JUST NEED OPINIONS ON HOW TO TAKE IT, AND GO BACK TO RACING OR TAKE CARE OF OWN PROBLEM, BECAUSE TRACK OFFICIALS CANNOT DECIDE WHAT TO DO, WHICH PROBALLY BE BANED FROM TRACK FOR A LONG TIME.

THIS IS HOW THE STORY STARTS AND IT MAY BE LONG, BUT IT IS A GOOD ONE TO READ AND TAKE NOTE OF.

ABOUT MONTH AGO WE WERE RACING UP TO WHITEMORE SPEEDWAY IN THE MODS. WE WERE RACING IN THE FEATURE AND FOLLOWED BEHIND BUCK HARSON AND WATCHED HIM WORK OVER THE 46 CAR FOR OVER 25 LAPS, FINALLY BUCK DROVE IT IN HARD AND PUSHED UP ON OUTSIDE. WE SHOT IN THE HOLE ON THE BOTTOM AND PASSED BUCK CLEANLY, WE FOLLOWED THE 46 CAR AROUND FOR 5 LAPS OR SO AND I WILL THE FIRST TO ADMIT THAT WE BUMPED INTO HIM A COUPLE TIMES TRYING TO GET UNDER HIM, WHICH IS KINDA HARD WHEN SOMEONE GOES INTO THE CORNER ON THE HIGH SIDE AND HALF WAY THROUGH HE DARTS TO THE BOTTOM WHEN HIS CAR DECIDES TO TURN. WE NEVER GOT HIM SIDEWAYS OR HIT HARD ENOUGH TO PUSH IN BACK QUARTER FENDER, AFTER 5 LAPS OF THIS THE 46 CAR FINNALLY SLOWED UP ENOUGH AND ACTUALLY WENT INTO THE CORNER ON THE BOTTOM AND STAYED THERE, WE SAW THIS AND DROVE IT IN ON THE OUTSIDE, HALF WAY THROUGH CORNER THE 46 CAR WHALED US IN REAR AND GOT CAR SIDEWAYS AND EVERBODY BACKED OFF, JUST AS WE GET THE CAR STRAIGHT AND GET BACK IN GAS TO GO, THE 46 CAR DECIDED TO FINISH IT OFF AND DROVE THROUGH THE REAR OF CAR AND SPUN US OUT INTO INFEILD. AFTER DRIVING AROUND FOR A COUPLE LAPS THEY DECIDE TO PUT US BOTH TO THE BACK, NO BIG DEAL WE WERE RACING FOR 4TH AND 5TH PLACES, JUST SEEMED PRETTY STUPID THING TO DO AND GIVE A GOOD NIGHTS FINISH AWAY. NO BIG DEAL, RACING IS RACING, THEN WHEN HE WOULD NOT ADMIT TO IT AND OFFICIALS SENT BOTH CARS TO THE BACK, THE 46 CAR DECIDES TO PULL OFF AND CALL IT A NIGHT WITH 10 TO 15 LAPS TO GO IN RACE. NO BIG DEAL, BUT I WOULD THINK THAT IF SOMEBODY PULLS OFF, YOU WOULD THINK THAT IT IS JUST LIKE ADMITTING GUILT? ANY WAY WE WENT TO THE REAR AND STILL ENDED UP FINISHING 7TH PLACE THAT NIGHT. NOW PAY ATTENTION TO THIS BECAUSE IT WILL COME UP LATER, AFTER THE RACE WE STOPPED IN FRONT OF THEIR PIT AND PUT HANDS UP IN THE AIR AND ASKED WHAT WAS THAT ALL ABOUT AND LEFT IT AT THAT. WELL I GUESS THAT SOMEONE'S MOMMY THAT PUTTING YOUR HANDS INT THE AIR AND ASKING A QUESTION WAS JUST LIKE A DEATH THREAT TO THE WHOLE TEAM OF ABOUT TEN PEOPLE. YES WE DID MAKE A SMALL STINK TO THE TRACK PRESIDENT ABOUT IT AND HOW IT WAS HANDLED. THAT WAS THE END OF IT FOR THE NIGHT.

THE FOLLOWING WEEK WE GET A LETTER IN THE MAIL SAYING HOW WE WERE ON PROBATION FOR 2 MCAR RACES, WHICH INCLUDES ALL THE MCAR TRACKS-DIXIE-AUTOCITY-OWOSSO-AND WHITEMORE. WE CALLED THE PRESIDENT AND ASKED WHAT THIS WAS ABOUT AND WAS TOLD THAT THE PITCREW(ME AND GOOD FREIND)WENT DOWN TO THEIR PITS AND STARTED YELLING THAT WE WERE KICKING ALL THEIR ASS'S FOR THE STUFF THAT HAPPENED ON THE TRACK. FIRST OFF I AM THE MOST LAID BACK PERSON, AND WHAT HAPPENS ON THE TRACK HAPPENS ON THE TRACK, AND IF OFFICIALS DON'T SEE IT OR TAKE CARE OF IT, THEN WE TAKE CARE OF IT ON THE TRACK LIKE RACERS, LIKE IT ALWAYS HAS BEEN. OK NOTHING WE CAN DO BECAUSE OUR MOMMY'S WERE NOT THERE TO STICK UP FOR US AND TELL A BUNCH OF LIES. SO WE PLAYED NICE FRIDAY NIGHT AT DIXIE AND HAD NO PROBLEMS WITH ANYBODY THERE, THEY WERE NOT THERE, I IMAGINE WHY?

WE WENT BACK UP TO WHITEMORE 2 WEEKS LATER TO SERVE OUR SECOND NIGHT OF PROBATION. WE STARTED IN 5TH PLACE IN THE FEATURE BEHIND THE POLE SITTER THE 46 CAR AND HIS BROTHER I THINK IN THE 27 CAR IN 3RD PLACE. WE STARTED RACE AND WAS TAKING OUR TIME AND LETTING CARS FIGURE OUT WERE THEY WANT TO BE AND ABOUT 5 LAPS INTO THE RACE CARS BEHIND US THAT WERE WAY TO FAST TO DRIVE AROUND THE OUTSIDE AND PASS CLEAN, DECIDED THAT WE DID NOT NEED TO BE ON THE BOTTOM ANY MORE AND DROVE US OFF THE BOTTOM, AND THESE CARS WERE ON THE WAY TO THE FRONT WE WATCHED THE 27 CAR DRIVE OVER THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE OF THREE CARS-THE 2-21- AND THE 8 CAR. LIKE I SAID WE WERE THERE JUST TO RIDE AROUND AND RACE CLEANLY LIKE WE NORMALLY TRY.

