I skimmed this through lunch. They're listing the race cars as assets owned by the non-profit. I'm guessing the Morgan is the same blue one that his dad has plastered all over LinkedIn and such. I'm no expert on accounting, but something strikes me as odd about this part of the arrangement. Well, the whole thing is odd, but I wonder what the advantages would be of (presumably) transferring ownership of some old cars to the non-profit?
I've come to the conclusion that I'll never be successful in this life, for the simple fact that I lack the two characteristics common to all high-achieving men:
1 - I don't have a hard-charging, alpha-male, son-of-a-bitch father whom I hate, but still desperately want to impress.
2 - I'm not sneaky enough to do Rich Guy 101 shit like put all my worldy possessions into trusts, or lease Ferraris as "company cars" for tax purposes.
A man becoming Great, or at least Successful, because he thinks he can buy his father's love with accomplishment is so common throughout history that it MUST be mandatory for winning on some level. And using legal curlicues to pretend you don't really own the big-ticket items you obviously do is again, so commonplace that doing it HAS to be a bedrock principle to some degree.
To build wealth you just have to consistently save and invest. Living below your means is where the vast majority of people fail.
I hate giving the government money as much as anyone, so I don’t begrudge that mentality. But you won’t catch me setting up some bullshit charity. False pretenses there.
Invest may be true, but not so sure about this saving thing. Been living below my means since graduating college last decade and I certainly would've come out ahead YOLOing my money into the Porsches and houses I wanted but couldn't afford. Maybe that counts as "investing" but it just seems reckless. Jokes on me though...
I had a girlfriend in the late 90's that I never really broke up with. Wanted to, but was concerned about having a potential suicide on my conscience. Ended up moving across town (she didn't have a car) and changing to a new job at work where I was traveling a great deal. Nine months later she was seriously dating (and eventually married) an Intel engineer who had never had a girlfriend before. Guess it all worked out.
at least they didn't make him travel a long distance and spend his own money to fire him. Not classy of them in the least, and not a surprise really (on how classy they really are) but he is probably better for it in the end.
However, when you have all the money you need, what's left besides people demonstrating proper RESPECT of your class, enlightenment, and ability to wear vests over t-shirts? And if you don't get your propers, woe be unto you! You gotta have something to fight about.
I'd imagine some of your latest work here and this in particular has encouraged a former employer to procure your discretion, but I hope not for our collective future entertainment!
And speaking of Mr. Webster, I read his 'Never Stop Driving' drivel from time to time as reminder to stop going to Hagerty - definitely working. Absolutely AWFUL! His latest entry #29 is a new low. It would be less embarrassing for him to wear a French maid outfit and blow the CEO, at least that would be behind closed doors vs. on display for all.
I didn't realize how far Larry had sold out. I guess when job opportunities start drying up, that's what happens. "First they came for Jack, and I said nothing. Then they came for me ..."
Ah, one of the articles that led me into Baruth-world. Checked out Casey’s website and everything. I think I may have even commented on the BaT auction after I learned what was going on. Amazing what some people will do to try and create a persona - and some people buy it 100%.
The beauty of Casey’s story, if you want to call it that, is that he’s probably not done yet. There will likely be more story fodder for years to come.
I don't think he ever ran one. Speedhive has one result but I believe it's a car for which he now owns the transponder -- that's why Speedhive thinks I was running POC races 15 years ago, 2000 miles from where I was living and racing.
Sounds about right, and I didn't need additional competition battling for 5th place IT plaques.
Still need to rectify only getting within 20' of you that one time at Mid-O circa '07-'08 when you were running a PCA event while I was instructing a teen school.
Sir, I've seriously lapsed after discovering how to get paid to play with cars whilst standing in the nation's finer parking lots, and the simpler joys of just being a fan at the track with my wife while snapping mediocre photos.
P.S. Maybe some of your scrap from the loft can be used to help the stair and stand plank situation at your neighbors...
I'm dealing with something like this right now, only my anonymous annoyance is being paid by someone else to give me crap. It's weird that people are actually being PAID to be trolls nowadays in certain industries. It's weirder still that these folks have a voice because of bad programming.
Tangentially related - I really enjoyed your Avoidable Contact #135 on the Maverick. I’ve got an XL / AWD turbo / tow pkg on order. It should be able to do some truck things, take my kids places (can’t do in my NC Miata), and not be so expensive that I have to sell said NC. It’s frustrating that I haven’t been able to even sit in one / check that the car seats fit, much less test drive. But that’s how it goes these days.
Have been shopping Chargers casually lately, mostly because I don't want to take delivery until after the salt is off the roads. I've heard more than one sales person (they/them/it?) refuse to let people test drive a base V6 Charger because they are special cars and don't want the miles on them. Strange times we live in.
Good luck with the Maverick...sounds like a sweet little setup.
Guessing it is because cheap assholes a lot like me are the prime demographic for the V6 Charger and there isn't any way I would buy a new one with a bunch of test drive miles on it. Not without a healthy discount, anyhow.
In 2015 bought a 1 year old service loaner with 24K miles, with new rear tires and front brakes, for $22K. It had a buffed out dent on one of the fenders visible under close inspection. 110K later none of the red flags checked out, but the rear rocker corners rust through like all American cars.
I'm not sure if my inner cheapskate is a good thing or a bad thing. I'm the kind of guy who would go in to look at a Hemi Hellcat and come out with a stripper 6 cylinder. Even when I build a car on a website, I am looking for the minimum viable product, just the things it takes to get what I want and not a cent more.
But getting an awesome deal and not taking an ass pounding in the process feels just about as good to me as getting the Hellcat would. And, truth be told, I'd never get the goodie out of all that engine anyhow...
You're a better man than I am. I didn't even go into the dodge dealer when I was looking for a car. I want a 6.4L challenger bad and I don't trust myself enough to not leave with it. It was in that sweet spot where I could get financed on it but I couldn't afford it.
Just understanding that makes you a pretty damn good man. I do that a lot, avoid temptation by not even going where temptation is. One hard and fast decision eliminates the need for a hundred others on the slippery slope.
My 2012 AWD Hemi Charger is still my favorite vehicle. Had to sell it because of a job change. Wish I still had it. I’d really like to get a scat pack, but my truck is almost paid off and I want to go without a car payment for awhile. That being said, they are about to stop making them.
