Improving dgrr

[85rx-7gsl-se]

I didn't know that was you Banzai.

[Trivem]

Originally Posted by Buggy

I like that idea of having a seminar that we could attend, especially if it was on tuning. Tuning is one of those things that scares the hell out of people. Even if it was just a basic tuning 101 class. Just go over the basics to give people an understanding of what is involved and how to go about it. Even if they don't try it, they'll have a basic understanding.

I'd love to learn on how to tune. Even learn on how to play with a haltech.

Originally Posted by djmtsu

I would like there to be other categories and awards to lighten the mood and make it more fun at the banquet(?)

Longest Driven
Destined to Fail
OCD Award
Epic Beater

.......and a yellow stained Pissed-On (pitson) Award (or something)

Agree with all except the piston award...should just give them a gallows, noose, and a weed eater piston of sorts. Most definitely Longest Driven and Epic Beater. My FC (body) has over 230k miles on it.

Originally Posted by t_g_farrell

I heard some folks (newbys mostly) complaining that it seemed very unstructured and they
didn't feel welcomed, etc etc.

It was my first year there and I had trouble remembering names. I made it a point to just say hi. I knew no one other than who we came with in our local club. Just gotta ask people "Hows it going? Or which one is yours?" Best way to start a convo

Originally Posted by reddozen

t_g_farrell,
I think a better idea may be a text alert from the website. As an optional feature, add your phone to the website, and select your carrier, then if there's changes to the itinerary, you'll get a text alert.


Another suggestion I have is a swap meet. An organized time etc to lay your stuff out in the pavilion and sell or trade spare parts / services etc.

I would be down for tuning / engine building 101 etc if the price was right.

I love both these ideas and we have more than enough parts to swap or sell at a meet! I was actually surprised you guys didn't have a swap meet.
We could've done that during the rain for sure or we could register for a booth in a warehouse or VFW or something in the area when we register.

Pretty much all the ideas that I had to add to the event or suggest have already been suggested. Only other thing I can say is to have the option of local rotary clubs put up booths or try to help sponsor the event? Maybe hand out Calendars with club meet dates and etc.?

[Duffman692002]

Originally Posted by t_g_farrell

I'd like to see that pic. I think I was behind them on the dragon and the girl driving
it was driving ... like a girl! I could see some
guy in the passenger seat, figured he was letting his girlfriend drive. They were
pissing me off big time until she pulled in at Fontana Village as we were going
up to the dragon on 28. They showed up a bit later at the dragon resort after
we parked there.

I pull off for no one! Twasn't me though I was indeed driving an 8 and have been mistaken for a fine female occasionally on account of my long blond locks. Mike's too short to bd seen in the passenger seat anyway.

[WE3RX7]

I think having a dyno there would actually be a good idea, even if the tuning seminar never happens (I think it's a cool thought, but the execution would be VERY difficult trying to teach tuning since you don't know what background everybody has, etc). The dyno though would be fun for all. I'm not even a dyno junky but I'd hang out and see who puts down what, etc. Maybe make it an award??

Swap meet would be cool too... I've always thought we need more swap meets in our community. Not to mention it never hurts to have MORE parts on hand at DGRR....

[Herblenny]

Phew, You guys do know I hate threads like this... because I have to jump in and say I'll try.

We had a tuning class several years ago and went ok. But like anything organized.. people complain and usually select few makes us think if its worth doing it again or not. Also, tuning can be dangerous and it would have to be a basic tuning class and limited or have to charge people to control number.

Different category fun awards are do able.. I just didn't have much time to think about that... Definitely work on that for next year.

Newbie thing... This is a hard thing... But also something newbies need to take charge to meet people. Most DGRR attendees are cool and nice. I think if you are a newb, should try to be proactive. I have asked and sat with newbs and talked to them.. And if you are previous attendees and see a new car or people, not a bad idea to start a conversation.
There is a limitation of what I can do, but having a different color name tag or something could be possible but might take good amount of time. I will work on that next year.

I'm now researching on a Projector and a screen for next year.. Can't spend a lot but want to buy a decent one. Also, a speaker system for the banquet and such..

[WE3RX7]

Moving the prizes/announcer to the center of the pavilion was a huge improvement during the banquet over previous years.. a speaker system would be even better (maybe suggest it to the new owner and see if they'd install a simple PA system there.. I'm sure we're not the only ones who could use it).

I know you've mentioned it before Phil, but it would be cool if we could get some Mazda recognition for the 10th anniversary - maybe the 767 or 787 makes an appearance??? Tall order I'm sure though.

[Herblenny]

Originally Posted by WE3RX7

Moving the prizes/announcer to the center of the pavilion was a huge improvement during the banquet over previous years.. a speaker system would be even better (maybe suggest it to the new owner and see if they'd install a simple PA system there.. I'm sure we're not the only ones who could use it).

