gmdebruyn

I know there are a few of us among the E55 owners.

Did any of you get the mail which outlines their three new tiers of lifetime membership (bronze/silver/gold)? Just curious if any of you are changing memberships and if you know any more information about the new tiers.

brt3

I am trying to get the 11-99 lifetime membership, but they want a referral from an existing member. Would any existing members be willing to provide a referral for a fellow Bay Area E55 owner? Given that I drive an E55 wagon, I am obviously a "foundation of the community" type with strong family values...

Here's the info from the 11-99 website: "You must be referred by a current member of the 11-99 Foundation and you must provide current member's name and phone number on the application."
CHP 11-99 Membership Info

silversurfer

I got turned down by the 11-99 (and I drive a station wagon too!) because a) I didn't have a referral from an existing member and b)they apparently did a google search for me and found a picture of a speedo at 140mph
Guess they didn't want to put their fancy license plate on the back of such a fast driver's car

Brav

So I take it you guys are very supportive of the cause and really want to contribute to the CHP..

Just a thought, but dont you think if you are driving a 500HP car that they may see that you have alterior motives for the plate? I wonder if some officers are annoyed with that, and might actually hurt your cause. I'd be curious to know

zoink

What are the "benefits" (emphasize in quotes - i.e. less chance of getting caught for speeding? ) as well as real benefits to join 11-99?

E55AMG99

You are helping to support the widows and orphans of fallen CHP officers. The "benefits" as you say vary from officer to officer. Knowing several CHP officers personally, I know that some ignore the plates while other officers turn a blind eye to many otherwise ticketable infractions. "Name dropping" is a much more effective tool at avoiding tickets.

silversurfer

Regardless of the my car's HP...I was showing my support of the CHP by offering a donation of almost $2000. They don't ask you what your motives are when you sign up. They want your money and the background check only serves to keep their club elitist. Tell me that you haven't seen many high HP/exotic cars cruising around with the 11-99 plate. What are their motives?

E55AMG99

They told you this or are you just boasting? I got mine within a few years of a reckless driving convction. They also had no problem with my 996TT or my E55.

silversurfer

Not boasting at all...I called for confirmation when I got my refusal letter. They told me explicitly what I posted. They said that the biggest factor in their decision was the lack of referral from an existing member.

gmdebruyn

good charity - gives money to families of spouses and children who's CHP officer has fallen in the line of duty.

if they're going to give me a little more slack and i get to give to a great cause, twist my rubber arm.

E55AMG99

No referal, sure but the rest smells.

silversurfer

What the hell does this mean .... smells like what?

E55AMG99

AKA...stinks, smells fishy, etc...you know, someone is feeding someone else a line of B.S.

Googling your name and coming up with a pic of a speedo at 140mph as a reason for non-acceptance is what smells.

silversurfer

gotcha...Yeah it took me a few attempts to recreate the google search that turned up the picture. But I agree, it stinks because my friend who applied at the same exact time I did (who also didn't have a referral), got approved! And he had a reckless driving on his record!

Oh well, I don't drive in CA enough anyway.

zdkdeeier493

Hey surfer, are those other cars around yours cannonballers!?! It sure does look like it.

DarkStar

I've seen what I think are some fake 11-99 plates. They somehow look different than the one on the Carrera GT above, and some of them say "CHP" on them. I know you can buy plate frames at the mall, so maybe that is the source? I'd hate to get pulled over with a fake 11-99 plate....

silversurfer

Not my Carrera GT - I wish...but yes, they're Cannonballers (to an extent). It's a photo from the Player's Run in which I participated with my GWagen (which also does not have an 11-99 plate).

E55AMG99

I've seen some older 11-99 plates that are yellow/gold over blue. They seem to be replaced with the chrome/blue plates today. If you are going to fake a plate, the best one in CA is KA4993 however, you better have the name of a close friend in the CHP o go with it.

zdkdeeier493

Ah its my dream to participate in one of those things. So many variables though...I made a vow to myself that someday I will. They must be so much fun :v