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shootout
greedy53 - November 5th, 2007 at 07:48 PM

well another shootout has come and gone with a bitter taste being left in the mouth of all involved in it's operation
The rain seemes to have dampened quite a few owners and i don't really blame them but to put on the shootout is no mean job as the club itself is only 40 member strong and that is including kids who do a great job and we couldn't do it without them
this year we will be pushing to break even and for a small club that is not good and could result in the show being caned as the money involved in the orgernising is masive and w2ith all members working for nothing more than a place for owners to show of the latest work done by builders and the drivers the owners feel is worth showing
It would be ashame to see the shootout close it's doors but the way the vw comunity is slowly dying away its leaving many clubs with no option but to give to do just that
No small club can run at a loss so as many clubs have found out it's cease doing shows and surrive or try and face future show failurs and finally fold
To all those who made it thank you and to those who didn't try next time to support the club doing the show there are not that many and winning is not what it's about
It's about meeting people who are as caught up in the vw as you are and sharing good times and bad together once a club closes the door on a show there is a good chance that it will stay shut
This year we were asked to supply a water pumper catagory this we did and the people who asked none even turned up also there was a push to have a rat and volksrfod catagory this we did and guess what
So the next time there is a club having a go for all vw owners try ans support them there is really a very few left
happy bugging

pod - November 5th, 2007 at 08:07 PM

Hear hear Steve,it was a long day and like you said if it wasnt for the club members all pitching in there would be no show,and as for entering ,my car isnt a full on show car but shes my pride and joy and its a way to show her off, and we raised $300 for the Wednesday Wheelies charity through our raffle,and werent those guys chuffed with that. But thanks go to the President and the committee for all the hard work they do to get the show on:tu: :tu::tu::tu:

The Bigfella - November 5th, 2007 at 08:50 PM

Thanks for putting the show on guys - I enjoyed it - even if I did turn up in a non-VW vehicle.

1303Steve - November 5th, 2007 at 09:23 PM

Hi

I had good time talking to VW people etc. I think the weather played a part, swappers were down so after a while there wasn't much to do except talk about VWs which is why I love going to these events.

Just a suggestion, maybe the venue is putting attendance off?

Steve

Craig Torrens - November 5th, 2007 at 09:26 PM

Venue is boring.........................................Thanks to all involved for their hard work......its hard to plan the weather !

avwboy - November 5th, 2007 at 09:34 PM

as always good chance to catch up with some ppl in the scene
i didnt get a chance to chat to you about ya progress steve ... will catch you at the next event if not sooner :)

1303Steve - November 5th, 2007 at 09:42 PM

Hi AVWBOY

Catch you at the next event for sure. I'm getting there with the new car, doing all the little bits that need to be done before paint and work on the house.

Steve

squizy - November 5th, 2007 at 10:08 PM

I think the weather was a big player this year which certainly kept numbers down. I also think the size of the venue affects the number of cars that will be shown - especially given that once you're inside, there's no getting out. Hard if you've got a troup of kids to keep occupied for a major part of the day. So perhaps some flexibility of venue or something that allows show cars to be parked outside as well. You may get some more cars being shown that way.

To see the event disappear would be a tragedy, but I've always thought that a VW Christmas Charity Cruise around this time of year would be good. Maybe Flat 4 could champion that instead?

vwpizza - November 6th, 2007 at 12:17 AM

Gday,
Thank you for a great day out.
I meet some interesting people and it was nice to be around other VW people ,
I am realative new to VWs.
This was my second year at your show(1st with my car).
It would be ashame for you guys to give it away you have a good thing going .
The only bad thing I found for myself is,is your location with the swiming pools as a father of a 4year old I could not relax(I even missed half of the presentation) .
Although the jumping castle was a hit 'thank you'.
The pools may keep other familys from attending.You want kids there they spend money and plenty of it.
Just my thoughts on your great show that I want to see continue.Well done to all involved and thanks again..................

HotRodMatt - November 6th, 2007 at 02:32 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by greedy53
The rain seemes to have dampened quite a few owners

Unfortunately this cripples both indoor and outdoor shows. An indoor venue isn't necessarily immune from weather attendance drops. Even rain that has cleared by show day deters people from attending. Some things are always gonna be a gamble. Many people are attracted because of the swaps - they know rain or wet ground from rain the night before deters a lot of swappers so they don't go either.

Quote:
It would be ashame to see the shootout close it's doors but the way the vw comunity is slowly dying away its leaving many clubs with no option but to give to do just that

I don't think it is dying and people want to go to shows. Just go to another type of show and see how many VW people you spot there. The show I had to go to after the Shootout had about 5 vws parked outside and spotted several vw scene people there.
One of the reasons why other shows are popular is the spectators' costs. This is a hard hurdle to overcome as no one wants to make a loss but somewhere organisers have to think about quantity and how the gate price may affect that.
How many other comparable car shows do you go to where gate prices are are in the double figures for spectators? The most is usually a gold coin or occassionally $5 and the crowds roll in... if you're not a dedicated vw person are you gonna part with $20 or more for a family to have a quick look?

