Donnington

[Mel Lewis]

Just checking to see who will be at Donnington next month ?.
As I need to take a look at other cars and ask advise on the general building and any tips, take photos etc,(generally harrass owners).

Also possibly a good idea would be for someone to take photos of all the technical bits and bobs that appear on the site, and create a technical help line to help others understand the different options and approach of other members to the build. ( A photographic build manual ?).

What'd u think ?.

[Stratos]

Mel,

Check out the sub-categories under Stratos Replica in the new photo gallery.

www.stratossupersite.com/photos

There are no pictures there yet, but the infrastructure is in place.

[Mel Lewis]

That looks great, now all we need are contributions by all the members who have or are building cars.

THAT MEANS YOU

[JohnB_SPY8808053]

Hey - I'm trying but it won't let me upload any more pics. Is says I've run out of space.

BTW - If anybody has some, I'm looking for some more pics of the interior of the works rally cars. In particular, I'm looking for pictures that show the headliner, tunnel and rear bulkhead.

Thanks,

John B.

[Stratos]

John,

I've looked at your upload problem, and changed some settings which should allow you more space for uploads. Try it again and let me know if you continue to have problems.

To get back to the subject of the thread, namely Donnington in September, unfortunately, I will be away on holiday so won't be able to get there.

[rutthenut]

At the moment I have no idea if I'll be at Donington in September and if I do go I may be a spectator and not have my car with me!

That's one of the problems with two-seaters and having a daughter that might want to come along too :eek:

Also, are you referring to the Saturday 'track day' sessions, or the Sunday 'race day' with Le Mans Auto Italia guys and Maranello Ferraris, etc? Or both days?

[Mel Lewis]

It's like getting blood out of a stone:confused: I thought a few of the completed cars out there might have made an effort to fly the Strato's flag even if they are not in A1 condition:( :( very disappointing.

Lets hope more people will use the photo library,or will that be a waste of Daves time and effort.

By the way Dave thanks for the site:D

[Mel Lewis]

Very strange ?

[rutthenut]

Originally posted by Mel Lewis
Very strange ?

What's strange ?

And could you please lighten up on your attitude a bit, Dave's work is certainly appreciated but that doesn't mean that anyone with a kit is necessarily obliged to put in similar effort just because of the car that they own (although that would be nice).

As it is, I don't think anyone puts in any more effort than Dave into 'club' activities, but others certainly add their contributions in organisation, information and attendance.

There is always a conundrum in balancing the amounts of time and effort (and money) put into home and work activities, with 'enthusiast' topics or hobbies coming into the mix. Some people spend more time on the hobbies, often for the benefit of others as well as their own interests. Then again, not everyone can or will (or should) make that extra commitment.

[chris.richard]

Originally posted by rutthenut


What's strange ?

And could you please lighten up on your attitude a bit, Dave's work is certainly appreciated but that doesn't mean that anyone with a kit is necessarily obliged to put in similar effort just because of the car that they own (although that would be nice).



I agree - ther's no element of compulsion attached to being a member of the Stratos Replica Club, or to being a contributor to this forum. Everybody's welcome, whether they contribute a little or a lot, and those that only wish to contribute a little shouldn't be criticised for it. We're not forming a crusade to convert everybody out there into a Stratos fanatic.

[roger001]

I was there !!!

- But in an Alfa - OOPs

However it was a great weekend for fans of Italian cars of all makes.

PS the Auto Italia race was a cracker with battles througout the race for all classes, To the extent tha t I managed to grab second place in Class E by 0.11 sec at the last bend of the last lap.

[Stratos]

Been away on holiday, and just thought I'd comment on this thread.

Mel, I appreciate you taking people to task for not contributing more to the photo gallery, and I would love more photos being uploaded, and we are gradually increasing the number of photos day by day. Eventually it will be a very large photo gallery - we just have to be patient, as it will take time.

But, John is right in his comments - not everyone has the time or inclination to do this.

In fact, I am as guilty as anyone - there are loads of photos I have that require uploading. I'll gradually do it over the next few months.

There are lots of people in the Stratos community who do a lot to promote and enjoy the Stratos in various ways, and we should all appreciate their various valuable contributions.

Everyone is different about what they want out of their "Stratos experience", and we should respect their individual "needs".