WHEN WE GOT TO THE 27 CAR WE DROVE OUT ON THE OUTSIDE OF HIM AND PAST HIM ON THE FRONT STRETCH WHEN HE DROVE UP INTO US AND PUT HIS FRONT TIRE TO THE DOOR ALL THE WAY INTO THE CORNER, OKAY WE SCARED HIM AND HE DID NOT KNOW WHAT TO DO. WE BACKED OFF AND THEN FOLLOWED HIM FOR A COUPLE LAPS AND WATCH HIM DRIVE ON THE HIGH SIDE, SO WE PUT THE CAR IN ON THE BOTTOM AND HALF WAY THROUGH THE CORNER WHEN THE FRONT TIRE IS TO HIS DOOR HE DECIDES THAT HIS CAR IS BETTER ON THE BOTTOM AND DRIVES THERE ABOUT TAKING THE FRONT TIRE OFF. OKAY HE KNEW WE WERE THERE THAT TIME, NO EXCUSSES, SO AFTER A COUPLE OF LAPS WE DROVE IT IN THERE AGAIN WHEN HE WAS ON THE HIGH SIDE AND RUBBED OUR WAY BY. JUST WHEN WE PASSED HIM THE CAUTION CAME OUT AND LIKE ALL OTHER TRACKS THEY GO TO THE LAST LAP AND WE GOT PUT BACK BEHIND HIM. SO THEN WE TRIED TO DO SAME THING AGAIN AND KEPT GETTING DOOR SLAMMED ON THE OUTSIDE AND THE BOTTOM, FINALLY WE AGAIN HAD TO RUB OUR WAY BY. AND KEPT IT FOR A LAP OR TWO BEFORE CAUTION CAME OUT AGAIN. WHEN WE GET BACK TO RACING WE HAD MESSED UP FRONT TOE OR JUST USED THE CAR UP TRYING TO PASS HIM, THERE WAS TWO LAPS TO GO AND THE 27 CAR BLEW IT IN ON THE OUTSIDE, BOTH CARS WERE SIDE BY SIDE THROUGH 1 AND 2 AND THEN DOWN THE BACK STRETCH HE DECIDED TO COME A CAR WIDTH AND A HALF OFF THE TOP TO COME DOWN AND CROWD US DOWN EVEN FARTHER, AT THIS POINT IN TIME WE HAD ENOUGH AND HELD OUR POSITION ON TRACK AND BOTH CARS GOT TOGETHER AND THE 27 CAR ENDED UP IN INFEILD AND WE TOUCHED FRONT TIRES AND JUMPED INTO AIR AND ENDED UP OVER THE TOP OF TURN THREE AND DOWN INTO THE SAND BANK.

THE RED FLAG CAME OUT AND I WENT DOWN FORM THE STANDS TO CHECK ON RICK AND THE CAR, I WAS NEVER APPROCHED BY ANY TRACK OFFICIAL THAT I COULD NOT BE THERE, WHEN I GOT THERE RICK WAS OUT OF THE CAR AND LOOKING OVERTHINGS. BY THAT TIME I WAS PRETTY UPSET AND TOLD RICK TO GET BACK INTO THE CAR AND PUT HIM TO THE WALL IF HE HAD BALLS ENOUGH TO STAY ON THE TRACK AND FINISH THE RACE. RICK SAID THAT I NEED TO CHILL OUT BECAUSE ALL THE OFFICIALS ON THE BACK STRETCH SAID THAT THEY COULD NOT BELEIVE THAT THE 27 CAR CAME DOWN FROM THE TOP OF TRACK TO CUT RICK OFF LIKE THAT AND IT WAS BEING TAKEN CARE BY THE OFFICIALS. OKAY FINALLY SOMEBODY OPENED THEIR EYES AND SEES WHAT ACTUALLY HAPPENS ON THE TRACK. I COOLED OFF AND CLEANED ALL THE DIRT OUT OF THE FRONT OF THE CAR AS I COULD AND WAS ACTUALLY HELPED BY A OFFICIAL TO DO THIS. NOW THIS IS IMPORTANT ALSO, WAS NEVER TOLD I STILL COULD NOT BE THERE AND WALKED BACK UP TO STANDS AFTER CAR WAS TOWED OUT OF PIT ONTO TRACK.

NOW WHILE I WAS GONE THE 3RD MEMBER OF OUR TEAM WAS STILL IN STANDS SITTING WITH FAMILY AND I GUESS THAT THE WHOLE TIME I WAS DOWN ON THE TRACK SOMEONE'S MOMMY WAS SCREAMING AT HIM THE WHOLE TIME TELLING WHO WE NEED TO GET UNDER CONTROL AND DID NOT DESERVE TO BE THERE FOR COMING TO THEIR PITS AND THREATING EVERYBODY. I HEARD THIS AND SHOOK MY HEAD, BECAUSE THE ONLY TIME ANYBODY WENT TO THEIR PITS EVER WAS TWO MONTHS SOONER WE RACED SIDE BY SIDE WITH THE 27 CAR FOR 20 LAPS AND KARL OUR THIRD TEAM MEMBER, WENT DOWN AND SHOOK HIS HAND FOR RUNNING A GREAT CLEAN RACE. OTHER THAN THAT WE LET TRACK OFFICIALS HANDLE THE PROBLEMS TILL THEY COME TO OUR PITS AND THEN IT'S GAME ON.

GETTING BACK THE THE STORY, PART OF IT FROM WHAT I SEEN WAS THE 27 CAR RUNNING BLOCKER FOR THE 46 CAR FROM SPINNING US OUT TWO WEEKS PRIOR, BECAUSE THE WHOLE TIME FOR THE 30 LAPS OF RACING THE 46 CAR WAS JUST INFRONT OF US, NOW WE LET THE TWO WEEKS PRIOR GO AND WAS JUST TRYING TO RACE FORWARD FOR THE NIGHT AND LET BIGONS BE BIGONS. WELL AFTER THE RACE AGAIN SOMEONE'S MOMMY HAD TO GO RUNNING TO THE PRESIDENT WITH A VIDEO CAMERA AND CRYING ON HOW WE JUST PUSHED THE 27 CAR ALL THE RACE TRACK ALL NIGHT. I WARNED MY RACE TEAM THAT IT WAS GOING TO HAPPEN THE FIRST ONE TO CRY, BITCH AND MONE IS ALWAYS RIGHT.

