Ah, yes. I will tell a related story about Chuckles the Clown.
Back in the swinging '80's, I was still foolish enough to subject myself
to the annual abuses associated with Concours Judging. Among the
entrants in the Sprite class that year was Chuckles, Jr. He was advised
by his dad that despite the fact that his car was incomplete, it would
be helpful to HIM (Jr), if he had his work done thus-far, judged.
(Needless to say, this was in the days before pre-judging.)
For those unfamiliar with Concours Judging, it takes at least 1 - 1 1/2
hours to judge a car, if not longer, and document the judging sheets.
It is unimportant to detail the condition of this car in detail, but to
summarize, it was missing dozens of parts, some of which were brought to
the judging in boxes, the wiring harness was hanging down way below the
dash, and the worst of all was the condition of the front suspension:
Roughly, 3/4" of the threads on one of the lower trunnions was exposed!
One of the other judges asked Chuckles, Jr. if he had driven this car
and was told yes, from home! (+-1,500 miles) The judge then implored him
NOT TO DRIVE THIS CAR ANYWHERE before fixing this problem.
Yes, Chuckles the Clown and I didn't much appreciate each other after
that event. Soon after, I got the privilege to experience the dark side
of the British car hobby up-close and personal. Most don't get to it
underbelly exposed, even though they pay $40-$50 a year to support it.
These internet mailing lists are a breath of fresh air for the hobby. No
big cheeses with personal agendas clouding the atmosphere, no large
annual fee to read about how "delegates" and "officers" are using their
expense accounts.
We're all the same.
--
jay fishbein
wallingford, ct
http://home.ix.netcom.com/~type79/ <http://home.ix.netcom.com/%7Etype79/>
Wm. Severin Thompson wrote:
>-----Original Message-----
>From: owner-spridgets@autox.team.net [mailto:owner-spridgets@autox.team.net]
>On Behalf Of David Lieb
>Sent: Sunday, June 13, 2004 7:07 AM
>
>Reminds me of a story...
>
>Back in 1990, when I was involved in Healey club activities, I was the
>Midwest Region's Director/Prez. We hosted Conclave that year, and the event
>was part of the Healey Challenge series that year... where US based Healey
>racers went head to head (and bar to bar) against a variety of UK and
>European based Healey racers.
>
>One of the events, in addition to the race at Blackhawk Farms, was a
>driver's school at the track for Healey club members. There were classroom
>sessions, and track sessions. Of course, the majority of these Healeys were
>street vehicles, not race prepared. They all had to pass tech, however. This
>was back when in vintage racing that roll bars and fuel cells were not
>mandatory. Obviously, very few had these items.
>
>But, one mandatory item was seat belts. Ya gotta have seat belts in this day
>and age, right? It might have been acceptable for Masten Gregory to leap
>from a race care moments before a crash in the 50's... but seat belts have
>been the standard in racing since the 60's.
>
>So, I'm watching cars being teched, and one Healey owner has his new seat
>belts, but apparently has not found time to mount them before getting to the
>track. I watched as one of the founding members of the national club, and
>current "insurance advisor" (not gonna name names, but he's a well known
>chucklehead) tell this "wannabe" driver's school student, to just take the
>loose ends of the unmounted seat belts under the seat cushions, and to go
>out on the track.
>
>Unbelievable.
>
>To: Spridgets
>Subject: Re: Progressing Projects
>
>
>
>>"Can I rally....sitting on a milk crate?"
>>
>>
>
>
>
>>Just strap yourself in , man....I'll never tell. :)
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