It has been obvious to most of us for a long time that the Red Rat is the Red
Rat and always will be that way. If you want to show off, you bring the Bishop.
Next time bring the dogs, that's what others did. Don't think they asked
permission, nor were there any dog patrols in the paddock. Besides, you have
two dog sitters with you - right?
Fitz
Wm. Severin Thompson wrote:
> To all,
>
> If you read my report on Grattan, and Phil Cull's (Grattan event race
> director) response, you see prcisely why there's a Team Thicko.
>
> There is so much of a secret handshake mentality within these vintage race
> organizations... that if I cared enough about it, I'd want to puke. Fact is,
> rather than deal with some of the exclusionary attitudes from within ( I
> have tried that... both in the Healey club, and the Vintage Sportscar
> Driver's Association) we decided to take our voice out of the politics and
> make our comment from the outside looking in.
>
> The VSCDA is by far the best vintage race organization I've run with... they
> return an excellent value, put on top notch events, and run safe,
> competitive races. But you know what... every race, we seem to gather a
> little more of a foothold. We've gone from a few guys to over 275 members
> worldwide. In Thicko Village last weekend, were VSCDA stalwarts like Chuck
> Maranto who organizes the VSCDA race in Oct. at Indianapolis Raceway park,
> (and owns the Elva driven by Elvis in "Viva Las Vegas"), and Dr. Marv
> Primack... one of 3 on the VSCDA's Driver's Committee. (His presence raised
> the average income about $100K)He races amongst other things, a Formula JR
> Ausper, his son a Sprite. His lovely wife commented on what a great time
> they had in Thicko Village.
>
> So... what am I getting at? We try not to take ourselves too seriously. All
> of our rivalries are in the spirit of great sportsmanship, and a member of
> TT would do anything to help another racer. We don't care whether you drive
> up in a transporter and motorhome, or an old pick up with a FV... as long as
> you don't think you're better than the common folk... you're our kind of
> people.
>
> Phil's comment of "Why don't you consider getting your car looking top
> notch and applying for
> being in the grid of the West Michigan Grand Prix, you might find it a lot
> of fun as well." illustrates the mentality. You know what? The Red Rat
> Bastard never looked good in any of it's racing life... and that's part of
> its charm... that anything that ugly could open up a "big ol' can O whupass'
> on a lot prettier and expensive cars. If the car finishes (notice the
> definitive "if"), it usually wins its class and about 2/3rds of those
> classed above it. It's not a car show... it is a car race. Duh.
>
> I thank all of you that "get it"... and I'm glad to call you all comrades.
>
> Flounder
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