WELL IF HAVE TWO BENT UP WHITE FACED RIMS FROM BEING PUT THE WALL IN THE RACE, BOTH REAR QUARTERS TORE OFF THE CAR AND NERF BARS GONE FROM SOMEONE WITH LESS PATIENCE THEN US, BENT BOTTOM BALL JOINT AND BENT BOTTOM A-ARM BOLT TO BOOT FOR OUR PATIENCE AND JUST TRYING TO RACE.

WHEN I TALKED WIHT THE PRESIDENT, I WAS ASKED "SO WHATS YOUR SIDE OF THE STORY?", AND WHILE I WAS TRYIG TO EXPLAIN IN A CALM MATTER, TWO OF THE OFFICIALS WERE THERE AND TOLD HIM WHAT HAPPED WITH THE 27 CAR TURNING DOWN FROM THE TOP OF THE TRACK TO THE BOTTOM AND RUNNING THE RIGHT FRONT OVER, I GUESS IT WAS ON DEAF EARS. WE TOOK OUT TORE UP RACE CAR HOME AND PUT IT BACK TOGETHER AGAIN.

TWO WHOLE WEEKS GO BY AND WE RECEIVE A LETTER IN THE MAIL ON FRIDAY THE 24TH ABOUT 3PM JUST AS WE ARE LEAVING TO GO TO DIXIE, HAD TO READ THIS ONE, WE WERE TOLD THAT WE COULD NOT RACE FOR 2 RACES AT A MCAR TRACKS, WHICH MEANT WE COULD NOT RACE FRIDAY OR SATURDAY AT DIXIE AND WHITEMORE OR AUTCITY AND OWOSSO. BECAUSE THEY ARE ALL MCAR TRACKS. WELL WE DID NOT HERE THAT DIXIE CANCELLED TILL WE GOT THERE FRIDAY AND MIKE KERN HIMSELF NEVER SAID THAT WE WERE BANED FROM RACING FRIDAY NIGHT, JUST THAT THEY CALLED IT ON THE RAIN. NOW IN THIS LETTER WE WERE TOLD THAT THERE WAS TOO MUCH BUMPING GOING ON FOR A CAR ON PROBATION. I GUESS THEY DID NOT SEE HOW WE WERE BEING RACED. ALSO IN THE LETTER IT STATED THAT RICK'S CREW MEMBER WERE NOT TO BE IN SOMEONE ELSE'S PIT MAKING A THREAT TO SOMEONE EITHER-WHICH I LAUGHED AT BECAUSE I KNOW THE TRUTH, AND THAT YOUR OTHER CREW MEMBER WAS NOT BE ON THE TRACK AT ANY TIME, SUPRISED ME, I SEE IT ALL THE TIME AND WAS NEVER TOLD I COULD NOT CHECK ON MY DRIVER OR CAR WHEN THE RED FLAG IS OUT AND HE IS STUCK IN A SAND HILL, NEWS TO ME. BUT ALSO WAS TOLD THAT RICK'S BOARD MEMBERSHIP IS QUIT VALUBLE TO THE TRACK AND IT OTHER MEMBERS AND HOPE WE ARE BACK TO RACING LIKE NOTHING HAPPED ON THE 1ST OF SEPT.

NOW RICK HAS A CABIN IN HALE WHICH IS 5 MILES FROM TRACK AND HIM AND HIS FAMILY LEAVE ALOT ON FRIDAYS TO UP TO CABIN AND STAY FOR A WEEKEND OF RACING AT WHITEMORE. GOOD THING WE WANTED TO RACE DIXIE FRIDAY WAS HOME TO GET LETTER AND NOT IN HALE AT CABIN, AND SHOWED UP ON SATURDAY TO RACE AND WAS TOLD WE COULD NOT. THAT TAKES ALOT OF RESPECT FROM A RACE CLUB AND FELLOW RACERS THAT WERE THERE A WEEK AND A HALF EARLIER AT A WEDNSDAY MEETING DECIDING ON WHAT TO DO. THE PRESIDENT TALKED TWO WEEKS PRIOR IN THE DRIVER'S MEETING ON HOW WE HAVE TO SHOW RESPECT FOR EVERBODY WE ARE RACING WITH AND HOW MUCH RESPECT THE CLUB HAS FOR EVERYBODY THAT SHOWS UP TO RACE EVERY SATURDAY. NOW HOW MUCH REPSECT DOES IT TAKE TO GIVE A FELLOW BOARD MEMBER A CALL AND TELL HIM ON THE DECISION THAT WAS MADE AND HOW IT WAS BEING HANDLED. TAKES ABOUT A MINUTE AND HALF OF THEIR BUSY LIVES, TOOK LONGER TO TYPE LETTER AND SEND IT IN THE MAIL.

YES WE ARE UPSET THAT WE WERE TOLD WE COULD NOT RACE, BUT EVEN MORE UPSET BY HOW THINGS WERE HANDLED AND IT TOOK A WEEK AND A HALF TO LET US KNOW OF IT. I AM SURE SOME THINGS WERE SAID TO THE PRESIDENT FRIDAY AFTERNOON WHEN RICK CALLED HIM ON THE PHONE AND WERE JUSTIFIED BY HOW THINGS WERE HANDLED. AND TO GO SAYING THAT RICK'S MOUTH GOT HIM IN TROUBLE IN THE DRIVER'S MEETING THIS PAST SATURDAY NIGHT AND THAT NO ONE IS ABOVE SUSPENSION FOR THEIR ACTIONS IS EVEN MORE OF A KICK IN THE FACE.

SUPRISE WE HAVE SOME FREINDS THAT WILL TALK TO US.

