Benvenuti amici!
We attended the 31st annual FIAT FreakOut, hosted by FIAT Club America, last week. For the uninitiated, the FreakOut is a gathering of Italian coach aficionados from all over the country (primarily East Coast mainstays). The group gathers for cruises and other activities, culminating with a field show… a 'Concorso'. These events provide fans of Italian motoring with the opportunity to celebrate their automotive passion and FIAT S.p.A. loyalists the chance to show off their favorite runabout or touring vehicle.
The event is sponsored with a combination of dues paid by FIAT Club America membership and event-specific admission/participation along with other sponsorship (like that of FIAT USA and Bridgestone).
The very day I learned of FIAT FreakOut I knew I, and the missus, would find a way to attend sooner than later. My passion for all things FIAT ignited immediately… and the annual gathering seemed to be the natural evolution and ultimate act of fanaticism.
For the entire year since proposing the Milwaukee-based FIAT club, called Cream City Cinquecento Club or Cream City 500 Club, I have promoted FIAT Club America membership, RICAMBI readership and FIAT FreakOut attendance. If you regularly follow this blog and/or the club Facebook page, you no doubt periodically read about both. My belief has always been the national club, East Coast-based, and its West Coast counterpart, FIAT America, are theoretically the best examples of North American FIAT fandom. I see a value in cooperation with those organizations. I see an even greater value in meeting with fans outside one's immediate community and experiencing how they celebrate in their daily lives.
A year to the month after launching this blog and proposing a local club, we found a small group of people equally interested in attending the FreakOut. One drove out the day the event began and, on day two, two met us at our Local Studio a/k/a LS in order to attend a 'Midnight Run'. Sean Kane led us down to the Saint Charles IL area. His route avoided major highways, in favor of backroads that allowed for a leisurely drive and kept the tiny group together. Along the way, Ron & Lisa Miller joined the CC5Caravan… bringing our count to four. We were aware of at least three more arriving when they could find a convenient time. Fantastic!
I originally intended this entry to be a review of my impressions, after attending my first FreakOut. Instead, I've decided to make this a 'How-To' prepare for participation in a future FreakOut or any other FIAT-related gathering. This five-point key to FIAT FUN came to me as a result of my CC5C & FFO14 experiences.
I. Register Early
One thing I've learned in my time organizing our local gatherings is; the earlier people make firm commitments to attend, the better I am able to plan routes and activities. I have no idea why we procrastinate when it comes to RSVPing, but we do it all the time. This causes participant and organizer stress.
Do yourself a favor and commit as early as you possibly can. It will no doubt help you properly prepare for the gathering.
Example 1: FIAT Club America and its partners were pushing the event for all of one year. Promotion begins almost immediately after the current event ends. Why? Turnout is important and big numbers help draw local media as well as potential sponsorship.
Example 2: I began planning 2014 gatherings of La Famiglia in 2013. I posted my ideas on this blog, on our FB page, I sent emails to local members and I called a club planning session in early 2014. Why? I want to get an idea for how many members will be at every outing. I want to know what other people want to do. I want to make our meets as simply enjoyable as possible.
II. Have an Agenda
No one knows you better than you. Know what you want to do & see before you hit the road. Little is worse than arriving at an event/place and learning, after the fact, you missed an opportunity to do or see something that is very important to you.
Example 1: There were a few people it was very important, for me, to meet at FFO14. I had no idea whether or not they'd be there, but I definitely wanted to speak with them, if they were. Well, I had such a great time snapping photos and meeting people, I missed two opportunities to speak with three of the people on my wish list.
Example 2: There are quite a few Italian coaches we dig… some are sentimentally (and historically) more important to us than others. We have our favorite Lancias, our favorite Alfas, our favorite Maseratis, our favorite Ferraris and our favorite FIATs. What I, personally, did not have at FFO14 is my wish list written. What did that do for me?
