Well, I'm typing this from Albuquerque NM. I haven't been around because I was on vacation and having a good time, was.
I'm going to point out a number of things, and do my best to remain calm while doing so.
I am a Whiteline dealer, I've filled out the paperwork (twice in fact, and the second time they still had me in the system from years ago, before Vorshlag was even around). I have not bought anything direct because I have other vendors that serve me better, even though I make less money. I, in fact, have Whiteline parts on my FR-S, which is in the parking lot of this hotel right now. And if anyone wants to doubt that, well order up the Watts link or anything else from me and see if you don't get it.
My sway bars aren't unicorn blood, but they are well thought out, and geared toward what I prefer to do with the cars. And I've been making them for quite a while now and since before Whiteline was making theirs, or Vorshlag even had a Mustang. In fact I had won something like 4 or 6 National Championships in S197's before they had an S197. When they bought their red car, I even offered help and a discount to them (in exchange for the discount given to me on camber plates) on my sway bars. I went to them first being fellow auto crossers, I'd have hoped they have done the same, but it's clear that I am the mortal enemy. Guess it makes sense, if you are trying to take someone down, you don't want anyone to think you might have help to do it. I guess, after what I've seen today I'm not sure any logic is really applicable.
Dave and Mark have been very kind to Terry considering the attitude displayed. I can't believe that he would even have the opportunity to run SCCA events in the future after the things he's said about them. I'm not surprised by what he said about me, sadly. Even the lies.
I've been running SCCA since 1994, I've done a lot since then to better myself and help serve the sport. From teaching others to drive, to doing course designs, to speaking at Divisional Conventions to serving as a volunteer and sometimes taking flak, though NEVER like the stuff here, on both the SAC and SPAC. In fact I was the one that got SFC's made legal in SP. I was the one Pony-car driver that beat the Evo's when they were in ESP... I in fact won ESP three times in 2002, 2004, and 2006, 3 of 4 years I ran there (the other time I was 3rd in 1999). It would seem it's easier to complain than work to help. I think the fact Terry has written hundreds of letters is pretty telling that he just is never happy. I've written a total of maybe 20 since 1994. And while I'm not perfect and do get upset I've NEVER seen anything like this.
It would appear that someone inside the SEB or SPAC is hand feeding information to these guys since they seem to know (or think they know) what is going on. Which makes me think there is some politics afoot to say the least.
I did not run ESP this or last year. I did not protest. I did not submit a letter to the SEB or SPAC about the Whiteline Watts link (which I do in fact sell if someone were to want it). I did answer some questions with my opinion to some folks at Nationals as well as on another thread here that I think MarkA linked. It would seem I'm a master manipulator. I run the black helicopters, I have 100 billion dollars because I can get anyone to do what I want them too. That's why I live in a house that cost me $45k and is 1000 Square Feet and have a shop that only has heated offices. It's all a cover!
Terry and Jason can have no respect for me. I don't need it, I don't want it. But I think it's odd they'd have no respect for someone with my record who is friends with all the Texas guys (in fact I actually stopped in Houston yesterday to have lunch with an old FS friend and customer... who most recently went to Vorshlag for his last purchase because they were friends, and I didn't think twice about calling the guy because I know why he did what he did). But you know, if you can't respect the guy who beat the current and reigning National Champion since 2007. Or the guy who build one of the 3 cars that beat you at Nationals, or the 2009 Solo Driver of the year for SCCA, or the 2012 SCCA Driver of Eminence, or the 2009 ProSolo Overall Champion.... who would you have respect for? I have earned everything I have in this sport, I can't do much more, and when I was given the Eminence award I cried because I had no idea and when I realized it was me being talked about in the intro, I was afraid that I'd get tepid applause. I wasn't expecting the standing ovation from the 1000 people there. I dunno, what can I do?
This thread was allowed to get way out of control, and I find the call for "civility" an utter joke... and the only one who's been uncivil was Terry, at least as far as I can tell.
I run a business, and a lot of that is based on my SCCA results. I always think the proof is in the pudding. Not everyone can back up their claims, and they seek to cover that up that little tidbit by attacking the person, not their message. Sound like D.C.? Yep, I thought so. Here's the thing, I've never called for rules changes to suit my own business needs. I've always worked within the rules and not every on a fringe because if I got caught cheating it'd taint anything I'd ever done. So to complain that SCCA is being unfair to Vorshlag and Whiteline, well that's nuts.
