| WCZC
Handbook
| WelcomeThis section is design to help you become
acquainted with the Windy City Z Club (WCZC) and Club events. Many of the
annual events are listed and described here along with helpful hints and
suggestions to make involvement in the WCZC easy. Attending the club events
will not only increase you knowledge of your Z but may also save you more
money than the cost of your club membership.
back to topMembership
PacketNew members receive a membership packet which
includes a jacket patch, window decal, discount card to Avis and Hertz
Rent-a-Car, a membership card, a Club Sponsor list and phone book, and
a subscription to our newsletter Team Z. A WCZC membership card will save
you up to 25% on your parts orders and up to 20% on service at our Club
Sponsors.
back to topThe NewsletterWCZC members receive a copy of our newsletter
Team Z considered by many as the best Z club newsletter in the world. The
newsletter contains articles of technical help, scheduled Club events with
information and directions, features and interests, calendar of events,
local, national, and international news and events. If you have a suggestion,
idea, complaint or news, you are encouraged to write our mailing address
and share it with the club. Paid members may place classified ads in the
"Z-Mart" section of the newsletter at no charge. The only requirement for
free classified ads is that the ad must be Z-Car related and not a business
related ad. Team Z is exchanged with other Z clubs across the USA, Europe,
Japan, Australia, and New Zealand. Your free ad goes a long way!
back to topThe
ZGM (Z General Meeting)On the first Sunday of every month from October
to May, excluding November (see Birthday Party below), the Windy City Z
Club conducts a monthly Club meeting - barring holidays or weather. Each
ZGM time and location will be announced in the newsletter. We encourage
attendance of the ZGM if you are interested in membership. These meetins are currently held at the Crossroads of Elmhurst 617 West North Avenue, Elmhurst, IL 60126
(630) 993-1100
.
See map
for directions.The ZGM consists of Club business, reports
from Board Members, reports on upcoming events, and committee reports.
You also have the opportunity to read newsletters from other clubs from
across the country and around the world (a good chance to find parts for
your Z-car that you may not find in our newsletter) and guest speakers
to talk about Z-related goods and services. Time is usually time available
for a social gathering where you can bench race (talk Z-cars), compare
notes, or check out other rides. The ZGM is an excellent way to meet other
members of the Club and your elected Officers - and you may learn something!
Bringing your Z-Car to the meeting is not required, (especially as many
are stored over the winter).
back to top Tech SessionsThe WCZC conducts technical sessions in conjunction
with our sponsors. These sessions are held year round, rain or shine. Tech
sessions can be cosmetic or mechanical. Some of our past tech sessions
have included paint and wax, fuel injection, safety inspection, tires,
engine dyno-tuning, and wheel repair service. Some sessions may require
a reservation to reserve your spot. Tech sessions are usually held on a
weekend morning or afternoon, and may or may not include lunch. Always
check the individual event listing for details.
back to topAutocross,
Rallying, RacingThe WCZC is involved with tests of speed endurance
and enjoying the limits of the car just for fun at a legal venue. Each
year we join with the Salt Creek Sports Car Club (SCSCC) for at least one
official Club autocross event. (The club is welcome at all their events)
There is also at least one event per year at the Joliet Rt. 66 Drag facility
for open drag racing. Some of the club members are members of other car
clubs, and listings of other opportunities for races, autocrosses, rallies
are listed in the newsletter.
back to topRoad
TripsThere are seasonal road trips each year. The
kick-off to the Z-driving season begins with the "Spring Fling" road trip
held in May. The season ending journey is called the "Fall Fling" road
trip and is held in October. These dates may vary according to the weather.
Both trips take you through the back roads of Illinois, Wisconsin, or Indiana
as much as possible. You'll stop in historical venues, visit museums, have
lunch in local cafes, or picnic in a State Park. The idea is to enjoy your
Z-car with others who have the same interest and handling characteristics.
back to topCruising
NightsOn selected nights during the summer months
the WCZC hoists Cruise Nights. Early in the evening the club gathers at
a predetermined site. Sometimes a short cruise may be in the itinerary
first. The cruise nights are laid back. There is no car judging, your Z
could be a show car or a project car, it doesn't matter. These cruise nights
are ideal for members to meet each other, discuss Z problems, news, club
events, look at photos, look at the cars, eat and solve world problems.