Hope that all makes a bit of sense - I think the coming back to the "cool" British climate is doing something to my brain!!!!

[Mel Lewis]

Firstly I must appologise to other users of this excellent site. But over the months I have come to think of this site as "The Strato's Replica Club" (as no dout others have also made the same assumption), Which it is not.

Being a member/ organiser/offical, of motor club's in recent years I found it very difficult to drum up any type of enthusiam in the majority of members. I found that there was a small core of people who worked very hard for the enjoyment of others as well as themselves, mostly without any thanks what so ever.

Looking back on it I think what a lot of selfish people there are out there,only thinking of there own needs. In some cases using the club to promote themselves as some sort of prima donna's. All the work my colleagues and I were putting in for there entertainment without thanks or acknowledgment ( except when complaining ) left me feeling quite disillusioned with the "club" scene. I also found it very hard to find anyone willing to take on my office at the club (It took three years and a resignation to get a replacement ).

I hope that will give you some understanding to my "Attitude" toward people who dont pull there weight.

P.S.
Thanks to everyone who replied as I value and part understand your reaction.

P.P.S.
It's still a great site in my view, and keep it up, but it will eventually kill off "The Strato's Replica Club" and with it contact to people throughout the world who dont have computers, but still may have an entertaining Strato's story to tell ?.

[Stratos]

Originally posted by Mel Lewis
It's still a great site in my view, and keep it up, but it will eventually kill off "The Strato's Replica Club" and with it contact to people throughout the world who dont have computers, but still may have an entertaining Strato's story to tell ?.

Mel,

This was always a worry of mine when I decided to add the forum to the website, and I think it's true to a certain extent.

But, there were only really a small core of people who contributed to the Stratos Club Newsletter anyway.

It just means that those of us with any story, or useful information, should be submitting it to the Newsletter as well as posting it on here.

I've made a pact with myself, to try and contribute at least on article per magazine issue to help keep it going.



Regarding your other comments, I, personally, don't really feel you need to offer an apology - your enthusiasm just got you a bit carried away.

We all understand your attitude, and I'm sure that many others, including myself, will feel the same way at times, but, unfortunately, that's life, and you've just got accept that that's how it is and make the best of it.

There's still enough contributors to make the whole thing a resounding success, and everyone who has contributed to anything Stratos-related has my unreserved thanks.

[rutthenut]

Originally posted by Mel Lewis
Being a member/ organiser/offical, of motor club's in recent years I found it very difficult to drum up any type of enthusiam in the majority of members.

...

I also found it very hard to find anyone willing to take on my office at the club (It took three years and a resignation to get a replacement ).

I hope that will give you some understanding to my "Attitude" toward people who dont pull there weight.


Mel,

Your comments about having previously having held a role in a motor club certainly make sense. In fact I probably agree with a lot of what you say and feel and it seems to be a common 'problem' for clubs of all sorts.

Your points raised before did seem a bit harsh within this forum, and the replies (mine included) therefore also came over a bit strong in return. But at least it hasn't descended into a flame way (which David would naturally remove as a moderator). We all have our opinions and are free to express them, which includes disappointment in poor turn-outs and the like.

I do hope the 'official' Replica Club doesn't die out though. But if it does end up going that way I would suggest it is very little to do with this forum - which may even bring in new members - but more to do with the problems of a relatively small membership spread over a very large (worldwide!) geographical area.

Even within the UK it is rare to get more than a handful of cars at any events, for whatever reasons. Hence the Abingdon meet was clearly a great success in each of the years it has been held.

There is also a lack of enough volunteers to arrange events on behalf of the club. So it's with many thanks to David for the effort that he continues to put in on behalf of Stratos enthusiast and club members alike. Same for the current newsletter editor and for Guy as the replica club treasurer and secretary (the latter role taken on I believe because no-one else would fill the gap following a resignation).

By the way, I did use to be newsletter editor some years ago and maybe feel that I've 'done my bit'. But we can all have excuses for not doing more on the club scene, whether they appear to be valid reasons to others or not.

Hope you didn't take umbrage at my earlier response, but your comments seemed to strike a chord with me - and maybe I was feeling a bit grumpy when I read it. :mad:

Cheers all