Mini Cruise in the Shade

[Fletch]

Several SABA members went to The Dalles yesterday to the Crusin' the Gorge event hosted by the Mid-Columbia Car Club. As part of the Cruise in was a model cars show/contest. Bob Earls was the host for the model event. We had a great time, there were 36 models entered in the show/contest. The 1:1 Cruise In had 264 cars entered, of those entered they were perhaps a 1/2 dozen that we've seen at Cruises in the Portland area. I can tell those of you who didn't attend you missed a great event, hosted by a great bunch of Guys and Gals. The setting in Sorosis Park overlooking The Dalles and the Columbia River Basin is fantastic.





Ron Martinolich's Peoples Choice Winning Entry:


Bob Earls Won the SABA Pick:
Hosted on Fotki

Link to the Album:
public.fotki.com/dcfletcher/model-cars/model-contestshows-2009/crusin-the-gorge-2009/

Bob, Thank you and all the members of the Mid-Columbia Car Club for the hospitality and for hosting a FANTASTIC event.

[Fletch]

I got an email from Bob Earls over the weekend. Bob is the Gentleman who hosted the contest at the Gorge Cruise this past summer. Bob, thanked us again for coming up and being a part of the event. He went on to let me know that this was the second and last model contest to be associated with the cruise as Hood River Hobbies had pulled their sponsorship. The reason behind the decision was that a bunch of "Old Guys" from out of town and Bob were all that entered the contest. That the shop owner sponsored these type of events to get kids involved in the hobby. To say that I was dismayed with this decision would be an understatement.

Having managed a hobby shop for several years I know that 99+% of the people walking through the door were 30-70 year old men with reasonable paying jobs who have some disposable income. The only time I ever saw kids in the shop was if the parent, family member etc had drug them in with the promise of buying them a couple of packs of the latest edition of Dungeons and Dragons cards.

For a shop owner to have no clue as to the dynamics of this hobby is reprehensible. To expect that kids just jump into this hobby without a family member or family friend involved indicates no understanding of the hobby or human nature. How do you expect to bring new people into this or any other hobby if you don't know the demographics of those who are spending the money.

I find it extremely unfortunate that this potentially great event has been sidelined by the short-sightedness of a single shop owner. Not only does the hobby suffer but the communities of Hood River and The Dalles as well. After all us "Old Guys" had to eat and drink during the day we spent at the Cruise-In/Contest. That meant money from Portland went up the Gorge and stayed there. Money that went to pay someone's wages. Wages that could have been spent at Hood River Hobbies.

Everyone looses because one shop owner can't see past the fact that there were no junior entries. BTW, Ron hasn't redeemed the $25 gift certificate that he received as part of winning the contest. He's seriously considering sending it back so as to not inconvenience Hood River Hobbies by having an "Old Guy" spending a gift certificate intended to awarded to a junior modeler.


Bob, thank you once again for producing a 100% class event, it will seriously be missed.

[bigkydd]

I agree 100% with you Dave. The guy obviously has no clue. He shoud own a 7 eleven, not a hobby store. I wonder if he has a hobby? All of us "old guys" that participated that day should sign a letter of agreement to boycott his establishment, and mail it with Rons Certificate. It wont hurt his business any, but it will show him the loss of approx 10-12 potential new customers.
Oh, and i didnt really see that many kids at an "Old Guys" cruise in anyway.....what kind of younger turnout did he expect at an adult oriented day?

[Fletch]

I got an email from Bob last night, depending upon the level of help that he gets from the rest of the club members for this next years cruise there is the potential to have at least a display of models.

I'm seriously considering offering my assistance to round up a gift certificate and the $$ for a trophy. I would truly hate to see this event sidelined because of a shop owner who doesn't understand the hobby.

[bigkydd]

I will donate a few bucks Dave, i would hate to see it die too, and this was my 1st yr there. I will donate time too, if time off from work is possible and i can work out transporation.

[Fletch]

Vance, thank you for your offer of help and monetary assistance. Right now the situation is in Bob's hands. I feel that I've pushed enough buttons in the past couple of days over this situation and shouldn't push much farther. Bob, had told me that he'll let me know after the first of the year about the level of help he is going to get from the rest of the car club members when it comes to setting up the raffle etc for the 2010 cruise.

When I hear from him I'll let him know that we have people here that are willing to invest time and money to have the model contest continue.

I'll keep you posted.