My Uncle ordered his XLT Hybrid early July 2021 and it arrived end of July this year. I have driven it a few times and it is a really great experience understanding some of it's limitations particularly with backseat space. I would think the XL's are getting built quicker with less chips for the fancier electronics plus opting for the ecoboost vs. the hybrid. Supporting that (maybe?), a coworker ordered a Lariat AWD Ecoboost in November of 2021 and just gave up last week and leased a "cheap" Frontier ProX. His 22' order was bumped to a 23' and still didn't have a build date after a year of waiting.
Supposedly Toyota is planning something similar. I’m a Ford guy, and would love to get a Maverick, but Ford really s**t the bed with this and the Bronco. Oh, and the Mustang
Agreed. As someone who's currently shopping a Ford Explorer against the Toyota Highland (and the 4Runner as a wildcard), the Toyota is built better, but boring in every other sense.
I have been a Ford guy for most of my life right up until my last Ford Escape. When I had to replace the Ecoboost engine with 34,000 miles on it, I got rid of it as quickly as I could. It’s a shame because they put out some nice looking vehicles with good features, but I just don’t trust them anymore.
That is precisely why my wife and I both drive vehicles with naturally aspirated V6s now (Pilot and Ridgeline). I want to avoid turbo fours as long as possible. I’m afraid my only choices will be an EV or a turbo four the next time I am vehicle shopping. Not much in the market gets me excited anymore, except for the Challenger, Charger, and 5.0 Mustang. Although I am not impressed with Ford’s latest effort.
I don’t trust a vehicle with over the air updates. I can envision a future where an “update” decides I’ve been taking too many unnecessary trips and parks me against my will.
This was one of the reasons I chose a (used) Highlander. NA V-6 was available and while unglamorous it is certainly a known quantity and under-stressed when compared to ze 2.0L turbro 4s.
I'm quite happy with the 1.4T in my 2019 Jetta for what it is worth. Reasonably quick, I can get up to 50mpg depending on the route, and reasonably pleasant to drive as long as you keep it out of the higher revs in 1st/2nd. Jury is out on how it will hold up, but I've owned cars with much worse engines over the years.
Mavericks are still backed up that far? I've been trying to get my grandparents into one (they have a hard time getting in and out of their F150), but have had a hell of a time finding something on the lot for them to even sit in.
Maybe try and check used car lots for a test drive. I've seen quite a few around me (Detroit area) listed for 10-15k over sticker but at least gets you a chance to test it out and place an order. I just remembered another friend ordered a hybrid lariat in September from one of the biggest Ford dealers and they told him to expect at least 12 months for delivery also.
You will love it. I’ve had my XLT ecoboost AWD since April and have been loving it. One of the main reasons to get the XLT over the XL was the unavailability of cruise control on the XL. That has been fixed for 2023 so of you like the more plain interior and the steel wheels the XL is a great choice. Rear facing car seats will be pretty tight but forward facing works great. Let me know if you have any other questions.
I'll be doing the 20k service on my XLT FWD EB Maverick this weekend, just two weeks shy of it's six month anniversary.
Overall, its a great cheap car. Drives just like a Focus, which makes sense as it essentially IS a Focus.
There a a few things I've noticed. One is that some seat covers are in order for high mileage use. The seats are very comfortable and heated (on mine anyway) but the surface material doesn't seem all that durable.
Another is that any rumors that the radio sucks are true! I have a $220 box of speakers from Crutchfield sitting in my shop that I think will fix that.
Gas is nearly free again so I haven't paid much attention to economy, but it's in the mid to high 20s at an average speed over 70mph.
As long as you don't try and tow anything heavy, I suspect you'll like it.
Dang. Never knew they were Focus based. I guess it shows my level of interest in the truck world. Saddens me a lot, as I liked the Focus a lot in its various guises, and would easily pick one over anything that looked like a truck. No offence intended.
To late for those already in queue since the 2023 bookings closed after only a few days in September, but the only answer for the Maverick is the Hybrid. If you need AWD and the Tow Pkg, bump up to the cheapest Ranger-class you can find.
Given that only 35% of Mavericks will be Hybrids in 2023, Ford doesn't really want to sell them unfortunately - which will only make them that much more desirable down the road. I really want the bigger battery AWD Hybrid with a Tremor Pkg, but Ford is helping me save some $$$ by not offering it so FWD Hybrid it is.
My parents have one. Having driven it a number of times, I can tell you that it's like somebody took a station wagon and turned it into a crew cab pickup. It drives like a car, but you have to floor it to get any acceleration out of it. It's extremely practical, a truck for people for whom even the most basic F-150 is too much.
Except, the best iRacers all have racing history. Was it over at Riverside Green where I read that the Gran Turismo winners were all kart racers? I don't clearly remember now, but it seems that sort of thing helps. It's also probably why I'm so inconsistent in video games. I can beat the computer, but boy is it ugly!
I just got my 12-year-old son a used Xbox 360 that came with the racing game 'Need for Speed: Shift.' Pretty similar to the old Gran Turismo game but not quite as detailed/complex. He's caught on really quickly and has easily been winning all of his races. I convinced him to go cheap by buying a Cobalt SS and using all his earnings to upgrade the car. Give him a few years and I bet he'd surpass Casey in real life...
GT7 rocks. The online platform is excellent with a superb physics model, and the format rewards clean racing by penalizing chrome horn tactics. You still get the occasional shithead throwing out the anchors way too late and taking out other competitors under braking, but those guys never finish at or near the front. It’s a lot of fun and great competition
Jesus! I'm sorry I even searched his name and clicked on his web page. I spit my coffee all over my desk at work when I read "modern day renaissance man".. What a f-ing deutsche bag. I love reading about self important morons. I have always known I'm a nobody and nothing will change that, and I'm ok with that, so it is amusing to witness the opposite of my personal philosophy and perceived self worth. Would I love to be more involved, scratch that, involved at all in the racing community? Absolutely. Do I think it will ever happen before I retire and it won't matter anymore? Nope. I can still enjoy life though.
So he's what he is based on his Dad's presence in the world, and the best he can do is be a low tier vlogger and fake a whole bunch of 'success' (that its in racing, which you and I care EXTRA about, is a separate matter).
How is this worthy of more contempt/amusement than Matt Farah and the like again?
That's a matter for the readers to decide. I'm not impartial on the subject of Matt because prior to his marriage he was a racing teammate and colleague who showed tremendous kindness to my wife and son. If he needed help right now he could call me and I'd answer, no reservations.
