>Return-Path: <bcheadle@montgomery.com>
>From: Bo Cheadle <bcheadle@montgomery.com>
>To: "'tigers@autox.team.net'" <tigers@autox.team.net>,
> "'tiger technologies'" <tartanad@ix.netcom.com>
>Subject: RE: TUXXII
>Date: Wed, 25 Jun 1997 12:42:40 -0700
>Encoding: 95 TEXT
>
>So you are saying you didn't win anything right? I didn't even go due to
>scheduling problems but I know from past experience (and having read
>your post) that you made zero contribution to the effort but now you are
>sounding off as to the quality. How much do you think those folks who
>busted their asses to put this on were paid for the effort? I don't
>know you but you piss me off on principal.
>
>>----------
>>From: tiger technologies[SMTP:tartanad@ix17.ix.netcom.com]
>>Sent: Wednesday, June 25, 1997 12:01 PM
>>To: tigers@autox.team.net
>>Subject: TUXXII
>>
>>OPEN LETTER TO ALL TIGER OWNERS:
>>
>>While kudos are certainly in order for the hard work put in by STOA, Norm
>>Miller and CAT in organizing the recent gathering at Eureka, the event fell
>>far short of not just perfection, but even my modest expectations.
>>
>>I'm still scratching my head trying to figure out just what I received for
>>my $125 entry fee. No goodie bag. No dash plaque. No alternate activities
>>for those of us who didn't have a passion for autocrossing (and there are a
>>lot of us). Hell, not even meals except for a couple of box lunches and a
>>buffet dinner on awards night, which was a good feed, especially the berry
>>pie.
>>
>>There is so much to do up in that neck of the woods: great wooded drives
>>through ancient forests. A beautiful beach. Fishing trips for salmon and
>>sole. A restored old town. But all the planned events kept most of us just
>>yakking in the parking lot much of the time waiting for the "next" thing on
>>the meager schedule. And spending my time admiring that collection of
>>historic Tigers was wasted...I (and others) had their fill after the first
>>viewing. In short the substantial cost and efforts by folks like Steve
>>Alcala, Dan Walters, Senor Miller and others could have been better spent.
>>And if some funds could have been saved in paying the tab for shipping the
>>cars as well as expenses for selected attendees, maybe there would have been
>>enough cash left over for a measely dash plaque or a $12 meal at the Samoa
>>Lodge.
>>
>>But the biggest disappointment (and embarassment) of all was the manner in
>>which the concours was conducted. Some of us spent a lot of time and a lot
>>of money in getting our vehicles prepared for this part of the event. It is
>>very important to have our cars properly displayed and judged by those who
>>use some set of guidelines. And there were guidelines, set forth by Norm
>>Miller many months ago. And we went about preparing our cars accordingly.
>>
>>That of course went out the window when we drove out to the marina only to
>>be ordered to drive over the grass (dry, dusty and full of goose poop) to
>>park. Hell, there was more dirt and dust on my car after that short 50 yard
>>drive than I got during my 750 mile sojourn to Eureka from LA!
>>
>>And what an insult to be forced to have our cars "judged" (and I use the
>>term loosely) by others in our class, not abiding by any set of guidelines
>>or point structure. In the stock class, for example, how a one-off custom
>>built prototype non-stock Harrington (as beautiful as it was) was classified
>>as stock--and won is just beyond comprehension. The car is nowhere near
>>correct and yet it won over real stock Tigers that precisely fit proper
>>judging criteria. And as for the competency of the judges, wouldn't you
>>think a stock class owner would know that the rear window of a hardtop is
>>plexi, not glass? Not at Eureka. And there is even evidence of score total
>>tampering on at least one judging sheet. And the list goes on. And on. I
>>protest. This was no concours. It was just a show and shine. I could have
>>stayed home for one of those, there are at least five in my area every
>>weekend.
>>
>>One thing Eureka has taught me: TUXXIII will NOT be conducted in such a
>>manner. While I may have been lax in my local club participation, I will now
>>get involved to help make Big Bear an event for everyone. There will be lots
>>of activities for everyone. And all participants will even get a dash
>>plaque, even if I have to pay for them myself.
>>
>>A good number of Southern Californians attended TUXXII. Let's see how many
>>northlanders venture south next summer to enjoy our hospitality and ability
>>to put on an event with all family members in mind.
>>
>>As a point of reference, the Southern California Healey Club just had their
>>gathering at Big Bear this past weekend...45 cars strong. And the tab
>>including entry fee, meals AND hotel was just a shade over $200. But then
>>they didn't dust off some race car that never made the grade at LeMans to
>>eat up funds.
>>
>>The new friends made at Eureka and old acquaintances reignited and the
>>obvious hard work of the organizers still made the trip north and back
>>worthwhile. But a word of advice: next time, give us owners who spend time
>>on their cars doing things other than preparing for some banzai run through
>>orange cones some thought, and conduct a true concours event, not some
>>politically motivated, skewed "car show".
>>
>>This is just one guy's opinion...made after an exhausting 1,600 mile round
>>trip to Eureka.
>>
>>Jeff Cushing
>>Tiger Technologies
>>
>>
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