Saturday, May 30, 2009

Pure Adenaline

Just returned from the show by PureAdrenalineMotorsportsNH, of Center Harbor NH.

While the show did little for the adrenaline, it was a fun show. About 10 vehicles from Maine showed up, to round out and provide competition for the 50 or so NH vehicles.

The hosts were gracious and accommodating, and they had pizza and other food vendors available.

Farthest traveled was a couple from Cranston Rhode Island, with Jim Peacock coming in second, from Dresden ME.

The only Mainiac to take home a trophy was Russ Boisvert of Gray ME, well deserved. But our own Peter Roberge won a $350 "Teeth Whitening Kit" - don't ask me, I just write this stuff!

But best of all, the weather was just fine. No rain, nice breezes. A nice, friendly gathering.

Next weekend y'all will hafta choose between Shawnee Peak (Bridgton) and the former Auburn Walmart show, now held at the Edward Little School in Auburn. Since we did Shawnee last year, it's only fair for us to cover Auburn this year, so that is where we will likely end up.

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Friday, May 29, 2009

Dryin' Out...

OK, so the rain stopped, and the roads dried out. So, we decided to mosey on over to Blast From The Past in Waterboro for the Friday night cruise-in.

It was canceled. We were one of six that showed. Didn't stay long. No point!

Here's hoping the weather is decent for the show in Meredith NH tomorrow...gettin' tired of being wet all the time. Rain at Bonny eagle. Rain at Naples. We'll see...

Saw Bill Gribizi's latest addition today - green '56 Ford PU. Absolutely gorgeous!

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Thursday, May 28, 2009

2009 Car Buff of the Year

OK, folks, get your nominations in for this award - we will be choosing from among the nominees this weekend.

Once a nominee is chosen, the presentation will be awarded at a cruise or show that the individual is known to attend, and we will announce the location (but not the name of the recipient) right here. So keep a lookout.

If the location is a cruise or show that you do not normally attend - sorry, it ain't you this year.

As a side note: anyone nominated this year who does not win "Car Buff Of the Year 2009" will automatically be entered in next year's contest. And winner's are not eligible to win more than once, so this year's winner will not be eligible next year. So your odds go up each year.

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Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Penny Candy

The closer Saturday gets, the more I think about the olde tyme Penny Candy we used to have back in the '50's. It seems the folks putting on the show in Meredith NH (actually it's Center Harbor) this weekend also have an old fashioned candy store, much like the one we used to go to in Barrington NH (Calef's) in addition to a car nostalgia store.

I'm really looking forward to wearing a licorice wax mustache (or the cherry wax lips), sucking those 5 drops of nectar from little wax bottles and peeling those hard candy dots off the strip of paper. A true reminder of days gone by. Right up there with pea shooters!

Now, I am not certain they have all those, but they do advertise an old fashioned candy store, and I am assuming it's nostalgia stuff like that.

Since it is their first Grand Opening Show, this could be interesting...

Street Rod ????

Overheard by several folks at a recent show, a couple of individuals were complaining about a certain vehicle that was found in Street Rods. It is a 1938 modified vehicle with a gross weight of under 9000 pounds.

For benefit of those unhappy souls, let us look at the actual definition of STREET ROD.

According to several reliable sources and even several state registration laws, a street rod is "a motor vehicle, or a reproduction thereof, with a model year of 1948 or older which has been materially altered or modified by the removal, addition or substitution of essential parts (i.e. modified) and with a gross weight or registered gross weight of not more than 9,000 pounds".

And the National Street Rod Association expands on that slightly, but is virtually the same, as "An automobile of 1948 or earlier manufacture which has undergone some type of modernization, to include any of the following; engine, transmission, interior refinements, and any other modifications the builder desires. A street rod is to be driven to events under its own power and is to be used as a safe, non-racing vehicle for total family enjoyment." That definition is taken directly from the NSRA website.

It is therefore obvious to even the most unknowledgeable that a 1938 materially altered vehicle under 9000 pounds is a Street Rod, whether they like it or not.

What is particularly strange is that one of the individuals complaining about this also complained last year because this same vehicle, a '38 custom (modified/altered) truck, should not have been in the custom truck class, either. Back then he told HotKarz it should have been in Street Rods. But when it is found in Street Rods, he complains it should not be there.

The vehicle can legitimately be in either class, as it fits the definition of both classes. Yet, some folks complain regardless of what class that vehicle registers in. But to complain when it is in Trucks that it should be in Street Rods, and later complain when it is in Street Rods that it should be in Trucks is not only wrong, but seems to indicate a case of "sour grapes".

If the 1938 truck were to register in Antique Trucks or Stock Trucks, I would find fault with that because it does not fit the definition of either. But when it is registered in a class to which it legitimately fits, I think the only problem lies with those doing the complaining.

