Registration for Datsun Driving Canby Fun 2010 (Oregon) is now open.

[Arne]

Great weather, cars, and people, as always. If anything, the show seemed even better organized than prior years, which is not to imply that prior years were dis-organized, just that this year seemed even smoother than the last couple.

I have to admit, though - both my wife and I independently felt that there were noticeably fewer cars than in the past 3-4 years, both registered in the show, and in the non-registered open area. Could the Rose Cup races in Portland have drawn off that many people? I know of several Z owners who went to the races Sunday instead of Canby. Might be worth trying to avoid the Rose Cup weekend in the future, if possible.

[Jcoop]

Not sure when you were there Arne but our counts indicate that this was the best-attended Canby show so far. It may be that you just weren't there at the peak attendance time.

June is very busy for most people and it is impossible to avoid all events any weekend in June. There are Rose Cup races...Father's Day...various graduations...probably weddings, and Rose Festival events in general. We just picked the weekend and like to stick with it.

Even with the Rose Cup races at the same time...Z's were well represented. Thanks to all who came and made the show such a success!

Edited June 14, 2010 by Jcoop

[Mike]

I would guess there were probably more cars in the open parking area this year. The show car area seemed to have a lot more trucks and 510's than Z's or roadsters but the balance wasn't too bad for a small show. But, a majority of the cars were in the open parking area.

The entry fee of $40 to compete and $5 for the open parking area is a pretty big difference. I would think more people would want to compete if the club brought those numbers closer to each other. I don't have a lot of experience doing this kind of thing, but, a parking fee of $10 and a show fee of $30 might work. I always thought the parking fee was pretty low and I've never been in a competition, so I could be way off.

Anyway, I had a great time. It was a good place to see everyone and get excited about Datsun again.

[Jcoop]

Yeah, it's a tough call on the pricing but over the past few years we've learned a lot about putting on a show and how to keep it inclusive. We like to have everything from in-progress to completely restored or modified in all types of Datsuns.

$40 to register is only for those who do not pre-register. We need as many as possible to register in time for us to set the proper trophy classes and purchase the proper trophies based on who is actually going to show up. If you join DatsunsNW and register before about the middle of May, it's only $25...or $30 if you are not a member.

Overall, we're pretty happy with the turnout for the pre-registered, day-of registration, and the corral parking.

Hope to see everyone again next year.

Edited June 14, 2010 by Jcoop

[Arne]

Not sure when you were there Arne but our counts indicate that this was the best-attended Canby show so far. It may be that you just weren't there at the peak attendance time.

Perhaps. We were there all day Sunday. And yes, the foot traffic we saw would seem to confirm that attendance was healthy, I agree.

But as I said, both my wife and I felt that the number of cars (not people) was down this year. We've attended on Sundays for the past 5 years running, and both of us felt that there were fewer cars this year.

Coming back home and comparing to photos I took at previous years events seems to confirm fewer cars. In prior years the registered car area was filled all the way back - this year there was plenty of extra space for many more cars.

Not sure why, and certainly not blaming Datsuns NW - as I mentioned earlier, this was by far the best run and most organized Datsun event that I can recall. The club did a GREAT job this year.

The entry fee of $40 to compete and $5 for the open parking area is a pretty big difference. I would think more people would want to compete if the club brought those numbers closer to each other. I don't have a lot of experience doing this kind of thing, but, a parking fee of $10 and a show fee of $30 might work. I always thought the parking fee was pretty low and I've never been in a competition, so I could be way off.

We've beat that topic to death in prior years. I've come to the conclusion that the current fee schedule is probably the best compromise that can be made, all things considered. This was the first time I've registered (pre-registered, actually), other years we've been in the open parking. I think keeping the open parking cheap is a big draw. At $5 per car including driver and passenger(s) admission, there's no reason that even some poor high school kid in his beater 720 can't justify attending. And that HAS to be good for the hobby.

[Mike B]

I agree with Arne about the number of Z's at the Sunday show. I think there were only two stock S30s this year. I was supposed to be #3, but had issues with both my blue and red cars at the last minute, so we were Z-less for the first time in 5 yrs. Arne's Z would have been tough competition though, so I am glad I didn't have to find out who would have gotten the most votes .

-Mike

[Mike]

Ah, yes I forgot the $40 entry fee is only if you register day of the show. If I pre-registered, the fee is less money. Maybe next year I'll throw a set of SU's on there and see what happens in the stock class. We all need to represent the club with a sticker or something as well. Maybe we should assign someone to that task.

[Zs-ondabrain]

I second the sticker. nothing too fancy, just the simple "ClassicZCars.com" with the Circled Z somewhere on it.

[Arne]

NorthWest Z's sticker is a reverse (inside the glass) die-cut available in several colors. I really like the subtle, almost etched glass look of the gunmetal gray one.

Something like that would be simple, but classy. Would be great to have a sticker with the Classic Z rather than the modern Z31-style Z.

Edited June 15, 2010 by Arne

[a7dz]

I agree with Arne about the number of Z's at the Sunday show. I think there were only two stock S30s this year. I was supposed to be #3, but had issues with both my blue and red cars at the last minute, so we were Z-less for the first time in 5 yrs. Arne's Z would have been tough competition though, so I am glad I didn't have to find out who would have gotten the most votes .

-Mike

I was on my way down when I decided to drop out over mechanical troubles on the freeway. I would of entered as number 4 but, both of you have closer cars to stock. I was just going to support the hobby.

[Arne]

I was just going to support the hobby.

I didn't register because I wanted to win anything, I just wanted a reserved parking spot this year! So I guess you could call that supporting the hobby. I really did enjoy one thing about being registered - parked in the "judged" area you get to chat with a lot of strangers, not just your existing friends. Lots of people come to look at the cars, and many of them are former owners who will share their old Datsun stories with you. Much more of that going on in the registered area.

...both of you have closer cars to stock.

I guess it looks that way for my car, mostly since a lot of what you can see is not only stock, but still original. But if I really get down to it - despite the mostly stock, and period correct looks - I could make quite a list of non-stock items on my car. They just aren't very visible.

Then again - the criteria for the "stock" class at Canby is pretty loose compared to something like the National Convention. No way my car gets classified as "stock" there. But at Canby, stock bodywork, drivetrain and interior seem to be the main items. A few add-ons like my car has don't override things like full and functioning emissions gear, etc. Mike's yellow Jedi car could probably pass for the stock class if he ditched those triples for a set of SUs.

Edited June 16, 2010 by Arne

[Arne]

Also, I started a Gallery category for Canby 2010. Feel free to upload your pictures.