Dear Buick Owners and Enthusiasts:
Are you looking for reliable and helpful information about your Buick? Information that will help you improve and maintain the performance and appearance of your car? Information that is available to you in a variety of media formats including a printed newsletter, a website, and an electronic bulletin board? How about a club that is governed by its members through elected representatives? A club that is accountable to its members and encourages open participation and interaction between its members? A club that supports and promotes the reproduction of parts for your cars?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, then on behalf of the members and directors, I would like to introduce you to the new Buick Performance Group (BPG). Information about this exciting new club is contained below. Please take a few moments to read the information and learn who we are and what we offer. Also, please keep in mind that the BPG's primary focus and responsibility is our members and their Buick powered automobiles.
What is the Buick Performance Group?
The Buick Performance Group is a non-profit membership organization dedicated and devoted to the performance, preservation, maintenance, restoration and racing of Buick powered performance cars. The BPG offers a member focused, family oriented community and encourages and promotes the sharing of information, development of new products, and open participation and interaction between all members.
Who is the Buick Performance Group?
The BPG was established by a large group of Buick owners to serve the needs of its members and their cars. The BPG is governed by a board of directors elected by the members. Our diverse membership includes many familiar Buick owners, vendors and restorers with extensive Buick knowledge, skills and related expertise.
What does the Buick Performance Group offer?
The BPG offers members a number of things, both tangible and intangible, all of which we believe are important.
· MEDIA - The BPG has a variety of informational products that include a bi-monthly newsletter titled "The Build Sheet;" a website (www.buickperformancegroup.com) and an Electronic Bulletin Board to post and responds to questions, items for sale, parts wanted, etc.; and a National Buick Event that offers racing, tech seminars, restoration information, parts vending, a show, and more.
· MEMBER PARTICIPATION - Members are entitled to vote for the individuals that will serve them as officers and directors to run the BPG. Members may participate in all club events. The BPG encourages member opinions and inquiries. Members should express their opinions and ask questions freely without fear of censorship or reprisal, provided that appropriate standards of decor and professionalism are maintained (we are a family oriented community). Members are encouraged to contribute to the newsletter (The Build Sheet), the bulletin board, and the website. We believe that the sharing of information and member involvement creates unity, builds friendships, and strengthens us all as a group.
· ACCOUNTABILITY and PROFESSIONALISM - The BPG will be accountable to its membership, both financially and otherwise. Use of club funds will be detailed in financial statements prepared and presented to the membership on an annual basis. The BPG is responsive to member requests and inquiries. The BPG and its staff will conduct themselves in a professional manner, including in all dealings with members, non-members and commercial organizations.
· DIVERSE MEMBERSHIP - The BPG membership and staff are diverse and offer a variety of experience in different areas. Our members include event coordinators, Buick restorers, Buick parts vendors, racers, car owners, enthusiasts, engine builders, professional mechanics, body shop and paint professionals, GM Parts Professionals, and many others. We believe ALL members are important and value their participation!
· RELIABLE and HELPFUL INFORMATION - The BPG will conduct parts comparison tests and publish the results without changes or modifications. The tests will be conducted accurately and equitably to ensure fairness and the results will be published as they occurred. NO favoritism to vendors will be shown. The results will speak for themselves. The BPG also will be documenting restoration projects and providing restoration tips along the way. The BPG also will be publishing various technical, specification and other information to assist members with the maintenance, repair, preservation and restoration of their cars.
· REPRODUCTION PARTS - The BPG will support the reproduction of Buick parts through a variety of means to ensure that our members' cars can be preserved and maintained with quality reproduction parts that will be available at a fair price.
· FREE or DISCOUNTED ADVERTISING - Members will be entitled to post free personal ads in the club media publications. Businesses owned by club members will receive discounted rates on their commercial advertisements.
What cars will be covered?
The BPG is an inclusive, as opposed to exclusive, club. As such, membership is open to all Buick owners and enthusiasts. However, the primary focus of the BPG is on Buick powered performance cars such as the Gran Sports and other V-8 powered Buick Models (such as Wildcats, Skylarks, Specials, etc.) and the Grand Nationals (including the Turbo Regals) and Pontiac Turbo Trans Ams. We expect that our membership will primarily be divided among the V-8 powered Buicks and the Turbo Buicks. We believe in fair and equitable treatment in all aspects of this club, equal coverage in terms of articles and information will be given to both types of cars.