And some of them should know better.

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Monday, May 25, 2009

Less Troubling

I heard from the individual who sent around that email about politiking for votes in what appeared to be an inappropriate manner.

After speaking with him, I have concluded, to my own satisfaction, that he was not aware of any wrongdoing, and had simply used the "politics" statement as an attempt at light-hearted humor that some took otherwise. That is often the problem with email - it is difficult to get across the TONE of a message, and it can often be misconstrued.

As I said earlier, the person is a friend, and will continue to be seen as such, and I trust that this was nothing more than an honest mistake and misunderstanding, because I have come to trust him. And the misunderstanding is partly my fault, for not choosing a system that would have prevented this. Still, the system will be changed, if not this year then next, to make it more equitable and not prone to politics, or susceptible to such misunderstandings.

So, I apologize to anyone who may have misunderstood the plan due to my own short-sightedness. I inadvertently left the contest open to politics, and should have known better. Live and learn!

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Sunday, May 24, 2009

Troubling...

I just received an email from a person I do not know, and she is not "of our hobby". And what she brought up is troubling, to say the least.

I am not going to mention any names, but the person(s) involved will know who they are, and I would implore them to rethink their priorities...

Here is a copy of her email to me, with names deleted:

-----Original Message-----From:
To: ptwoodycrew@aol.com
Sent: Sun, 24 May 2009 9:28 pm
Subject: politics
Hi,

I received this email from someone I do not even know! Perhaps my husband knows him. You can bet your bottom dollar I would NOT vote for this man if he was the ONLY person winning. I do not think politics belongs with car enthusiasts. I have no problem with you (HotKarz) being fair about the voting for "Best of the Fifties" (Editor's note - it's Best of the Best), but wanted to let you know how some people are trying to gather votes. Believe me, I have told all of our friends about the email I received! Can’t understand the nerve some people have!

Thanks for listening.

"Hi Folks, As some of you may already know, I was fortunate enough to take First Place at the Bonney Eagle Car Show. Becuase of this, I am eligible to win the "Best of the Fifties" title. All that I have to do is play a little politics. That's where you come in... If you could be so kind as to send an e-mail to ptwoodycrew@aol.com with "Best of the 50's" in the subject line and write my name (deleted) in the message, then your votes will help me win the title. Only one vote per e-mail address. I appreciate your support. Thank you, (name deleted) "

Let me be perfectly clear: while it does not violate any HotKarz rule to use such tactics, that does not make it right. Politics has NO place in something designed to be fun and exciting. If there is one thing I stand for, it is FAIR PLAY. All of you know this. In fact, it is the sense of fair play that often puts me at odds with some of you. But this sort of behavior is anything but fair.

That said, your tactics may get you the "title", and the trophy. But it will not make you a winner. A true winner wins by playing fair. Getting the trophy is relatively easy. EARNING and DESERVING it is quite another story.

Don't get me wrong - I still consider this person a friend. Albeit a bit wayward, and having strayed from the right path. I hope for his own sake that he finds his way back. We all make mistakes. We all succumb to temptation once in awhile.

The rules will change somewhat next year, to prevent this kind of abuse of trust and the honor system. That is unfortunate, because I would have liked to be able to rely on honor. Show me a person who values honor, and I will show you someone worthy of being a friend.

In fact, I would like to hear from the folks if they feel, in light of this, that the rules should change THIS year. Let me know if we should continue with voting (popularity contest), or moving to a simpler method that is more fair - every time a vehicle takes 1st place in the shows, that vehicle earns one point. The 3 vehicles that win MOST OFTEN would, of course, have the most points and would win Best of the Best. And anyone who wins a People's Choice or Best of Show would get an extra 2 points. In the event of a tie, you, the folks, would break the tie by casting tie-breaker votes at the show where the awards are presented.

Whaddaya think? Lemme know at ptwoodycrew@aol.com

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Naples Thanks You

The folks of the American Legion who put on the Naples Car Show today have asked me to express their great thanks to all who attended, and to all who worked to make the show a success. And a success it was!

Congrats!

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Car Buff of 2009

Someone posed a fair question concerning the nominees for Car Buff of the Year. They wondered what happens if we at HotKarz do not like the person nominated - would we choose a "favorite" person?

First, there are no people amongst you that I do not like.

Most folks who know me, also know that I would never play favorites in any contest. I always strive for fairness in all things. I do not play favorites. That simply is not my way.

While I will have the final say (someone must, after all, and I trust me), I will not nominate anyone, and the individual chosen MUST be nominated by someone. So, my choices will be limited. From those choices, I will use information gathered from others, and from my own experience, to try and choose the individual that seems to stand out - as I said, several factors will be considered. Favoritism will not be one of them. And each year it will be someone different.

