The problem is not limited to car clubs. I have been a ham radio
operator since I was 16. Membership in the clubs has risen and fallen
over the years (with the sun spot cycle), but the problem of bringing in
young enthusiasts is the same. The average age of the ham is at least
mid 40's. I guess we just have to accept the fact these things pass away
in time, just like my great grandfathers profession: cigar rolling. I
guess there'll always be a few, but ...
Jim Altman jaltman@altlaw.com non illegitimus carborundum
http://www.altlaw.com/ 69-TR6#CC28754L W4UCK
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-triumphs@autox.team.net
[SMTP:owner-triumphs@autox.team.net]On Behalf Of Douglas Mitchell
Sent: Wednesday, December 17, 1997 11:23 AM
To: Dave Fain; british-cars@autox.team.net; triumphs@autox.team.net
Cc: rfeibusch@loop.com
Subject: Re: Clubs (was Model A)
This is an ongoing problem in many clubs. Those of you who are SCCA
members may have seen the article in the January issue of SportsCar
by Peter Hylton entitled _Don't Go Gray_.
The article covers some of the things that some regions are doing
to try to entice younger members into the SCCA. Peter suggests that
part of the problem may have to do with today's cars don't lend
themselves to being the shadetree mechanic like the older cars
did. Another cause may be that the _younger generation_ doesn't
have the interest to play with cars that the last two had.
Most clubs have a problem getting fresh meat into their clubs, and
since most of our cars are no longer in production, the membership
base is going to shrink. (The Detroit Triumph Sportscar Club had
trouble enticing members even when Triumphs were in production,
people felt that there was nothing offered by the clubs).
Cheers,
Doug Mitchell
dmitchel@ismi.net
dmitchel@ford.com
'73 Spitfire 1500
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