I know a lot of people think he's a fat liberal cuck who lets his wife tell him what to do and mouths progressive platitudes while sitting on a nine figure trust fund -- but there are also people who think I killed someone because I wanted to fuck that person's wife. They think that because Brad Brownell said it on Twitter.
Yeah my take is more along the lines of this is what the world rewards today, fine, but for people who have such a good starting point in their lives to aspire to only so much, judging purely as a man's achievement, and based on what experiences they've sought out, I don't like either equally.
Say you're a Brownell, and you get sent to fancy reviews, did you make any effort to become the best at it, or did you just self indulge in the freebies and gloat on instawhore, that sort of thing.
The politics I tend to stay away from, since that is the politically correct take for a non immigrant in the US.
I have been thinking about writing something on the subject of "origin stories" for a while now, and you've probably pushed me over the edge.
Brownell... I'm not sure there's anything he's good at, but he has an uncanny knack for getting people to carry his water. I think it's because he is so fat and sad and worthless people can't help but feel sorry for him. Right now, he owes everything in his life to two people: Art Cervantes, who convinced Hagerty to pay huge money for a sad-ass car show that was running on PPP funds and attracting fewer entrants with every new season, and Myron Vernis, who got him a job for which he wasn't close to being qualified and advises him on all facets of his existence.
He once Tweeted that if he was ever in the same room with me "he'd leave in handcuffs". Either he thinks being a terrible writer should be an arrestable offense, or he really thinks he can beat me up, which is really funny. He's too fat to beat his own dick.
If you want to see a 959, figure out a way to attend a charity event at Ken Lingenfelter's collection (there are about 200 events a year there). Ken is mostly a Corvette and Ferrari guy so his collections of other brands are not as extensive but they are the distilled essence of those brands, so along with the 959, there's a Carrera GT and an air-cooled whale tale turbo 930.
There is something within me that is very interested in what people have made of themselves or how they've evolved over time. Probably the main reason why I'm a subscriber here. The Farahs, the Putschs and the rest are anomalies to the way I expect the world to work. Its me being unable to wrap my head around how far plain old narcissism and pretenses can get you in today's society, while one's SELF being worthless underneath.
I find that hard to believe. If someone told me that you had offed someone because they tried to kill you on your motorcycle or because they threatened your son's livelihood or well being, sure, that sounds like you, but over someone's wife?
It's literally the slander from Idiot Wind, which is the funniest part.
It makes sense to Brad because he is struggling to hold on to a 300 pound porker with so much fat on her face she looks Chinese. Therefore the idea of killing over a woman who has already fucked some other dude seems logical to him. How else could you get laid?
How else could one get laid? I don't know what the going rate is in Cleveland, but around Detroit it's $100-$200 for an hour of full service, or so I've been told.
Yeah.. This kinda hits home, I used to be a huge fan of Farah’s and the Smoking Tire.
But then he got Trump Derangement Syndrome and started lecturing his listeners on the correct politics to have, and I remember thinking, “Bro, the car world has a broad range of opinions, views, values and ideas, can we please just have some respect for one another and just focus on the cars?”
Sadly no.
I never resented him for his family’s wealth though. It seemed like he built his own empire with his own effort and risk. I have seen the whole gamut of intergenerational wealth sharing, you can be of money, and still be on your own and have to blaze your own trail, to the same but having some advantages, all the way to be being a trust fund baby. So the FaRaH Is A RicH fAt JeW narrative never really held water with me.
Matt has put a tremendous amount of effort into becoming a YouTube star. Other than buying him a few cars, I don't think his father had anything to do with it.
That being said, Matt had the luxury of being able to sit in a succession of multi-million-dollar homes and work exclusively on clout chasing, something that the average 28-year-old on the street can't do.
If I didn't have to work a day job AND freelance, I could put out four full-length novels a year like L Ron Hubbard.
Yeah pretty much everything he said in that is a fuckin' lie.
Which is entirely in character for him. He even has to lie about the One Lap thing -- it was the 190E year that he wanted to come along, not the diesel year, because he knew the shop owner who restored my 190E. The diesel shop was in Michigan and nobody involved had anything to do with him.
You know, going back and reading that original article? I'm kinda surprised that Ace, or anyone else, would want it removed. Yeah, it's a bit of 'shaming' in the beginning, but the ending of it?
That made me stop and think.
The guy loves the sport, loves everything about the sport. Yeah, he can't (or won't) compete in it, but he still promotes the hell out of it and cheers it on. There is something to be said about that. Yes, all of the real racers know he's a bit of a fraud, but how many fans has be brought to the sport?
The question is, is he doing more harm? Or more good?
People like him can be hard to deal with when you feel like they're stealing your thunder - I know all about that one. But if they're not stealing people's money with fraud schemes and the like, maybe it's just better to cheer them on and enjoy the show?
Honestly, you really got me thinking with that one.
He was trying MIGHTILY to get some of that Hagerty cash.
One thing that always troubled me about working there had nothing to do with the company itself, but rather the public perception that Hagerty was made up of dipshits who would drop astounding sums of money on nothing and no one. It was actively embarrassing. People would walk up out of nowhere say to me, "Holy shit, those idiots will pay millions for a parking lot car show." That perception attracted people like flies: Art Cervantes, Randy Pobst, a hundred grifting-ass wannabe female road racers... and Casey Putsch, who pitched Hagerty for Genius Garage funding at least twice during my time there. Everyday Driver tried to sell out to Hagerty so hard I'm surprised they didn't prolapse their rectums in the process.
I was always of the opinion that we had the talent and the time to build our own media and event properties in-house, rather than taking a shortcut. How right or wrong I was is not for me to say.
Harm. He is doing harm. Jack (and others) may disagree, but the car hobby could use a lot more gatekeeping. Maybe there doesn't need to be as much as there used to be, but the car hobby is rife with carpetbaggers.
Radwood took a segment of "unloved" cars and popularized them for the sake of irony. Now you have every 20-something with a college education trying to buy a personality via a 964 and some thrifted clothes.
There's been enough ink spilled about Porsches in general between the "loofa cult" and Magnus Walker, so I won't even go there.
"Respect all builds" turned every local car meet into your shopping mall parking lot. I see way more shitty "builds" (Fusions with plastidip and no muffler) today than I did at peak rice in 2006. Only back then, we could drag those people on the forums without a dozen of other people crying about it.
The only positive thing I see is that it is easier than ever to get a car on track. That should be promoted further, but not so much that they let every idiot with $100 run their car on the track (and into a tire barrier). Based upon my limited experience with motorsports as a participant, most of these groups self-police and are very strict about safety.
