anthonyseven

Yes, as a separate club we would have to provide our own insurance. It was not my intent to imply otherwise. Tony

Yes, it does. Thank you. I would like to learn more about what you hope this club will be. In other words, what is the purpose of the club? Specifically? From the discussion so far, the purpose would seem to be events like 7-7-7. I don't think the answer to this question is obvious. I am presently a member of several different car clubs. Each of them has a different focus. In a sense, I had a different reason for joining each of them. Each one provided me with some connection to the hobby that the others did not. Why would I join this one? For some folks, it would be reason enough to merely identify with other seven owners. I'll probably join for that reason alone, but I am betting that you've got more in mind. What will make this club unique?

Folks, I totally agree with Bernie on this one, so I'll add my 2 cents to his. I see no advantage in affiliating ourselves with a one-marque club on a different continent. They might be a wonderful bunch of guys, but we already have several wonderful groups here on our side of the pond. The reason here is the people. Not good, or bad, but proximity! Please, if I am wrong, someone set me right! But the case has simply not been made that there is greater value in affiliating with the UK group. Sure, there is a lot of technical knowledge available, but we already get that through the internet. The vast majority of us here in the USA will rarely have the opportunity to share a blat with those guys. Or meet for beer and pizza. If I can't ever hang with them, what's the point? On the other hand, Lotus Ltd. has already established a lot of the things I'd like to see in a club. For example, local chapters, a national meet with factory recognition, liability insurance, and a regular newsletter! I would suggest that you guys join Lotus Ltd, find a local chapter to hang with, or else start your own local chapter. Please, attend LOG this coming October. There is a larger Lotus community out there, and it would be sad if any one of us fails to tap into it. If you don't like Lotus Ltd for whatever reason then there are other Lotus clubs here in the USA that you could tap into. I just happen to be a member of the Indianapolis chapter of Lotus Ltd so that is what I am familiar with. The reverse also works. If we can enrich the sevens community by starting a new club from scratch, then why can't we enrich the whole Lotus community even more by standing on their shoulders? I love the exhuberance I see in this group, but I worry that it might be a little about "Control?" It would very sad, if that is the case, because I know that most of the old Lotus guys would really welcome us all. The car hobby does not need more Balkanization! I've had enough of the "rodders hatin the ricers" and the "corvette greybeards hatin the Porsche guys" and all that other nonsense. At least, all of Chapman's legacy should be united in the same community. Believe me, there aren't many snobs left in the Lotus ranks now, they have mostly sold their Esprits to real enthusiasts and moved on to newer bling. I'll probably join whatever club you folks come up with, regardless of its affiliation or lack thereof; however, I know from personal experience that we would all be well served by reaching out to the existing Lotus community in our own backyard. Bernie, we've got at least .04 between us now... Tony Indianapolis '99 Birkin