The guys in the club tossed the idea of a RC car track at our field. Does the AMA offer any kind of membership to car guys? We are worried about liability insurance.

Yes It does.

Standard response...Call AMA...58 bucks and your in.

Good luck...we all know all car guys want airplanes more

That's a good deal. We have a section of the parking lot (grass) that gets used two times a year, if that. Would be nice to used that for something fun. It might also convert car guys over to plane guys.

Sounds like a good idea.

Frank

http://www.modelaircraft.org/members.../overview.aspx
Services:
Liability Coverage for the Operation of Model Aircraft, Boats, Cars, and Rockets

Now a consideration: About 8 years ago, a group came to my main club and wished to build a dirt car track. After due consideration, the club agreed to furnish the area. We extended water and electrics to the area. The understanding was:
1.) Car members would take care of their yard-work themselves. After all the club owned the land, paid the real estate taxes, the electric bill and owned the well that furnished water, along with the indoor rest facilities.
2.) Car Club members would pay an annual membership fee equal to 30% of flying member dues. AMA membership was NOT required. Car members could not fly except for whatever might be available through the AMA Introductory Pilot program, or by joining the main Club as AMA members.
3.) They did build a nice track, however in a short time they wanted the regular club's mowing and work crews to also take care of their car site. When that did not happen, they were gone within several months and the place was a mess. After a year or so the RC Club had to dismantle the track, clean up all the pipes and metal fences, etc., and rebuild the aera which returned to the acrage available to the Hay Farmer that leases from the Club.

That is my story, you can decide your case for yourself. [:-]

I've seen it at a couple of clubs. It lasts about a year and fizzles out. Did not cause any problems and several started flying. Good luck.

several started flying because they probably quickly saw how insanely boring cars are compared to planes.[X(]

Cars are not much fun unless you can race. Flying offers much more.

I changed my post

We built a dirt track at our outlaw field and raced 1/8 and 1/5 scale buggies during the windy weekends. It is easier to mow grass than rake dirt and keep up a track though.

I believe this is good idea for many reasons. It gets people of similar interests together whether it's driving or flying....it's all r/c. I started out with cars/trucks/boats.....then saw these things that flew and made awesome sounds...and made me smile...now I have a hangar full. I still avidly build cars/trucks but seldom participate in any racing or similar events. If we had a track here I know of at least a dozen folks who would come. Next thing you know they will be watching these "other" guys flying planes and get interested....just how I see it panning out. Of course there will always be folks who just drive cars and folks who just fly...turns out they are both good people who love r/c. I play hockey with 2 cops, 6 construction workers, 4 miners, 2 business men, and an insurance salesman....what do all of us have in common? We all play hockey. Same rule applies for r/c. Many walks of life in this hobby with different agendas but one goal in mind...to have fun with r/c. I say let em in and make new friends. Heck you may find out that driving one of their cars is quite fun.

Just my outlook,
Kevin

It don't look good. They nay sayers are coming up with alot of excuses. There's two pairs of guys that run the club and make all the decisions. Not supposed to be that way, but it is.

Always a few Negative folks in the crowd. Boo on them. Reminds me of gramps...can't get him to try anything new. Oh well I guess. It will only hurt in the long run. Just think of all the people out there affraid of planes simply because they don't know how to fly. Bummer since most clubs have a trainer and a box. Opportunity knocks and the nay sayers slam the door. Too bad.

Kevin

I agree. Their loss.

We've considered doing this at our local field. Several of the members have cars and most of the club is in favor of it, for no other reason than it could be a great way to grow the club membership.