DDK - Die Deutschen Klassiker

SORRY BUT WE HAVE NO INTEREST IN THESE CARS AT ALL .



You are welcome to attend the event but be aware that
PLASTIC Speedsters /spyders / vw hot-rods will be directed to the distant public car park

Hedingham Organisation

So, erm, what about PLASTIC 904s? I Can understand them not wanting replicas mixed in with the real cars, I really can, but nothing excuses the arrogance or stupidity that is required to compose that email.

Wow! That's some response...

As discussed last year the cut off is fair enough viewed objectively rather than emotionally, but writing the response like that is just plain rude.

Bruce's edited version would cost nothing, get's the point over and shouldn't cause offence!

Bruce M wrote:Hi,

Thanks for your email inquiring about our upcoming event.

We'd love to see you at the "Classics at the Castle" and you are welcome to bring along your speedster replica. Unforunately, we will be directing you towards the normal public car park rather than the VIP area reserved for pre-73 factory porsches. We have taken the difficult decision to be quite firm with this policy as any deviation is just is a starting point for endless debates over what is acceptable and what is not. With the passionate owners involved this can often become an unpleasant situation that can spoil the great atmosphere of this event for all concerned.

I do hope you can be sympathetic to our situation and the decision we have come to.

We look forward to you visiting the show.

Kind regards,

Hedingham Organisation

Marvelous.... and if only...

Mike.

That is a nasty e-mail . . . poor public relations.
Phil

I'd love to see Speedstars on here take his rep and see if can pull it of and get in....

I'd love to know if that reply was written by Fred Hampton

Think someone should post it on PCGB forum and see how clever the respondent thinks he is after it's been posted there.

It's utterly disgraceful for a Porsche event organiser that admits it's heavily sponsored by Porsche to respond to another Porsche enthusiast in that way.

In fact forward it to Porsche themselves and ask for their opinion.

People like this need bringing down a good few levels imho!

Yeah, what Jason says! grrrr.

It's not a PCGB organised event these days. The organisers use the forum and I'll bring their attention to this.

I understand the stance regarding vehicles displayed at the Castle but find the tone of the response rather surprising to say the least!

I have to agree with all the comment raised I think it is a disgrace for any individual to send out a letter with this content ,and agree it should be brought to other peoples attention.
I have been a member of PCGB since 1993 and the content of the letter does not surprise me as I have found over the years certain factions within the club are very elitist especially the 356
If this event was being held by any other club they would embrace other models
Brian

OK, I’ve watched this unfold with dismay but kept quiet.
Classics at the Castle is a superb event, well organised and one of the highlights of the year. I look forward to it.

However I do feel this is a shameful episode. Bruce has correctly identified that the initial enquiry could have been dealt with much more sensitively. Why would the organisers take this tone and manner?

It’s sad that Ian’s email was answered like that. I guess it’s perfectly reasonable to exclude replicas (although I certainly would not) but a pleasant reply explaining why and welcome their owners as spectators would have been nice.

Reading the response again raises many issues...

SORRY BUT WE HAVE NO INTEREST IN THESE CARS AT ALL

Well I’m certain they’ll change that stance at the gate. I predict they’d be very happy to take your money as a spectator (albeit evidently not as an exhibitor).

the presence of pretend Porsches.

Why did the author feel the need to include the word ‘pretend’? What inference do we read into that?

plastic Speedsters

The reference to ‘plastic’ seems to have been included to add a derogatory tone to the reply. Or are we being overly sensitive?

will be directed to the distant public car

The car park for paying spectators is nearby. For paying replica owners it’s ‘distant’ is it? Will you be directed to the furthest part?

VW Golfs, Morris Minors etc.

Is this another sleight on ‘lesser’ cars?

Hedingham Organisation

And all that vitriol cloaked in anonymity. No name signed. Very sad.

Maybe the organisers don’t appreciate how they can alienate Porsche enthusiasts like this. Hopefully an apology will follow.
It would be wonderful to clear up any misunderstanding and help reinforce the fact that this is one of the best events for the early Porsche community in this country.

Ferry Man wrote:OK, I’ve watched this unfold with dismay but kept quiet


Maybe the organisers don’t appreciate how they can alienate Porsche enthusiasts like this. Hopefully an apology will follow.
It would be wonderful to clear up any misunderstanding and help reinforce the fact that this is one of the best events for the early Porsche community in this country.

Perfectly put Paul.

reminds me very much of a piece in Porsche Post some years ago promoting an early RS day,
it said quote "all RS's welcome....but NO REPLICA'S!!"

The writer on that occasion at least put his name to it, a chap called Fred Hampton I seem to recall.

I have also watched with great interest, and yes well said Paul. I wanted to post their email and see what "real" classic Porsche owners thought?
I was somewhat amazed at their response I know that there are car snobs out there, and unfortunately sometimes the more prestige the make the bigger the snobs! That is why DDK is such a great place, replica owners are made as welcome as much as anyone else (thank you) and when ever I have met with DDK members and other Porsche owners ther is great interest in our cars even if they are "plastic"!
I would have loved to go to this show and I didn't think in a million years that I would be parking next to a real 356 but I did think that there may be an area for cars of other interest. I have been involved and interested in all types of classic cars for many years but have never encounter this rudeness from another supposed like minded person.

Del wrote:I'd love to know if that reply was written by Fred Hampton

Mike wrote:The writer on that occasion at least put his name to it, a
chap called Fred Hampton I seem to recall.

(Not rolling my eyes at you Mike)

Like Paul said, not even signed with a name but "Hedingham Organisation"

Shameful response.