TVR Car Club independence
Discussion
Just picking up a thread that''s buried in the Classics section here but which in my view warrants a wider airing (see quote from thegamekeeper below). It''s discussing Sprint and whether or not it''s worth reading any more.
I have to say I''d welcome the return of technical articles in Sprint. I knew the Club was close to the factory and so had to be mindful of retaining TVR Engineering''s support but, if the reason the Club''s monthly newsletter won''t do them is because they don''t want people reminded where the some of the lesser bits came from (barely true with the new er cars anyway) then it beggars belief. The Club is ultimately about the owners not the factory. How about some more independence for the TVRCC? What does everyone think? Is it relevant any more?
>>from thegamekeeper:
On the subject of TECHNICAL content the Committee made a unilateral decision to exclude technical articles in order not to offend the Factory by telling people that Chimaera brakes come from Ford Escorts etc.That is why the content changed a couple or three years ago. I feel that the factory gives the Car Club no help or respect and therefore deserves non in return. (DEBATE )How can Mr Wheeler afford to ignore a loyal growing fan club of over 5000 members. Do you think the committee should make Car Club decisions for the benefit of the Club or TVR Engineering?(DEBATE)
Independence can only be a good thing. I'd like the club to be independent and therefore careless of the opinions of anyone but the owners who pay subscriptions (within reason, of course).
Not the factory. Not the cops. Not even Pistonheads gassers. Just a club absolutely run by and for the members.
Personally I like the technical articles even though I own a (relaively) recent car. There HAVE been some this last year, though..haven't there?
No point to this. Just rambling.
I personally think there is a wider question - what exactly is the purpose of Sprint in its current form anyway? Ok, very useful for publicising track days and free ads for those selling their cars, but the rest of the content needs a major rethink. There ought to be a place for a regular publication but I for one am not that interested in the huge section which tells you how region A had a beer and skittles night with added beards. And as for production values...
Got to agree on this one. Sprint is a complete waste of time, if the reason for the dearth of interesting (i.e technical or even factual - why can't we have some reprints of magazine road tests etc?) is not wanting to upset the factory, then you have to wonder why they bother with a magazine at all. As a wedge owner I would like to read about tech tips, modifications or especially have someway of finding where parts are sourced.
I always flick through the magazine to confirm its dullness and then read the classified section in depth - far more interesting IMHO.
Don't want to knock those who contribute - but did you see the recent article about some chap who put 16" wheels on his Smart in an effort to make it look a bit like his Cerby?!! Eh - and your point is?
Only worth being in the TVRCC if you want to buy or sell something in the classifieds.
Edited by AlexG on Thursday 17th May 14:24
Sprint HAS gone downhill. No doubt about it. Since the previous Editor left in fact. BUT I have sympathy with the current administration.
1) A regular publication IS desirable (I speak as a member)
2) New administration is still learning the ropes. They ARE amateurs and are doing this out of enthusiasm and for NO reward...they are doing their best.
3) No bugger contributes..so they have to get what material they can. At least the Article about the Smart was a laugh.
4) The Regional Roundup makes for amusing reading sometimes. It may encourage new members to go along to a meeting and have some fun. There again it may not (I'm not a meeting goer).
5) Technical Articles are VERY desirable. As are articles about driving technique. I'm sure when they are contributed they get printed. Its a question of having the material. So if you are members and have something of value to share - try submitting it!!
6) Although the production values are not as good the mag is not a whole lot worse than what the Porsche lot get with a MUCH bugger budget.
Want to improve Sprint? It up to US. (TVRCC members)
I am afraid I have to agree
I am a new member & Tiv owner, having recently sold my Westfield. I am still a Westfield WSCC club member & receive ther magazine.
Sprint is much more glossy, which I like, but there is a severe lack of content....
whats happened to:
Technical tips
Parts for sale
Parts listings
Motorsport updates
Test drives of old & new Tiv's
Factory write up & photo's
theres just so much more that could be done....its frustrating, particularly when the price is more than double the Westfield club.
