Car Clubs and Politics

I have been active with various car clubs since around 2004 to present. Seven years really isn't a long time but in that period I have seen a fair share of groups come and go. I found my self reflecting on this fact the other night after I nice meetup we had during the Gemini Diaries flag off (see previous entry). Members from different Old-school groups were present, members from the Lan-Evo club, the Honda Club and many others were present. What's cool was that even though there was a wide variety of groups present and quite a number of people we're meeting for the very first time the atmosphere was light and friendly and things just went so smoothly. I was even passed a free can of cold beer! I thought to myself, why can't it always be like this?

Sometimes behind what looks like good natured fun, things can get pretty ugly. Sad to say, not everybody joins a car club for the same reason. While I'd like to think that a good number do join for the camaraderie and for the betterment of their hobby or passion, there are some who have different motives. I've seen quite the range from business men out to make a quick buck, to stalkers, to those who are just plain crazy. I have personally seen groups fall apart because of things as serious as money issues, to things as petty as where to meet up. There have been issues as to who should be the 'leader'. I've seen breakaway groups form their own club (and harass the other). I've seen people ruin their reputation buying or selling car parts (sometimes whole cars). I've seen people turn into monsters when given the slightest bit of authority (i.e. board moderators powertripping like crazy). I've seen car clubs accuse one another of pirating each others members. There are people who join groups just to brag and there are groups that are all about bragging. I could go on but it'd take forever to list everything down and I think I've made my point.

Don't get me wrong, sometime this can all be very entertaining. I can't count the number of times I've gone to bed late just because I was enjoying reading a long thread with grown men having a 'forum fight'. There are people who talk big and give wrong advice but have nothing to show and there are those who have their priorities just plain messed up. And of course there are those (cool and righteous guys) who are so allergic to Bullshit that they will not let any of that pass. Throw in a properly hot topic (i.e. "what's the best/fastest ___________?") and it won't take long for sparks to fly.

While when listed down it all looks really ugly this is all par for the course. It's due to human nature. You can't have a large group of people and not have some form of internal conflict. That's my nice way of saying that there are douchebags in every group.  The key is to either manage the group really well through a well chosen leadership team (easier said than done) or keep the group small (to keep the douchebags in check) Sometimes the true essence of why we gather together is lost among the politics. Personally I go to where it's fun. If it's not fun anymore I don't go. Real life and work is stressful enough as it is.