or Driving school. I've done LimeRock many times with both Skip Barber and Audi. I'd be happy to pass their linksMeantime wrote:Maybe Lime Rock? (probably expensive and/or booked up) but that would be awesome.
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the1_thedave
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Just to reitterate. Start small. It helps that I'm part of a ethusiats club. But because of that I'm able to use the resources there to gather more. Also finding and posting on other boards gets attention. When people see the publicity on multiple boards, word get around. And voila, Big Meet. However. What you do is up to you. Location is also key. Something that is easily accessable is the best. But out of the way of traffic. Parking lots are good, Especially at parks. Best thing to do is like everyone says start small. Honestly unless you have a great deal of time on your hands, really large meets can take up quite a bit of time for planning and organizing and keeping things active.
Hey dave I had a meet thought/idea but I had to go take some motrin and lay down it hurt to much...lol
I was thinking sears point[ infineon raceway now] Have you ever done research on it? Its an awesome road course. But I am not sure on what kind of pricing they run for all day. the place has a park/picnic area too. If we could get that place for a weekend it would draw a large crowd I believe [cost permiting] one day could be on the front drag strip and the next it could be the road course. I suspect if we got ahold of that super speedway it would draw acrowd from outside of the local region possibly national. what do you think or what do you know already??
I was thinking sears point[ infineon raceway now] Have you ever done research on it? Its an awesome road course. But I am not sure on what kind of pricing they run for all day. the place has a park/picnic area too. If we could get that place for a weekend it would draw a large crowd I believe [cost permiting] one day could be on the front drag strip and the next it could be the road course. I suspect if we got ahold of that super speedway it would draw acrowd from outside of the local region possibly national. what do you think or what do you know already??
i am trying to get a smaller localized meet together, im actually making it a vote kinda thing down here in west florida.
let the comers decide and make one final decision with all the info
http://www.floridastreetscene....=3096
i threw a few ideas in there, but im also letting everyone else there throw some stuff they wanna see. i dont know how much of a turn out its gonna be, but hell ill try it.
let the comers decide and make one final decision with all the info
http://www.floridastreetscene....=3096
i threw a few ideas in there, but im also letting everyone else there throw some stuff they wanna see. i dont know how much of a turn out its gonna be, but hell ill try it.
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the1_thedave
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NISTECH wrote:Hey dave I had a meet thought/idea but I had to go take some motrin and lay down it hurt to much...lol
I was thinking sears point[ infineon raceway now] Have you ever done research on it? Its an awesome road course. But I am not sure on what kind of pricing they run for all day. the place has a park/picnic area too. If we could get that place for a weekend it would draw a large crowd I believe [cost permiting] one day could be on the front drag strip and the next it could be the road course. I suspect if we got ahold of that super speedway it would draw acrowd from outside of the local region possibly national. what do you think or what do you know already??
So did your head stop hurting from such a great idea/thought. That is something that is worth looking into. But as for now would not a be a priority. i've heard that the pricing there, is kinda steep. But there are always ways around. But again something worth looking into. If not there. Thunderhill i heard is more moderate in pricing. But as for pricing i don't know exacts.
Side note: We missed you in fremont today. We had about 70 show up to the BBQ. GREAT DAY. Sentras overtook the meet this time. Not like the 35's and 240's in SAcramento. But its all good.
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Bubba1
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Sears point is the same as deal as Lime Rock that I mentioned earlier. You'll need a lot of people and a lotta money, and a biginsurance policy. They're also not going simply turn you loose on the track and kill yourself. Cheapest to attend get onto a real race track is still via another car club's performance driving school as a group. There was a group of 12 'Vette owners that attended the last Audi track event I was at. Fun group. Oughta consider it.
I got the number for the office at the race way just havent called yet. Just from looking at the requirements it would have to be a nationwide event inorder to be with in budget. A local event would not come anywhere close footin the bill for that track. Reason I have hesitated to call since I made that post.