APRIL 2014 | BEELINE CRUISE-IN & CHARITY AUTO SHOW | 5
Car club makes miles of memories The Rim Country Classic Auto Club (RCCAC) had its beginnings in the early 1980s when a few people shared a common interest in restoring and driving classic cars. They cruised around Payson where they met and talked about their cars. The RCCAC organization is dedicated to the preservation and restoration of classic automobiles and street rods as well as participating in and supporting civic activities for the betterment of the community. As the group flourished, the number of members grew. The club was officially organized in 1993. The membership has dramatically increased over the years, with more than 70 families participating. Within the membership there are more than 100 classic automobiles and hot rods, both restored or in progress. The Rim Country Classic Auto Club members participate in carrelated activities ranging from day trips, to breakfast or lunch gatherings to talk cars, taking classic cars to visit local retirement homes or the
Prescott VA Hospital, honoring veterans, attending car shows throughout the state, and taking longer car cruises, including the Route 66 Fun Run in Seligman, Ariz.
entrants to help charities in the town of Payson. Last year’s car show drew more than 225 cars. This event has grown from a small, local event to one of the premier car shows in Arizona. Participants come from many western states to display their cars in a splendid mountain setting. Proceeds from the car show help support a wide variety of local charities. Last year’s car show proceeds provided 15 local charities with $1,000 each. RCCAC club members acknowledge that much of the car show’s success comes from the overwhelming support they receive from the Town of Payson, the Rim Country Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Payson Roundup, along with generous businesses in Payson and surrounding towns. The Rim Country Classic Auto Club has its regular meetings on the first Wednesday of each month at Most folks in Payson know RCCAC 6:30 p.m. at Tiny’s Restaurant. The through the annual Beeline Cruise-In general meetings are open to the Car Show that the club holds at the public and the members welcome end of April. In 1994, RCCAC mem- guests whether they own a collecbers held their first car show with six tor’s vehicle or not.
Have you been ‘clubbed’ by a club? BY DOUG MAGNUSON RCCAC MEMBER
Twenty years have come and gone since my wife, Sherrill, and I joined our local car club here in Payson — what is now known as Rim Country Classic Auto Club (RCCAC). In the beginning, people like Rolley Lee, Larry Bertram, Tom Clark, Steve Johnson and Richard Brooks (just to name a few of the many great guys) would bring memories of car club meetings, shows, cruises and funfilled activities of days gone by. Membership for us began with an article in the Payson Roundup. It was an invitation to interested parties in formation of a car club. It said come to a meeting at Phil White Ford in Star Valley. At that time our street rod, “Rachel,” was at home in pieces, and not running. No matter, I was still interested in the camaraderie of the guys and to listen to their car stories. Many days and maybe a year went by after joining and regularly attending meetings. At first the meetings were mostly members with early Fords conducting mini-seminars and providing valuable information on exactly what a Ford part actually is. Looking back on this association, it turns out it was encouragement to get Rachel back on the
road again and accomplish the ultimate, which was more than just talk. But I would rather show that she was for real. Time rolled on, I don’t recall any particular meeting location after Phil White Ford — until the wives began attending meetings at the Crosswinds Restaurant. We grew so much, they were not able to accommodate us and we moved to the casino. Then-manager Mark Kaplan was instrumental in this, along with providing raffle prizes every month for our drawings. This went on for a few years at the Mazatzal Casino. But as with every club, leadership changes, membership from the community and those with a common interest starts out friendly. New people come and members move on for one reason or other. We’ve been fortunate to always find someone who wants to be in charge and helps pull others to keep the club rolling along. The social aspect keeps membership interesting and busy with get-togethers of various types (eg: car cruises, car shows and new eating locations). Despite any negatives there are many solid benefits. If people couldn’t ever overcome collective difficulties, we’d all still be living in caves. The knowledge and experience of the senior (meaning
long-term) members is invaluable for new ones. Our club is an important source of parts, information and cars, plus they provide that muchneeded human feeling of connection. RCCAC could be likened to a bowling team: monogrammed shirts and cool club hats and jackets somehow help bring it all together. Twenty years to the present, our club has changed; many neat and wonderful people have come and gone. Problems have been solved and most assuredly more will come along to be solved. What this proves is a club can stay together as long as the members get along and don’t lose sight of the common goal and purpose. This common goal, whether it’s strictly social or for charity fundraising, needs to be established from the start with all new members. This ensures that everyone is on the same page from the beginning, and eliminates lots of future problems arising from individual assumptions. Proactive handling of problems like this usually will prevent negative reaction and keep a club running smoothly, and hopefully help prevent you from getting clubbed by a club. As my good friend and club member Tom Gossard says, “Happy Trails, partner, and safe travels.” (Some parts of this article where taken from Hemmings Muscle Machine, Dec. 2005