I will give serious consideration to any overwhelming number of folks to nominate one person. But this is not a popularity contest. Popularity is important, and a valid factor, but it is not the only factor. If I were to be a judge at a car show, I would judge by points. The same is true with this contest - I will judge according to "points" earned when certain factors are considered. Those factors include, but are not limited to: popularity; friendliness; helpfulness; contribution to the hobby; active participation & dedication (goes to many events, even from long distances); effort put into his/her vehicle(s); etc.

I am absolutely certain that the award could legitimately go to almost any one of you fine folks. But the fact remains it must be narrowed to one, even if the actual facts create a 10-way tie.

In the event of any actual tie, I would simply pick one of the tied participants randomly - flip of the coin, so to speak.

But as I said - yes, ultimately the final decision rests with me :o) I do not get to play, so I can at least referee. And is it likely the winner will be someone I like? Of course - I like personable, friendly, helpful folks who contribute and actively participate and care for their vehicles. So, yup, it will likely be someone I like - no matter who it turns out to be. But the winner will not win BECAUSE I like him or her. It will be the other way 'round!

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Pure Adrenalin Motorsports Show

We have added three show dates - Mackworth Island (7/26), Harrison Lions Club (6/28) and York's of Houlton (6/14) to our events page and calendar.

Received the following from Cynthia Melo of www.PureAdrenalineMotorsportsNH.com, of Center Harbor NH. They are having their first show and grand opening next Saturday, the 30th. The show info is posted in our NH Shows page. Show is 2 miles north of Meredith. From Maine, you would pass through Center Harbor, into Meredith, then 2 miles North on Rte 3 :

Can't wait 'til the show. Pray for NO Rain...Check in is from 8-10am. Please let folks know they should seriously consider pre-registering via email, as space is limited to 130 vehicles. Email name, address, vehicle info to sales@pureadrenalinemotorsportsnh.com :

Classes for trophies are:

1,2,3rd Drivers Choice
1,2,3rd Viewers Choice

Best in show over all

Longest haul

we also have Special giveaways, 50/50's and some other surprises.

Cynthia Melo
Pure Adrenaline Motorsports
89 Daniel Webster Highway
Center Harbor, NH 03226
(603) 279-8718

American Legion Naples Show

OK, so about 120 of you already know - we got wet. And the sun shone brightly as we prepared to leave after the award ceremoney. It figures!

But the hospitality was top-notch, and the chow was pretty fair. And despite a rather unimpressive past history, this show went fairly well, with few glitches.

I did hear a couple of complaints, not all of which concerned the show. They are as follows:

1) There were two vehicles in the OPEN/ORPHAN class, but only one trophy was awarded. Seems the judges just did not SEE the second car.

2) Only one Mustang class. Since the newer Stangs cannot fairly compete with their classic ancestors, there were more Stangs in the 90's - Present class than there were in the Mustang class.

The other complaint heard was rather unusual, though not completely unexpected. Six different individuals approached me to inform me that members of a certain club that professes "No BS and No Politics" was deeply involved in both, as they made the rounds complaining about HotKarz, and how we are "trying to run all the shows". I guess some folks find it difficult to differentiate between trying to run something, and simply standing up for what is right and fair.

HotKarz is not interested in running things. But whenever we find unfairness or disparity, you can count on hearing about it, loud, clear, and often. And anyone who is not interested in fairness for all has no right to complain about us, or anyone else.

It is especially ironic that one of those individuals who seems to have a problem with HotKarz making an issue of respecting all classes, even Special Interest, himself approached me last year to complain that someone registered in HIS class that he did not believe should have been in his class. Seems it's OK to complain when he is being treated unfairly, but perfectly fine when it is someone else that is getting shafted.

Sadly, it also seems that those individuals may have lost stature today in the eyes of many they spoke with, since so many they spoke with came to me about it. And two of those who came to me thought it was rather lacking in moral courage for those others to say these things behind my back.

And that is why I said it was not truly unexpected. Whenever anyone stands up and tries to right a wrong, there will always be those who make him a target. That is why so few people stand up against the tide. And that is why injustice will often prevail, as it has been doing in car shows for over three decades - too many folks simply ACCEPT the dispartity. But folks should never accept a wrong simply because it is the path of least resistance. Imagine if Washington, Lincoln, M.L.K, Jesus or any of those other "rebels" had chosen the easy way, and not stood up against the way things were...

No one likes being a target - not even an incendiary SOB such as myself. Does this mean I will stop trying to make things better, and more fair for all?

Not a chance!

Meanwhile...

I would like to thank the American Legion of Naples, and Al & Robin of Alyssas Motel for their warm hospitality. We'll be back next year.

And to that dear man, Al L. - I often kid you, but you are one of the BIGGEST men I know. And I am damned proud to know ya!

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