If you want to plan events on a car messageboard, then make the events car related. Thats the ones I'll attend. There is nothing wrong with having a get together for drinks or a something, but most noobs aren't going to show up.
Car cruises, BBQs at a park, go-karts, car shows. Those are the things that interest me. I didn't get shitfaced and passed out when I was a kid, and I'm not going out to do it now.
I think the upcoming car cruise and dyno day are great ideas. Need more of those.
later,
Curt