Gus I was not present at the last council meeting, therefore was not privy to what was ACtualy said by various members of the ACOC Council.
Rest assured there is a positive appreciation and enthusiasm for a ACOC International event in USA and as you rightfully point out a chance in a Lifetime.
At present there is enthusiasm and encouragement for this event, However due to worldwide economic recession and the fact that many members are paying mortgages and/ or school fees and have committments to both Family and Business , we cannot expect a vast number of members to have or allocate the odd spare £4000.00 or more for a three week vacation and be without their AC for a few months for the Summer / Autumn.
The ACOC often find that more than one event in the same year clash or take precedence over another, so Priorities continually change, that doesn’t mean there is little or no support for a USA International.
We need to have some rough outline and accurate budget pricing in order to evaluate response , The ACOC Internationals of past ten or twenty years have been well supported by English and European members with many driving thousands of miles to meet up and enjoy the hospitally of our AC Host/s .
Please do not take this the wrong way, we do not see ACs comming across the pond in any number, We did have 4 Aces flown in from Chicago by the Mulacek Family for the 2010 International and Le Mans Classic. The cost is somewhat restrictive to majority of our members on both sides of the pond.
This ACOC International is a big committment and will take a while to materialise, so please organise a small committee of ACOC members and enthusiasts , We on this side of the Pond will support with advise and enthusiasm, You do not need to bring in Professional services to organise the event, A Small group can cope comfortably.
One or two to organise a route and produce Route Book/s.
One or Two to book and monitor Hotel/ stop over reservations..
One or two to contact and book restaraunts or Tie in all facilities and ammenities.
Not every one will want to join the majority all the time so the odd alternative venue /place of interest is required, with alternative route to jump ahead or rejoin party.
Jean Marc Dubost and I are the only 2 who organise the very successful Le Mans Classic every other year, granted it only involves Booking Circuit Tickets, Chateaux. Ferry crossings and a Gala Dinner for 125 or so. But despite we are in different countries. It works well.
Most ACOC Internationals are organised by one, two or three people, Who work as a team and produce a good varied itinerary of interesting venues , with good route book , eating establishments and accomodation.
I will ask a few organisers from previous ACOC Internationals to email data on their events, Places of interest in the past have included Vinyards, Glass making Factories/ Foundaries. Driving instruction/ skid pan, Villeroy and Boch Factory, Coal Mine, Race track and Hill climb to name just a few different venues / places of interest to entertain a wide range of Members of different Nationalities and Age.
The number of Cars taking part in the ACOC international and Le Mans Classic vary between 25 and 65 cars, however back in 2003 we Actually had 102 ACs in the rallye field and 34 ACs on the grid for the AC Ace Challange Race at Donington Park. A great International organised by John Arnold , his secretary and a couple of members...
Don't give Up, you have already made inroads to organising a Very Special ACOC International, granted the Majority will be American members but you should see a dozen or so from UK and Europe if the Transportation of our cars and Airflights are negotaited fiercly at your end with some costs possibly met by a sponsor, USA / European Company. ( transport Co, Insurance Co, Oil Co or IT Co ??)
Gus, I have spoken to Andy Shepherd whilst at the Bentley Drivers / Silverstone meeting this afternoon, he agrees with me that it is feasable, but due to financial committments of many ACOC Family members the overall cost of this International will curtail many from participating, so a alternative event during the year would be on / in the ACOC calendar. Eg. A Special National Event.......... In fact The ACOC always have a National Event as well as a International meeting every year, with Le Mans Classic alternate years, Not every member can or wants to participate, It is nice to have a choice.
Go for It, keep everyone informed via the Forum and Action Magazine, If it proves a wee bit daunting prepare it for 2014, but as Andy has stated before , most Internationals are planned within twelve / fourteen months and prove to be very successful.
If I Can assist in any way and ACt as a go between with you and ACOC Council I will do my best.[
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Please note I have copied your email and my reply to Andy Shepherd Our Chairman, and a few International members so this matter can be discussed at the next Council meeting ( Last Thursday of each Month.)
Last but not least. Imperative that all parties participating MUST Pay DEPOSIT , non refundable or on sliding Scale, Individuals Must have their own Travel and Medical Insurance. Disclaimers etc can be sorted and agreed at later date. .... Priority is to Confirm Costing, proposed date and put together Itinery.
Hopefully I have not offended or discouraged. One or two Members can come up Trumps ..... Many of us have in the past, Many of us will in the Future..[
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Cheers for Now
Keith ..[
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