I was like crazed child in a candy or toy store when we pulled into the parking of the selected resort. When I arrived at home I discovered there were a handful of coaches missing from my photos. That is not life ending, but it caused me to realize I had no plan for immortalizing my 'picks'.
III. Plan for the Worst
One mantra I often chant is "Plan the picnic, but remember to pack an umbrella." I am certain some regions of your country enjoy predictable weather, but there is always the off chance the unexpected will happen. Packing rain-friendly clothes/shoes and more than one umbrella is a must (for endless fun).
Example 1: It poured during FFO14. Thad Kirk said it is the first time he can recall rain during this 31 years aged event. Bad weather is no one's fault. Mother Nature will always have her way. Be prepared when it happens.
That is a literal example of 'planning your picnic for rain'. It works figuratively too.
Example 2: Cruises are an essential part of car club activities. No matter what you have planned, the club will likely need to drive some distance to get there. Along that drive, no matter the size of your group, you are likely to lose someone. 'Pack your umbrella'. Plan a rendezvous point for stragglers. No one person/car on a cruise is more important than any other. A good rendezvous point underscores that crucial fact. Two-way radios aren't a bad idea either.
IV. Remain Flexible
This point is an extension of #3. The best laid plan has a 50% of ending in complete failure. If you are not flexible, you will no doubt fall to disappointment… to the peril of enjoying yourself. Bruce Lee said, "Flowing water never grows stale, so you gotta just keep on flowing. Be water, my friend." I think those are words upon which to base your entire life. Look for ways to have fun, despite things not going exactly as you thought or planned and you will find yourself in a constant state of positive engagement. It is okay to feel/get down, but do not allow yourself to stay down.
V. Lock Aim on Having Fun
Event planners and Cruise Captains are not mind readers. They have no idea what you like to do with your time or what kind of routes and/or tempos you prefer when you are out on the road. What they do know is enough to offer you something… big or small… to get excited about.
Register/RVSP/commit early, have an agenda, plan for the worst and be flexible to increase your chances of having a F-U-N. This month we celebrate; The observed birth of FIAT S.p.A. (11 July), the observed birth of the Cinquecento (4 July) and the observed birth of the Città Crema Cinquecento Club. Celebrate with us this Saturday, 9am at our LS. You can find details here.
See you soon…
Ciao!
@
The very day I learned of FIAT FreakOut I knew I, and the missus, would find a way to attend sooner than later. My passion for all things FIAT ignited immediately… and the annual gathering seemed to be the natural evolution and ultimate act of fanaticism.
For the entire year since proposing the Milwaukee-based FIAT club, called Cream City Cinquecento Club or Cream City 500 Club, I have promoted FIAT Club America membership, RICAMBI readership and FIAT FreakOut attendance. If you regularly follow this blog and/or the club Facebook page, you no doubt periodically read about both. My belief has always been the national club, East Coast-based, and its West Coast counterpart, FIAT America, are theoretically the best examples of North American FIAT fandom. I see a value in cooperation with those organizations. I see an even greater value in meeting with fans outside one's immediate community and experiencing how they celebrate in their daily lives.
A year to the month after launching this blog and proposing a local club, we found a small group of people equally interested in attending the FreakOut. One drove out the day the event began and, on day two, two met us at our Local Studio a/k/a LS in order to attend a 'Midnight Run'. Sean Kane led us down to the Saint Charles IL area. His route avoided major highways, in favor of backroads that allowed for a leisurely drive and kept the tiny group together. Along the way, Ron & Lisa Miller joined the CC5Caravan… bringing our count to four. We were aware of at least three more arriving when they could find a convenient time. Fantastic!
I originally intended this entry to be a review of my impressions, after attending my first FreakOut. Instead, I've decided to make this a 'How-To' prepare for participation in a future FreakOut or any other FIAT-related gathering. This five-point key to FIAT FUN came to me as a result of my CC5C & FFO14 experiences.
