Here at VWT, we are happy to report the beginnings of a new club, and we are always delighted to help in the promotion of a great first-time event. At VWT's 2002 Panic Show in Upland, California, brothers Mike and Mark Vaerini--who were both interested in getting back into the VW scene and disappointed by the lack of good VW clubs in SoCal--set up a card table and began taking names of interested VW enthusiasts. By the end of the day, they had several dozen names and wholehearted praise from many show-goers. After a phone call with VVWCA president Peter Cook, who reported that there wasn't a club in the San Bernadino area, they decided to start a chapter. As with most all infant VW clubs, word of mouth spread and soon their meetings filled with more and more people. At this time, the newly named Inland Valley Volkswagen club, as a chapter of the Vintage VW Club of America started planning of their first show.
On October 11, 2003, the sky was clear and blue and the sun warm and bright, perfect for a Volkswagen show. And since you know the magazine's stance on small shows, this one was perfect, as approximately 50 cars set up spaces in a quaint parking lot of Bobby Baja's in Ontario. Prizes were raffled, awards given out (see results) and everyone had a nice time relaxing with fellow VW owners.
According to the club's board members, their philosophy is simple: They accept anyone interested in Volkswagens no matter what model you drive or like, aircooled as well as water. "We welcome all people, even if they just have a love for Volkswagens."
For more information about how to join this new club, visit their Web site at www.ivvw.org or contact Rob DeChaine at dechaine@keyway.net or Mark Vaerini at wudnkar1@aol.com. They plan to have the 2004 installment of this event on October 9 at the same location.