NOW FOR THE KICKER IT WANT TO KNWO HOW LONG IT TOOK FOR SOMEONE'S MOMMY TO GO RUNNING UP TO THE PRESEDENT WITH A VIDEO CAMERA SHOWING HOM HOW THE REAR QUARTER FENDERS GOT TORE OFF THE 27 CAR AGAIN AND HOW THE 46 GOT BUMPED TO REAR OF THE FEILD AFTER STARTING UPFRONT OF EVERBODY ELSE, JUST WONDER HOW LONG AND NO ONE CAN ANSWER ME YET. WE WEREN'T THERE THIS TIME, CAN'T BLAME US.

NOW HERE IS THE KICKER, WE ARE SUPPOSED TO BE BANED FROM MCAR TRACKS FOR THE WEEKEND, NO ONE EVER SAID ANYTHING TO US WHEN WE SHOWED UP A AUTOCITY SATURDAY NIGHT, LIKE ANYBODY RIGHT NOW IS GOING TO NOT LET SOMEONE RACE, EXCEPT WHITEMORE SPEEDWAY.

AND BY THE WAY WE STARTED ON THE OUTSIDE POLE SATURDAY(DID NOT HAVE THE FASTEST CAR IN QUALIFYING, OH WELL), BUT I WILL TELL YOU WE WERE RACED CLEAN AND RACED CLEAN THERE AND FINISHED THIRD.

WOULD LIKE TO THANK ALL MODS THERE SATURDAY FOR RUNNING A CLEAN RACE, SOMETHING WERE NOT USED TO ANYMORE, AND GUES FOR THE FIRST TIME ALL SUMMER AND COMING HOME FROM WHITEMORE SPEEDWAY I DON'T HAVE TO FIX A QUARTER FENDER, BENT BALL JOINT OR BOTTOM A-ARM BOLT, WOW FORGOT WHAT THAT WAS LIKE.

IF YOU TOOK THE TIME TO READ ALL THIS AND ACTUALLY READ IT, JUST WANT YOUR OPINION ON WHAT TO DO.

DO WE GO TO WHITEMORE SATURDAY NIGHT TO RACE AND WATCH OUT FOR THE 27 AND 46 CAR AND GIVE THE WHOLE RACE TRACK TO RACE AND PASS THEM IN THE GRASS?

DO WE GO TO WHITEMORE SATURDAY AND FINISH WHAT IS STARTED AND GIVE SOMEONE'S MOMMY SOMETHING TO REALLY BITCH ABOUT AND GET BANNED FROM SPEEDWAY FOR GOOD?

OR JUST SAY JEFF KEEP YOUR TRACK, WITH DRAW CLUB MEMBERSHIP AND DUES AND SLAB PAYMENT FOR THE NEX TWO YEARS AND GO BACK TO AUTOCITY WERE THEY SEEM TO WANT TO RACE, OR GO TO OWOSSO FOR THE FIRST TIME AND FIND A NEW SATURDAY VENUE, NOT SAYING NOTHING BAD AGAINST AUTOCITY, THEY HAVE NEW OFFICIALS IN PALCE AND GETTING PLACE CLEANED UP FOR EVERBODY TO RACE THERE, WHICH THAY HAD A PROBLEM IN THE BEGINING OF THE YEAR AND LAST YEAR IS WHY WE LEFT THERE FOR WHITEMORE, BY THE WAY AUTOCITY IS 5 MILES FROM HOME, NOT A 90-100 MILES TO GO TO WHITEMORE.


JUST WANT YOUR HONEST OPINION ON THESE GOOD OR BAD. NO BASHING HERE FOR BEING HONEST.

I tried reading this, but without paragraphs, I'm really struggling.

SORRY FOR THE RUN ON, BUT IF YOUR INTERESTED ON WHAT HAPPES INT HE WHITEMORE RACE CLUB, YOU WILL HANG IN THERE.

Thanks!!!

READ WHAT U WROTE AND U WELL BE AT AUTO CITY RACING!!!!!!!

Jeremy. Where to begin. Impressive that you take this to the MSTRC first of all in attempt to get public opinion turned against Whittemore Speedway. Ive often thought there are better ways to communicate with a speedway, but now I am force to respond in defense of a race tracks position.

1. Airing the problems on here in an effort to build ill will or harm against the speedway are flat out wrong. That is a direct violation of any clubmembers bi laws. (attempting to harm the speedway in anyway is against what we all are working for for free, its a slap in the face.) Done by you on Ricks behalf will not set well with the membership. Trying your best to get a rock throwing contest started is in no way the best way to have handled your concerns. Drivers that are WRC club members are EXPECTEDto operate at a higher standard at all times. To do less is to promote the idea of an ole boy network where actions have no concenquences. I have not devoted two years full time of my life to let it slip into an atmosphere less than that, neither have our other officers.

2. The reason that It took a while for Rick to get his letter is that we waited until a normally scheduled club meeting to view the driving incidents by a group of Ricks peers. These were different tapes from different angles. The peer group that reviewed were all Club members. These were experienced Drivers from all classes and all experience levels. In that meeting it was determined that this was too much bumping and banging going on for someone on probation. Rick rode the entire time behind Matt and did not attempt the outside at all. The top was open the entire race and the bottom was open because Matt was loose by doing a simple swing move at many many different times. Whittemore is a 2 groove race track at least. The accident at the end Matt was in the 3rd lane because he avoided contact between Rick and Andy Hess. That started in turn 2 and carried down the backstrech. Rick was in the second and the bottom was open. NO effort what so ever was made to avoid making contact with Matt in turn 3. NONE. I understand you being upset that a track official standing on the opposite side of the fence thought there was deliberate contact. When we reviewed the tape it did indeed look like deliberate contact. By the number 1 car. That was 1 out of atleast one half dozen in that race alone. The week off was given because of Multiple points of contact through the race.
This review was on late Friday night. I personally wanted to watch things even more to make sure the right decision was made. I revied the tape again Monday multiple times.

3. I got very sick for 2 days. I did not leave the house for anything. I mailed the letter off Wednesday. I told Rick this over the phone on Friday when we spoke. I dont have a personal secretary that handles the mail for me. It is someting I do all on my own. I humbly apoligize it did not arrive quicker. I did not intend to get sick. Irregardless the outcome would have remained the same.

4. I have witnessed multiple times this year of Rick being involved in rough driving with several cars. The 3-D, the 8, the 21, the 77, the 7, the 6, the K 2 just to name a few right off the top of my head. This is not an isolated incident. He was on PROBATION FOR ROUGH DRIVING. Sparks were flying for two thirds of the race. An extremely mellow driver with 25 years experience was very upset after that race saying something had to be done about the rough driving or somone was going to end up HURT. He was in that race with a front row seat.

