Andy:
Your letter was VERY well written! Clear without being abusive--and I'm
really impressed with Mid-America's gracious response. Kudos to both of
you!
Best regards and a safe trip to you.
David Sosna
Andy Walker wrote:
> 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
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