okay the consensus in the 50th Anniversary thread seems to be that regionals would be good to 'prepare' us for a humongous National show in 2009 for the 50th....

so then, more questions to ponder:

1) I start with this because I think its the crux of the 'regional' question, and that is....what constitutes a 'regional' show that YOU WILL ATTEND???
I mean with all the griping about gas prices it seems some of you wont go beyond the borders of your city/town....I dont mean to be critical, but seriously, regionals like the Chevelle guys do it cover several states....

....so would you drive to a neighboring state, say up to 300 miles for a Regional show?? OR would you consider that a Super Regional???

2) if you did travel that far (up to 350 miles), are you more likely to drive your elky or tow it?

3) do you plan to stay overnight and/or for the entire show (say a 2 day Sat/Sun show)???

these answers will show the 'diversity' of opinions we have here, and can then help us determine if a Super Regional (say an East Coast Super Regional Elky show) is even do-able, much less if a National show can be done....


talk it up...

I agree,I would drive my elky(as ratty as it still is) say to GA,ALA,Tenn for a meet/show(I wouldnt enter mine) and would stay for both days as long as theres time to plan for said event. thats me. I go to dart tournaments all over fla,this wouldnt be that much differant. What does everyone else think?

IF one of my two Elkies was running, a drive of 200-350 miles to get some Elky time and advice would be NO PROBLEM!!

Glenn

I would be willing to drive either of my Elkys to a regional show 400 miles is not a problem. Or both up to 200 miles (wife hates to drive very far)

Would prefer to stay overnight on a long haul because i am old.

I have always been of the opinion if you don't drive it then just leave it at home.

I would drive the Elky, and stay overnight i think thats the only way to go. Why have a beautiful car and not drive it that like having food in your house and starving yourself its just not right.

I think an 8hr drive would be the max for a regional, 3-5hr should be the norm if possible.

I can make the ACES SE regional near Atlanta in about 3hrs or Chevellabration in Nasville in about 10hrs from my home in SC. the trip to Nashville can be an ordeal, I've experienced heart stopping near catastrophies on the way to Nashville twice !!! Beware I 40 !!!

Also, it should be a meet for elkies not just a show!!! All should come and enter no matter what the state of of repair(or disrepair)!!!

I think for us, (regional) should be region 6, florida. I also think you will get participation if it is CENTRAL. the idea of changing locations is not a bad one either but we've got to get 1 put together first! We should consider participation from Miami to the panhandle and pick someplace in between. Kissimmee comes to mind.Any members there willing to do leg work on putting something like this together? It doesnt have to be a show just a meet and greet. Can you imagine the press coverage if 50 elcaminos showed up someplace to party? grass roots start to build on the idea of a national event in '09. I would show up just to see the reaction of ALOT of elkys all in 1 place!

'80 on the road and still ratty
'79 in the yard being torn down

I'm in favor of regional events. I've been known to drive 1200 miles in one 24 hr period with stops only for gas and food, so the distance and driving the Elky is not an issue for me. However, the longer the drive, the more I want at the other end. I wouldn't want to drive 500 miles for a afternoon meet in a parking lot, but for a weekend meet, show, etc., I'd drive that far for sure. Another good reason for several shows/meets before the BIG ONE is that we can actually get to network with our fellow NECOA members before we have a huge national show to plan. I'm willing to help with either the regional or the BIG ONE. If someone more experienced than me in planning an event wants to head up a Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas super regional, I'll help.

One of the things my old Chevy club in Illinois did was offer a serious "Most Improved" Award every year to the members who's cars was voted the most improved from one year to the next. They were amused when I turned up one year with a steering wheel and a hubcap for my 36 pickup. But I was disqualified, because they assumed the rest of the car was NOS.

Seriously tho, this IS a good way to get some of the "less pretty" Elkies out, AND to get some continuity to the shows and comraderie amongs the members.

Glenn

the proof is in the show ....so far a lot of nice ideas and suggestions let's meet in daytona march18 thru 20 and make some plans, one of the largest shows on the east coast, held at THE major NASCAR track they even have set aside a special parking spot for el caminos...and so far four (4) el caminos say they are going.........the proof is in the show

Best bet would be back to
"OLD TOWN" in the Orlando area as it also offers a vacation shot for the guys that travel a distance. But for Florida its the most central and old town will let the club have its own show in the AM prior to there night events. But Please move it to April or early May or OCtober November not June to September !!! to hot for all day and into the night for a lot of people.

Also, it should be a meet for elkies not just a show!!! All should come and enter no matter what the state of of repair(or disrepair)!!!

We could pass the hat and give a cash award for the Elky least likely to make it home! :cool: Like "pig pots" at high school dances for the ugliest date.