5. If you are coming on here and putting it in writing that your team will deliberately come back and try and retaliate on a driver then my suggestion is that you find somewhere else to race. I will not put up with it. We are not going to coddle that kind of atmosphere at Whittemore. If someone else attempts it they will get the same treatment that your team has. You guys are better than that and you dont need to resort to those tactics. It will never resolve an issue anyone has with anyone. Parts are too expensive- Safety too great a price to pay. You have to follow rules just like anyone else. The Whittemore Speedway under my watch will not turn into an atmosphere where drivers either directly involved or indirectly have to feel unsafe or thier equipment is at risk competing with another individual. I get way too many calls from people at other tracks that have been come after with tire irons or brawls breaking out in pits due to something on the track. Whittemore will not be turned into a circus atmosphere where vigilante justice is going to take place. It is just not part of having fun racing. Its part of white trash mecca. I will resign before I ever tolerate that going on.

6. I personally like Rick I think he is a great guy. No argument there what so ever. My kids play with cars on the floor every day racing. One of their favorites is Rick. This is not an easy thing to do! Do you guys really think really now that I enjoyed having to send that letter to a friend? I personally HATED it. Doing this job is about like running for Dog Catcher. It really, really sucks sometimes. That time was one of the biggest. Dragging this on here is not something that the Speedway or I deserve as its president. I am going to stick up for that track and for myself. I feel that I have earned that right. We have tried to do and give back more to the drivers (all of them) more than any administration I have ever heard of. Trying to undermine us over a discipline issue is a Low class manuver Jeremy your race team is WAAAAY better than that.

7. I understand you going to bat for your guy. We all do. I wouldnt expect you not to. Doing it on MSTRC was not the proper channells. The outcome would not have been any different and now with talk of retaliation I just dont feel anything at all has set in. Rough Driving Probation takes a lot of personal accountability to remedy. NO matter what you, I or anyone else thinks there is only 1 person in control of the gas, brakes, steering wheel and front bumper of his car. The crack on Szescodis Mom coming up to me with a Video camera Saturday night (reported by friends?) is a joke right? I never spoke a word to her at all this week.I spoke to Matts wife 1 time about the Austrailian persuit line up. That is it. Why does that at all have anything to do with 2 weeks ago racing? This week was caution free. It was probably one of the best mod races I have ever seen. Nobody was bitching about anything at all. It was kinda nice really, I went home from the races having seen some good ones and no trouble with any customers.

8. If you feel the things from the speedways perspective are unreasonable that is your perogitive. It was handled by a group of Ricks peers. It takes real friends to tell someone when something is not right. Not someone who will tell you what you want to hear and let a problem continue. That is a bitter pill to swallow sometimes. NOBODY got any kind of joy from this situation at all. Bringing it here only worsened the situation. I understand your position of defending your team. Try and understand that I will defend the speedway. If you saw things the things I did and from this perspective. Im sure you would feel differently. Have a nice day. Jeff

I say have Rick build more Figure 8 cars. Atleast during this style of racing you can expect to get taken out. Driving a modified you would expect to be drove clean and this reverts back to what mod911 has complained about. I think Rick probably had more fun in the Figure 8 race. Sounds like someone is driving with their head buried to deep to see where to steer the car. Sounds like Mommy is just watching out for her wittle baby boy!!!!!LOL


Its getting towards the end of the season!!! Hopefully the track takes off their blinders and realize the
real problem is not you!!! What do they consider rough driving. You running one groove and the other
guy running three different grooves at once!!!!!

I love end of season drama it just raises the intensity to another level.

stroke 421,
Did anyone actually talk to another driver about this or did you guys just start acting like a bunch of drama queens and come up with this conspiracy theory about blocking and rough racing? I would have banned you for the season if you were on the track telling a driver to put someone in the wall.

Good luck bashing tracks for this, it's obviously their fault.

I am suprised that AC didn't respect the MCAR deal. That's pretty bad. Maybe Aluminum heads will be legal again.

we all have a different perspective from others. it's only being human. but to come on here and say that as far as the track committee is concerned it has only worsened things is wrong. that in itself sends a very bad message. racnpartsales, i like your post until number 8. that one surprised the hell out of me. but from what i am reading it tells me that if i want to race at your track then i should do what the track tells me to do on the track and off the track at home and should only come to the committee for anything i want to say and that is wrong. this is an open forum for this type of thing. good or bad. i didn't take it that he was slamming the track or anything, just venting a frustration is all and wanting an opinion like most people do. for myself, i don't like anyone telling me what i can and cannot do on my own time and at home and where i can and cannot go to vent my frustrations. you did have a good post untill paragraph 8.

Luke,

Whittemore Speedway placing Rick on 1 week dismissal because of rough contact when he was already on probation the week before for rough driving is not blinders on. It is sticking to what you say you are going to do. I would appreciate you having all of the facts correct before accusing us of not properly managing this situation. Facts were gathered before any rash heat of the moment decsions were given and hours of thought were deliberated. If only so much could be said before an internet post occurred. Thank you. Jeff

Jerry we are run by a club that is applied to and has certain laws in that club that we have to follow. Rick is a member of that club. We hold our membership to an extremely high standard when it comes to dealing with the speedways business in a professional way. Disciplinary action that was handed out by respected members of the racing community and then brought on here and twisted is not only against our club policy it is border line libelous. I am a big believer in Free speech. I use it all the time. Make damn sure your facts are straight when you start hammering peoples and business's reputations is my policy. Im not going to sit back and watch that speedway get drug through the mud when the facts presented are inaccurate. I said it was his perogiitve. I also said how the facts were reviewed and decided on by a group of peers. I dont know how much more fair I or the speedway could be. The chips will fall where they may. Arguing further retaliatory action will be dealt with swiftly and severely. There is no other position this track could take that would be responsible.

to retailiate by anyone is futile. racing is racing. it just appeared to me that the committee was or is upset because he came on here and aired his frustrations is all. i don't think whittemore is a bad track. i like it there as my uncle and brothers raced there when they was younger and i used to go there as a kid with them. i think everyone should hold themselfs at a high level of decency and have respect for everyone. i just don't like being told what i can and cannot do on my own time away from the track is all. that is a hard pill to swallow and if a committe wanted me to do that then i would just pull my membership. i honestly did not think from his post that he was slamming you or the officals or the track. he was just upset about a call is all. answer me this, if he does not agree with the committes call then should he just shut his mouth and let it go and roll over and let the committee do and say what ever? sounds like the committe can come on here and defend them selfs but he can't.

defend away. just have the facts straight. That is all I ask. I stand by the speedways decision. If an inaccurate picture is painted then how can one come on here and ask for everyones opinion? Thats like me saying hey I got my dic* caught in the pickle slicer at work and they fired me. You would feel pretty sorry for me. If I leave out the part where her name is Catherine that is skewing the story a bit isnt it? It totally shifts ones thinking. It makes a difference when one is gathering opinions or publicly complaining about a business directly to its customer base. That is what I am defending, the other side of the story.