Does anyone have a contact within sprint - we can e-mail and point him to have a look at this thread!
GB
I thought I was the only one who thought Sprint was dull beyond belief! It's nice to feel part of a group, and useful to hear about track days, but there is an over-emphasis on regional activities, and it's all tending to get a bit "woolly hat and warm beer". I am not really interested in an individuals hill climb exploits - I might be if I knew him, and that's the problem - the magazine is for the whole club, not just a bunch of editor's cronies in their Granturas. I'm not sure what to change though. Maybe it is more interesting if you go to the regional club meets - there are plenty of TVR books out there - can't some of those authors contribute something. Why not widen the scope of the mag, to include other bits, like road tests, show reports, how common Boxters are, that sort of thing... 
Actually - if you think about it, what appears on this forum is far more interesting than nearly all of Sprint. I log on for a read of the GS each day, whereas I know I have not even opened the cover of this months Sprint.
Perhaps some of the more lively discussions, and information on here could feature in Sprint.
Then again... I don't think the magazine would print letters from members complaining their Speed Six engine (or whatever) had been back to the factory for yet another rebuild!!
Must be getting cynical in my old age.
Have to agree with the general concensus - Sprint has gone downhill in the 4 years I've been getting it. In fact given that I'm out in the States - I've let my membership lapse. (shock horror...)
The internet (especially sites like PH) makes Sprint redundant - the information is fresher, the debate livelier and the distribution costs cheaper (thanks-be-to-Ted). Maybe Sprint should look to moving off print & onto HTML?
At the end of the day its horses for courses, Sprint probably appeals to the trunion polishing Vixen owner, PH to the sports-exhaust fitting Cerbera owner...
Agree with many of the comments so far.
The point is though, the club is predominantly done on a voluntary basis and as such, must rely on our contributions. You get out what you put in and all that. I reckon that there must be a number of non-members on PH who have Tivs, why not join, add to the revenue and also send in the odd comment? It might even reduce 'the beard content', without the reduction in real ale (we all drink the stuff when Guinness runs out and it's not Le Mans)!
Otherwise, save 30odd quid a year and don't be a member...
For refence I have little interest in polishing trunions but car clubs are for that sort of thing, and I for one like to see some of the older bretheren when I'm out in the Griff.
Not sure what point I was making so I'll get me coat...
I know that the TVRCC has a website, which I rarely visit because in never used to change from month to month, but why don't they consider publishing sprint on the web. I appreciate there may be a proportion of membership without web access, but it would be worth finding out. I think that on the evidence of the activity on Pistonheads and egroups, their are plenty of willing participents and contributions may be more forthcoming through this medium.
The HelpLines page is also quite useful.. I can remember the No. off the top of my head for the Chimaera help line, it says See your Local Dealer.. Thanks very much for that useful money saving top tip..
Like people have said, PH is a live site which we can log onto a couple of times a day and read, the magazine heads straight for the recycle bin after a quick flick through.
Edited by Jason F on Friday 18th May 12:23
Edited by Jason F on Friday 18th May 12:24
Perhaps PH should take on the production of sprint, the articles will be news to non-web users and are good enough for a re-read for those of us who have seen them before. Get somebody to do the older cars and then include that content in PH as well in a subsite(crankhandle.com or something)Then combine the marketplace and there would be instant wider reach for those Sprint ads and a veritable bible of where to buy your TVR in sprint every month.
The club will have to become more independant of the factory though, Sometimes honest reporting can be good, something PW has missed since the stay at the Alasdair Campbell school of spin. If I can get parts for my TVR cheaper from elsewhere the club should tell me where. Just now Sprint is not much good, when It gets better, I'll renew, until then I don't see what the club gives me or what purpose it serves
With the solution above there could be many happy people, except Ted, who might have to get up earlier and forego the odd pie
Edited by dans on Friday 18th May 13:43
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