Why am I keen?

[Scallops]

Folks,

Spoke to Sleepy (Paul) from Melbourne last night, and even though he has already joined SLOW, he asked me why it had come about. A good question I thought, and one which seems to be a common reaction to news of this new club. I thought a thread with some (of my) reasons for getting involved might help others understand the club more....so please join in and put your thoughts too.

I guess the question arises for many because it is obvious I'm already in a Land Rover Club - my signature is hardly subtle - and my existing club is a bloody good one too. I love being a part of the GCLRO and the folks in it are really quite a special bunch. And make no mistake, the rules of this club, as layed out, allow me to use my Series 1....I can go to meetings in it.... I can use it on any club trip (bar G4 or trips requiring winches etc)...so why would I need to be in SLOW?

Well, the realities of owning a Series 1 are kind of different - happily or unfortunately, I'm not sure which yet, Series 1's don't really conform to rules any more it seems So, for example, although I could have theoretically taken Matilda to our recent Fraser Island trip, the reality is, I can't. Why? Because who is going to be happy with ol' mate Scallops driving at 65km/h all the way up the Bruce highway causing a hold up back to Hamilton? This is really the essence of it - Series vehicles (and Series 1's in particular) have certain needs in terms of...

1) Speed of the trip
2) Distance that might be covered
3) Even the terrain that may be crossed to make the trip fun.

So although all our GCLRO trips are open for Matilda to come on, in reality, this is problematic to the point I'd just take Grover instead, other than to dedicated events.

The same applies to getting to our monthly meetings - theoretically, I can drive Matilda to GCLRO meetings - but in reality, again, I can't. I live too far away to actually get there in time!

But the GCLRO offer a wide range of Land Rover flavours, which is one of it's great strengths. I love this aspect of the club, but it also means that there are but a hand full of like type vehicles, Series vehicles, and as a club, to organise dedicated Series trips requires finding firstly a spare weekend (in terms of clashes with other trips), secondly finding a weekend that is good for everyone (or at least a majority) who are likely to attend and thirdly, hope ol' Matilda is actually going on that weekend! That said, we (GCLRO) do offer at least several Series trips each year - I lead one of them, and these are great fun....but I want to use Matilda more often, which is easier said than done, at least purely from within my regular LR club....

So SLOW bridges the gap in my Land Rover love...all trips will be suitable, and that provides flexibility for when I can get out in my old car. In addition, trips can be user generated at any time, so as to be completely flexible to member's needs. If Matilda is out of action when one of the GCLRO Series trips is offered, it's a pity - but there again, it's no huge deal, because once I get the ol' girl going again I can participate in various Series trips again by way of this new club....But prior to SLOW, it just meant I missed out.

And then, our meetings are to be largely weekend based mech sessions, at various locations, and as such are events that are much more likely suitable for me to go to in Matilda....and learn something, even if it is that Glen burns the snags.

So I'm looking forward to this....life is short - let's maximise the fun!

[newhue]

I echo your thoughts Scollops, now I'm aware of a few more.

From a new owners perspective, and also a GCLRO member. I've joined SLOW with the anticipation of spending a day with owners who know these things inside out. Rather than reading books I prefer to hear and see someone point out the subtilise of a series, and have a laugh with an interesting person.

Life is busy, and I do a fair bit of private camping and so far getting myself organised for a GCLRO series day has not worked out, so being a member of slow allows me more opportunities right at the level i'm looking for.

[Col.Coleman]

Obviously I felt a need for something like this to exist.

With historic vehicles we NEED a club, and no-one caters to us as it stands for the reasons above.

I want members to dictate how they want to enjoy their vehicles, not have a club dictate to them how to enjoy them.

I want member generated trips when members are available. Not a schedule on a calender and no-one turns up. I can think of nothing better than maybe 6 seperate trips on one weekend in several different regions going different places. At least then people are getting out and enjoying their vehicles.

I want people to get together and meet, fix and learn. I want to pass on that knowledge that took me or someone else a lifetime to learn.

I want to live, breathe, eat, sleep, drive, fix, restore series Land Rovers, and meet and see people doing the same. With pictures.

CC