Radwood looked like a lot of fun until it went commercial. I was planning on taking my truck and maybe my CB1000 to one if they ever did one close to me, but then I started seeing the Jalopnik coverage of the cars and what people were all excited about and I realized it wasn't for me.
It's basically an 80s/90s cosplay by people who were either too small to remember those days or not even born yet. They don't need me, a basic country hick, wearing a flannel shirt I actually bought in 1993 (and have on right now) and my old Nissan. It wouldn't be "period enough" for anyone to appreciate.
Now that Haggerty owns it, Radwood is on its way to becoming one of those shows that encourage regular people to attend - as spectators. Just another silly, fun thing killed because someone thought they could make a buck.
That's why I don't have much patience for "art cars". I can appreciate a weird and wonderful concept like a car covered with ceramic cows but most art cars seem to be made by people who don't really like cars.
Late to the party here with my comment, but I think you're exactly right. I went to the event nearest to me earlier this year, I don't think I'll need to go next year. I was treated like a spectator that accidentally paid a show car admission. They put my car at the back of a dusty gravel lot, across the street and wholly disconnected from the rest of the event.
I was negative 3 years old when the car I brought was built, but I've been driving something similar since I could first legally drive 15+ years ago and the cars were cheap beaters (the models are the same, but I'm into much better examples these days). At the show, I wasn't in with the elite guys that got their cars parked inside or even just where anyone could see them, nor did I fit in with the young kids going all in on a culture/time period in which they never participated.
There are other events out there that do a better job of what Radwood states is their purpose.
I'm really sorry to hear that you had such a crappy experience at Radwood. They should be ashamed to do that to people. If they can't have all the cars reasonably together, they should have limited the number of entries. It just shows that they are more interested in money than they are the community.
Half and half. The more expensive the car the more rules. Jack hates it but the PCA does a decent job of making sure the car doesn't spew oil or set itself on fire on the track. Both not true for some private track groups.
Side question, are 944s generally prone to puking oil on the track? I've been to two separate events in two different states where crews had to shut down the track for an hour or so to clean up oil from 944s. It is a sample size of two, but the article made me wonder if there might be a pattern here.
Casey thought the car would make him famous as a vintage racer. It certainly made him famous in the Ohio Valley Region; today I had a conversation with someone who hasn't run a Solo even since 2008 but remembers Casey Oil Day like it was yesterday.
YES SIR! NO EXCUSE SIR! Actually it's kind of interesting that my own experiences seeing 944s fail set me up to absent-mindedly draw a conclusion that wasn't correct.
That being said, the Porsche 944 is many things, but a great race car is not one of them.
A good 944, particularly a turbo or S2, will make you feel like a million bucks on the road. As race cars, they have a nightmare list of potential issues. The 944 Cup cars are nothing but trouble and they're a great way to spend American Iron money on Showroom Spec Miata pace.
My first foray into internet racing stories was back when I was a teenager reading (damn nearing rubbing one out to) Pulp Racing. Doug’s sidekick Wayne drove a 944 Turbo and I remember thinking “wow that car is cool but it’s always broken.”
As with so many things, often your first one experience is your best. Loved that site.
My college buddies dad liked buying interesting reasonably priced cars. One of them was a 944 turbo. I randomly spotted it on the side of interstate 94 one day driving home for the holidays with my family. We towed it to a random shop in Indiana and took him home with us. This which was not his destination. But fortuitous since he was also from my hometown.
The car puked a timing chain and made valve to piston contact if I recall correctly.
I did! Fastest car on track by something like 5 seconds and a full 31 seconds a lap ahead of fan favorite Stef Schrader in her 944. I was lapping her every 4 or so.
I'd have to check all the records, but I don't think my LeMons team has ever had a 944 finish ahead of us. They are always off the track fixing something or another. Their fast lap times are usually better, but the reliability isn't there. We run an '85 Celica GT-S with a stock 22RE. A true tortoise that always finishes.
I skimmed this through lunch. They're listing the race cars as assets owned by the non-profit. I'm guessing the Morgan is the same blue one that his dad has plastered all over LinkedIn and such. I'm no expert on accounting, but something strikes me as odd about this part of the arrangement. Well, the whole thing is odd, but I wonder what the advantages would be of (presumably) transferring ownership of some old cars to the non-profit?
Other expense and other assets seem to be the biggest line items on the P&L and B/S.
I've come to the conclusion that I'll never be successful in this life, for the simple fact that I lack the two characteristics common to all high-achieving men:
1 - I don't have a hard-charging, alpha-male, son-of-a-bitch father whom I hate, but still desperately want to impress.
2 - I'm not sneaky enough to do Rich Guy 101 shit like put all my worldy possessions into trusts, or lease Ferraris as "company cars" for tax purposes.
None of that is required.
Oh, really? I think it is.
A man becoming Great, or at least Successful, because he thinks he can buy his father's love with accomplishment is so common throughout history that it MUST be mandatory for winning on some level. And using legal curlicues to pretend you don't really own the big-ticket items you obviously do is again, so commonplace that doing it HAS to be a bedrock principle to some degree.
To build wealth you just have to consistently save and invest. Living below your means is where the vast majority of people fail.
I hate giving the government money as much as anyone, so I don’t begrudge that mentality. But you won’t catch me setting up some bullshit charity. False pretenses there.
Invest may be true, but not so sure about this saving thing. Been living below my means since graduating college last decade and I certainly would've come out ahead YOLOing my money into the Porsches and houses I wanted but couldn't afford. Maybe that counts as "investing" but it just seems reckless. Jokes on me though...
Holy shit this fuckin' mook mentions a PODIUM AT ROAD AMERICA in the filing!
I believe they finished 3rd of 3 cars.
I had a girlfriend in the late 90's that I never really broke up with. Wanted to, but was concerned about having a potential suicide on my conscience. Ended up moving across town (she didn't have a car) and changing to a new job at work where I was traveling a great deal. Nine months later she was seriously dating (and eventually married) an Intel engineer who had never had a girlfriend before. Guess it all worked out.
BTTF II also said we'd have flying cars by now.
Oh, but we do! It's all the batteries that are weighing them down.
at least they didn't make him travel a long distance and spend his own money to fire him. Not classy of them in the least, and not a surprise really (on how classy they really are) but he is probably better for it in the end.
