CHALLENGE: So you think you can DRIVE YOUR HOT ROD? Prove it!!!!!

OK, I'm calm again.

Thanks to those who have posted positively, and to those who disagree who are respectful and intelligent enough to realize that different people like different things.



YET AGAIN, the post is to inform only. There was no grandstanding, chest pounding or soapbox jockeying until the naysayers started to whine.

 

It's funny how people want to bitch about things not being a good deal or fun, then when changes are made to go in a positive direction and give them more for their money, they still want to bitch.

 

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz. That is all. Done here now, time to look for an interesting post.

 

Typical response from someone with no real substance to their arguement. I'd love to see where you can point out I am wrong in my posts.

See ya!

 

and getting smaller each day.

I miss you, xoxoxo

 

Kirk, did the Charlotte show have this last year.. did not know about it. did see it at ATL and watched it for awhile. a few yearone rides were tearing it up.

for the comment about "why would you do this after you put your heart and soul into the build" that is exactly why you do it.. (its why the Jalopy Showdown and HAMB drags are considered some of the best events anywhere).. you do it do see if you build something that will withstand some abuse... soap and water willl clean up the mess and if it breaks, you fix it (it must not have been done right the first time).

Hotrods are meant to be driven and occassionally beat on.

 

It was not at Charlotte in 2006, but it WILL be there this year. It's the first time for that event. Should be fun.

 

seat belts ? secured battery ? I`m bringing two rolls of duct tape !

 

I used to have a battery hold down....but now it's gone. I have no idea where it went. Guess I'll fab one up tomorrow!

This is going to be soooooo cool!

 

I was curious about if there was any rules, thanks for asking recycler.

Thanks for posting this. I'm glad you posted it to let others know about it. I know my truck won't do any spectacular times, but I'm sure I'll take it through the cones at least once. I'm ready to go to Texas. For the money, I think it is more than worth it. Heck, the Gazette is worth most of it. You get to see a wide variety of cars/trucks. Just like every thing else, there is always something that you don't care for and sure I have a couple for Good-Guys, but they aren't a big enough deal to complain about or keep me from going to one of their events. Great shows in my mind.

 

I have a suggestion for GG's events....more cruisin'. I went to the Route 66 Rendezvous this year a couple of weekends ago in SoCal and I absolutely loved the format. It wasn't just setting in a parking lot. There is something added to see the cars moving and rev'in....cars were meant to "move". Three days of cruisin' and if you didn't want to cruise you could park. GG's in Texas sorta has that as they seem to cruise the main path of the infield. I have been going to GG's for shows in Texas for 15 years now but I think something more could be added to the show by adding a cruise "path" to the event. See you guys at the GG's Lonestar next weekend

 

In my previous post I forgot a point that I wanted to make. While I DO like and enjoy GG events, they do typically seem to be more about parking than driving. I think that any additional DRIVING activities -- especially the slalom stuff -- would add greatly to their variety and appeal.

Kirk, thanks for what you're doing.

 

The last time we were at Del Mar ('06) they had a cruise route you could take. They cruised around the infield at Charlotte too. In Nashville you could cruise around the entire place and the parade of cars going by never stopped.

 

that looks like a lot of fun. have to check on youtube if anyone's done any videos of this...

 

I'm with Dug, GG showed me the door, when I brought my old Barris custom on a sunday toward the end of the show, they still wanted full entry fee, and I got shitty customer service, that is why I choose not to shop there, that was 7 years ago. Kirk, you challenge to say whats wrong in the last 3 years, well I'm sure I would be dealing with the same company, no? Homedepot screwed me also, I don't shop there either, Oh up here we drive our cars as well and don't need to prove it with a stopwatch.

 

You're pissed because they didn't give you a discount for showing up late? Did Home Depot charge you full price for something you wanted to be on sale?

Just for the record, Dominoes charged me full price for a pizza that got there in 29 minutes. I almost sued them.

Go, or don't go. It's really that simple.

 

Hell I did it in my 55 Caddy after I unhooked the boat anchor in the staging lanes at the Evansville Indiana stop on the Power Tour.Damn thing is I nailed a 20 second timeslip, better than some small cars. I got video but I'm a 'tard and don't know how to upload it to youtube. Any help would be appreciated. 734-678-6206

 

Your remark is unintelligent, I'm a multiple buisness owner, customer satisfaction and service is important to me, and I expect it wherever I go to spend money, so simply I don't go to GG's

 

Hey speed, I am hearing the reasons why you dont go, I just dont see the reason you dont compete. screw the watch, it is Fun!

 

Thanks for citing an actual specific instance.

