Where are all the Ultima owners?
Discussion
As a new owner of a Ultima kit I am a bit surprised how little interaction there is between owners. I have built other cars like Beck 550 spiders and there was a real passion for the cars Same with the FFR 818 .
It seems like only a handful of Ultima owners participate where is the passion ????
Is there another site where they communicate? Am I missing something?
It seems like only a handful of Ultima owners participate where is the passion ????
Is there another site where they communicate? Am I missing something?
We British remain enthusiastic but given our climate, the social side tends to be in the summer months.
You f
kers are spoiled rotten with your climate; you can be in sunshine during a winters day and you have snow a short(ish) drive away in the sierras for fun 
.
Currently we have more water than we can cope with (floods everywhere) and as soon as the sun comes out we will be subject to water restrictions because of "drought" conditions.
In short we have a driving "year" of maybe five months.
You f
kers are spoiled rotten with your climate; you can be in sunshine during a winters day and you have snow a short(ish) drive away in the sierras for fun .Currently we have more water than we can cope with (floods everywhere) and as soon as the sun comes out we will be subject to water restrictions because of "drought" conditions.
In short we have a driving "year" of maybe five months.
I have been a member and owner (2006) since 2005, and I would agree that the amount of activity here seems quite a lot less than was the case a few years ago. the hard fact is that the attrition is down to the recession and leading up to that event, when minds became more focussed on personal or family survival, not forgetting the fact that for most of us, there was (and still is) far less spare cash swelling our wallets... During that extended time (since 2008) I have seen many very prolific regular contributors sadly leave the Ultima community, some selling up for obvious and important reasons. It was quite busy here with lots and lots of help offered both on and off line.
As for socialising... well, it still happens, mostly off forum, with like-minded individuals PMing each other, and helping with problems locally. The weather has had some damping down of this recently, but as was said before, most of this happens in the UK in the few months we have good weather (when was that? Can someone remind me?) - Then there is the Ultima open day, where people do meet and cement relationships and make new ones, then there are the track-days, show days etc etc.
BUT keep heart!
I have noticed a small upturn this year, but I think it will take time before this site becomes as busy as it used to be.
Nice to see new contributors and builders sprouting here and there, and I for one will keep coming here and annoying everyone!
As a Brit, I do agree that our rather peculiar island culture means that the majority are perhaps more reserved than we should be, which a shame really, well...
....until we have a few (or more) beers under our belt that is, and then we are the most social animal you will ever meet!
As for socialising... well, it still happens, mostly off forum, with like-minded individuals PMing each other, and helping with problems locally. The weather has had some damping down of this recently, but as was said before, most of this happens in the UK in the few months we have good weather (when was that? Can someone remind me?) - Then there is the Ultima open day, where people do meet and cement relationships and make new ones, then there are the track-days, show days etc etc.
BUT keep heart!
I have noticed a small upturn this year, but I think it will take time before this site becomes as busy as it used to be.
Nice to see new contributors and builders sprouting here and there, and I for one will keep coming here and annoying everyone!
As a Brit, I do agree that our rather peculiar island culture means that the majority are perhaps more reserved than we should be, which a shame really, well...
....until we have a few (or more) beers under our belt that is, and then we are the most social animal you will ever meet!
Well as a new owner and builder, I must say that the response to questions posted on the PH forum has always been top notch. However, as a long time lurker, then regular poster, I have noticed that movement on here can be rather sporadic. Seeing the amount of kits or builds coming out of the Factory, I wonder if buyers and new owners are aware of the PH forum. But then I imagine, some owners/builders don't want to show too much of their pride and project on the web. A great pity...
How many (roughly) of us are there in the UK?
I know others have tried and failed in the past to get an owners club off the ground.
Are there enough of us to organise something in the Summer somewhere in the southern half of England? The only Ultima event I've done has been a trip up to the factory which was good, but not the most exciting of drives being nearly all motorway.
I know others have tried and failed in the past to get an owners club off the ground.
Are there enough of us to organise something in the Summer somewhere in the southern half of England? The only Ultima event I've done has been a trip up to the factory which was good, but not the most exciting of drives being nearly all motorway.
I agree it's a shame there isn't more activity or a proper club for Ultima. I suspect there's a good number of owners / builders who either aren't aware of this forum or just don't want to join PH.
Before the Ult, I had an Ariel Atom and the club scene & forum was definitely more vibrant. I think part of the reason for this was because the club worked very closely with the Ariel factory and the factory themselves supported the club, recommended new owners joined up and they are very active on the forum (in chit-chat as well as answering questions).
Running a club isn't an easy thing and without full factory support, I don't think any new effort in this space would come to much.