MAYBE AUTO CITY KNOWS HOW WHITTEMORE SPEEDWAY (CLUB) IS. IT SEAMS THE OUT OF TOWN BOYS WERE GETTING CLOSE TO SOME GOOD FINISHES AND THEY PUT A STOP TO IT RIGHT AWAY. IF I WERE THEM BOYS I WOULD SEND THEM BACK THERE MEMBERSHIP CARD AND BE AUTO CITY BOUND.

That happened to me once, man was I embare-assed.

Who are the in town and out of town boys?

I dunno, I guess my point is that this whole thread seems more like a plead for drama than anything else.

How exactly do you draw any of that from the above conversations? We have club members that are race winners from Clio, MT Morris, Birch Run,Davison that have all won Mod features this year. They enjoy racing at Whittemore more than anywhere else and non club members from all over the state that have won races too.. They are quite content to run at Whittemore. We put a stop to it? That is a well thought out informed comment. I have nothing for that one.

How many local drivers drive mods? I think most of them are from "out of town"

1 outta about 20 is from Whittemore. Andy Hess lives in town.

I agree about getting facts straight, but your facts and his may be different. One side of a racing deal is never the same as the other. I think this forum is often a place where those who feel they are being wronged in one way or another to let other racers know that. Racers have a decision to make about where to race or not to race. This is not the 1st time Ive heard about (or witnessed)Rick racing rough, and you can bet that its not the 1st time a racer or crew member has been angry with his track. Let people read these post, and they can sort it out on their own experience. If you race for very long you will be angered by the track at some point or another. This is from my experience. Jeff it sounds like you and Rick should talk, and put an end to this.

Byrdracer all but three or four of the Mods come from down state and they have bee winning every weel no local Mod driver has won a feature in the two years they have been running them so get the facts straight

To the original poster of this thread: If you are going to post you need to calm down, turn off the caps, get some help composing a logical and well flowing report of what you are trying to say. If you re-read your own post and can make sense of it then you are doing better than most of us. No one can help if they don't understand the entire deal.

On the other hand none of us need track bashing going on at a time when race tracks and racers alike are struggling to get by.

Go to the track and work it out.

NOW I HAVE TALKED WITH JEFF ON THIS AND WE HAVE BOTH COME TO A CONCLUSION. THIS WAS STARTED TO GET OPINIONS FROM RACERS ON HOW THINGS WERE HANDLED WITH THE SUSPENSION. I KNOW WE HAVE HAD PROBLEMS IN THE PAST WITH OTHER DRIVERS AND THINGS WERE HANDLED BETWEEN DRIVERS. AND WE HAVE TRYING TO RACE EVERYBODY CLEANLY TIL THEY FEEL THE NEED TO BE FASTER AND DRIVE THROUGH YA OR OVER YA. LIKE I SAID BEFORE WE DON'T USUALLY HAVE THE FASTEST CAR ON THE TRACK, BUT YOU GET TIRED OF REPLACING REAR QUARTER PANELS EVERY WEEK BECAUSE SOMEONE BEHIND THOUGHT THEY WERE AND CAN'T GO TO THE OUTSIDE.

THIS WAS NOT WRITTEN TO DISRESPECT JEFF IN ANY WAY AND WHAT THE WHITEMORE RACE CLUB IS TRYING TO DO FOR THE SPORT. JUST WAS WAY UPSET ON HOW THE LETTERS WERE HANDLED. LIKE I SAID IT WOULD OF PREETY BAD IF WE SHOWED UP SATURDAY AFTERNOON AT WHITEMORE SPEEDWAY TO RACE AND THEN TOLD TO GO HOME.

After reading the original post a couple of times to understand it, I just wanted to say that I didn't really take it as a "bashing" towards Whittemore speedway, but rather an extreme frustration concerning some issues with a couple of drivers there.

Sometimes only the guy in the seat can really know what is going on out there, and on video it looks totally different.

When trying to overtake a car that is out of control, and sliding through multiple lanes...not many people will try going to the outside. It's too scary. So what are your options? Stay put and not try to pass? I wouldn't expect a racer to do that. The only way to get around someone like that is to do just what was described in the original post and rub your way by on the inside.

I don't know who these guys are, I'd rather not worry about their names. BUT If there is anything for the track officials to get out of this, it would be to keep a close eye on that #46 and #27 to see if these guys have their cars under control while they are out there racing. If they really are driving all over the place and sliding accross 3 lanes thinking that they are fast and doing sweet...Then it is THEY who need to have a sit-down with the officials.

This all might have already happened. I just wanted to say all this because I didn't see any mention of it in anyone else's post. So, have all of the drivers been asked how they feel about the #46 and #27? No need to answer...just putting the thought out there.

Mike

Alot of times as a driver I have just wanted to let off steam and say I got the short end of the stick. Then hopfully other people tell me they have had the same thing happen to them. That is how the post sounded to me.

I would like to comment here as I was present the night Rick ended up off the track and over the bank in turn 3. I will aggree with stroke421 that both the 27 and 46 were using MORE than their fair share of track. I say this with no hesitation as the car I was there with was trapped behind one of them for several laps trying to get around him. As to Ricks driving, myself and others on top of the trailer could see there was something going on between those two cars prior to Rick going off the track. There were some moves being made in which those two cars were responding to each others behavior, and was no surprise to any of us when they ended up together. I don't know any of the drivers involved, have only seen each race a couple times before, and I don't ecall any previous concerns from watching them.