The irony was that I was literally in the middle of picking up a motorcycle for a Hagerty reader, as a favor.
scumbags. Egos ruin companies, and I suspect that is part of the reason why they are experiencing so much loss over there.
However, when you have all the money you need, what's left besides people demonstrating proper RESPECT of your class, enlightenment, and ability to wear vests over t-shirts? And if you don't get your propers, woe be unto you! You gotta have something to fight about.
Was it an HR hack who did it, or did a superior actually grow a pair and do it himself?
Webster, reading from a script, while the HR hack nodded.
I'd imagine some of your latest work here and this in particular has encouraged a former employer to procure your discretion, but I hope not for our collective future entertainment!
And speaking of Mr. Webster, I read his 'Never Stop Driving' drivel from time to time as reminder to stop going to Hagerty - definitely working. Absolutely AWFUL! His latest entry #29 is a new low. It would be less embarrassing for him to wear a French maid outfit and blow the CEO, at least that would be behind closed doors vs. on display for all.
I didn't realize how far Larry had sold out. I guess when job opportunities start drying up, that's what happens. "First they came for Jack, and I said nothing. Then they came for me ..."
Prediction: they're gonna come for him, and sooner than he really thinks.
I got fired over Teams, the idiot cousin of Zoom. So yes it could be worse.
This one actually hurt. Sorry I laughed and Sorry man for that outcome
It was for the best
Having experienced the humiliation of having to come in for an "exit interview" I think I would have rather it been handled by email.
Ah, one of the articles that led me into Baruth-world. Checked out Casey’s website and everything. I think I may have even commented on the BaT auction after I learned what was going on. Amazing what some people will do to try and create a persona - and some people buy it 100%.
The beauty of Casey’s story, if you want to call it that, is that he’s probably not done yet. There will likely be more story fodder for years to come.
What a tool.
Nice to see Casey getting some of the fame that he craves.
I feel slightly disappointed that my stints with SCCA and NASA didn't overlap his.
I don't think he ever ran one. Speedhive has one result but I believe it's a car for which he now owns the transponder -- that's why Speedhive thinks I was running POC races 15 years ago, 2000 miles from where I was living and racing.
Sounds about right, and I didn't need additional competition battling for 5th place IT plaques.
Still need to rectify only getting within 20' of you that one time at Mid-O circa '07-'08 when you were running a PCA event while I was instructing a teen school.
Sir, I live here now and I have a 1340 sports racer ready and willing to enter a race with "Ellis" on the cockpit.
Sir, I've seriously lapsed after discovering how to get paid to play with cars whilst standing in the nation's finer parking lots, and the simpler joys of just being a fan at the track with my wife while snapping mediocre photos.
P.S. Maybe some of your scrap from the loft can be used to help the stair and stand plank situation at your neighbors...
I’m interested in turning a radical wheel for a fee that’s more than fair to you. Not wheel to wheel.
Come on out next year. The small one costs me about a G an hour to run.
I'm dealing with something like this right now, only my anonymous annoyance is being paid by someone else to give me crap. It's weird that people are actually being PAID to be trolls nowadays in certain industries. It's weirder still that these folks have a voice because of bad programming.
Oh well.
You're telling me I could have a second career leveraging my natural talents and I'd like to know more.
Tangentially related - I really enjoyed your Avoidable Contact #135 on the Maverick. I’ve got an XL / AWD turbo / tow pkg on order. It should be able to do some truck things, take my kids places (can’t do in my NC Miata), and not be so expensive that I have to sell said NC. It’s frustrating that I haven’t been able to even sit in one / check that the car seats fit, much less test drive. But that’s how it goes these days.
Have been shopping Chargers casually lately, mostly because I don't want to take delivery until after the salt is off the roads. I've heard more than one sales person (they/them/it?) refuse to let people test drive a base V6 Charger because they are special cars and don't want the miles on them. Strange times we live in.
Good luck with the Maverick...sounds like a sweet little setup.
Guessing it is because cheap assholes a lot like me are the prime demographic for the V6 Charger and there isn't any way I would buy a new one with a bunch of test drive miles on it. Not without a healthy discount, anyhow.
In 2015 bought a 1 year old service loaner with 24K miles, with new rear tires and front brakes, for $22K. It had a buffed out dent on one of the fenders visible under close inspection. 110K later none of the red flags checked out, but the rear rocker corners rust through like all American cars.
I'm not sure if my inner cheapskate is a good thing or a bad thing. I'm the kind of guy who would go in to look at a Hemi Hellcat and come out with a stripper 6 cylinder. Even when I build a car on a website, I am looking for the minimum viable product, just the things it takes to get what I want and not a cent more.
But getting an awesome deal and not taking an ass pounding in the process feels just about as good to me as getting the Hellcat would. And, truth be told, I'd never get the goodie out of all that engine anyhow...
You're a better man than I am. I didn't even go into the dodge dealer when I was looking for a car. I want a 6.4L challenger bad and I don't trust myself enough to not leave with it. It was in that sweet spot where I could get financed on it but I couldn't afford it.
Just understanding that makes you a pretty damn good man. I do that a lot, avoid temptation by not even going where temptation is. One hard and fast decision eliminates the need for a hundred others on the slippery slope.
My 2012 AWD Hemi Charger is still my favorite vehicle. Had to sell it because of a job change. Wish I still had it. I’d really like to get a scat pack, but my truck is almost paid off and I want to go without a car payment for awhile. That being said, they are about to stop making them.
You're going to like it. I am certain.
Are you still taking Ask Jack questions?
Every day. I'll drop you an email
My Uncle ordered his XLT Hybrid early July 2021 and it arrived end of July this year. I have driven it a few times and it is a really great experience understanding some of it's limitations particularly with backseat space. I would think the XL's are getting built quicker with less chips for the fancier electronics plus opting for the ecoboost vs. the hybrid. Supporting that (maybe?), a coworker ordered a Lariat AWD Ecoboost in November of 2021 and just gave up last week and leased a "cheap" Frontier ProX. His 22' order was bumped to a 23' and still didn't have a build date after a year of waiting.
Supposedly Toyota is planning something similar. I’m a Ford guy, and would love to get a Maverick, but Ford really s**t the bed with this and the Bronco. Oh, and the Mustang
Agreed. As someone who's currently shopping a Ford Explorer against the Toyota Highland (and the 4Runner as a wildcard), the Toyota is built better, but boring in every other sense.
Not before they de-uglify the Supra.
