Hot Rod Clubs

The benefits of joining a hot rod club are many. Camaraderie with like-minded enthusiasts tops the list of reasons why people participate. Hot rod clubs promote the love of a great hobby and bring individuals and families together to share experiences and good times. Membership fees are reasonable and participation is always fun.
 
Hot rod car clubs are easy to locate in almost any city or region. Hot rod associations on the national level also provide a host of opportunities for members. In fact, many car enthusiasts choose to join more than one.

Benefits of Joining a Hot Rod Club

In addition to getting acquainted with other people who are crazy for hot rods of all types, you'll find a wealth of knowledge by joining a hot rod club. As a culture, owners work on their own cars and are always on the lookout for assistance and advice.
 
Even those who are not mechanically inclined can find expert tips on routine maintenance and on locating reliable shops. Most clubs cater to all ages and encourage families to attend meetings and events. Those with years of experience are always happy to help novices. Members become a close-knit group always ready to give hands-on project help, whether it's in an owner's garage or at a meet.
 
While hot rod lovers enjoy visiting with fellow enthusiasts, other benefits are also appealing:
  • club apparel
  • discounts at specialty suppliers
  • group cruises and activities
  • newsletters.
Depending on the size of the organization, members may congregate at a restaurant, in a designated public meeting room or even in a building owned by the club itself.
 
Today's clubs are also altruistic, with fundraising opportunities for selected charities, either at the local, state or national level. Volunteering and participating in these events will let you make a difference in several ways.

Joining a Hot Rod Club

In addition to having fun and sharing a passion for cars, joining a hot rod club comes with responsibility. Depending on the organization, the rules and bylaws are clear on member requirements. These will include:
  • commitment to helping with one or more annual events
  • participating in scheduled meetings
  • paying dues on time.
Not all clubs require that you own a hot rod. You'll be welcome as long as you pay dues and take part in club activities. Those who are passionate about vehicles of any era can have just as much fun at events as those who own a piece of "vintage tin" or a prefabricated Deuce.
 
Specialty clubs, on the other hand, do sometimes require ownership of specific models. Whether it's a true pre-1949, a mid-1950s Chevy or a muscle car, these associations exist to increase respect for hot rods and encourage safe handling.
 
In fact, rules in most clubs are very strict with regard to operation. Bylaws typically prohibit the practice of burning rubber on streets or driving at excessive speeds on highways. The unwritten goals of a hot rod club are for its members to be ambassadors as responsible drivers who bring respectability to a sport once defined as wild and dangerous.
 
However, for those who dream of daredevil days behind the wheel of a hot rod, there are plenty of opportunities for that as well. Sanctioned club events include:
  • cruises
  • drag racing
  • motocross
  • road racing
  • road rallies
  • show-n-shines.
If no hot rod car club exists in your area, it's easy to start an informal one. Online organizations exist to help get you started, complete with Web site space and all the tools for putting a group together.
 
A successful club may eventually want to apply for nonprofit status to take advantage of fundraising and the ability to accept donations.

National Hot Rod Clubs

For "streeters," the National Street Rod Association (NSRA) organizes events nationwide. They also enlist the aid of "state representatives" to assist local clubs in promoting street rods as a safe and family-oriented hobby.
 
Benefits include subscriptions to a monthly magazine and the implementing of a vehicle safety inspection program that is voluntary, but lauded by state and national leaders. Annual competitions include the highly-touted NSRA Street Rod Nationals, plus Divisional Nationals spread across the United States.
 
Currently recognized as the world's largest organization for rodders, the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) provides up-to-the-minute news in the sports world. It promotes pro drag racing and encourages all age participation, including the NHRA O'Reilly Auto Parts Jr. Drag Racing League.
 
It still maintains a friendly and easily accessible character that brings enthusiasts and professionals together for the love of hot rods and other favorites. Members can also participate at local levels in NHRA-sanctioned drag events.
 
Resources
 
Clubs.hemmings.com (1996-2007). Find a Club. Retrieved
January 1, 2008, from the Hemmings Motor News Web site:
http://clubs.hemmings.com.

Nhra.com (1995-2008). NHRA Member Benefits. Retrieved
January 1, 2008, from the National Hot Rod Association Web
|site: http://www.nhra.com/content/general.asp?
articleid=1887&zoneid=60&navsource=member%20benefits.

Nsra-usa.com (2008). Membership. Retrieved January 1, 2008,
from the National Street Rod Association Web site:
http://nsra-usa.com/index.php/site/section/C7.