Well, poor customer service never cuts it. But, the price to enter is the price to enter, at any car show. It would be a nightmare to try to figure out what to charge people (prorate) according to how many hours are left in the day when they show up. I've never heard of any car show that does that. Special treatment for one turns into special treatment for many, and on a large scale that's just not practical. If you show up for a movie late, it's still the same price.

Also, the autocross isn't about competing with others (to me), it's about seeing what your car and you can do. My cars sure as hell won't win the set of tires, but it still sounds fun to me. Just another activity added to give your entry fee more value. Just like the Hot Rod How-To seminars at most events.

No company can hope to please every customer, they can only try.

 

Boy, this seems to have gotten way out of hand. The thread started as information on an added part of some GG events. Now seems to be about why/why not go to GG events and GG bashing.
I have gone to many years worth of GG, and other car events. Each event usually had a plus and a minus. This whole car thing is supposed to be fun, for the most part. If you do not like the way certain things went at an event you attended contact who ever is in charge. The saying about don't shoot the messenger seems to fit here. If you go to 500 events or only 1 a year that is cool. If you like certain types of cars and not others that is cool to. This is a great site, with a ton of input. The bottom line is that we should respect the
input from others, whether we agree or not. Get involved and help change what you can. The rest is not worth wasting time on for the short amount of time we all have left. Life is too short. Have a good one.

 

Actually, I was kidding. But you did imply that you thought being charged full price when you were late as part of the "shitty customer service". And by bringing up your Barris custom, you further imply that you deserve special treatment because of it. Also, you misspelled "business", which is unintelligent.

And this post isn't about why you don't want to go to GG's, or Home Depot. It's about an auto cross event that they are holding at GG's Texas.

 

"spank me " !!!!!!!!! is that shit box model a going to be up there breaking parts ?

 

I'll try to get as many HAMBer Autocross photos as I can!

 

This thread just proves how a bunch of people that are supposed to be having fun with a car hobby can muck it all up with their BITCH ASS attitudes.

I commend the people that put on large events. 90% of the people have a blast and get it.

The other 10% are so wound up in what ever DRAMA they stir up they miss the whole good time. I wouldn't have the patience to deal with 1% of the 10% total of assholes.

Get busy living - or get busy dying.

 

Alright.. I guess what Kirk means is that "it doesn't cost anything EXTRA to enter." It's a perk that comes with your admission.... No, it's not FREE. You can't just show up and go through the gate and drive on the autocross.

BUT... if you are there, and you are bored, and you want to drive your car or have some fun.... pull around and get in the tech line. Plain and simple. I think you already knew that and just wanted to be a smarmy dork.... Now you are the coolest. Ya got 'em, ya caught the Tater Salad. It's not FREE.

(price and participattion may vary, actual results may vary, fun is purely optional, colors shown are optional, the use of Dork is a registered trademark of the Dork Company, see your doctor before removing sticks out of your ass)

Geeze.. this place eats it's freakin' young over the stupidest stuff.....

 

For those who asked about Autocross in 2008...

I just got out of one of the evil corporation's meetings and brought up this thread. Harry, the Event Director, is going to look into adding a few more for Autocrosses in 2008. Possibly one in Pleasanton, Del Mar, Columbus and/or Indy. There will very likely be one at the new Pocono event next year too.

We'll be meeting about it again next Thursday, so if you guys who go to Fort Worth this weekend and run your cars come back with any suggestions, let me know what they are. Hell, you can bend my ear while you're there too.

Have fun!

 

Hi again Kirk,I lied I am not done whining...
I have been called an ass- a whiner and altho not alone in the receiving of these names-I am responding in my own defense.
I personally think all the space this useless post has taken up her promoting the "BUSSINESS" of a multi millionaire [OH....He is jus a good ol guy ]...Could've and should've been spent on something useful, such as building hot rods and god forbid even Tech.

I am not ,nor are the others-what these GG members have called us and anyone who has met me or them, would know better .

I ,along with many others here have contributed in many ways to the HAMB , via giving technical answers/ and even in their labor & donating time wise.

I feel like if GG and their events are going to be PROMOTED......here that they should at the very minimum, contribute somehow too.

I would say in all fairness that GG should become at least an ALLIANCE VENDOR....

If ....they REALLY gave a shit about the HAMB or even the faithful members here, who constantly praise their every move and venture......
OK let the faithfull resume the ....name calling!

 

I don't have anything useful to add. I just thought I'd say that. I am, however, enjoying the arguments.

 

Wow, you just don't know when to stop or how dumb you sound. I was tolerant of the unintelligent PMs from you and tried to be nice.

There is more to the hot rod world than the HAMB.

Again, I, not Goodguys, I get on here, on my own, to talk about hot rods. I see tens of thousands of cars each year and talk to more hot rodders that pretty much anyone on the planet. I think I am more than qualified to talk about anything in the hobby.

