Minnesota Sport Compacts was founded in late 2001 by Bryan Fetzer and Ross Rafferty. Bryan and Ross met via a few national online car forums, and despite them driving different vehicles (Bryan drove a Celica, and Ross drove an Eclipse) they started drumming up support for a local car club that would cater to a more modern take on the sports car.

Minnesota Sport Compacts was designed to be different from the start. Most of the car clubs out there cater to either a specific brand of car (i.e. the Mustang) or to a specific hobby within the auto sports world (i.e. autocross, drag strip, etc.). MNSC was founded to provide a place for people to share their love for all things automotive, while allowing people who owned more modern sports/sporty cars (typically classified as sport compacts) to have a place to learn about their cars and connect with other people who shared their interests.

MNSC was also intended to be approachable. We've all been that kid in high school who couldn't afford anything better than a beat up old Civic but who was really into cars regardless. MNSC is a spot for those kids, as well as for the 55 year old guy who just picked up his new M3. What’s been awesome to see is that many new car owners who didn’t purchase sport compacts, are finding MNSC as a place to hang out. The dynamic of the community, while sometimes 'interesting' online, is overridingly positive.

MNSC does set itself apart from other clubs in another way. It is vehemently opposed to illegal activity on public streets. While some people like to refer to the sport compact crowd as the Fast & the Furious scene, MNSC doesn’t represent that segment of the community at all. You won’t see members discussing street racing, speeding on public streets, or anything else that puts not only them, but the general public, in danger. When you see a car on the road with an MNSC decal, you’re seeing the mark of a true enthusiast and not a menace.

MNSC has grown beyond what Ross and Bryan could’ve ever imagined. MNSC currently has over 6,500 members and the website routinely receives over 21 million hits a month. MNSC is the largest sport compact community in the Midwest, and one of the largest car clubs in Minnesota. The club’s summer meets have attracted over 200 cars in years past, and they continue to grow with each passing year. There are more than 5 weekly meets around Minnesota, reaching from the Twin Cities, to St Cloud, to Duluth making MNSC the most active car club in the state.

So, if you’re reading this and you’re new to the club, welcome aboard. If you’re thinking of joining, we encourage you to do so. It’s free and you’re joining a great community.