Buy a body on frame Toyota with a servicable 5spd Aisin and port injected 1GR 4.0 V6 while you can. I can't imagine *complaining* about that.
The chip supply issue is not entirely in their control and it is a good look at globalization and consolidation gone wrong.
I thought part of the problem with Maverick availability was Ford prioritizing electric car stuff.
I have been a Ford guy for most of my life right up until my last Ford Escape. When I had to replace the Ecoboost engine with 34,000 miles on it, I got rid of it as quickly as I could. It’s a shame because they put out some nice looking vehicles with good features, but I just don’t trust them anymore.
All the small displacement turbo fours are trash, including the Hondas. There's a reason Toyota didn't make the switch in the Camry, I think.
Different generation and philosophy from today's emissions engines.
That is precisely why my wife and I both drive vehicles with naturally aspirated V6s now (Pilot and Ridgeline). I want to avoid turbo fours as long as possible. I’m afraid my only choices will be an EV or a turbo four the next time I am vehicle shopping. Not much in the market gets me excited anymore, except for the Challenger, Charger, and 5.0 Mustang. Although I am not impressed with Ford’s latest effort.
I don’t trust a vehicle with over the air updates. I can envision a future where an “update” decides I’ve been taking too many unnecessary trips and parks me against my will.
This was one of the reasons I chose a (used) Highlander. NA V-6 was available and while unglamorous it is certainly a known quantity and under-stressed when compared to ze 2.0L turbro 4s.
I'm quite happy with the 1.4T in my 2019 Jetta for what it is worth. Reasonably quick, I can get up to 50mpg depending on the route, and reasonably pleasant to drive as long as you keep it out of the higher revs in 1st/2nd. Jury is out on how it will hold up, but I've owned cars with much worse engines over the years.
Mavericks are still backed up that far? I've been trying to get my grandparents into one (they have a hard time getting in and out of their F150), but have had a hell of a time finding something on the lot for them to even sit in.
Maybe try and check used car lots for a test drive. I've seen quite a few around me (Detroit area) listed for 10-15k over sticker but at least gets you a chance to test it out and place an order. I just remembered another friend ordered a hybrid lariat in September from one of the biggest Ford dealers and they told him to expect at least 12 months for delivery also.
While we are bringing up old episodes of AC, I was always a bit disappointed that #69 was spent on a father-son road trip.
Comment of the day
[Avoiding reality] Wouldn't that at least in part depend on the destination?
You will love it. I’ve had my XLT ecoboost AWD since April and have been loving it. One of the main reasons to get the XLT over the XL was the unavailability of cruise control on the XL. That has been fixed for 2023 so of you like the more plain interior and the steel wheels the XL is a great choice. Rear facing car seats will be pretty tight but forward facing works great. Let me know if you have any other questions.
I'll be doing the 20k service on my XLT FWD EB Maverick this weekend, just two weeks shy of it's six month anniversary.
Overall, its a great cheap car. Drives just like a Focus, which makes sense as it essentially IS a Focus.
There a a few things I've noticed. One is that some seat covers are in order for high mileage use. The seats are very comfortable and heated (on mine anyway) but the surface material doesn't seem all that durable.
Another is that any rumors that the radio sucks are true! I have a $220 box of speakers from Crutchfield sitting in my shop that I think will fix that.
Gas is nearly free again so I haven't paid much attention to economy, but it's in the mid to high 20s at an average speed over 70mph.
As long as you don't try and tow anything heavy, I suspect you'll like it.
Dang. Never knew they were Focus based. I guess it shows my level of interest in the truck world. Saddens me a lot, as I liked the Focus a lot in its various guises, and would easily pick one over anything that looked like a truck. No offence intended.
Strictly speaking, it's an Escape/Bronco Sport, a bit larger than a Focus in all directions.
None taken. The Maverick sits on Ford’s C2 platform. It’s used for a variety of vehicles, including the now non-US Focus.
https://fordauthority.com/fmc/ford-motor-company-platforms/ford-c2-platform/
Best way to get Americans to buy economy cars is to shape them like pickup trucks.
To late for those already in queue since the 2023 bookings closed after only a few days in September, but the only answer for the Maverick is the Hybrid. If you need AWD and the Tow Pkg, bump up to the cheapest Ranger-class you can find.
Given that only 35% of Mavericks will be Hybrids in 2023, Ford doesn't really want to sell them unfortunately - which will only make them that much more desirable down the road. I really want the bigger battery AWD Hybrid with a Tremor Pkg, but Ford is helping me save some $$$ by not offering it so FWD Hybrid it is.
My parents have one. Having driven it a number of times, I can tell you that it's like somebody took a station wagon and turned it into a crew cab pickup. It drives like a car, but you have to floor it to get any acceleration out of it. It's extremely practical, a truck for people for whom even the most basic F-150 is too much.
If you can get one, it's a good buy.
So I’m guessing that 2022 “Road to Indy Pro 2000” campaign never came to fruition.
Maybe a candidate for iRacing? No risk of broken bones.
Except, the best iRacers all have racing history. Was it over at Riverside Green where I read that the Gran Turismo winners were all kart racers? I don't clearly remember now, but it seems that sort of thing helps. It's also probably why I'm so inconsistent in video games. I can beat the computer, but boy is it ugly!
I just got my 12-year-old son a used Xbox 360 that came with the racing game 'Need for Speed: Shift.' Pretty similar to the old Gran Turismo game but not quite as detailed/complex. He's caught on really quickly and has easily been winning all of his races. I convinced him to go cheap by buying a Cobalt SS and using all his earnings to upgrade the car. Give him a few years and I bet he'd surpass Casey in real life...
GT7 rocks. The online platform is excellent with a superb physics model, and the format rewards clean racing by penalizing chrome horn tactics. You still get the occasional shithead throwing out the anchors way too late and taking out other competitors under braking, but those guys never finish at or near the front. It’s a lot of fun and great competition
Ouch.
We need a term for the automotive version of stolen valor.
Genius Garaging
You see, he hates snobbery.
I chuckled slightly to myself that it was Hotmail. Not even Yahoo! It doesn’t make sense, but at the same time it does.
Jesus! I'm sorry I even searched his name and clicked on his web page. I spit my coffee all over my desk at work when I read "modern day renaissance man".. What a f-ing deutsche bag. I love reading about self important morons. I have always known I'm a nobody and nothing will change that, and I'm ok with that, so it is amusing to witness the opposite of my personal philosophy and perceived self worth. Would I love to be more involved, scratch that, involved at all in the racing community? Absolutely. Do I think it will ever happen before I retire and it won't matter anymore? Nope. I can still enjoy life though.
