They say that the only sure things in life are death and taxes. I suppose for the most part that is an accurate and astute observation, but there are times in my life that I am inspired to think about certainties that go beyond the previously mentioned items and are a lot more pleasant to ponder.
I had a feeling that coming to California this year was going to prove harder than the last two times and it occurred to me on more than one occasion that the main desire to do so laid not within the normal reasons of needing a vacation or wanting to catch some rays.
I knew deep down that I needed to come for the challenge of trying to remain positive and upbeat about the difficulties that face my left coast friends who choose to field supermodifieds. I truly felt, and still do, that had I not come out here and witnessed the lackluster car count at the “West Coast Home of the Supermodifieds” that it would be hard to convince many of you that things aren’t as dismal as they may seem. In short, this trip was about “Walking the Walk” and not being a hypocrite. It’s hard to tell you to remain enthusiastic about tough times when I don’t experience it myself firsthand.
I once had a conversation with my good friend and mentor Mick Schuler that went something like this:
Mick to Bob-”Bob, ya know what really upsets me?” Bob to Mick-”No Mick but I’m sure you are going to tell me.” Mick to Bob(jokingly)-”Yes I am because, as a writer, you need to keep this in mind or Dick (Beebe our editor) will eat you alive.” Mick to Bob-”Well, Mick I don’t think he likes me much to begin with so if this will help me get on his good side let me have it.” Mick to Bob-”Guys that write about stuff that they have no clue about, like Jim Bob(name changed to protect identity), he never ventures outside of his own two tracks, yet has the guts to talk and write about places he’s never even seen, drivers he has never met, and situations he’s never put himself in.”
Photo courtesy of Flickr Free License by "exquisitur"
I had to stop and think about what Mick meant because I knew that the entire diatribe was filled with overwhelming wisdom and advice. Through the years I’ve gone back to that conversation with Mick and each time I have come to realize that what he meant was to be sure you know what you are talking about before you choose to condemn someone, something, or some place. Get your facts, double check them, then get the other side of the story. I took what he said to also mean that I should get out there and not be so quick to pigeon hole myself to one small corner of the world. I still think he was telling me to go, do, live and experience all those things he knew I loved, mostly supermodified racing.
Through the years I made a whole ton of mistakes, and I wrote more than one column and found myself in the middle of many a heated argument that left many rightfully believing that I was talking out of my ass about a subject that I was not qualified to discuss with authority.
However, I’ve worked hard to try to inform myself about all sides of this division. I do my best to learn from those who have done it, seen it and lived it. I try hard to get to the bottom of the problems, and seek out those who have the experience to fix the issues that plague this division. I’d like to think that I’ve arrived at a decent level of respect amongst the division’s movers and shakers. Now I don’t say that to brag, I’m just simply saying that I am humbled by the things I am told by those who know the facts.
This trip to California has once again impressed upon me the need to know the facts and get the story from all sides in order to fully appreciate what may or may not be wrong with the West Coast scene. Personally, I don’t think it’s nearly as bad as what some recent detractors have said. To be certain, there are issues that need to be solved, but they aren’t so big to give me reason to believe that the few conspirators who have said otherwise are to be believed, so I’m going to give you a few of the things that I know for sure. I hope that it eases your mind and encourages you to seek the truth rather than buy into the negativity.
I am sure that-
- The car count at the Madera race was low.
- There were 4 410 supers in attendance.
- Three of the 410s were SMRA contract cars.
- There were 5 360 supers in attendance.
- Two of the 5 360 teams have seriously talked about racing with the SMRA to me.
- There’s not a supermodified team on earth that doesn’t think they need more money in the purse.
- $1,000 to start a supermodified event is not out of line nor is it unacceptable to ask for it.
- Anyone who says that $1,000 to start a supermodified is too much money, has lost touch with the reality of fielding one or has never tried to do it for less than $700 to start.
- Many of the 360 teams have just as much money in their cars as the teams with 410s
- It costs just as much for tires, fuel, parts, pit passes, and maintenance on a 360 as a 410.
- West coast supers are no more trick or exotic than those in the Midwest or east coast.
- Anyone who says that west coast cars are more trick or exotic than their Midwestern or eastern counterparts haven’t looked that closely because they are less so.
- I hate the number 13.
- People who bitch about car counts but don’t go to the races really have nothing to bitch about and just want to hear themselves bitch.
- There are some people that you can’t ever please and will always find a reason to bitch.
- It is a car owners right to choose when, why and where he races and he doesn’t owe you anything when he does or doesn’t race.
- Fans have a right to choose when and where they go to see a race.
- Fans who choose to go to a race, pay to get in, and feel like they got ripped off have a right to say so.
- Fans who choose to say they feel like they got ripped off should do so to the people who can fix the problem otherwise they are just bitching.
- People who have nothing good to say should just shut up and say nothing at all.
- West coast car owners need to work more on communicating with each other.
- You can’t always relate what happens in Oswego, ISMA, or MSA with the realities of the west coast.
- Geography plays a HUGE role in why west coast teams don’t spend a lot of time working together to fix small issues that could fester into bigger ones.
- People forget that the west coast is essentially 15 years or more behind the east coast when it comes to organization of a sanction.
- It’s cold in this race shop and I’m damned sure the PBR isn’t warming me up as I wonder where the California sun is and if Mick is smiling down on me.
I’m sure of at least that much and I’m sure that there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Don’t lose heart folks, there are people working hard to make things stronger and better for you. You don’t always know what’s going on behind the scenes, but trust me, I can assure you that all is not lost or I’ll stop drinking PBR.
What are you sure of when it comes to the division that you profess to love? Comment below and you will get a brand new Wing Side Up decal.
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About Bobby G
