Directors and General Bitch Fest

[Waco Racer]

Clifton, we may well be the "neediest" group from your point of view (although that is not the fault of the individual racers, and we are after all the largest group by far now that the miata bubble burst), but I must disagree with your next statement! Other groups don't see our "bickering and complaining", and apart from a relatively short period of time where there was definately too much contact going on, which IMO was actually an inevitable period with the way the series grew, there has in fact been very little contact for most of this year.

I know personally, and talk racing often, with several racers from other classes who regularly take part in NASA TX events, and I can tell you that is definately NOT the image that the majority of other classes have of our group.

In fact, following the oustanding performance of our guys at the nationals, I have heard nothing but respect and praise from those very same "other classes" that you referring to! Specifically, I have heard praise from Spec Miata drivers, one of the Vee racers, the Formula Mazda crew at MSR Cresson, and a GPC racer.

Furthermore, our reputation as a group outside of NASA circles, with people such as local racing businesses, is also one of providing exciting, quality and clean grass roots racing - as good as anywhere else in the nation!

So please, don't you dare sit there and accuse this group of being an embarrassment to NASA TX instead of the Jewel in it's crown! Sure, some of us might carry on like a bunch of teenage school girls on this board - OUR board I might add - but an embarrassment we certainly are NOT!

If anything, it should be the other way around - there are a few things NASA TX should be embarrassed about!

Daron,

Things have improved over the last year as far as on track stuff, but you need to remember, I talk to all of the racers. Many times I have had to put aside race talk with other drivers to handle AI/CMC issues. The typical response I get is "Oh, them again". NASA Texas events are like a small town, gossip travels fast. Believe me; I have done my fair share of putting down rumors about this group.

When it comes to spectators at a NASA event, no other group draws more fans to track side than this group of Hot Rods. They are definitely a crowd pleaser. I am very proud of the racing that I see on track. Hell, I would like to be a part of it. I am even a dues paying member. Don't believe me? Ask your teammate.

I never said that this group is an embarrassment for NASA Texas. Hell, I was the chief flag waver at the Nationals for AI/CMC, literally! There are some things that AI/CMC does to itself that should be considered embarrassing behavior. NASA Texas does it, but, they are taking major steps to avoid a repeat. I don't get that vibe from some participants in this group. By the way, being the Crown Jewel is something that is earned, not given. I believe that this group is there. It just needs a little polish.

[Waco Racer]

And seeing this is a "general bitch fest" and Clifton's remark has got me all steamed up - that is a perfect example of why NASA officials should NOT have access to our private discussion area!

Sorry Clifton, I know you mean well, but the fact is that we should have a forum to bitch, piss and moan all we damn well please about anything that we choose, including issues that pertain to NASA TX!

I know you are on the Spec Miata forums, and they have a "drivers only" section open only to verified owners or drivers of spec miatas, so you are unlikely to have access to that area - but don't think for a minute for that there ain't plenty of bitching and bickering going on in there amongst the wine and cheese racers!

You simply don't need to see it - and the relationship between this group with you and NASA TX in general would be far better for it! We NEED to be able to discuss issues as a group - be it as painfull, childish, nasty, embarrassing, serious or silly as it often gets - without you seeing the process in action, and if there is a need to take something to you or other NASA officials, then we can do that in a professional manner!

It's not a matter of having something to hide, or fostering an "us and them" attitude - it's about having the ability to thrash something out amongst ourselves without big brother listening in on the process. It's not going to hamper communications between this group and NASA TX - on the contrary, it can only help!

I'd like to see a "racers only" section that is only open to verified AI/CMC racers from our region. Please Mr Webmaster!

If y'all don't want me here the I'll leave. It's not the first place I've been kicked out of.

p.s. You really I don't know what they talk about in that Spec Miata forum?

[Waco Racer]

For the record, I didn't want AG to resign. I was as shocked as anyone.

[Mike Bell]

Hey Clifton, while we still got you in here:

This group is the neediest of all classes I deal with.

Cut us off then. I sure don't want get more access or burden anyone outside what should be normal. I'm sure you got better things to do.

The "shame on you" approach does little to diminish the points made here IMHO and definitely doesn't change my perspective. You think we have too much car contact, then handle it as Race Director with the rule book.

I'm pretty steamed at your approach but maybe you just got fed up and decided to vent.

[Todd Covini]

Holy Cow...this forum's been hoppin' since I left a few weeks ago!!!
I'm back now from Ohio and Alaska....and I've read most of the posts here regarding Directors, Asst. Directors, Trophy-Gate, nominations, poor Matt White, etc. etc.

Great posts regarding the Director's positions which were spot-on by David Irwin, Clifton, Daron, MW and many others! Reading all the posts really highlights to me how much in the dark you guys must feel. Clifton and I aim to fix that, and he's done a great job of staying abreast here online. My bad there for "hiding behind the title".

I'll try to give a more detailed (Dare I Say...) "State of the Union" soon. For now, I'll just say a few things...

1) We're thru dwelling on the past, beating dead horses, dancing with ghosts of Hallett, and general bitching, moaning, complaining and whining. For those that were at TWS for the W'n More powerpoint presentation, you saw my "Big Bang Theory" and account of the past 3 years. If you weren't there that nite, we missed you, but we're moving forward now and that presentation is gone.

