Real, they are local.
The website creates this thread and also sends a private message when a new person joins. I often get replies from the instant message.
Mitsi has also joined the Facebook group.
I have said this before,,social media is at people's fingertips 24/7 if they desire, so joining club pages and groups on there is much easier and can be checked anytime without sitting at home with a pc of some description. I just browsed the POC website forum and that's dead really but i get notifications daily from their social media page among other car club groups i have on mine