I. Register Early
One thing I've learned in my time organizing our local gatherings is; the earlier people make firm commitments to attend, the better I am able to plan routes and activities. I have no idea why we procrastinate when it comes to RSVPing, but we do it all the time. This causes participant and organizer stress.
Do yourself a favor and commit as early as you possibly can. It will no doubt help you properly prepare for the gathering.
Example 1: FIAT Club America and its partners were pushing the event for all of one year. Promotion begins almost immediately after the current event ends. Why? Turnout is important and big numbers help draw local media as well as potential sponsorship.
Example 2: I began planning 2014 gatherings of La Famiglia in 2013. I posted my ideas on this blog, on our FB page, I sent emails to local members and I called a club planning session in early 2014. Why? I want to get an idea for how many members will be at every outing. I want to know what other people want to do. I want to make our meets as simply enjoyable as possible.
II. Have an Agenda
No one knows you better than you. Know what you want to do & see before you hit the road. Little is worse than arriving at an event/place and learning, after the fact, you missed an opportunity to do or see something that is very important to you.
Example 1: There were a few people it was very important, for me, to meet at FFO14. I had no idea whether or not they'd be there, but I definitely wanted to speak with them, if they were. Well, I had such a great time snapping photos and meeting people, I missed two opportunities to speak with three of the people on my wish list.
Example 2: There are quite a few Italian coaches we dig… some are sentimentally (and historically) more important to us than others. We have our favorite Lancias, our favorite Alfas, our favorite Maseratis, our favorite Ferraris and our favorite FIATs. What I, personally, did not have at FFO14 is my wish list written. What did that do for me?
I was like crazed child in a candy or toy store when we pulled into the parking of the selected resort. When I arrived at home I discovered there were a handful of coaches missing from my photos. That is not life ending, but it caused me to realize I had no plan for immortalizing my 'picks'.
III. Plan for the Worst
One mantra I often chant is "Plan the picnic, but remember to pack an umbrella." I am certain some regions of your country enjoy predictable weather, but there is always the off chance the unexpected will happen. Packing rain-friendly clothes/shoes and more than one umbrella is a must (for endless fun).
Example 1: It poured during FFO14. Thad Kirk said it is the first time he can recall rain during this 31 years aged event. Bad weather is no one's fault. Mother Nature will always have her way. Be prepared when it happens.
That is a literal example of 'planning your picnic for rain'. It works figuratively too.
Example 2: Cruises are an essential part of car club activities. No matter what you have planned, the club will likely need to drive some distance to get there. Along that drive, no matter the size of your group, you are likely to lose someone. 'Pack your umbrella'. Plan a rendezvous point for stragglers. No one person/car on a cruise is more important than any other. A good rendezvous point underscores that crucial fact. Two-way radios aren't a bad idea either.
IV. Remain Flexible
This point is an extension of #3. The best laid plan has a 50% of ending in complete failure. If you are not flexible, you will no doubt fall to disappointment… to the peril of enjoying yourself. Bruce Lee said, "Flowing water never grows stale, so you gotta just keep on flowing. Be water, my friend." I think those are words upon which to base your entire life. Look for ways to have fun, despite things not going exactly as you thought or planned and you will find yourself in a constant state of positive engagement. It is okay to feel/get down, but do not allow yourself to stay down.
V. Lock Aim on Having Fun
Event planners and Cruise Captains are not mind readers. They have no idea what you like to do with your time or what kind of routes and/or tempos you prefer when you are out on the road. What they do know is enough to offer you something… big or small… to get excited about.
Register/RVSP/commit early, have an agenda, plan for the worst and be flexible to increase your chances of having a F-U-N. This month we celebrate; The observed birth of FIAT S.p.A. (11 July), the observed birth of the Cinquecento (4 July) and the observed birth of the Città Crema Cinquecento Club. Celebrate with us this Saturday, 9am at our LS. You can find details here.
See you soon…
Vivere.Amare.Guidare.
Ciao!
@
