Hey, guys:
Check this out! I sent the e-mail below on 6/3 to a guy I know who still
serves on the board of directors of the Okla. Region of SAAC, complaining
about the fact that they cancelled the Tiger class at the car show:
-------------------------
David:
I've spoken to a few folks with the club and was told that I should contact
you about this issue. I received my entry form for the show a few days ago
and noticed that there was no Tiger class listed on the car show ballot.
Thinking that this surely must have been a misprint, I called Bill Sledge.
Although he knew that there were some reclassifications being considered, he
stated that he didn't know that they were going to do away with the Tiger
class all together. He further explained that they must have combined Pantera
and Tiger into one class, "Ford Powered Exotic," because they were trying to
cut down on the number of classes.
While this may seem like a good way to reduce the number of classes, I wonder
if the board (or whoever decided this) considered the fact that when SAAC was
formed, the four "charter member" cars recognized on all of the club
literature were the Cobra, Shelby, Tiger, and the Ford G.T. By cutting out
the Tiger class, the Okla. Region has basically turned it's back on one of the
cars that SAAC was originally formed around. The Tiger has a legitimate
connection to Shelby American, unlike it's current car show class partner, the
Pantera, which has no connection to Shelby American whatsoever. I dare say as
well that, if the board is really serious about cutting back on classes, then
they've got 15 from which to choose, which seem to cover every variation of
Mustang built from '87 to the present. Let's not forget the "Utility" class,
too (I still, to this day, can't believe that we ever let trucks in...only in
Oklahoma, I guess...). Or, the Cobra replicas...they could easily be combined
with "Special Interest" in order to cut down on classes.
I am well aware that times change and that we must change with them, but
cutting Tigers out of a "Shelby" meet shows a complete and utter disregard and
disrespect for the marque. Consequently, I will not be attending this year's
meet, or any subsequent Mid-America Ford Performance and "Shelby" Meets, with
my Tiger until it's car show class is re-established, and the Tigers are once
again recognized as having a rightful place among the cars that were connected
with Shelby American. It is my sincerest hope that the board will reconsider
this shortsighted decision before next year's event.
Respectfully,
Andy Walker
------------------------
Now, here's the response I just received today:
Andrew
Thanks for opening my eyes and reminding the others about the Tiger. The
"Tiger" Class is back. We are putting the pantera's in with special interest
until they can show up with 7 or 8 cars to get their class back. I hope that
you will try to attend this year's event.
Thanks
David
---------------------
I'm pleasantly surprised at this response, as you can imagine. So, weather
permitting, I'm back on the show-up list at Mid-America. I'd like to see as
many Tigers show up as possible. So, all you guys around the Oklahoma area,
come on up! The dates are June 19-22 at the Tulsa Marriott Southern Hills,
located just south of I-44 at the Lewis exit, 918-493-7000. Evidently, the
back-up hotel is the Tulsa HIlton Southern Hills, 918-492-5000. If any of you
are interested, e-mail me off the list and I'll try to provide you with more
particulars or get you hooked up with folks who can answer your questions.
Take care,
Andy Walker
B382001600LRXFE
|