As going out onto the track during a caution, that should NEVER happen unless requested or authorized by track officials.

You wanted nuetral opinions there is mine. As to what you should do? Show up, race your car, and HAVE FUN. Possibly the DRIVERS ONLY and JEFF could meet and discuss things in a calm manner. The DRIVERS have total control in most cases as to how a crew will react, and should encourage their crews to handle this situation in an appropriate manner.



AND, to those couple people who just wanted to jump on board and bash the speedway without knowing facts, I doubt any you were actually there, or know the facts. The "out of town driver" comment was just backhanded and IN NO WAY ACCURATE!!!!

One other thing should be mentioned, all the way back to the 4th of July week show Jeff mentioned concerns of rough driving in the drivers meeting. He specifically mention concerns with the mod division. Point being the speedway has been aware and watching this for sometime now, this was not an overnight thing.

Being the local one and a member of the speedway, I will give my view of the situation. Last year, before Rick was a member, Rick talked to me about a couple drivers that were driving through other cars. His take was that this type of driving needed to be cleaned up. So Rick can not fault us for taking care of rough driving situations.

Now the night in question. I had went to the rear for my window net falling down, so I guess I could be the blame for screwing up Buck's big lead. It took me a long time to catch up to the mid pack of cars, which included 27 and 1. The 27 had a pack of 4 or 5 cars held up, I started working the outside. When I got to the 1, I could see the 27 was tight in the center and creating a loose off condition. Finally a had a good run and put it outside of 27 in turn 3 and 4, that is when the 1 tried to capitalize on the 27 loose off condition. The 1 ended up getting into 27 making him loose and allowing me to complete the pass, to me that looked like a racing deal. A lap or so later, 1 gave me a slight tap in the center of turn 1 and 2 making me loose. 1 allowed me to collect, which allowed the 27 to get outside of him going down the backstretch. At the end of the backstretch is when the accident happened.

Rick's peers that discussed this situation consisted of club members that are locals and out of towners and some I am sure are considered friends.

Andy

for years the general rules have stated that crew members should never go on the track and if the driver gets out of the car on the track (or other than in the pits) then that driver is out of the race. I watched local LLM drivers get out after a wreck during season or mid-season championship and be sent to the pits. Its a safety issue.

I saw the mod and fs feature this past week and I can't believe that atleast 5 of those mods didn't get wadded up. I thought it was hard to get around there at 14.50 in my sportsman but I probably couldn't run two laps the same around there if you gave me 50 laps. Dixie's 4/10ths is sooo much easier to drive. It was a good mod feature at Whittemore.

I feel I should post on this,but I wo'nt. Been there.

I had no intensions on replying to this post as I and my race team are much more professional then this. But I feel as if I (Matt Szecsodi 27) and my brother (Chaz Pray 46) have to defend our character, against this completely fabricated and tailored to fit story. The bashing of us, the track and its volunteers, the cheap shots and obscene comments made to my mother really shows what kind of person you really are. Just to note this happened over 19 days ago at the time of this posting. The first incident happen over 31 days ago.

I can't believe you took your personal issues to a public form in an attempt to embarrass Whittemore Speedway and its president for setting a level playing field for us all. I don't need to explain how the board works as you already know. I am willing to send a copy of the DVD that the board reviewed to you or anybody else that would like to form their own opinions. All I need is an address. Your story does not match any of the video. It very clear he beat the crap out of my car then turned right going down the backstretch.

Your theory of blocking is just absurd. That is nuts to even talk mention that. And as for Matt crashing other cars in the race is all in your teams mind. I am not asking other fellow drivers to get involved but, they know in their own minds nothing like that happened.

As for you knowingly enticing someone who is already in a fit of rage to tell "RICK TO GET BACK INTO THE CAR AND PUT HIM TO THE WALL IF HE HAD THE BALLS ENOUGH TO STAY ON THE TRACK AND FINISH THE RACE". You admitted this in your own post. You are a gutless wonder and have no care for human life. Not only did you say this to him, but it was in the same corner a gentlemen just last his life a week prior to this. Why would you do this? NO WAY IN HELL WOULD I EVER WANT THAT TO HAPPEN TO ANYONE. Obviously we know where you stand. This shows how you represent your team. I know no one out there in there right mind wants to be or see someone get crashed on purpose. Just plan sick on your part!

After all this answer me this, what in the hell do you mean by? "DO WE GO TO WHITEMORE SATURDAY AND FINISH WHAT IS STARTED AND GIVE SOMEONE'S MOMMY SOMETHING TO REALLY BITCH ABOUT AND GET BANNED FROM SPEEDWAY FOR GOOD?”. My team and I take this as a threat. Your team sounds like their intensions are premeditated.
Does anybody else see an issue with this comment? Neither I nor my brother want to get injured or killed in a sport my family loves so much.

I don't need to get into the comments directed to my mother as for you know exactly what I'm referring to. Some gentlemen you are. I don’t need to say anymore about that. Your post is an embarrassment to the world of motorsports.

I would like to thank Whittemore speedway and its members in doing as much as they could do about the situation. Other drivers need to review some of the unnecessary comments made by this race team and consider who they race against. Being really pissed off is not a good enough reason to bash someone’s character and endanger lives.

Matt Szecsodi 27
Chaz Pray 46
And our race team

"As for you knowingly enticing someone who is already in a fit of rage to tell "RICK TO GET BACK INTO THE CAR AND PUT HIM TO THE WALL IF HE HAD THE BALLS ENOUGH TO STAY ON THE TRACK AND FINISH THE RACE". You admitted this in your own post. You are a gutless wonder and have no care for human life. Not only did you say this to him, but it was in the same corner a gentlemen just last his life a week prior to this. Why would you do this? NO WAY IN HELL WOULD I EVER WANT THAT TO HAPPEN TO ANYONE. Obviously we know where you stand. This shows how you represent your team. I know no one out there in there right mind wants to be or see someone get crashed on purpose. Just plan sick on your part!"


Matt you make an excellent point here. That is why I said if all parties show up this week, there needs to be a chat. With all that has happened on the MI racing scene lately, loss of Don, drivers taking out other cars AFTER the race ended, I dont think those type of comments can be ignored.

Also Matt, for what its worth I think you've handled this situation well. Having someone question you directly is one thing, but when it involves loved ones that can make things more upsetting.