I post photos of Goodguys events because I see stuff that I like and think others will like. The photos are hosted on my Vendio account and I pay the fee for that hosting. No Goodguys involvement at all.

I brought up the Autocross because I thought HAMBers would enjoy it. That sure seems to be the more popular concensus.

I know you can't grasp the concept, but I LOVE HOT RODDING and I get on here of my own free will to share what I think is cool. It is in no way a corporate backed action. In fact, they don't really even know I do it. It seems you have a guilty mind and are trying to apply some ulterior motive to what I freely choose to do for the good of anyone who chooses to read or view what I post. If it was about corporate promotion wouldn't I also be posting stuff on muscle car, street rod etc. websites? I only post here. I post traditional stuff here because I live and love traditional hot rodding. I post stuff here to contribute. I must be contributing successfully if you think it's promotion. The right product for the right audience. That's because I am posting what I love for like-minded people.

As for Gary Meadors...Is he a multi-millionaire? Probably, but he grew up very poor and worked hard to earn what he has. He saw something he thought could be done better, and he did it (sounds familiar). He put his home and future on the line and went deeply onto hock to follow his dream. More power to him. When Ryan cashes in on his knowledge and expertise are you going to bash him? I won't, I'll praise him even more for having a great idea and sticking to it.

No matter what I say, the whiners think there is some conspiracy. There isn't.

OK, you know what? Fuck it, let's put it all on the table in what may be the longest post in history...

You wanted to talk via PMs, so I did...

KIRK!:

"Yet again... Don't like it? Don't go. That's totally cool. PM me even one reason you don't like Goodguys events that is pertinent to them in the last 3 years. Like I said, if it's a good point I will do everything in my power to change it. Why wouldn't you want to act on the chance to change what you don't like? If you don't like the cars that go, that's great. It's just like not going to see a movie that doesn't interest you. I doubt you'd stand outside of the theater and complain to others about the movie that you don't want to see, and call them bandwagon jumpers for buying a ticket. You'd probably just go see another movie. I hope.

People bitched about Goodguys on here in the past, INCLUDING ME. In fact, I was one of the LOUDEST. Instead of continuing to complain, I did something about it, and it's not the same company it was before I started there. My biggest fault is how adamantly I stick to the things I believe in. People wanted change and Goodguys has listeneded. If they hadn't I'd have been gone from there long ago.

The HAMB is not my soapbox for Goodguys. The Gazette is my soapbox for Goodguys. The HAMB is my place to talk to my fellow like-minded rodders and pass on things that they may like.

So when I talk up other events like Paso, Greaserama and Primer Nationals, what's my secret evil agenda there?

I guess it's more punk rock to give whoever is successful the finger for no other reason than giving the finger. That's your right, and I support your right 100%.

I have done a TON to promote and CHANGE the hot rod hobby for the better in the last 15 years. What have you done?

Why is it "sad" that mentioning Goodguys on here is no longer taboo? Wouldn't that indicate that changes have been made by them for the better? To me a whiner is someone who doesn't act, doesn't try to improve things for themselves and others, they just complain.

I'd suggest starting your own show if you don't like what's out there. That's what I did."


CHOPRODS:

"Hi Kirk,
I dont personally dislike you so lets keep it that way OK?
I still think that GG is soley a money funnel that cares very little about the "little people"...
By that I mean[ as you state] that the measly 60 dollars is nothing....
To a young rod guy and his girl or even girl and kids. it is a big deal..
They do not have an expense account that covers their weekend at the show.
It can very well be out of their reach as a result.
I am adding in the vendors prices to add to the 60 if you are missing my point...
The vendors are not soley to blame either.. they are just PASSING ON... the increased cost of paying GG for their vendors fee...that is what has not changed....
The events are simpl;y about the numbers,its abig money maker and you know it...it simply cant be both a good deal for the participant and GG as wellcan it?
I am sorry that I was slow responding to this PM...
I was on the HAMB posting a tech article about chopping hardtop vent posts....you know what I do here to promote hot rods, as I always have -I give of myself in several ways. I do tech articles such as that one-
I contribute money that I can barely afford
I answer how to questions via PM to young bucks who cannot afford my services as well... so DO I LOOK LIKE I AM NOT A CONTRIBUTOR ?"

Actually it is a good deal for the customer and Goodguys. $60 for a weekend of activities is a hell of a bargain. You do tech articles on an internet message board. That's a contribution to a few and that's great. My contributions have been to the hobby as a whole.

I can hold my own with regard to contributions to the hot rodding world with pretty much anyone. I don't start pissing matches, but if you want to be pissed on...stand still, I've got a very full bladder, this could take a while!