Thanks for the read!
So he's what he is based on his Dad's presence in the world, and the best he can do is be a low tier vlogger and fake a whole bunch of 'success' (that its in racing, which you and I care EXTRA about, is a separate matter).
How is this worthy of more contempt/amusement than Matt Farah and the like again?
That's a matter for the readers to decide. I'm not impartial on the subject of Matt because prior to his marriage he was a racing teammate and colleague who showed tremendous kindness to my wife and son. If he needed help right now he could call me and I'd answer, no reservations.
I know a lot of people think he's a fat liberal cuck who lets his wife tell him what to do and mouths progressive platitudes while sitting on a nine figure trust fund -- but there are also people who think I killed someone because I wanted to fuck that person's wife. They think that because Brad Brownell said it on Twitter.
Yeah my take is more along the lines of this is what the world rewards today, fine, but for people who have such a good starting point in their lives to aspire to only so much, judging purely as a man's achievement, and based on what experiences they've sought out, I don't like either equally.
Say you're a Brownell, and you get sent to fancy reviews, did you make any effort to become the best at it, or did you just self indulge in the freebies and gloat on instawhore, that sort of thing.
The politics I tend to stay away from, since that is the politically correct take for a non immigrant in the US.
I have been thinking about writing something on the subject of "origin stories" for a while now, and you've probably pushed me over the edge.
Brownell... I'm not sure there's anything he's good at, but he has an uncanny knack for getting people to carry his water. I think it's because he is so fat and sad and worthless people can't help but feel sorry for him. Right now, he owes everything in his life to two people: Art Cervantes, who convinced Hagerty to pay huge money for a sad-ass car show that was running on PPP funds and attracting fewer entrants with every new season, and Myron Vernis, who got him a job for which he wasn't close to being qualified and advises him on all facets of his existence.
He once Tweeted that if he was ever in the same room with me "he'd leave in handcuffs". Either he thinks being a terrible writer should be an arrestable offense, or he really thinks he can beat me up, which is really funny. He's too fat to beat his own dick.
Maybe he was hoping for some real kink action.
If it weren’t for him, I’d go to that stupid museum to see the 959 when I’m in Cleveland with my....friend....from Gallipolis over break
If you want to see a 959, figure out a way to attend a charity event at Ken Lingenfelter's collection (there are about 200 events a year there). Ken is mostly a Corvette and Ferrari guy so his collections of other brands are not as extensive but they are the distilled essence of those brands, so along with the 959, there's a Carrera GT and an air-cooled whale tale turbo 930.
There is something within me that is very interested in what people have made of themselves or how they've evolved over time. Probably the main reason why I'm a subscriber here. The Farahs, the Putschs and the rest are anomalies to the way I expect the world to work. Its me being unable to wrap my head around how far plain old narcissism and pretenses can get you in today's society, while one's SELF being worthless underneath.
Connie in Succession
I find that hard to believe. If someone told me that you had offed someone because they tried to kill you on your motorcycle or because they threatened your son's livelihood or well being, sure, that sounds like you, but over someone's wife?
It's literally the slander from Idiot Wind, which is the funniest part.
It makes sense to Brad because he is struggling to hold on to a 300 pound porker with so much fat on her face she looks Chinese. Therefore the idea of killing over a woman who has already fucked some other dude seems logical to him. How else could you get laid?
So, if she were really Chinese, her name could be Fat Ho?
Probably not Lo Fat.
How else could one get laid? I don't know what the going rate is in Cleveland, but around Detroit it's $100-$200 for an hour of full service, or so I've been told.
"We're idiots, babe
It's a wonder that we still know how to breathe"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5E4ytUW8g_0
Yeah.. This kinda hits home, I used to be a huge fan of Farah’s and the Smoking Tire.
But then he got Trump Derangement Syndrome and started lecturing his listeners on the correct politics to have, and I remember thinking, “Bro, the car world has a broad range of opinions, views, values and ideas, can we please just have some respect for one another and just focus on the cars?”
Sadly no.
I never resented him for his family’s wealth though. It seemed like he built his own empire with his own effort and risk. I have seen the whole gamut of intergenerational wealth sharing, you can be of money, and still be on your own and have to blaze your own trail, to the same but having some advantages, all the way to be being a trust fund baby. So the FaRaH Is A RicH fAt JeW narrative never really held water with me.
Matt has put a tremendous amount of effort into becoming a YouTube star. Other than buying him a few cars, I don't think his father had anything to do with it.
That being said, Matt had the luxury of being able to sit in a succession of multi-million-dollar homes and work exclusively on clout chasing, something that the average 28-year-old on the street can't do.
If I didn't have to work a day job AND freelance, I could put out four full-length novels a year like L Ron Hubbard.
Have you ever read A Piece of Blue Sky by Jon Atack?
I bet the CH crew would make something of his physiognomy.
He would probably tell you he needs to stay Kate Moss skinny so he can race cars.
I've won a lot of races with a 38-39 waistline. Tony Stewart has won a lot MORE.
I was thinking along the lines of his 'teen mechanics' which I'm guessing are penis bearing humans that skew to thirteen rather than eighteen.
His girlfriend, when I saw her, was gorgeous -- but she also had that look women get when they're ready to wander off for a bit.
Yeah pretty much everything he said in that is a fuckin' lie.
Which is entirely in character for him. He even has to lie about the One Lap thing -- it was the 190E year that he wanted to come along, not the diesel year, because he knew the shop owner who restored my 190E. The diesel shop was in Michigan and nobody involved had anything to do with him.
You know, going back and reading that original article? I'm kinda surprised that Ace, or anyone else, would want it removed. Yeah, it's a bit of 'shaming' in the beginning, but the ending of it?
That made me stop and think.
The guy loves the sport, loves everything about the sport. Yeah, he can't (or won't) compete in it, but he still promotes the hell out of it and cheers it on. There is something to be said about that. Yes, all of the real racers know he's a bit of a fraud, but how many fans has be brought to the sport?
The question is, is he doing more harm? Or more good?
People like him can be hard to deal with when you feel like they're stealing your thunder - I know all about that one. But if they're not stealing people's money with fraud schemes and the like, maybe it's just better to cheer them on and enjoy the show?
Honestly, you really got me thinking with that one.
He was trying MIGHTILY to get some of that Hagerty cash.
