Bob :
First, I am very uncomfortable with "rumors" and "very reliable
sources". In the interest of "innocent until proven guilty", I feel you
should name names, and let the parties involved defend themselves. A
rumor is a good place to start a news story, but please let's get the
facts before taking action. I'd be particularly interested in hearing
from someone in VTR with first hand knowledge of what was promised and
delivered (or not) ...
Second, if what you say _is_ true, I think it is thoroughly despicable,
whether or not the VTR Nationals could affect the Stowe event. I
frankly wouldn't be as upset with the promoter, as with the "sponsor"
who reneged on their agreement to support the VTR National. I think a
boycott of their products would be far more effective.
Third, I don't see that offering to pay clubs for help with the event
has anything to do with the other topic. Clubs are usually on the
lookout for ways to inflate the treasury, and this doesn't seem like a
bad way to do it. Except of course that, when dealing with someone who
appears to be less than honorable, I'd want to be sure to get any
agreements in writing <g>
Randall
Bob Lang wrote:
>
> Hi,
>
> This is a "test" of a possible "editorial". I'd appreciate feedback. It
> is really meant to be read by Triumph owners, but I'm blasting several
> lists, just to get the word out.
>
> Rant Mode ON
>
> While enjoying the thoroughly gorgeous late summer top-down criusing this
> weekend past (and apologies to our SE US friends who are probably having
> a bad time with un-invited guest Floyd as I write this), I heard a
> disturbing piece of news.
>
> Now, it is said that things change when there's money involved. I
> couldn't agree more. Here's an example:
>
> It is rumored (from a _very reliable source) that a principle organizer of
> the British Invasion at Stowe, VT (to be held this coming weekend (Sep.
> 17-19), I might add) has/had used influence with one of the "sponsors" of
> the Vintage Triumph Register National, in Portland, ME to have that
> sponsor withold monies promised to the organizers of the VTR convention in
> an effort to keep said event from effecting his _commercial_ event in VT.
>
> First off, what a bunch of CRAP.
>
> There is _NO WAY_ the VTR convention could possibly effect the British
> Invasion. PERIOD.
>
> While the British Invasion is a really big event, I'm appalled that said
> organizer would try to torpedo another event by his alleged actions. In
> fact, such actions actually serve to hurt the car community in general
> and British cars enthusiats in particular, at least in this case.
>
> Further related actions by said promoter have indicated that he and
> others on his "team" have been approaching clubs in the New England
> region offering them "compensation" for helping him run his event.
>
> I say - tell 'em "sure, we'll take the $$$ that was supposed to
> go to help pay for the trophies at VTR".
>
> C'mon people. Don't take "blood money".
>
> As a result, I'm asking people to silently boycott the Stowe British
> Invasion this year and next. Admittedly, the Triumph community will have
> little or no effect on the organizers' event - it is a pretty big one and
> there is a great variety of really awesome British cars, but that's not
> the point. If you signed up for the show this year - well then go. If
> you haven't signed up, DON'T. If you feel like stopping by to look at the
> cars, DO SO, from the edge of the field. Don't pay the admission fee or
> in any way give money to the organizers of that event.
>
> The point is, I'm not willing to help line the pockets of one or more
> individuals in the name of being an Anglophile or British cars enthusist.
> I'm asking you to do the same. If you've been to Stowe, you'll probably
> know what I mean. Everyone in Stowe makes a _lot_ of money in that
> weekend... I really don't think the organizer has to go to Wax Companies
> and the like to make his event stay solvent... au contraire.
>
> So, I'm also asking one more consession. If you look on your VTR trophy
> (if you were there and if you trophied), there is a little commercial
> logo on there... take a piece of "racer tape" or other similar opaque
> covering material and cover up that little logo. If you are really
> "miffed" by the action of the "heavy hand", don't buy any product from
> the "M" company. Now don't take any severe action about the "logo", it's
> possible that some grass roots action like this proposed boycott will
> bring the folks that made promises back in April and May of this year
> back to their senses... and obligation, I might add.
>
> And go to the CTR's Triumph event this weekend instead of Stowe. Wickham
> Park, Manchester, CT., Exit 60 from I-84. See:
>
> www.cs.cmu.edu/~rcm/wedding/wickham-directions.html
>
> for a map.
>
> And while you're in the area, stop by Coventry, CT and the Nathan Hale
> homestead... he was my kind of guy.
>
> And thumb your nose at every Bentley owner at Stowe (if you happen to be
> there).
>
> And _DRIVE_ your Triumph.
>
> BTW, it's going to rain rather impressively this weekend in Northern New
> England.
>
> Rant mode OFF
>
> Apologies to other "wax compaines" whose name starts with the letter "M".
> That means "matronly" wax is okay...
>
> Later,
> rml
>
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