The event lasts until people are ready to leave.
back to topRoad AmericaSince 1976 there have been road trips to Elkhart
Lake, Wisconsin, home of Road America (RA). This road course is located
about one hour north of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and is considered by many
as one of, if not the best road course in the United States. The Windy
City Z Club attends three races each year at Road America- the June Sprints,
the Vintage Races, and the CART races. Now added for 2000 is the Road America
500, sports car racing at its finest. The June Sprints is a SCCA event
and the first RA event of the year. Vintage weekend features classic and
historic racing vehicles plus a Saturday night concourse in Elkhart Lake.
The Motorola 200 features the CART Championship series. The WCZC officially
caravans to the event, meeting at the Lake Forest Oasis on I-94, before
heading to the Z-Zone, our own section of shaded green space.
back to topZ-Car ShowsZ-car shows are usually held at one of our
sponsor's locations. Divisions of classes are commonly by generation of
the Z-car (1st 1970-78, 2nd 1979-83, 3rd 1984-89, 4th 1990-96). There may
also be a "People's Choice" and "Best of Show" award. Trophies or awards
possibilities are announced prior to the event in the newsletter. The judging
is relatively informal, and cars are judge on appearance and cleanliness. Cruisin' Z USA kicks off the car show season
at the beginning of June, and the season ends with a show on or about Labor
Day weekend. Admission to show at both shows is minimal to encourage participation
and to cover show expenses. There is no fee to attend the shows just to
look. Some members also attend the National Convention and show their car
where it is judged using national guidelines (see National Convention elsewhere)
back to top The Z PicnicIn the Fall the WCZC hosts a family picnic
and Z-Car get together. The sites vary and are chosen according to recreational
offering and location. Children of WCZC members, and guests are encouraged
to attend, as this is a family event. Everyone usually brings a food item,
and the club may pick up the main course and beverages; however, this changes
from year to year as there is no set strict format. Volleyball or other
games are usually available.
back to topThe
Birthday PartyThe first Saturday of November is traditionally
known as the Windy City Z Club's birthday, with the biggest Z bash of the
year. This party takes the place of the November ZGM. The birthday party
is usually held at a local restaurant, and is the highlight of the year
as Club sponsors contribute Z-related parts and prizes for raffle to WCZC
members. The prize you may win may be worth more than the registration
fee and often more than what you paid for an entire year's membership!
Often there are enough prizes to go through raffle numbers more than once,
so you may walk out with more than one prize! At the Birthday Party the current Board
of Directors each give a short summation of the past year and the President
gives a State of the Club Address to let you know what the club has done
the past year and what lies ahead. Awards to WCZC members for work done
during the year are handed out. Voting for the Board of Directors is also
done at the Birthday Party.
back to top The
National Z Car ConventionSince 1988, there has been a national convention
for the Z-car. Various Z clubs throughout the USA put in bids to host the
event, years before the event. The host Club and location changes every
year and is held in late June or July. A variety of business and technical
meetings, a national Z-car show, autocross events, touring, and the closing
banquet and awards presentation, along with the opportunity to meet Z owners
from all over the United States and the world highlight this annual event.
There are also national Z-related businesses sponsoring this event in attendance.
The WCZC may organize a caravan for members who wish to drive to drive
to the Convention.
back to topVolunteer
WorkThe Z Club does not operate without the aid
of volunteers as the club is a hobby for everyone involved- including the
elected Officers. There are plenty of areas where volunteers help in running
the Club. A few are listed below: Newsletter. Volunteers are need to put together
the newsletter, contribute articles, and get the newsletter out. Team-Z Representatives. The WCZC maintains
a handful of members who routinely pay visits to club sponsors. In doing
so they keep the WCZC prominent with our sponsors. Event Host or Helper. Volunteers are needed
to help out at Club events including Z-car shows, road trips, and race
events.
back to top SummaryWe hope this section helps you to understand
some of the exciting events and Z-car knowledge you can look forward to
as a member of the Windy City Z Club. We look forward to seeing you at
one of our Club events, and hope our Club is your choice to enhance your
enjoyment of your Z-car to the utmost.
back to top
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