Big Deal Prevost Car 08 Rally?

Nice idea resinmobileman. Done the trip many times.

There is a Big Deal Hotsy-Totsy Committee planning the Q08 deal, (BDHTCQ8) made up of Prevost Car, a converter, a rally master, etc. They keep notes and have agendas and all that stuff.

It seems that the only two things that they have agreed upon so far is the price range and the dates. Not all converters have come onboard yet, so y'all (trying to write like resinmobileman) are getting pretty fresh news here.

There are, of course, a lot of politics going on. Some other club that has been around for awhile has decided not to participate because they couldn't use their own stationery or collect the fees themselves.

My thinking about all of this is that it would be nifty to get a tour of the factory to see how the 80,000+ parts are bolted together. As to in-depth Q & Q and technical sessions, it doesn't really matter where their support is; they can come to our rallies? I've suggested a revolutionary idea to them and here it is, with my opinion added:

If you want to sell an idea to a geographically disbursed, but small groups of people, how about getting a bus, paint it up really nice, like with your company name on it and go to the various rallies and answer questions and show off your product on the public highways and at the rallies too? Y'know kinda like some bus manfacturers tell their customers?

The idea was shot down because it was, "too expensive."

Anyway, we're in the loop to hear the next step and have communicated same to BDHTCQ8. As soon as we hear back from them with some information, we'll post same right here.

Carole and I have been "on board" since the FMCA in Perry Ga this past March. In case any others did not get to go to the Prevost dinner you missed seeing thew first ever production Prevost, chassis #0001. It was a two mule drawn four wheel wagon with two leather covered bench seats! I thought it would be pretty neat to have some "rolling rallys" coming from different directions in the US of A. We could join up at designated points and all come together for a Canadian invasion of older Prevosts. I've Google mapped a route from Southern Pines NC and it measures out at 1,150 miles one way. My route went via I-73/74-US 220 to I-81 at Roanoke Va, to I-84 in Scranton Pa, to I-87 into Canada on their route AUT 15N, then Aut-30E, then Aut 20E, then Rte 173 S to Rte 277 and into Ste-Claire, QC, Canada. Somewhere along the routes we could all celebrate our Independence Day (some of us perhaps in Gettysburg PA on the 144th Anniversary of the battle, 3-4 July 1863) and then help the Quebecs celebrate their 400th birthday. How neat would that be? I doubt any of us will be around to help them celebrate their 500th birthday!

There are several possible layover spots on that route in/near Roanoke VA, Hagerstown MD, Scranton, PA, Albany NY, Saratoga Springs NY, Plattsburgh NY. I personally don't like motoring on I-95 anywhere and deliberately routed without using it (Carole and Kelly Jo had a really bad experience on it in May 2000. I came within inches of losing both of them). Anyway there are several other connecting Interstate routes that join up with or cross that route which could be used by POGgers coming from other states to meet up along the way. For example, Jon coming from Knoxville on I-40 can hook up with I-81 at Bristol and head north to a designated meet location. Someone from Ohio can use the PA Turnpike (I-76) and meet at a designated location near Carlisle PA. Same for I-80 near Hazelton PA; I-84 and I-87 near Newburgh NY; I-87 and I-90 in Albany; and so on. Anyone using I-95 can cross over to I-81 using I-270/I-70 out of DC to I-81 in Hagerstown MD. If someone wants to collaborate on the logistics I'll gladly work with them.

I think this may be a golden opportunity to show our strengths to Prevost, especially if we can work it out so that all of us arrive at Ste-Claire simultaneously!

Anybody have any shots back across the bow?

Looks like you have thought the route out pretty thouroughly. Now figure what the border people will do to a bunch of hotsh*ts in the fancy busses traveling trying to simultaneously arrive at the one destination.

I'll guarantee you that they will screw that group over with a fine toothed comb and hold up a large group of hotsh*ts just to be schmucks.

GUARANTEED !!!!

Hi to All. As one of the newest members, and not even yet owning a Prevost (however, I do expect that status to change within the next 30-60 days or so) I submit any comments with a bit of trepidation. Not sure I'm qualified to have a truly meaningful opinion.