I know you've mentioned it before Phil, but it would be cool if we could get some Mazda recognition for the 10th anniversary - maybe the 767 or 787 makes an appearance??? Tall order I'm sure though.

My idea right now, is to have a slide show, decent PA system so everyone can hear, and also flash the number on the screen. Most likely we will set up at the one end of the pavillion and do this next year.

Having Mazda sponsoring will be a tough task.. There is far more thing involved and I'm going to try next year. Other option is try to get Jim Downing and Rich Engman to join us. But that might require more than me contacting them but maybe as a community. I have asked Paul @ Mazmart, but I think he hates me and gave up asking him couple of years ago. We shall see.. but that's not really on my priority list as I could be spending tons of time trying to do it and yield is few seconds of checking out one car. might not be my time well spend.

[Evil Aviator]

Originally Posted by TitaniumTT

People didn't recognize me and just started talking away, which I think it pretty chill.

I told the noobs that you were James Holmes on special parole for the event, and that you go nuts if nobody talks to you. One of the noobs didn't believe me at first, but later on he was a believer after mumbling something about seeing James Holmes take a dump in somebody's car because they ignored him.

[rx7 vinnie]

Phil, I have a DLP projector with an 8 foot movie screen I use to watch movies upstairs in the bonus room I can bring. You have my number let me know.

[reddozen]

Color on the name tags or even a "years attended stripes" would be pretty easy. I can do a lot of image editing through the web code and even have it make staff name tags, or sponsor tags (I noticed you had some special staff tags for some people). Would be really easy on my end.

Lol.. could even make a special tag for people that have been there every year... I already have profile values on the website where people can check off what years they've been tot he event.

[FcRx8MEL]

I like the idea of having some fun random awards. Gives those of us who don't expect to get a traditional 1st, 2nd, or 3rd place award something to maybe look forward to.

Also, I'm sad to see that people didn't feel very welcome. That's one of the things I love most about this even is getting to meet people and make friends from all over. I've never noticed a problem with people being unwelcoming.

[Sephitrask]

Originally Posted by FcRx8MEL

I like the idea of having some fun random awards. Gives those of us who don't expect to get a traditional 1st, 2nd, or 3rd place award something to maybe look forward to.

Also, I'm sad to see that people didn't feel very welcome. That's one of the things I love most about this even is getting to meet people and make friends from all over. I've never noticed a problem with people being unwelcoming.

This. I have always walked away thinking how great our crowd was with talking to new people versus some of the others; Honda guys come to mind right away, thus my pension for mocking them My wife was very impressed with this, and many people made a point of talking to my son; Robert and David Hayes especially.

As nice as it would be to have their sponsorship, I doubt Mazda will. They seem to only go with things that were their ideas in the first place. The biggest example of this was at the 24 Hours of Rolex in Daytona. IF you were to go by Mazdas coverage of the event, you wouldn't even know that there was a team called Racers Edge running a 20b Rx8; in fact that car being the ONLY Mazda to actually finish the race. No pictures or mention at all on any of their sites, even after many of us pointed this out. I was more disappointed by that than watching the speedsource cars fail at the beginning of the race.

[85turbo12a]

Originally Posted by djmtsu

I would like there to be other categories and awards to lighten the mood and make it more fun at the banquet(?)

Longest Driven
Destined to Fail
OCD Award
Epic Beater

.......and a yellow stained Pissed-On (pitson) Award (or something)

oh yes...there will be blood....

my only complaint of DGRR in the 2 years i have been able to attend is the lack of parking...but the area just doesnt cater well to that large of a crowd and it is not an easy fix, the microtel has a huge parking lot...but no other facilities...just one of those things we have to deal with i spose...wont stop me from coming back

this event is what you make of it IMO, you can either follow the crowd strictly or do your own thing, if you didnt feel welcomed by the rotary community its likely because you didnt talk to anyone, hell they still talk to me and i have a v8 now the rotary community is collectively one of the coolest of all, there is very little ego and a lot of smart people in general, and are always willing to give and accept info in the interest of getting better.

and yes i have to agree...a PA would do wonders but...the bullhorn has a certain...charm to it...

[banzaitoyota]

Originally Posted by 85rx-7gsl-se

I didn't know that was you Banzai.

Yep,

[evot23]

Originally Posted by 85turbo12a

...hell they still talk to me and i have a v8 now the rotary community is collectively one of the coolest of all, there is very little ego and a lot of smart people in general, and are always willing to give and accept info in the interest of getting better.
...

Amen to V8s lol...and this is why I've been with the rotary community for so long. Collectively has made me some life long friends.