So you are saying you didn't win anything right? I didn't even go due to
scheduling problems but I know from past experience (and having read
your post) that you made zero contribution to the effort but now you are
sounding off as to the quality. How much do you think those folks who
busted their asses to put this on were paid for the effort? I don't
know you but you piss me off on principal.
>----------
>From: tiger technologies[SMTP:tartanad@ix17.ix.netcom.com]
>Sent: Wednesday, June 25, 1997 12:01 PM
>To: tigers@autox.team.net
>Subject: TUXXII
>
>OPEN LETTER TO ALL TIGER OWNERS:
>
>While kudos are certainly in order for the hard work put in by STOA, Norm
>Miller and CAT in organizing the recent gathering at Eureka, the event fell
>far short of not just perfection, but even my modest expectations.
>
>I'm still scratching my head trying to figure out just what I received for
>my $125 entry fee. No goodie bag. No dash plaque. No alternate activities
>for those of us who didn't have a passion for autocrossing (and there are a
>lot of us). Hell, not even meals except for a couple of box lunches and a
>buffet dinner on awards night, which was a good feed, especially the berry
>pie.
>
>There is so much to do up in that neck of the woods: great wooded drives
>through ancient forests. A beautiful beach. Fishing trips for salmon and
>sole. A restored old town. But all the planned events kept most of us just
>yakking in the parking lot much of the time waiting for the "next" thing on
>the meager schedule. And spending my time admiring that collection of
>historic Tigers was wasted...I (and others) had their fill after the first
>viewing. In short the substantial cost and efforts by folks like Steve
>Alcala, Dan Walters, Senor Miller and others could have been better spent.
>And if some funds could have been saved in paying the tab for shipping the
>cars as well as expenses for selected attendees, maybe there would have been
>enough cash left over for a measely dash plaque or a $12 meal at the Samoa
>Lodge.
>
>But the biggest disappointment (and embarassment) of all was the manner in
>which the concours was conducted. Some of us spent a lot of time and a lot
>of money in getting our vehicles prepared for this part of the event. It is
>very important to have our cars properly displayed and judged by those who
>use some set of guidelines. And there were guidelines, set forth by Norm
>Miller many months ago. And we went about preparing our cars accordingly.
>
>That of course went out the window when we drove out to the marina only to
>be ordered to drive over the grass (dry, dusty and full of goose poop) to
>park. Hell, there was more dirt and dust on my car after that short 50 yard
>drive than I got during my 750 mile sojourn to Eureka from LA!
>
>And what an insult to be forced to have our cars "judged" (and I use the
>term loosely) by others in our class, not abiding by any set of guidelines
>or point structure. In the stock class, for example, how a one-off custom
>built prototype non-stock Harrington (as beautiful as it was) was classified
>as stock--and won is just beyond comprehension. The car is nowhere near
>correct and yet it won over real stock Tigers that precisely fit proper
>judging criteria. And as for the competency of the judges, wouldn't you
>think a stock class owner would know that the rear window of a hardtop is
>plexi, not glass? Not at Eureka. And there is even evidence of score total
>tampering on at least one judging sheet. And the list goes on. And on. I
>protest. This was no concours. It was just a show and shine. I could have
>stayed home for one of those, there are at least five in my area every
>weekend.
>
>One thing Eureka has taught me: TUXXIII will NOT be conducted in such a
>manner. While I may have been lax in my local club participation, I will now
>get involved to help make Big Bear an event for everyone. There will be lots
>of activities for everyone. And all participants will even get a dash
>plaque, even if I have to pay for them myself.
>
>A good number of Southern Californians attended TUXXII. Let's see how many
>northlanders venture south next summer to enjoy our hospitality and ability
>to put on an event with all family members in mind.
>
>As a point of reference, the Southern California Healey Club just had their
>gathering at Big Bear this past weekend...45 cars strong. And the tab
>including entry fee, meals AND hotel was just a shade over $200. But then
>they didn't dust off some race car that never made the grade at LeMans to
>eat up funds.
>
>The new friends made at Eureka and old acquaintances reignited and the
>obvious hard work of the organizers still made the trip north and back
>worthwhile. But a word of advice: next time, give us owners who spend time
>on their cars doing things other than preparing for some banzai run through
>orange cones some thought, and conduct a true concours event, not some
>politically motivated, skewed "car show".
>
>This is just one guy's opinion...made after an exhausting 1,600 mile round
>trip to Eureka.
>
>Jeff Cushing
>Tiger Technologies
>
>
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