Planet 9

**PistolPete** · #1 05-16-2009, 11:32 PM

Do you realize that we're in THIRD place out of all the regional forums in number of thread and number of views?

U.S. Northeast (Nor'Easters) Region U.S. Northeast
Threads: 515
Views: 7,532

We're catching up to the West coast

U.S. West Region
Threads: 622
Views: 7,867

While the all time champ is U.K/Ireland

United Kindom, Ireland Region
Threads: 724
Views: 8,993

So, think we can become the top regional forum anytime soon? By the end of the year maybe? What do you think?

gonzo · #2 05-17-2009, 10:45 PM

I think that is very doable considering the number of events planned for the year plus all of the unplanned events we end up attending/creating.

Apollo · #3 05-18-2009, 12:17 PM

If the region was split up into Northern and Southern NE, we would have more participation. Right now, most MA, NH, ME people come in, take a look, find that our states are pretty much ignored, and we choose to go somewhere else. There is just too much NYC/NJ stuff here.
I have said that before, I am not alone in this opinion, but apparently no one gives a you know what.

gonzo · #4 05-18-2009, 12:34 PM

Originally Posted by Apollo

If the region was split up into Northern and Southern NE, we would have more participation. Right now, most MA, NH, ME people come in, take a look, find that our states are pretty much ignored, and we choose to go somewhere else. There is just too much NYC/NJ stuff here.
I have said that before, I am not alone in this opinion, but apparently no one gives a you know what.

I think there are a number of us willing to make a weekend out of it to explore other areas of the Northeast. I know I would definitely be interested in such an excursion. Since I do not know the local geography, I am willing to listen to any suggestions you or others may have in this regard. Hopefully we can arrange something sometime this year.

**K-Man S** · #5 05-18-2009, 01:03 PM

Originally Posted by Apollo

If the region was split up into Northern and Southern NE, we would have more participation. Right now, most MA, NH, ME people come in, take a look, find that our states are pretty much ignored, and we choose to go somewhere else. There is just too much NYC/NJ stuff here.
I have said that before, I am not alone in this opinion, but apparently no one gives a you know what.

Apollo,

No one is ignoring you, I am simply not going to create a new forum for every state and chop things up that much. You can easily organize an event with people from Maine, Vermont, Mass, etc. something outsite NY/NJ using the facilities of this forum and website to get the word out. No one is saying that events have to be exclusively NY/NJ based.

**PistolPete** · #6 05-18-2009, 01:05 PM

Originally Posted by Apollo

...I have said that before, I am not alone in this opinion, but apparently no one gives a you know what.

That's a little bit harsh I think. I know that both you and JETSET1 have tried to post about events and activities with uneven results. Organizing activities is a 2-way street. You need someone with enough motivation to say, hey, I'm going to be here, if you want to participate, come on by. And you need the people/lurkers to actually show up. I lurked here for almost 2 years before posting anything, so it's hard to draw people out.

Why do you think I'm always taking so many pictures at our events? People are naturally shy about participating. If they see that we're all not psycho serial killers (ctcayman excluded), maybe they'll show up at the next event.

We've been lucky to get a core group of usual suspects down here in the Tri-State area to keep this section jumping. The Lake Placid trip was our attempt at reaching up north a bit. I'm glad that we'll have some new faces with us on that trip, but unfortunately no one north of Connecticut signed up.

Apollo · #7 05-18-2009, 01:42 PM

Ken, you own this site, so decisions are yours. NE is a large region and deserves to be split up into two. There is a reasons why Region 1 has NCR/NER/NJR... and etc.

I connect mostly via e-mail now with the folks in NER/NCR regions. Most I have spoken to re. organizing via this section had commented in almost similar way "all I see is NJ stuff there". I usually move on after that and we get organized via e-mail or Twitter.

You know my context is not to cr@p on things here, but rather help. I try to post NER/NCR events here. I have also driven 3+ hours to drive with CT/NY/NJ folks. So my commitment is here. I am just relaying the feedback I receive.

I have been trying to lay groundwork for Porsche of Nashua, NH to come in as a sponsor (have been planting idea in the heads of everyone I meet there). I have also been sending folks to this forum (Cayman and 911 guys and gals).

Apollo · #8 05-18-2009, 01:45 PM

Another point I need to bring up with those events, if it is over 1.5-2 hour drive, especially out of Boston with f-ed up weekend construction and tollways of hell with understaffed booths... you see where I am going with that. Folks just don't want to deal with it.
Many of us have spouses who could care less about our car addictions, so any overnight trips are not as attractive.

**K-Man S** · #9 05-18-2009, 03:18 PM

Well if there is enough interest in splitting up the NE region into 2 sections I would do it, but in order to gauge interest I will need you to start a separate topic thread and ask the question there and ask people for their feedback and let's see who responds and how they respond. If there really are people with that level of interest then all they need to do is voice their opinions to be heard.

Apollo · #10 05-18-2009, 03:32 PM

Originally Posted by K-Man S

Well if there is enough interest in splitting up the NE region into 2 sections I would do it, but in order to gauge interest I will need you to start a separate topic thread and ask the question there and ask people for their feedback and let's see who responds and how they respond. If there really are people with that level of interest then all they need to do is voice their opinions to be heard.