If I find out Whiteline is complaining about SCCA being unfair when they and Vorshlag opted to do this type of link, I will be taking the Whiteline parts I have on my car off just as soon as I get back to PA. I will not however stop offering the items because that would make it seem like the accusations that I cannot sell the items are correct. Ironically I sold a few Whiteline sway bars for other cars in the last month. Is it fair to me to bury me because I sell other options too? I guess to some all's fair in love in war. :dunno:
As for a few of the comments from SkyRender about SCCA and all that. Well, let's be honest Vince. Whiteline has been more than a little nice to both you and Terry, the two champions of the items, no? As for you not wanting to run SCCA. Ok, but maybe you prefer being the bigger fish in the smaller pond? I mean when I met you in person (after having talked to you for hours by phone even though you were pretty clearly going to do what you wanted despite my solicited opinion when you bought the Koni's and springs), I was I think pretty damned nice. Took you for rides in my Corvette, tried to explain some things about driving, etc. I also beat you by 5 seconds in a 173 hp Pontiac Solstice on street tires (Z1 Star specs) on a course I had to go to 3rd twice on. And it was 10 seconds between you and me when I ran the Corvette. Could it be that you are running for fun more than competition? I know that might hurt, but I'm sorry, I have to call them like I see them and it does infuriate me that you refer to your autocross results to prove your claims when in reality the speed isn't close to there. I'm not calling any names, I know that might hurt but it's the truth. If in fact you can back up the claims, then great!
As for LCA brackets and arms... it's clear that these cars do not require them to win. You might want them, I get it. But everyone wants something and well there have to be rules. And in a time where people like to complain about the cost of things, I find it funny you want to add more cost by allowing more things to test. If the SEB allows alternate diff covers, ok. I see no need, but then again I also sell Watts links that work without changing them, along with one that requires it. I don't care either way, and if you want the $899 one that is less adjustable over the $650 that is more so I'm not going to stop you from buying it unless you want my honest opinion.
If in fact Terry your letters were edited, I don't know how you could show you face. What's worse, I don't know how those that edited them can be ok with what you posted. Imagine what things must have been taken out given what was posted.
Bottom line. If you don't like something, work to change is, don't burn the earth. If you don't like me, be honest with yourself as to why. I've never done anything to you like you've done to me. In fact the only two dealings I've had with you were the camber plates you told me rocked and I stepped up to try (and disliked but never ranted about on a public forum), and the AST debacle for the Shelby and later my 5.0. Which I spend a lot of money on, had rebuild and or fixed 3 times, and never even ran at Nationals due to not having them or failures...including putting my Koni's back on in paddock in 2010 after blowing up the right rear shock. Even at that I never go online and ranted about it, but I ain't gonna lie when people ask me. And I think that Casey Weiss has been loyal to a fault trying to get his working. And yes I've told him he's nuts and all the reasons I think that... and I know that my telling him that has gotten back to you guys. And you what, I stand by it, because you and I both know I ran AST's and Koni's. You know I commissioned you (before you split from AST) to built them. You know I sent you stock struts to measure and got ones that were so tall I couldn't shut the hood to test them to find out the valving was a mess. You know that a number then unscrewed their caps. And you know that that rear blew up AT NATIONALS, and you know I'm serious about winning. You can claim I'm a dirtbag or whatever you want, but the facts are I tried working with you, I even tried to help you. And this is the thanks I get.
It's very sad.
I'm going to bed now because I'm going to try and enjoy the rest of the precious time off I have.. time I use to get away from this kind of madness (though usually about 93% less than this).
I sincerely hope that those reading consider how you'd feel in the shoes of myself, MarkA, Dave, or any person who tries to help and do their best to help the sport.
As for the others who only want to complain, or make claims that aren't supportable, or say now terrible the SCCA is for having rules that keep folks from having the rug pulled out from under them *IF THEY CARE TO FOLLOW THE RULEBOOK* in the first place well there isn't much I can say. You probably also complain about getting arrested by the man for drinking and driving because he's not letting you do whatever you damn well please.
And one more thing. The Fays2 isn't a chassis brace. It bolts to the exact same spots as the stock Ford PHB and braces do on each side. How can a part that replaces those (legal to do) and bolts on the same spots be considered a brace anymore than the stock piece (and the stock upper part is actually called a PHB BRACE). The spin is amazing, and pretty weak to be honest.