Calling the Highlands & Aberdeenshire?

[scuba dou]

It would appear that we at the SIDC have a niche in the Scooby community to fill of late, and to that end, I am glad to see that things are picking up for us collectively. IMHO the SIDC has a lot to offer, least of all financially, where we can enjoy some really good discounts from Subaru dealers for parts and servicing, not forgetting other third party suppliers. Year in year out the club has organised some tremendous track day events, karting events, rolling road events, sociable gatherings and also the odd run out and about, not forgetting the recent SIDC national day out at Alford. Unfortunately I was offshore at the time fot that one, but with help from family and SIDC members, 616 ARL was there without me?.and even appeared on track driven by RobD.

Looking forward we have a karting event in Aberdeen on Saturday 25th Sept, and our very first Aberdeen rolling road day at Wallace Performance on Sunday 26th Sept with some exceptional discounts on offer for SIDC members. Further afield I would like to set up a social gathering for SIDC members and friends on a Sat or a Sun out in the country somewhere where we can hook up for a lunch somewhere nice, perhaps somewhere between Inverness and Aberdeen, and well away from the busy A96. Then as we move into the dark nights I will be looking at setting up another karting event over the winter months, and perhaps a ten-pin bowling night or two as well in Aberdeen, and also in Inverness. With my Mother running a Guest House in Inverness I plan to set up some monthly or 6 weekly Inverness meets on a weekday night, where I can stay over with no problems (or expense), hopefully building on the strong and supportive group of SIDC members we have from the Highland Capital and surrounding area.

What I need right now is some feedback from all the people I know and all the ones I have yet to meet with regard to a few specific questions so we can provide a club environment for the club members.

1. Firstly, do we like the aforementioned ideas so far, and is there any others you wish to discuss or get us to investigate.

2. Do we want to plan events on an annual basis, 6 monthly basis, or say 4 to 6 weeks in advance, like the recent Karting and RR day plans we have in place. We are aware that many members work offshore, and where possible we?ll try to schedule events (if you tell us your rota) to suit the majority of people.

3. Are we up for the idea of setting up an Inverness meet ? Do we have enough people to have a trial run.

4. Do we need to do anything different with regard to the Aberdeen Monthly meet, looking at the large number of offshore-related people who never seem to be able to attend? Ie; If their work schedule doesn?t land right it can take several months before you are home at the beginning of the month. (My own thoughts are leave it set up as it is, as it would be difficult to cater for everyone), but to have additional ad-hoc meetings as and when required.

5. Have you any suggestions or ideas you want to share with me/us.

Looking forward to hearing back from you

[halo]

Hi Jools,

Feels weird being the first to reply to this one and waiting for a skyline

But would welcome any meet up in the Inverness area - we have a great karting track out at Invergordon (cheap too) myself and Geewr1 were out there last night. I think that the lack of events and meets in the area lets down the fact that there are many good cars and people around.

I miss the scoob because I have missed meeting alot of you and I would jump at the chance of helping, participating or generally making a fool of myself with rear wheel drive or otherwise and meeting more cracking folk.

Also think that some nice events meets off the road would be a great idea - more than up for doing that

I think planning in advance is also a good thing as being the Highlands and Aberdeen it takes time for people to organise themselves (cant even get out the door on time me). But it would also be nice to see some commitment as no offence but sometimes there seems to be a poor response - hence organised events can cater for that happening.

Think ur also 100% with the offshore folk and ad-hoc meetings, maybe a wee communication network might help that work a bit better (are there any text alert facilities we can use for instance).

Since im not a member "gulp" and have only met a few of u will leave it at that - but shout anytime if u need help !

K

[wrxmania]

Jools,

Good to see some proactive work - although I am no where near you to take advantage of it.

All the best,

Brian

[Gee Wr1]

Hi Jools Hows tricks?

The ideas u put forward here sound great.

An Inverness meet would be very welcomed. There's a few of us slowly come together & got 2 know each other up here, but there's a lot more running about we don't know. Do the SIDC have such a thing as a calling card that could be left under a wiper 2 let other owners know the club exists? Probably best keeping it 2 a set date thing 2 start with, then as Halo said we have a chance of everyone making it.

Also mid way meets with the Aberdeen gang would be great. A run out with a stop for lunch sounds good(& yes away from the A96 thanks!!!) Nice 2 meet a few of u at the show & great hospitality from yourself after.

(Had fun on that wee run back 2 the A96 from yours)

Was maybe thinking of taking a run down on the 26th BUT just 2 watch this time! So might be intrested if there was 2 be another RR day in the future. Am sure Halo will want 2 run the skyline at some point 2 when it arrives, it would be good 2 mix it in with the scoobs.

Im a fairly new member myself (after 2 years of meaning 2 join!!!)

Hope u get a good responce this thread

Graeme

[Carl Davey]

<< so we can provide a club environment for the club members. >>

Magic words Jools, magic words.

All seems excellent to me. The Aberdeen monthly meet has always been notoriously bad for me. If i'm not rota'd to fly out on the first Tuesday of each month i'm already on the platform. This changes over the next few months though as my rota wriggles it's way down the calender so i personally want to start attending the monthly meets as a regular. Today is the exception as i wangled a couple of extra days off to attend a course.

All this talk reminds me, i better'd renew!

[sandycam]

Hi jools sorry i took so long to put something down but i've been busy (honest !)

I'd be delighted if we could get enough interest for an inverness meet and the idea above about calling cards would be an ideal way of trying to recruit new members as well (capri club did it for years to great success i believe). Might even try an get to an aberdeen meet if i had enough notice. Not been much response to this but hopefully if it goes back up again now we'll get a few more opinions.

One question, i was at the mcbig one in knockhill last year, is there one planned for this year and if so when (so i can organise leave)

Cheers for putting the time into this jools, Scott.

[robinh20mrv]

hi,

i am happy to get involved, but as a freelance rov pilot i cant plan a day ahead!, but if i can i will do wherever i can

cheers robinh20mrv

[paul_wrx_sti]

Hi Jools,

Good idea to start having an Inverness meet. Some good ideas coming forward. Have you anymore info on these calling cards that has been spoken about ?

Paul

[scuba dou]

No info on the cards right now, but will be back in the UK late Wed, and will get something sorted and out in the next couple of weeks. Be off line the next couple of days, but hope to get something sorted in Inverness over the next three weeks. We have a great weekend coming up in Aberdeen with the Karting and Rolling Road day, 25th & 26th Sept.

[johns]

Jools/Gee etc,

the SIDC does indeed have postcards which you can put under wipers to let people know that the club exists etc. I'm running low on stocks at the moment (about 15 or so), but I'm happy to give these to Jools who can distribute up north

If there's a local event coming up, the best idea is to write your phone number on them with details of the event, as not every owner has access to the Internet.

Cheers

John