However, that being said, I do believe that a healthy relationship between a manufacturer and end-user can benefit both parties substantially. It is my opinion, fo what it's worth, that Prevost Car should be treated with respect if we are to expect any in return and be thought of as a "legitimate" group to which they owe some loyality.

There is also much discussion as to the "other" group that may be in attendance at this event and whether POG members should "associate" with the likes. I, for one, prefer to form my own opinions based on how I am treated as an individual and not based on the perceptions of others.

I once owned a Safari ,which was a part of SMC, which also manufactured Beaver coaches. At our annual rally's, there were always comments made by the Safari group that the Beaver group was elitist and felt that they shouldn't have to "share" a rally with the lowly Safari owners. All Beaver owners were "rich" and "exculsive" yadda, yadda, yadda....

Anyway, I eventually purchased a Beaver coach and was treated very cooly by a lot of my Safari friends. Seemed I'd gone over to the dark side.

But, I decided to attend a couple of Beaver rally's to see what these folks were all about. Yep, some were just as we thought.... much too good to associate with those "Safari people". BUT the majority were really good people, just wanting to have a good time. They were'nt the demons after all.

Now that I've sucessfully bored you all with this tale, my opinion is that POG should thoughtfully consider it's future relationship with Prevost, prove to ALL on-lookers that we have some dignity and deserve some respect, and not merely blow off this event as if it means nothing to us, because, to a certain degree, it should. This discussion alone demonstrates that POG matters to Prevost. A good relationship with them can certainly be beneficial. By acknowledging their invitation, perhaps they can eventually be persuaded to contribute to the forum, or participate in a rally.

OK, now you can let me have it .......

This previous post demonstrates good adult wisdom, an open mind and an ability to think in a positive and creative fashion. For some of this, it is a new experience to hang out with people like this! Thanks for joining POG! (If we can help with that new coach, just let us know).

Over the years, my beautiful wife and I have attended a number of different types of rallies, held by different clubs and organizations. Other than the fact that I am basically anti-social, we have had mixed reactions to the rallies. We think back and remember so-and-so were fun, this event was pretty neat, and so on. And, we also can recall some of the others that for us were, "No way we are going back to that one."

So, you're right, it's best to reserve judgement and attend lots of different rallies, whether they are converter or manufacturer sponsored, or a bunch of people who decide to get together and make up their own outfit.

A wise man once told me that no matter where you are, if you look hard enough you can find at least one good person.

Best advice I ever got.

Mr. phorner....I am shocked that you would think this group could show some dignity and that we deserve respect.

It is the other group that has dignity and demands respect.

We are a bunch of misfits and gearheads that no one else will hang around with. To amuse ourselves there are some here that drop mints in coke bottles and dance around in the resultant spray in long johns.

We present each other with awards called Anal Awards and Viagra Awards.

We are an all inclusive group that lets anybody in (unlike some other groups that won't let you join unless you actually own a Prevost) no matter what they have or don't have. All they have to do is pony up $100 and they are in. How exclusive is that?

The other group has a bunch of nice folks in it and some are in this group, so there is already some mingling of the two groups.

Unlike the other group, when we get together some of this group gets down and dirty including engaging in serious discussions usually not held in public about personal matters that involve plumbing. I'm pretty sure if POG members go we won't be able to show any dignity, unless you would like to bring some. I haven't got any.

Aw geez, see what happens when they cancel the Lawrence Welk reruns for August?

Just about anything shows up on the internet.

OK. For Jon:

http://www.jillian.ca/LENNOW.JPG

What a guy has to do.

No dignity...

But we do have a good time.



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Hey, I'm not saying that the basic philosophy should change a bit.... just that there could be a benefit to encourage a good relationship with Prevost.

I FIRMLY believe that a good time is of paramount importance at any rally.

Did I forget to mention that I have a 50 cal. cannon available? Kinda says you've ARRIVED at any event......

And my idea of formal attire is socks....

Speaking of formal attire, If you haven't yet been warned let me be the first.....

If you wear a tie, its as good as gone.

I like the idea of a cannon. With a screwed up head like it sounds like you have you are going to do real well here.

PS: I don't think we have any issues with Prevost (except that they weren't too bright treating us like ugly stepchildren), it is just that they think we actually need them. It would be nice if they would help us with seminars and such.