KIRK:

"Yes, the events are about making money. It's called a business. Vendor prices at the events are the same or cheaper than in their catalogs, so I don't get the arguement there. If you mean the food, Goodguys does not control one food vendor or get one dime from food at ANY event they do. That and spectator parking are 100% controlled by each venue. Most places Goodguys go are fairgrounds, the food is exactly the same price and selection when the fair is in session.

I don't understand disliking a business because it's successful. Goodguys takes 25 full-time employees and hundreds of host club members to pull of the season of events. If you have never done it you have no idea what it takes. That's not an insult, just a fact. If it wasn't for companies like Goodguys and NSRA there would be no hot rod industry. At least not one anywhere near the size it is today. If there was no mainstream public place for hot rodders to show off their loves, most would not have them and in turn the industry would suffer or worse. Big shows are a necessary evil and I'm trying to improve the situation.

I know that wouldn't affect the "hard core" who don't need anyone but their buddy and their own garage, but tens of thousands of people are employed in this industry, it's not going anywhere, and I don't know anyone doing it better.

This is definitely not a personal attack, and I am the first guy to jump up and defend people's right to their opinion, but I have worked my ass off for years to change things and when people say they don't like something I'm involved in and don't give a reason, it really bothers me because I feel like I haven't done my self-imposed job to better the hobby."


CHOPRODS:

"Hi again,Kirk.
you can say that the costs are not GG's fault and say that the event only costs 60 dollars.... But ,when the average guy takes in two or three of these shows in a season and his expenses total 1000 1500.00 then you see what I mean by hi costs...
The cost of driving to- staying in a motel hotel[with family for 2 3 4 days and then the costs we already discussed easily total 3-500 per show...
I cannot believe that this is reasonable for a guy to spend to look at cars.
The reason I said what I said is that the subject of folks attending the GG shows is brought up enough here, by others to be adequately discussed.
when I see YOU post about it -that in itself is an entirely different thing...
ie...the promotion here on Ryan's board, of a multi million dollar corporations event.
I wonder if Gary Meadors supports the HAMB in any financial sense, as re-imbursement?

I personally donated XXX dollars, last year to the HAMB .
No I do not want that mentioned anywhere [but to me an you]...
But you surely see what I am talking about....
what is GG actually "doing" for hot rodders in a beneficial way?
As I say -I do not dislike you... as the person -its the organization- that I feel, is simply not interested in the participants best interests...."

So basically your arguement is that gas, food and hotels cost too much and somehow Goodguys is to blame for that. Absolutely stupid! It seems like you are looking to blame someone, anyone for the fact that you don't want to spend money to go to car shows. All of the things you cited as Goodguys issues are the same things that apply to EVERY car show that isn't at your house. If you don't want to spend money to pursue the show part of the hobby, that's fine, but don't berate those who want to. They don't think any less of you because you don't. Well, that is until you open your mouth (keyboard) and turn yourself into a jackass. You came in on the attack, not the other way around.

Back to Goodguys contributing to the HAMB... I contribute to the HAMB. Any message board is built on content. Photos of cool cars is the proper content for the HAMB, as proven by the 5000+ viewers of my event photo recaps. Conveying information interesting to the readers here is proper content for the HAMB. Because you have strangely skewed and paranoid views as to what Goodguys is responsible for doesn't mean that what I post here, on my own, isn't valid or worthy content. If Ryan feels that way, then I would follow whatever protocol he set. But I do the same for each event I attend with the same vigor - Paso, Billetproof, Primer Nationals, Grand National Roadster Show, Detroit Autorama, Greaserama, SEMA, etc.

I post here, I am an Alliance member (paid by me), and I offered to be an Alliance vendor for Billetproof. Has Goodguys been approached to be an Alliance Vendor? Nope. Would they be one? I can't say, but there are important people here who are pro-HAMB and would push for it to happen if it came up.

What does Goodguys contribute? A venue to showcase and push hot rodding forward, huge donations to Ronald McDonald House, free hot rod how-to tech seminars at most events, donations to TONS of local car shows across the country, donations to car clubs, donations to Veterans groups, FREE tickets for handicapped children's schools, contributes to SEMA's HRIA and fights for pro-hot rod related federal and state legislation across the country, COMPED in TEN HAMB dragrace teams into the Indy event, showcased HAMB drags at the Texas event in 2006, COMPED Hotrodladycruzer into the Chicago event to cover it for the HAMB, a nationwide meeting point for HAMBers who attend, hosts Boy Scouts pinewood derby races at events, buses in entire local high school autoshop classes for FREE, promotes TRADITIONAL and homebuilt hot rodding heavily in the Gazette and in special parking areas within events, promotes young hot rodders. Should I go on? I can.