"RICK TO GET BACK INTO THE CAR AND PUT HIM TO THE WALL IF HE HAD THE BALLS ENOUGH TO STAY ON THE TRACK AND FINISH THE RACE". No place in racing for this type of retributive talk/comments.

"DO WE GO TO WHITEMORE SATURDAY AND FINISH WHAT IS STARTED AND GIVE SOMEONE'S MOMMY SOMETHING TO REALLY BITCH ABOUT AND GET BANNED FROM SPEEDWAY FOR GOOD?”. My team and I take this as a threat. Your team sounds like their intensions are premeditated."

Doesn't sound good on the surface, and I am sure the lurkers who are the power people in this sport that Chris has warned all of many, many times, see this and have a lesser opionion of Michigan Short Track Racers, and short tracking in general. RE-read some of Chris's warnings and think about it.

"Not only did you say this to him, but it was in the same corner a gentlemen just last his life a week prior to this."

Ring a bell anyone?

" Neither I nor my brother want to get injured or killed in a sport my family loves so much."

Exactly the reason I have taken my doctors advice/orders and taken myself out of my car for the rest of the year, if something happened to me on the track and I hurt another driver, I don't even want to consider that at all. In no way. Let alone by doing something intentionally out of "racer rage".

Folks, it's been a bad year for drivers all around, in many different ways. Our sport is struggling. Our fan base is dwindling. Our costs are going up. Tracks are on the verge of seeing their last race.

Mayhaps all should be appreciative that they have the opportunity to race at all, and conduct themselves in such manner. Given that I am looking down the barrel of a shotgun that may potentially end my driving career, and has ended it for at least this season all the way back to July 7th, I view these situations differently, I'm sure, but I nonetheless just flat out do not like the direction this thread has taken, from the beginning of it, and wold implore all involved to preview their post before hitting the submit button.

Good post MaddMike, your points should be taken into consideration by all.

have a good day,

schinde

Considering all that has been said on this thread, doesn't everyone believe it is time to move on and let this thread die? It is obvious that this is a Whittemore issue and they have a mechanism to deal with it and have already dealt with it. Grow up and move on!

Can you put it on youtube? I'm curious to see what the real issue is here. I have a pretty good idea already, but videos tell no lies.

We probably should let this die out, but I know what it's like to be on a team accused of dirty driving, and I'd like to see vinidication for others that have been accused as well.

I believe the best outcome for everyone is to let this wither on the vine. The track and both teams can handle this like adults. Discussions with the #1 team sounds like they will not be back this week. If they choose to return we shall all have a nice calm pow wow before any cars hit the race track.


I love the MSTRC so do not take this the wrong way, but sometimes I wish message boards just did not exisit. They are great for informational purposes, they are great for keeping in touch with friends, they are great for promoting an upcoming event but what has happened here has served no good at all.

The number 1 team are a decent bunch of guys that are mad because of events and a call that are against them. Matt and Chaz are decent folks who did not ask for this to be stirred up. The Speedway has wonderful, wonderful people associated with it that work day and night without compensation just to keep another track open.

The number 1 team has lost in this scenario- Whittemore Speedway has recieved bad PR that was not necessary and the 27, 46 team has got drug around. NO good has come from this thread.

To the people that had no clue what the scenario was and chose to sit back and throw rocks- Try volunteering at something a couple years and then standing in a glass house. It takes every bit of restraint that an individual has to not call you out in public to just exactly what you are.

For the sake of what is good leave these teams alone and let this wither on the vine.

Thank you to Mad Mike, Gavin, Roger , Bob and others who tried to keep this reigned in to a productive discussion. Thank you also to the people that PM'd trying to be voices of reason. That is the very positive side of MSTRC is the good and decent who try and lift up the sport by their presence every day.

The speedway will continue to do its best and Im sure these race teams will drive to the best of thier abilities. Nobody enjoyed any of this scenario since it first happened. It is truly negative if allowed to continue here. Thank you Jeff Parish WRC President 2007

"The number 1 team has lost in this scenario- Whittemore Speedway has recieved bad PR that was not necessary and the 27, 46 team has got drug around. NO good has come from this thread."

I disagree to an extent here. The Speedway feels that it is bad PR because this situation is so difficult for them and they are personally involved. Same goes for the drivers who feel "drug around". Personal involvement in these situations makes it feel a lot more serious than it often is.

However, for the general public (membership), this is not that big of a deal and I don't really see it making anyone at all look bad. Actually kinda makes me want to go check out the racing at Whittemore since I've never been there. I read this thread just as a "story" of sorts, and it looks to me that if one can put the personal issues aside and skim through the gripes, there are a few ideas and things to learn from. So from that perspective, perhaps there has been some "good" in all of this.

These circumsatances can create opportunity for many involved.

Mike

Jeff,

Trust me when I say this, there is not one track out there that this hasn't happened to. I've learned (mostly from making my own mistakes in handling it) that how you handle it, and respond to it, is how the public will see it. Anybody that knows anything about local short track racing knows that someone, somewhere, is going to be unhappy with a call, decision, or whatever from one time to another. Just because someone chose the wrong way to go about handling a situation, doesn't make your track look bad. I personally thought you did an outstanding job here. It may have wasted valuable time that you could have used doing more productive things, but if nothing else, it has produced more interest in your track, just like Madd Mike said.

Don't sweat this Jeff, the good far out weighs the bad here at the MSTRC. You have a lot of people here that know you, and know exactly what you have done for Whittimore. Don't feel bad, be very, very proud of what you have accomplished, And proud of the man you are to stand up and tell it like it is.

Can't wait for the invitational, my first weekend off and being a RACE FAN!!!!

Madd Mike said:
"Actually kinda makes me want to go check out the racing at Whittemore since I've never been there."


Mike I would love to see it! Whittemore is a great place, with great people. I have never seen you run but heard/read alot about you. It would be great to see you there.

Unfortunately, it would be as a spectator (this year). My car is still on the back burner since we bought a house, but there's room in the garage now and I'm confident that I'll be running a few races next year. Can't wait, not racing is killing me!

Mike

i did make a few post on this subject but it has no way reflected my opinion of whittemore speedway or it's officals. i have always liked the track and the people there and will return there and not just as a spectator, lol. my family has alot of history at that track and i would like to remember it as a track that i also raced at. which will happen soon enough, lol.