GSCA and GS Nationals coming to an end???!!!

Discussion in 'GSCA events' started by No Lift, Dec 16, 2014.

  1. thumper

    thumper thumper

    X2 well said Jim,I myself am a 27 year member of the GSCA club, hate to see it all go away,made many new friends over the years, hate to see it all end,been going to bowling Green for over 20 years AL Martinez
     
  2. Lee Bacon

    Lee Bacon Well-Known Member

    Here Here ☝️Great point!!
     
  3. gsjohnny1

    gsjohnny1 Well-Known Member

    slight clarification needed. north east gs/gn club started in 1980. gsca started in 1981. 35yrs will be 2016.
     
  4. Buizila

    Buizila GO BROWNS !!!!!!

    Hi Jim,
    First things first thanks for the GSR class this year. Had a blast running it and winning didn't suck either. I'm still working on getting you the write up and pics for the first of the year on my car and thanks for wanting to do it.
    Now on to this debate:
    For the most part we don't go to the Nats because of Richard or Bennett,we go because of all the wonderful people and friends we meet and make from going year after year. The only reason anyone could possibly be thankful for Bennett is for the simple fact that he even puts the event on. With that being said I think the only reason for him putting it on year after year is the simple fact that he makes a nice payday for running it. If there was no profit in it there would be no GS Nationals at least a Bennett ran one. He treats us like we are trying to rob from him and like we are a waste of his time. Try stopping him to have a conversation,he tells you that he's in a hurry and can't talk. I'm a business owner and I always have time to talk to my customers no matter how busy I may be. That's what we kind of are.....his customers,but I feel like we are nothing more than dollar signs walking around the grounds. Case in point take the way he treated the road course fellas. Had them paying more for 1 day of racing than a whole weekends worth of racing at LS fest. And it wasn't just the price it was the manner in which Bennett did it. There was a guy purchasing his ticket,who just so happened to be affiliated with the race director,saw how much it was to run,Bennett told him that if he doesn't like the prices he can go and run somewhere else. Well......that's just what they will do in future years. You see it's small venues like the road course racers that make clubs grow bigger every year because it reaches out to other forms of interest other than just drag racing or any other racing for that matter. Without that out of the box thinking small clubs like ours go,as you put it,"the way of the doe doe bird". Bennett doesn't get that,all he gets is how much can I make,and how little do I have to put back in. I understand that it takes money to run these things and the director should make something for there time and efforts. But there should be a cap on that figure. And at no time should that person treat people like us like we are some gum or cow pie stuck on the bottom of his shoe. I've been a GSCA member and have been going to the Nats since I was 16 back in 1993,so I don't want to be question on brand loyalty to club and the Buick community. If we can't voice our opinions in a matter that can be heard and taking into consideration for the better of a club then what good is it to even have one then since it's based on a dictatorship style of running things. I do hope someone with a lot of love,cash and dedication,like Richard did,takes over the GSCA Club and the GS Nationals in the matter in which he saw and created back in the early 80's. Then we can all be proud when saying "Going Fast With Class". Have a Happy and Safe Holiday to everyone and their families.
     
  5. Mr. Sunset

    Mr. Sunset Platinum Level Contributor

    im new to buick and hope the GSCA and GS nationals continue. bowling green is on my list for 2015 as a spectator.
    I don't know the fellows mentioned above, but they appear to be well liked people.
    I wish I would have done this all sooner. But im here now. new members are coming. I will be one.
     
  6. tufbuick

    tufbuick RIP

    Creative thinking in our ever changing world is what you need in order to survive.

    The GSCA was the premiere club and the only game in town. It definitely had a good run providing the Buick community with a place for all things Buick. As a club the members input must be heard and taken into consideration in order for the club to grow and survive. That seems to have changed for the GSCA and the GS Nationals about 10 years ago. Politics, money gauging, negative attitudes, the economy, gas prices, a growing older membership and a leader who wants to retire all seem to have brought the GSCA to the end of the road. We can't change things from the past, but we should look to the future if this club ceases to exist.

    If the GSCA and the GS Nationals come to an end after the 2015 year there is a combined effort in the works right now that will keep the Buick marque alive and well for years to come. Both these combined events are established, have younger leadership and do truly care about their members and the value they offer at their events. Their pricing are fair and their payouts are respectable.