Sounds reasonable! I will call some personally and ask them to share their opinion. Whatever brings more active membership is good for the organization.

Gator Bite · #11 05-18-2009, 03:36 PM

I don't see a need to split the Northeast Region, but I do definitely see a need for a coordinator in the heart of New England. I just spent the weekend driving up the roads of New Hampshire and it was gorgeous.

Someone needs to step up, organize a few rides / gtgs and show us that they are coordinator material.

Apollo · #12 05-18-2009, 03:39 PM

I don't see it as splitting up. I see it more as looking for ways to motivate more people from under-represented areas to feel that it is worth it for them to put in the effort and that they belong.

Gator Bite · #13 05-18-2009, 03:45 PM

Originally Posted by Apollo

I don't see it as splitting up. I see it more as looking for ways to motivate more people from under-represented areas to feel that it is worth it for them to put in the effort and that they belong.

Who wants to put something together? Maybe an invite to a local autocross, or a cool open house. Maybe a ride or concours.

**zedd06** · #14 05-18-2009, 06:20 PM

Originally Posted by Gator Bite

Who wants to put something together? Maybe an invite to a local autocross, or a cool open house. Maybe a ride or concours.

Hey GB.

You will have tell me about the nice roads up north. I plan a few trips in that direction this summer. I can help someone who knows the area. I need assistance from our MA, NH and VT members.

BTW...I extended feelers for a northern NE road trip earlier in year.

http://www.planetporsche.net/u-s-nor...road-trip.html

Gator Bite · #15 05-19-2009, 06:45 AM

Ina and I spent the weekend in North Woodstock and we did the whole route around the White Mountains. It was very pretty, but a little boring and loaded with police activity.

I know there are some really nice roads in Western MA, in the Apalachians.

Are there any Northeast members that could put together a collection of favorite roads for us?

Apollo · #16 05-19-2009, 10:04 AM

There is an AX at Devens this Saturday (23rd) with PCA NCR.
Pre-reg closes in two days.

Re. Western MA... it is as cop infested as White Mountains. Towns are getting their state support cut, so the cops are out "collecting". They are so desperate they are dusting off their X-bands.

Gator Bite · #17 05-19-2009, 02:52 PM

How about Vermont.

Guys, read between the lines. I personally believe we need more coordinators in the NE region. I think we need on in CT, and one in MA. If you think you'd like to fill a spot, feel free to give it a try. Organize an event. Anything. A coffee meet, a group to attend a PCA meeting, a ride, or what ever you can come up with. This would give you an opportunity to try the hat on before committing, and it would give us an opportunity to see you in action. Who's up to the task?

I think Zed06 would make a great ride coordinator, with his wealth of backroad experience.

Apollo, you seem to be motivated and I know you were interested in the past.

What do you guys think?

**someday** · #18 05-19-2009, 05:25 PM

Stop WHINING and organize something! How do you think the NY,NJ area started? Pete posted that he was going up to Lime Rock and he posted a meeting spot. That morning I think there were 5 of us plus me on my motorcycle. We had a great time and it was the start of core group that has snowballed into a very active area. What I'm saying is get off your a-- and organize something. If you don't have the turn out you want maybe the interest just isn't there. Good luck!

**zedd06** · #19 05-19-2009, 05:46 PM

Originally Posted by Gator Bite

How about Vermont.

I think Zed06 would make a great ride coordinator, with his wealth of backroad experience.

Apollo, you seem to be motivated and I know you were interested in the past.

What do you guys think?

I will give it a try. I can do research on proposed routes in MA, VT and NH? Check with the club experts in those states.

We need to agree on day, or days and weekends to avoid. It may be a day trip or an overnight trip depending on distant traveled for meet. I think our goal is modest speed cruising on scenic roads and socializing at a restaurant.

BTW...I need to venture out of state. I have never been north of the southern berkshires in my cayman?!

Gator Bite · #20 05-19-2009, 06:05 PM

Originally Posted by someday

Stop WHINING and organize something! How do you think the NY,NJ area started? Pete posted that he was going up to Lime Rock and he posted a meeting spot. That morning I think there were 5 of us plus me on my motorcycle. We had a great time and it was the start of core group that has snowballed into a very active area. What I'm saying is get off your a-- and organize something. If you don't have the turn out you want maybe the interest just isn't there. Good luck!

Couldn't have said it better Don.

Originally Posted by zedd06

I will give it a try. I can do research on proposed routes in MA, VT and NH? Check with the club experts in those states.

We need to agree on day, or days and weekends to avoid. It may be a day trip or an overnight trip depending on distant traveled for meet. I think our goal is modest speed cruising on scenic roads and socializing at a restaurant.

BTW...I need to venture out of state. I have never been north of the southern berkshires in my cayman?!

We'll have to look over the calendar and see when a good time would be. Maybe the first step is to start a new thread in our NE region forum seeing who might be interested. Then take it from there.