What does it cost?
Membership in the BPG is $35 a year. Members receive their official Membership Packet that includes a new member introduction letter, a high quality laminated membership card, 10 free personal BPG cards that can be handed out at shows and events, and a club sticker.
How do I join?
To become a BPG member, please send $35 along with your name and address to
The Buick Performance Group.
P.O. Box 103
McDonald, Kansas 67745
We also accept paypal, but be sure to include all your information!
It is at
www.paypal.com under the account of kb@buickperformancegroup.com
Please allow 2 weeks for delivery of your Membership Packet. If you have any questions, please contact one of the National or Regional Directors at the phone number or email address listed below.
Thanks for your time and let's keep those Buick's running!
Sincerely,
Alan Faircloth
Director, Legal, Finance & Public Relations
www.buickperformancegroup.com
BPG National Board of Directors
Jim Weise Chairman
V8 Director
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Phone (612) 522-8219
Email jw@buickperformancegroup.com
John Schmidt
Vice Chairman - V6 Director
Wintersville, Ohio
Phone (740) 264-1265
Email js@buickperformancegroup.com
Alan Faircloth
Director - Legal, Finance and PR
Kennesaw, Georgia
Phone (678) 574-8595
Email af@buickperformancegroup.com
Rick Martinez
Director - Newsletter (The Build Sheet)
Mahopac, New York
Phone (845) 228-9894
Email rm@buickperformancegroup.com
Jim Haas
Director - Events
Miami, Florida
Phone (305) 253-1195
Email jh@buickperformancegroup.com
Kris Burns
Director - Membership
Bird City, Kansas
Phone (785) 734-2337
Email kb@buickperformancegroup.com
BPG Regional Directors
Region 1
Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, New Brunswick, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Quebec Canada
Al Fiandaca - Regional Director
Hamilton Square, New Jersey
Email gsthunder@aol.com
Phone (609) 587-4448
Region 2
Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Florida, Tennessee
Kurt Peterson - Regional Director
Spring Lake, North Carolina
Email lwolfracing@aol.com
Phone (910) 436-9495
Region 3
Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Ontario, Canada
Darryl Roederer - Regional Director
Louisville, Kentucky
Email pir8darryl@hotmail.com
Phone (502) 491-9894
Jeff Jarboe
Assistant Regional Director
Hardinsburg, Kentucky
Email jhjarboe@yahoo.com
Phone (270) 756-2428
Region 4
Kansas, Texas, Arkansas, Mississippi, Louisiana, Oklahoma, New Mexico, and Mexico
Mike Garrison - Regional Director
Topeka, Kansas
Email mrbuick@networksplus.net
Phone (785) 246-2661
Dave Burns - Assistant Regional Director
Bird City, Kansas
Email buickdav@yahoo.com
Phone (785) 734-2337
Region 5
Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, Colorado, Wyoming
Mike Bucy - Regional Director
Coon Rapids, Minnesota
Email mbucy@sherbtel.net
Phone (763) 755-5973
Mike Atwood - Assistant Regional Director
Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Email atwood.Michael@mcleodusa.net
Phone (319) 366-7430
Region 6
British Columbia, Washington, Montana, Idaho, Oregon, and Alberta Canada
Adam Whitman- Regional Director
Salmon, Idaho
Email a_rocket_88@hotmail.com
Phone (208) 756-3548
Region 7
California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona.
John Kirkland- Regional Director
South Weber, Utah
Email kirkland@webpipe.net
Phone (801) 476-9086
Gary Fanning - Assistant Regional Director
Spring Creek, Nevada
Email notnss@yahoo.com
Phone (775) 753-3006
Additional co-founders of the club
Doug Hecker
Mike Tomaszewski
Brad Conley
Roberta Vasilow
Tim Rife
Bruce Hunter
George Nenadovich
John Gudaitius
Steve Schepers
Duane Heckman