The Power & The Glory

[Mad Manny]

Tinus shut down McCarthy 4x4 Club, with it's 350 odd members wef 17 July 2018.

At it's peak, the Association of All Wheel Drive Clubs SA (AAWDCSA - the umbrella body for 4x4 Clubs) had about 30 member clubs (Australia with less people has over 300 4x4Clubs).

There are various reasons for the decline, but the Zupta effect is probably the main one.

Since the 4x4 Action Group was established, many clubs have disappeared, in fact, the AAWDC itself faded away after the guys from the Jeep Club WC took over running the organization - which was not really a bad thing.

The account money (R190 000) has gone missing & the Driver Training Manual (DTM) that cost 4x4 Club members a lot of money to develop & which I believe never existed, also mysteriously disappeared, but many prominent members of the 4x4 community like Alan Goodway & Glyn Demmer were rewarded well for contributing to the mythical manual.

Clubs like Lichtenburg 4x4 disappeared, NORC no longer exists, the Jeep Club GP recently had it's entire committee resign & so on...

So, Club wise, what is the current status?

[Mad Manny]

There are many big, strong clubs. The best of which is probably LROC.
The Jeep Club GP has a new committee & the other chapters are OK.
Hilux, ATV, 4WDCSA, FAC etc. are all still around and doing well.

However, many 'Clubs' were established for commercial reasons, or have large commercial partners, which to me, makes them less of a Club & more of a PTY LTD.

So, where does the 4x4 Action Group sit?

[Mad Manny]

As far as I can determine...

...The 4x4 Action Group is the ONLY National 4x4 Club, with no commercial overlords or commercial agenda, that is centrally run (no chapters) & is not a brand-specific club.

Our greatest strength is our independence & purpose: We are not owned, we owe no-one & we exist to serve the Off Road User & to ensure the free & responsible pursuit of our passion.

[KurtG]

So profound yet so true. Nice bit of history / info Manny.

[Gualter]

That’s the reason we join for life
A club by the people for the people

That sounded rubbishy all of a sudden

You know what I mean


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[Crips]

That’s the reason we join for life
A club by the people for the people

That sounded rubbishy all of a sudden

You know what I mean


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Viva comrade!!!

[Gualter]

VIVA!!


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[Saxj]

However, many 'Clubs' were established for commercial reasons, or have large commercial partners, which to me, makes them less of a Club & more of a PTY LTD.

The Suzuki Auto Club is one of the most active "clubs" around with monthly outings and regular expeditions that are very well attended. It however falls into this category, as it is run by the owner of a 4x4 Accessories shop, with no committee.

[B_Engel]

Now thats how you sell a club

What could be the reason for a club of 350 members to fold and it's funds to disappear?

[Mad Manny]

However, many 'Clubs' were established for commercial reasons, or have large commercial partners, which to me, makes them less of a Club & more of a PTY LTD.

The Suzuki Auto Club is one of the most active "clubs" around with monthly outings and regular expeditions that are very well attended. It however falls into this category, as it is run by the owner of a 4x4 Accessories shop, with no committee.

Yes... Suzuki Auto is a good organisation, but not technically a Club by definition and it is brand specific...

But it gets guys wheeling - & that's a good thing...

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[XJ Junkie]

As far as I can determine...

...The 4x4 Action Group is the ONLY National 4x4 Club, with no commercial overlords or commercial agenda, that is centrally run (no chapters) & is not a brand-specific club.

I think you’ll find that the 4WDC SA is the biggest that fits that description. The biggest individual club under that umbrella is the 4WDC-Cape, which is bigger than all the other chapters.

If memory serves me correctly, they’ve been going since the mid 1970’s. They’ve also got a close connection to ORRU & WSAR so many of their members are involved there to.

The annual Atlantis Funday is arranged by them which must over 1000 people

[XJ Junkie]

However, many 'Clubs' were established for commercial reasons, or have large commercial partners, which to me, makes them less of a Club & more of a PTY LTD.

... Suzuki Auto is a good organisation, but not technically a Club by definition. But it is brand specific...

This raises the old question: what constitutes the definition of a club?

[Oppies3800]

Not clubs but "pages"

I'm probably part of 1 of the biggest at Western Cape 4x4 and Difflock FaceBook page.

Then I'm only part of the VatiKaki Adventure Club on FaceBook.

We do get special rates from certain 4x4 accessory retailers and dealers, but it is not a registered club

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[Jeanvn]

That’s the reason we join for life
A club by the people for the people

That sounded rubbishy all of a sudden

You know what I mean


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Viva comrade!!!

So do we call Manny CIC from now on?


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[XJ Junkie]

We do get special rates from certain 4x4 accessory retailers and dealers,

Or so they say

but it is not a registered club

Registered?