    Come to this event and support a new venue in the name of the car you love. Keep the BUICK name alive and don't look back. Keep looking to the future and support your clubs, support your events and most of all...support your vendors.

    http://www.v8buick.com/showthread.p...Race-Day-and-BPG-to-Combine&highlight=norwalk


    Just my 2 cents.............as usual !

    :moonu:MOON:moonu:
     
  7. Jim Rodgers

    Jim Rodgers Well-Known Member

    Since you too are a business owner, is there a cap on your income like you think should be on Bennetts? I know Im not performing a job or taking any risk when my reward is capped. Think about this for a minute. An enclosed trailer comes thru the gates and gives Rick two tickets. When they pit, 9 other people get out of the trailer. This has happened along with many other ways the participants have tried to cheat the club and nats. In this light dont you think you would be a little skeptical knowing your customers would do that to you? Dont you think you would feel the need to draw a hard line at times? Again, it may be called a club but be sure that it has always been run like a business. And that is the primary reason it has survived for so long.
     
  8. Jim Rodgers

    Jim Rodgers Well-Known Member

    Now send me that info on your car!!!
     
  9. Jim Rodgers

    Jim Rodgers Well-Known Member

    Who are you clarifying here? Not me. Or were you just adding your typical two cents.
     
  10. Buizila

    Buizila GO BROWNS !!!!!!

    I've had customers pick their cars up write me post dated checks in good faith and never heard from them again. Do I still allow people to do in house charges.....yes I do. Call me foolish but I don't think it's fair to assume that everyone is out to screw me over. Most of the people out there are decent human beings,and If I don't allow that some other shop down the road will. I'm sure the lost I had on one repair is far more than a trailer with a few freeloaders looking to score a $15-$20 entry ticket. You will always have some people out there that think they are always owed something for nothing. But I believe in not punishing everyone else because of a few bad apples. It's not good business and you won't survive long in this world if you do. With that being said,Bennett thinks and does things differently and people are getting tired of that. I don't believe there would be any tears shed if he up and sold the event to someone else. You always have to make the consumer feeling appreciated and not taken advantage of. You want them feeling they got their moneys worth,had a wonderful time,and can't wait to come back and spend more. That's how you succeed in business and you find that even less people want to take advantage of you because of that. I honestly don't believe someone would try to cheat him if they felt like he gave a damn about them instead of just their wallets. Look,the bottom line is things cost money and we all need to make it so we can buy and pay for things,but you have to go about in a manner that people don't think that's the only reason why you "open the doors" is just for the money.
     
  11. Steve Reynolds

    Steve Reynolds SRE Inc

    This whole debate could go on for ever, (and perhaps it will), but ANYONE that thinks Bennett has been a "joy" to work with or a wonderful "asset" to our club or the Nationals has BLINDERS ON!! Plain and simple! I've tried working with him on several levels from sponsorship on down and he's NEVER been accommodating, helpful or even remotely friendly! How on earth does that HELP our cause????? I've told Richard this same thing several times and although he gives me an answer in a "political-round-about" way, he does understand that he's not the ideal person for the job at hand!

    This was my 31st year in a row for attending the Nat's. Many of those years I sponsored race classes, etc. I don't want (or expect) my club loyalty to be questioned in any way shape or form, but I truly believe that the Nationals could have been "MANAGED" much better since Richard gave it up. I hope it continues and that someone capable takes it over!!

    It may never be what it once was, but I believe it can be and continue to be "the Buick event"!
     
  12. hugger

    hugger Well-Known Member

    We see how much attention my post in "the bench" got about everyone chipping in to help rebuild it.,...crickets,...very disheartening
     
  13. gsjohnny1

    gsjohnny1 Well-Known Member

    jim,
    just correcting the dating of the gsca. that's all. if you want to start something else, bring it on. I have no problem with that.
    john
     
  14. tufbuick

    tufbuick RIP

    Judging from the Geezer group (myself included) I witnessed at the 2014 GS Nationals this year I would estimate the average age of GSCA members to be somewhere north of 55 years old.

    Some of us in this age group have the time and the means but not the desire to involve ourselves with the task of taking the reins over and spending years trying to bring this club back to what it once was.

    Many of us older people have witnessed the heyday of the GSCA and the GS Nationals. Awesome attendance, mega number of cars in the car show, nonstop racing each and every day a swap meet unrivaled at any other event.

    Having been unable to get a straight answer when questions were presented to the principles has garnered an air of distrust.
    Do we really know if 3467 members is a true number or was that just pulled out of the hat. Do we really know that the National event is up for a "FREE GRAB" as stated by a person who supposedly has no interest (ownership) in it. Maybe there is to much mystery for anyone to commit a good part of their lives to try and save this club.