Quote:
Originally posted by squizy
I also think the size of the venue affects the number of cars that will be shown (...snip...) So perhaps some flexibility of venue or something that allows show cars to be parked outside as well. You may get some more cars being shown that way.

I reckon the venue is the best going as far as Sydney's VW shows go...
I only know one place better in Sydney that is amenable to car shows that would be better (some one from Flat Four PM me if interested, I have pics)
The indoor area is a big bonus for the show. Maybe the flexibility could be accepting cars with a picture - that way the best will be assured of an indoor spot? Expanding the show area to outside for other cars. Might cause some upset owners and may require a two tiered pricing structure but surely not an insurmountable obstacle.

Quote:
Originally posted by vwpizza
The only bad thing I found for myself is,is your location with the swiming pools as a father of a 4year old I could not relax(I even missed half of the presentation).
Although the jumping castle was a hit 'thank you'.

The pool is bonus if you have kids if you pre-plan (especially there's two of you with the kids).
The jumping castle was a good idea. Coupled with the in-situ playground kids are gonna be much happier hanging around for the day.

I believe the venue is good. Maybe not ideally situated, very out of the way in terms of passing traffic and general awareness. Some thought into getting people there and keeping them there will see this event boom.
Thinking away from the "normal" format for a vw show may energise entrants and spectators to get there... Tug In The Park has been doing a tug or war for entrants for 10 years, members of clubs go even if they don't wanna show just to ensure their club has a better chance of winning. Something right out of left field may just be the key to getting people through the gate...

In the end, a rain affected year is always gonna hurt, but may help to inspire ideas for improvement.

LukeV85 - November 6th, 2007 at 03:35 PM

hey guys,

thanks to the flat four vee dub club for putting on a great show. Was great too see and meet ppl, that way i can finally put names of ppl to the cars displayed. Great turnout. Cant wait till next years shootout

LukeV85 - November 6th, 2007 at 03:36 PM

BTW cant wait till the photos come out

avwboy - November 6th, 2007 at 06:02 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by HotRodMatt

The show I had to go to after the Shootout had about 5 vws parked outside and spotted several vw scene people there.
One of the reasons why other shows are popular is the spectators' costs.


did you head to the chrysler day at fairfield also ?
the $3 door charge was a shock to me

ph billet - November 6th, 2007 at 06:36 PM

Thanks for all the comments, the weather did keep cars away which is strange as all cars to pass rego need wipers and most have wind up windows. At car shows of any kind the judgers will take into account the weather on the day and judge accordingly. I drove to the venue in the pouring rain could have easily came in the Prado with my wife and left the Beetle all tucked safe in bed but what is the point of restoring a car and baulking at the first spot of rain. SHOW IT DONT STOW IT.

Pumba - November 6th, 2007 at 07:16 PM

I thought it was a great day,would love to see the swapmeets start to grow a bit more becuase im sick of ebay,But still love the vw scene and allways will,:cool: keep up the great work guys cheers shane.

HotRodMatt - November 6th, 2007 at 07:23 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by avwboy
did you head to the chrysler day at fairfield also ?
the $3 door charge was a shock to me


Would have been good, but the Idle Wild Memorial Show was on. Some friends passed away this year so it was an event that couldn't be missed.

Pumba - November 6th, 2007 at 07:25 PM

Oh i forgot to say pod your car looks great mate,As for not being a show car what is a show car??????

MR__G - November 6th, 2007 at 08:24 PM

Hey guys,vwwoom here, It was a tough day and it would suck if we had to scrap the shootout,but it seems to be getting smaller turn out every year.Thanks for all the feedback,Ideas always welcome.

I think ph billet is right about people being scared off by rain.I drove my bug for the first time that morning after a year long resto and a few $$$ spent (let's not tell the wife how much!!), and as the pooring rain challenged my lil' wipers I had a huge smile on my face and loved every minute of it.

Thanks to all that came out and supported our club show,here's to next year...

crewcabconnection - November 6th, 2007 at 08:35 PM

(edit)

I had a good time ... and appreciate the effort put in by all, but finance is reality - be a club first and be happy ... Nambucca and Old Bar are getting bigger ... so there is interest ... but I think that the camping over is a draw at these, thats hard to do in Sydney.

Hope it keeps going. Maybe get some of the fkwits in DSK to assist next time, they turn up, leech and do nothing to help out, fekkers ...

Reckon it was all down to the weather ... previous 2 years were bigger and hotter!