I think this forum does a good job of keeping owners together and as others have said, I've found it's lead to some off-line discussions / meetings / support with other builders, so that's been great for me. Put it this way, if this forum didn't exist, I wouldn't own a Can Am now!!!
Before the Ult, I had an Ariel Atom and the club scene & forum was definitely more vibrant. I think part of the reason for this was because the club worked very closely with the Ariel factory and the factory themselves supported the club, recommended new owners joined up and they are very active on the forum (in chit-chat as well as answering questions).
Running a club isn't an easy thing and without full factory support, I don't think any new effort in this space would come to much.
I think this forum does a good job of keeping owners together and as others have said, I've found it's lead to some off-line discussions / meetings / support with other builders, so that's been great for me. Put it this way, if this forum didn't exist, I wouldn't own a Can Am now!!!
Edited by 356Speedster on Friday 14th February 14:33
well there was an Ultima "club" before all this new fangled internetty spaghetti thing was created. We had monthly newsletters (on bits of paper - how quaint !) which were great, John Castle was the man.....and I think Ultima put some money in to help....
One thing I have noticed over the years (I built mine in 1997-8) that it was all a bit more basic then, 400Hp was considered "more than enough" and a lot was done on the cheap, we did have some local meetings and sniffed each other exhaust pipes and compared builds etc. That would be good to try to set up again.
How about Goodwood or the brilliant Brooklands (the worlds birthplace of motor racing )?
Perhaps everyone is just too busy.? Mine you at the moment the weather doesn't help...
But I am happy to try to set up something here in the girly south.....
One thing I have noticed over the years (I built mine in 1997-8) that it was all a bit more basic then, 400Hp was considered "more than enough" and a lot was done on the cheap, we did have some local meetings and sniffed each other exhaust pipes and compared builds etc. That would be good to try to set up again.
How about Goodwood or the brilliant Brooklands (the worlds birthplace of motor racing )?
Perhaps everyone is just too busy.? Mine you at the moment the weather doesn't help...
But I am happy to try to set up something here in the girly south.....
sthotfast said:
thotfast said: well there was an Ultima "club" before all this new fangled internetty spaghetti thing was created. We had monthly newsletters (on bits of paper - how quaint !) which were great, John Castle was the man.....and I think Ultima put some money in to help....
One thing I have noticed over the years (I built mine in 1997-8) that it was all a bit more basic then, 400Hp was considered "more than enough" and a lot was done on the cheap, we did have some local meetings and sniffed each other exhaust pipes and compared builds etc. That would be good to try to set up again.
How about Goodwood or the brilliant Brooklands (the worlds birthplace of motor racing )?
Perhaps everyone is just too busy.? Mine you at the moment the weather doesn't help...
But I am happy to try to set up something here in the girly south.....
I'd be up for either! I am only 10 minutes from Brooklands, and Goodwood also good.One thing I have noticed over the years (I built mine in 1997-8) that it was all a bit more basic then, 400Hp was considered "more than enough" and a lot was done on the cheap, we did have some local meetings and sniffed each other exhaust pipes and compared builds etc. That would be good to try to set up again.
How about Goodwood or the brilliant Brooklands (the worlds birthplace of motor racing )?
Perhaps everyone is just too busy.? Mine you at the moment the weather doesn't help...
But I am happy to try to set up something here in the girly south.....
Well volunteered!
Mark
Ah there are a few owners out there
Maybe the moderator of this group could convince the Ultima factory to just include a sheet of paper that invites and shows how to sign up to PH . No filing needed on that project (inside joke) it could be that simple.
With the amount of cars the factory is selling there should be three times as many members.
Maybe the moderator of this group could convince the Ultima factory to just include a sheet of paper that invites and shows how to sign up to PH . No filing needed on that project (inside joke) it could be that simple.
With the amount of cars the factory is selling there should be three times as many members.
sthotfast said:
thotfast said: well there was an Ultima "club" before all this new fangled internetty spaghetti thing was created. We had monthly newsletters (on bits of paper - how quaint !) which were great, John Castle was the man.....and I think Ultima put some money in to help....
One thing I have noticed over the years (I built mine in 1997-8) that it was all a bit more basic then, 400Hp was considered "more than enough" and a lot was done on the cheap, we did have some local meetings and sniffed each other exhaust pipes and compared builds etc. That would be good to try to set up again.
How about Goodwood or the brilliant Brooklands (the worlds birthplace of motor racing )?
Perhaps everyone is just too busy.? Mine you at the moment the weather doesn't help...
But I am happy to try to set up something here in the girly south.....
+1 - In Crawley so easy for meOne thing I have noticed over the years (I built mine in 1997-8) that it was all a bit more basic then, 400Hp was considered "more than enough" and a lot was done on the cheap, we did have some local meetings and sniffed each other exhaust pipes and compared builds etc. That would be good to try to set up again.
