Car club

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This article is about clubs for motor enthusiasts. "Car Club" may also refer to a carsharing organisation such as City Car Club, or the AAA, known as the Auto Club in California.

A car club is a group of people who share a common interest in motor vehicles. (The term is often applied to groups serving collectors of light trucks as well.)

Car clubs can vary widely in focus from one to another to suit the owners or enthusiasts, and some of them have criteria to what an owner can own to be eligible for membership. Many are oriented around a specific type, make, model or even production run of vehicle. Others do not require physical ownership of a vehicle. Typically (and historically) car clubs have been non-profit groups run by a group of people (most often elected) who are referred to as committee members but larger clubs (e.g. the Ferrari Owners Club) may be large enough to be run as a paid business with salaried employees. Many enthusiasts are attracted to join car clubs because of the publications offered with memberships; these contain photographs, messages from other members, service and parts advice, items and vehicles wanted and/or for sale, and historical material of interest to the membership. Car clubs often host gatherings (called "meets") which often also welcome interested non-members and their vehicles. Car clubs also may engage in other activities of various types, including races, cruising, shows, "mod" days when garage equipment and service tools are available for members to perform and assist each other with DIY work, or community service activities.

However, a new development within car clubs has taken place since the dawn of the Internet: Web-based car clubs that by their nature charge no dues and provide instant messaging services, file storage, and photo-sharing. These simplified clubs archive image and message material instantly and electronically and therefore do not issue printed publications. Other differences separating Web-based car clubs from traditional car clubs include the lack of a treasury and elected-officer governing structures - which some consider an advantage in lessening the occurrences of political machinations that sometimes can erupt within volunteer organizations. Web-based car clubs seldom hold meets but may refer members to gather at an existing meet as a club function.

On the other hand,the internet has also encouraged and fostered the development of many local clubs centered around specific vehicles, particularly more uncommon vehicles. The Internet has provided a cheap and convenient method for enthusiasts to find each other for meets, as well as parts, technical advice, events, and service for their vehicles.

In some countries, notably in Japan, some car clubs are run as a way of regulating street races and to race against people they know rather than compete against those they do not, therefore eliminating the possibility of an accident; the best known being the Mid Night Club. Also clubs are used to enter team drifting contests.

Alternately, known as motoring club, car clubs have the purpose to supply marshals to enforce safety at motorsport events and to organise motorsport events, unlike general car clubs, they are not specifically dedicated to one manufacturer or model.

Generally, people who join car clubs modify their cars to reflect not only themselves; but also their beliefs in their respective hobbies.^{[citation needed]} Clubs can often provide a wealth of information and experience on technical and modding tips, driving characteristics, as well as sources of factory and aftermarket parts, vehicles for sale, and referrals to mechanics.