Unbelieveable

I received a comment (copied below in its entirety) from someone who dared not even identify himself/herself. And considering the comment, I am not at all surprised. According to this person, I "have no right to comment on shows". Pardon me, but in America, everyone has a right to speak their piece. I do understand that there are people on the far left who do not believe that anyone with an opposing view should ever speak, but that is not how things are in this country.

The person also claimed I "never contribute anything to any shows." Of course, this just shows the writer's ignorance, since I do contribute. I sponsor classes at shows. I sponsor, organize and run the HotKarz Super Cruise. I provide organizers with Vehicle Safety cards (spectator code of conduct) at no cost whatever. I provide organizers with a place to find many normal classifications, a copy of the Standard Point System, and an outline to help in putting together a more successful show.

He also claims I look for "special treatment" - I do not. I park my car, then enjoy the show like everyone else.

I provide a venue for the car folks, themselves, to speak up and be heard, so organizers will get a feel for what the folks are thinking, so they can improve their shows.

I post and promote the shows, and the cruise-ins.

Now, since the writer of the comment decided to hide behind anonymity, I do not know what THEY contribute, but I seriously doubt they contribute much of any value.

This lowlife even went so far as to "dis" my daughters vehicle. The writer thinks nothing much was invested in it, and it does not belong in any shows - I guess he/she is not intelligent enough to realize there is over $40,000 invested in the PT Woody. Guess he also is unaware that it often wins in both judged and peer shows, so it would seem many do not see things his way. Wonder what he has invested in whatever it is he brings to shows!

That ignorant idiot is, by his own remarks, a bigot - unless a vehicle is a perfect specimen of an antique or classic, it is not deserving to be in shows. That only goes to show the worth of the writer's opinion, which is zero.

Look, I do not mind honest criticism (unlike the folks in Sanford and Belgrade). But I do mind bigotry, ignorance, stupidity and downright meanness.

If and when that clown should decide to identify himself and take "credit" for his letter, I would fairly bet that he or she is someone not worthy of anyone's concern. I would also bet he/she has some connection to Sanford :o)

So - and I know you are reading this - you should know that I have probably done more for shows in one season than you have done in your entire lifetime. And you should also know that I am not going to give a "pass" to any problems I find. And I have every right to publish this blog and website, as this is not communist China. My opinions may not be shared by all - nor do they need to be. However, it is rare that I insert opinion - normally, I simply state the facts. And some people simply cannot handle the facts. Well, that's too bad! Deal with it.

A full 96% of all mail, posts and comments I receive is positive and supportive. If and when that changes, then I will reconsider what I am doing. But for the time being, you and people like the Sanford Elks really need to understand a simple fact:

I will report on shows. I will say what I believe is good about them, and what I believe is not so good. I will report what others have to say, and give them a venue to speak for themselves. If a show is great, I will say so. If not, I will say so. And since I have been involved in over 400 shows in one capacity or another, over a span of 43 years and almost as many states, then I have reason to believe I know enough about shows to know what is good, and what is not so good.

I am not saying every show should be perfect. But I AM saying that if a show has obvious problems, the organizers should strive to work out those problems, for the benefit of all.

I have given some very good reviews here - there are many good shows. And there are some that did not warrant a good revue. And I have enough integrity to not give a good review that is not deserved. But in no case did I ever "dis" anyone. I simply state the facts. If a show allows class jumping, I WILL point that out. If it does not organize well, I WILL point that out. That is not being disrespectful, or mean. That is simply reporting the facts, so everyone - including the organizers - can spot things that they may want to address. After all, if you don't know it's broke, you can't fix it.

Some organizers have been running rough-shod over the participants for so long, they do not feel any need to satisfy anyone but themselves. They have no interest in improving. To those few, I would say that you have been put on notice - if you are not willing to address valid concerns of the participants whose money you covet, then those participants will stop coming to your show, and you will get NO money. They have every right to expect you to address their concerns. They are your customers. They are the people whose money you are after. If you want their money, you need to satisfy them. If you are not interested in providing the best show that you can, then maybe you need to find a new way to raise funds.

If you put on a cheap show, or use poorly trained judges, or permit class jumping, then you have no one to blame but yourselves when I call it like it is. That's my job. You don't have to like it, but you do have to accept it, because I am here to stay!

And judging from the letters I get, that's the way most car folks want it.

Here is the anonymous letter - please feel free to let me - and him - know what you think by emailing me at ptwoodycrew@aol.com, or posting a comment below this blog entry:

Anonymous has left a new comment on your post:
It's too bad you've turned this site into a personal mission to critcize people for their efforts. I would think a man as smart as you say you are you would understand people who put these shows on are doing the best they can. Personally I don't think you have any right to comment since you yourself have not or do not do anything for car shows in general. Your pathetic comments each week do nothing for so many people. Each week you pull your PT Woody into a show and expect special treatment when in fact your car is nothing short of a makeshift car out of the 50's want to be club. How much have you invested? My guess is not even close to what many of us have. You have no right to judge or critcize if you do not like the show stay the hell home just like you were told in Sanford. A lot of people certainly will never miss you. I'm willing to bet you will just delete this because it is your site but it is my two cents and I feel better. You really should use this site for good instead of judging.