    As an independent business man all my life I would never get involved in an endeavor that looks like it's on the way out. (THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS FREE) !!! Count me out.

    Maybe some young gun can prove me wrong and breathe new life into this club before it's to late. I sure hope so for the sake of all things BUICK !!!
     
  15. Jim Rodgers

    Jim Rodgers Well-Known Member

    John,

    I didnt mention dates, you did. As usual.
     
  16. td99

    td99 Well-Known Member

    First of all, the turn out was very good this year. When I got to beech bend on Thursday morning there were trucks and trailers backed up around the curvy entrance road. but the way I see it is, if the event ceases to happen everyone will be talking about how we wish it was still around and we wish this and that ect ect. Or, we can take our cars to it and support the event and continuing having a large buick event. Which in turn also supports the already small buick aftermarket. It would be a crying shame especially now that everyone seems to be building new engines and cars again (aftermarket block and new heads??) if this were to not happen anymore. it would definitely be a down fall for the buick community and maybe even a few buick based businesses. Im not sure exactly who Bennett is but if its who I think, (sun glasses, white beard) yeah that guy is a real bundle of sunshine and maybe it is time for a change there and maybe a revaluation of a couple other areas. The main thing is, we all need to start bringing our cars. Race, cars, show cars or drivers. If you don't have a car, bring some parts to sell, just participate in some way. Otherwise what are we going to do every October; instead of hanging out and racing, we'll all print out pictures of each others cars offline and look at them? Yeah that sounds real fun. Im with hugger on this.
    Cody
     
  17. alan

    alan High-tech Dinosaur

    My first thought is that Chapters and race directors are already doing part of the work, and vendors are already supplying part (most, all?) of the race money.

    As far as I know each chapter has a newsletter of it's own.

    Seems like the chapters would be the first ones Richard could talk to.
     
  18. bigtorque5

    bigtorque5 Well-Known Member

    do an end around,get the club from richard,rename the nationals,have it at a different time and shut this bennit dude out,mike and family at TA are sharp i bet they could not only make it work but also make it better,TA performance club/nationals
     
  19. hugger

    hugger Well-Known Member

    As was mentioned above with the new parts coming out, and the used performance parts becoming more abundant ,guys embracing forced induction etc, the stage is being set to have some very fast Bufords to watch every year. I'll admit I haven't sponsored but one year , I guess I too was waiting on someone else to pick up the slack but the older I get the more I realize things are what YOU make it. We can get the Nats or any Buick event for that matter to where we wanna see it or where some of the more seasoned guys have witnessed it. Its gonna take a little monetary help from a large group of people and I Guarantee you the race classes will grow, with more cars comes more classes with more cars we can bring back the competitive heads up classes that the spectators wanna see. Go to your local track points race and see how many spectators there are then go to the heads up stock suspension radial race, HUGE difference fellas, but before we can get to that point we need cars and payouts bring cars PERIOD, and builds the competitive spirit. My idea is so simple it hurts,.. just chip in however much you feel comfortable with to help keep the events alive. Im sorry but believe it or not money makes the world go around ,comradery and beers alone isnt gonna cut it, much like the car show I feel like popular vote is a better way to.do it but im not gonna whine and kick the dirt if I lose and vow never to return , like many have. The cars are out there, the enthusiast base is there I believe or TA would have closed shop years ago, what does seem to be lacking is the ENTHUSIASM due to many factors be it the "staff" the car count, or maybe the redundancy that can set in after awhile if nothing is changed, all of these are things that can be changed.

    All that being said im putting up $500 for the GSR class this year
     
  20. JESUPERCAT

    JESUPERCAT No Slow Boat

    I too have tried and been dismissed as an outsider( due to the Dragster I am guessing) so be it. I have been a major sponsor in the past,we have sponsored cars for Super16. I've been a class organizer and race director. This coming year 2015 we will sponsor a new class at the Nationals for those outside "the box". We have asked people for input on helping us to grow the sponsor dollars (for all classes)and we have had little help/input from other racers. The amount of complaints about the lack of money for the classes is always there and sometimes for legitimate reasons.

    Lets try to all work together on keeping the Buick family not just together but strong...
    Have a good Christmas/Holiday Season everyone and lets come up with some positive ideas on how to make things better.

    Look forward to seeing many of you in 2015:TU:
     

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