-----Original Message-----
From: Kevin Stevens <Kevin_Stevens@Bigfoot.com>
To: Rocky Entriken <rocky@tri.net>; Jamie Sculerati <jamies@mrj.com>;
autox@autox.team.net <autox@autox.team.net>
Date: Sunday, March 18, 2001 2:14 PM
Subject: Re: Pets NOT allowed....
>> Ultimately, IMHO, nobody *needs* a dog at an autocross (or road race).
They
>> are usually brought because it is more convenient than arranging some
care
>> for them at home. And most of the time the time away for an autox is no
more
>> than the time away going to work, so what's the big deal about leaving it
at
>> home? Do you bring a dog to a play? A movie? A concert? Work? Ballgames?
>> Museums? Amusement Parks? Or, even a race if you are sitting in the
>> grandstands? Then why must it be brought if you are a participant at the
>> motorsport contest?
>>
>> Do you see baseball players in the dugout with their dogs? Football
players
>> on the sidelines? Actors in the wings? PROFESSIONAL race teams in the
>> pits/paddock? You didn't come to the event to play with your dog, you
came
>> to play with your car. So did I, and I take umbrage when your dog
interferes
>> with that. (note: a generic "you" -- no one in particular here).
>
>Note that everything you said is equally valid if the word "child" is
>substituted!
>
>KeS
>
Not true! :-O
You never saw Mark McGwire with his kid ON THE FIELD when he was hitting his
record-setting home runs? It was a wonderful father-son moment shared with
the world. McGwire's kid was proud of his dad. Wonder if McGwire's dog was
equally proud? (No, I don't know if he even owns a dog). Of course, that was
an exceptional situation.
You'll take your kid to a play, a movie, a concert. Even to work sometimes
(take your daughter to work day). Yes, and to ballgames, museums, amusement
parks, even a race if you are sitting in the grandstands. You will be
enjoying the event with your kid, who can appreciate it on a level far above
that of your dog.
(Hey, Fido, watch Simo set up Gentilozzi for a pass! Yeah, right.)
And your kid can be taught, rather easily, to fetch you a tool, carry your
helmet, be your spotter, make you a sandwich, go get a grid/results. And if
you tell him to do something ("don't run in front of cars on the paddock
roads"), he at least understands what you are telling him. None of that true
of your dog.
I can share the event with my kid, who has some understanding of what I am
doing out there and someday may do it himself. I don't expect ever to have a
conversation with a dog about cornering technique or the thrill of victory,
or have a dog draw me a picture of my race car with "good luck daddy" on it.
I will relent to this extent -- I have no problem with your dog at the track
if I am unaware it is there. Keep it on a SHORT leash, or in the
motorhome/trailer.
--Rocky
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