How about Goodwood or the brilliant Brooklands (the worlds birthplace of motor racing )?
Perhaps everyone is just too busy.? Mine you at the moment the weather doesn't help...
But I am happy to try to set up something here in the girly south.....
Question do the factory support PH or even tell new builders that there is a world of information on here, or do they even mention PH ? I don't think so.
Club ? not much point really, everything you need to know is on PH, events you COULD attend, problem solving, pictures, why have a publication ?
Why does it always have to be down South, there are about 8 cars in the North Wales, North West and North East area that dont come out to CPOP, Tatton Park, Ruthin, Gold cup oulton pk, Bingley Hall, Stoneleigh, etc etc
I try and do most car shows, clubs and runs throughout the year and never see another Ultima oh apart from Dom at Oulton Park on a couple of occasions.
Strange breed !
Club ? not much point really, everything you need to know is on PH, events you COULD attend, problem solving, pictures, why have a publication ?
Why does it always have to be down South, there are about 8 cars in the North Wales, North West and North East area that dont come out to CPOP, Tatton Park, Ruthin, Gold cup oulton pk, Bingley Hall, Stoneleigh, etc etc
I try and do most car shows, clubs and runs throughout the year and never see another Ultima oh apart from Dom at Oulton Park on a couple of occasions.
Strange breed !
May be we should all post possible events on here and then we should all make an effort to attend and make a display. Lots on nice car shows and racing events over the summer????? Lets see if we can make it work. My thoughts are lets see if we can get the largest gathering ever at Stoneliegh this year.
highflyer said:
Question do the factory support PH or even tell new builders that there is a world of information on here, or do they even mention PH ? I don't think so.
I don't think they do and it's a missed opportunity to build a bigger enthusiast base. Whether the factory believes it or not the more dynamic the forum is the more confident potential buyers are to slap down that deposit money. I don't want to bash on the factory but all it would take is for them to hire a college student on a summer internship to help out on the social media, at least thats how we do it here in this sun soaked every day is a driving day state :-)
mmgt
waste of time
I have mentioned the CPOP for the last 4 years, offered my field as a camp site to save camping at the event and paying, and my spare room to a fellow Ultima fan/owner
as we are only 10 mins away from the event never any takers,
given up this year.
these cars don't melt in the rain or turn into a pumpkin after 12 pm if its out all night
already mentioned a strange breed !
waste of time
I have mentioned the CPOP for the last 4 years, offered my field as a camp site to save camping at the event and paying, and my spare room to a fellow Ultima fan/owner
as we are only 10 mins away from the event never any takers,
given up this year.
these cars don't melt in the rain or turn into a pumpkin after 12 pm if its out all night
already mentioned a strange breed !
Well guys, I am up for trying, so if anyone wants some help, let me know.
Yes I agree that for some odd reason, there are far more Ult owners out there that just don't mix! Boring set of B'stuards, arn't we! ....TIME TO CHANGE!
As you know I tried to get some 'event' list going on here so all of us know where to go, but I have been a little surprised at the lack of interest.
2014 is the year that I intend to go to as many events and meeting as my Missus allows (Therein a story!) AND HAVE FUN...before I get put in my box, starting with the Stoneleigh meet, silverstone trackday in May, and le Mans Classics - I need MORE!
Highflyer, I am with you... just tell me folks where to go and I will go - and of course annoy the cr@p out of ya!
Da-da-daaaa! Time for...The Slightly Dangerous Club to come out of the shadows!
Yes I agree that for some odd reason, there are far more Ult owners out there that just don't mix! Boring set of B'stuards, arn't we! ....TIME TO CHANGE!
As you know I tried to get some 'event' list going on here so all of us know where to go, but I have been a little surprised at the lack of interest.
2014 is the year that I intend to go to as many events and meeting as my Missus allows (Therein a story!) AND HAVE FUN...before I get put in my box, starting with the Stoneleigh meet, silverstone trackday in May, and le Mans Classics - I need MORE!
Highflyer, I am with you... just tell me folks where to go and I will go - and of course annoy the cr@p out of ya!
Da-da-daaaa! Time for...The Slightly Dangerous Club to come out of the shadows!
Edited by 3Dee on Friday 14th February 18:20
I'm game for chom pagent off power this year . Any more takers or are all the cars down south . I've never seen another ultima in North York shire . Also would be good to do stoneleigh as a big event And Newark kit car show . When I bought my noble the owners were just like the ultima scene is at mo . Now there are regular events all over the uk including a stand and meet at silverstone classic .and the autosport show . Were also blessed with a race car we could support at there events .
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