2) Mid-Ohio was awesome on so many different levels.
a) Texas racers proved we were a force-to-be-reckoned-with in nearly every class...and on a few podiums!
b) Series and Race Directors from every region were able to formally and informally discuss things in the interest of having a consistent national effort for both AI & CMC. Personally, it was great to discuss a lot of current events and take away some great "best-practices" from such a large event.
c) The "grass is always greener" phrase proved itself once again when there were a few very similar sticking points in the areas of series direction, rules compliance and other areas. (i.e.- This isn't just a Texas issue....we alls got pimples!)
d) Adam & Shannon truly had a heart to heart and discussed any differences they may have had in person...not over the phone, not in email...in person for nearly an hour. We look forward to having Adam race with us in future events.

3) The original business model for establishing/growing Texas AI/CMC has not changed since Adam & I sat down and wrote it out 4 years ago. All the same constraints, objectives, goals and deliverables to make AI/CMC a success, in our opinion, still exist. What HAS changed are a) how that business model is perceived/received and b) who carries out those tasks.

4) As many of you know, Adam & I are not geniuses....(or would the plural be "geniui"? ;-) We didn't come up with a 3 year plan to successfully get consistent 20 car fields with yours and NASA Texas's help on our own. We simply copied what was previously done thru trials and tribulations on the West Coast over the last 10 years (and more recently in other regions.)

5) For those that have been in Texas AI/CMC since day 1, you'll remember, at that time I was a "semi-retired" racer/series director having just moved from California with a new job and a new baby. The plan was for me to "show Adam the way" as the Series Director, however, given my career and family constraints, he would have to do most of the work, as the Asst. Series Director...and Adam did. My work and family constraints remain the same today (if not greater) than what they were in 2002...however, Adam is no longer in the role as Asst. Director.

6) As some pointed out, there is no use in finding a new Asst. Director if that position has no roles or responsibilities. If NASA TX is going to follow the same business model for AI/CMC themselves, or have a different model and carry it out with NASA TX core staff, then there really is no need for ANY series directors, at all.

7) From multiple conversations with Jay & Shannon, they have reiterated that they want me to stay on in the AI/CMC Director role. I would greatly like to continue in that role as we originally laid it out years ago from a big picture perspective. The last thing anyone wants is to "compete" for series directorship. There is no need for 2 sets of trophies, 2 sets of awards banquets or duplicate anything.

8) I feel as though we've been flexible to adjust to both NASA TX and the racer's wishes/concerns in many areas as we've grown and matured as a series. Sure, I'm stubborn and resist change whenever possible, but IMO, looking back today, the original formula for success has changed quite a bit. Some for very valid reasons and some for not.

9) IMO, the best folks to run the series are the ones who are in it. Even tempered, moderate folks who are passionate about the series. With that, tech will be more efficient, writeups will be more thorough, promotions will be more credible. Any assistance in these an other areas is always appreciated. (The old "ask not what your series has done for you....ask what you can do for your series!")

10) In a nutshell, I've generally promoted a self-managed racing series. I think to some this is perceived as creating a "click" or an "us & them" scenario, but that is clearly not the intention. In most instances, NASA Regions LOVE to delegate as much as possible. The more that is delegated to series directors, the less work for them and the less they have to worry about. Years ago, we coordinated everything from marketing, to promotions, to rules rewrites, to tech inspections, to writeups, to awards banquets, to trophy selections and the list goes on and on to with the help of many of you to get us to where we are today. Many times this has created conflict in one way or another within the group or with NASA. In order to resolve conflict, we've been heading toward a model where NASA TX (i.e.- neutral governing body) takes the role of series direction and all other aspects of it. Nothing wrong with that...just a different management style.

10) So...we are at a crossroads of sorts. The road ahead is only a dead-end if we fail to successfully negotiate the turn. Before we start to nominate new Directors, and find a source/semblance of leadership for the group let me continue to work with NASA with what we already have to further establish/define the roles and responsibilities they would like for their region and also satisfy the needs of the National Series Directors.

If the asst. director is going to primarily assist with tech.....we'll need someone who is proficient with the rules and can rule with the velvet hammer. If the asst. director is going to primarily assist with writeups...we'll need someone with writing skills, time and patience. You get the picture...it's not a "one size fits all". (FWIW...I think GL, MW, DL, DD, CL, JB, KM and many of the others pitched out there would make great directors...but first we need to know what skills are needed before appointing anyone.)

In closing, please recognize that just because all is quiet from the leadership bench doesn't mean the proverbial series sky is falling and nothing is going on. We'll get there...we're still growing....CMC2 is here....new racers in AI & CMC will be at MSRH....the 2006 Series Shirts are in their final proofing stage....racers will come and racers will go....but the series are managed for sustainability IN EVERYONE'S INTEREST!!!

Todd Covini

[mitchntx]

How many here did he cottle prior to them getting into racing.
He held my hand and still does.

I can honestly say that Adam and I have NEVER held hands.

[macstang]

wow, look what time Todd posted that. :shock:


Dedication

[TEXAST1]

For what it is worth, I consider myself a family member rather than a director when dealing with our group.

I feel this way because most of you came through the race craft class with me and Patterson.

Believe it or not we used to race together before they kicked the Corvettes out of AI. :P

[oz98cobra]

If y'all don't want me here the I'll leave. It's not the first place I've been kicked out of.

p.s. You really I don't know what they talk about in that Spec Miata forum?

It's not that we don't want you to participate in our forum - or any NASA TX folks - on the contrary - but we must have a section on that forum that is closed to all but the racers themselves.

This is not some weird request that we are making that is to promote division between NASA TX and the AI/CMC Texas group - it is the norm - it's human nature - it's how the world works - and certainly how every other race group in the world works, regardless of their sanctioning body! Fact is that although AI/CMC is indeed part of the NASA TX family, we are also an entity in our own right, and it's not too much to ask that we should be able to have private discussions out of earshot of our governing body!