One thing that always troubled me about working there had nothing to do with the company itself, but rather the public perception that Hagerty was made up of dipshits who would drop astounding sums of money on nothing and no one. It was actively embarrassing. People would walk up out of nowhere say to me, "Holy shit, those idiots will pay millions for a parking lot car show." That perception attracted people like flies: Art Cervantes, Randy Pobst, a hundred grifting-ass wannabe female road racers... and Casey Putsch, who pitched Hagerty for Genius Garage funding at least twice during my time there. Everyday Driver tried to sell out to Hagerty so hard I'm surprised they didn't prolapse their rectums in the process.
I was always of the opinion that we had the talent and the time to build our own media and event properties in-house, rather than taking a shortcut. How right or wrong I was is not for me to say.
Harm. He is doing harm. Jack (and others) may disagree, but the car hobby could use a lot more gatekeeping. Maybe there doesn't need to be as much as there used to be, but the car hobby is rife with carpetbaggers.
Radwood took a segment of "unloved" cars and popularized them for the sake of irony. Now you have every 20-something with a college education trying to buy a personality via a 964 and some thrifted clothes.
There's been enough ink spilled about Porsches in general between the "loofa cult" and Magnus Walker, so I won't even go there.
"Respect all builds" turned every local car meet into your shopping mall parking lot. I see way more shitty "builds" (Fusions with plastidip and no muffler) today than I did at peak rice in 2006. Only back then, we could drag those people on the forums without a dozen of other people crying about it.
The only positive thing I see is that it is easier than ever to get a car on track. That should be promoted further, but not so much that they let every idiot with $100 run their car on the track (and into a tire barrier). Based upon my limited experience with motorsports as a participant, most of these groups self-police and are very strict about safety.
Radwood looked like a lot of fun until it went commercial. I was planning on taking my truck and maybe my CB1000 to one if they ever did one close to me, but then I started seeing the Jalopnik coverage of the cars and what people were all excited about and I realized it wasn't for me.
It's basically an 80s/90s cosplay by people who were either too small to remember those days or not even born yet. They don't need me, a basic country hick, wearing a flannel shirt I actually bought in 1993 (and have on right now) and my old Nissan. It wouldn't be "period enough" for anyone to appreciate.
Now that Haggerty owns it, Radwood is on its way to becoming one of those shows that encourage regular people to attend - as spectators. Just another silly, fun thing killed because someone thought they could make a buck.
Sadwood always sucked balls. I don't know how it could get any worse. It was always based on this weird jerkoff hipster contempt for automobiles.
That's why I don't have much patience for "art cars". I can appreciate a weird and wonderful concept like a car covered with ceramic cows but most art cars seem to be made by people who don't really like cars.
"No matter what it is in life, as soon as there's money involved, IT'S NOT FUN ANYMORE!"
- Red Green
They wanted $30 to attend in the bay i think. Id rather pay for hot import nights..
Late to the party here with my comment, but I think you're exactly right. I went to the event nearest to me earlier this year, I don't think I'll need to go next year. I was treated like a spectator that accidentally paid a show car admission. They put my car at the back of a dusty gravel lot, across the street and wholly disconnected from the rest of the event.
I was negative 3 years old when the car I brought was built, but I've been driving something similar since I could first legally drive 15+ years ago and the cars were cheap beaters (the models are the same, but I'm into much better examples these days). At the show, I wasn't in with the elite guys that got their cars parked inside or even just where anyone could see them, nor did I fit in with the young kids going all in on a culture/time period in which they never participated.
There are other events out there that do a better job of what Radwood states is their purpose.
I'm really sorry to hear that you had such a crappy experience at Radwood. They should be ashamed to do that to people. If they can't have all the cars reasonably together, they should have limited the number of entries. It just shows that they are more interested in money than they are the community.
Half and half. The more expensive the car the more rules. Jack hates it but the PCA does a decent job of making sure the car doesn't spew oil or set itself on fire on the track. Both not true for some private track groups.
Side question, are 944s generally prone to puking oil on the track? I've been to two separate events in two different states where crews had to shut down the track for an hour or so to clean up oil from 944s. It is a sample size of two, but the article made me wonder if there might be a pattern here.
It wasn't a 944, it was this piece of hammered fake shit:
https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1954-devin-monza/
Casey thought the car would make him famous as a vintage racer. It certainly made him famous in the Ohio Valley Region; today I had a conversation with someone who hasn't run a Solo even since 2008 but remembers Casey Oil Day like it was yesterday.
Thanks for clarifying. I should have paid better attention.
YEAH! PAY BETTER ATTENTION!
(to be fair, I didn't make it clear, or even hint at the fact that it wasn't a 944, in this article.)
YES SIR! NO EXCUSE SIR! Actually it's kind of interesting that my own experiences seeing 944s fail set me up to absent-mindedly draw a conclusion that wasn't correct.
That being said, the Porsche 944 is many things, but a great race car is not one of them.
A good 944, particularly a turbo or S2, will make you feel like a million bucks on the road. As race cars, they have a nightmare list of potential issues. The 944 Cup cars are nothing but trouble and they're a great way to spend American Iron money on Showroom Spec Miata pace.
My first foray into internet racing stories was back when I was a teenager reading (damn nearing rubbing one out to) Pulp Racing. Doug’s sidekick Wayne drove a 944 Turbo and I remember thinking “wow that car is cool but it’s always broken.”
As with so many things, often your first one experience is your best. Loved that site.
My college buddies dad liked buying interesting reasonably priced cars. One of them was a 944 turbo. I randomly spotted it on the side of interstate 94 one day driving home for the holidays with my family. We towed it to a random shop in Indiana and took him home with us. This which was not his destination. But fortuitous since he was also from my hometown.
The car puked a timing chain and made valve to piston contact if I recall correctly.
Didn’t you drive a turbo 944 at a lemons race?
I did! Fastest car on track by something like 5 seconds and a full 31 seconds a lap ahead of fan favorite Stef Schrader in her 944. I was lapping her every 4 or so.
I had forgotten all about her.
Sounds like you're not in the world of "Puffalumps"
Sounds like something I should be grateful for. Didn’t she write for TTAC briefly? I remember a peculiar focus on stuffed animals.
I'd have to check all the records, but I don't think my LeMons team has ever had a 944 finish ahead of us. They are always off the track fixing something or another. Their fast lap times are usually better, but the reliability isn't there. We run an '85 Celica GT-S with a stock 22RE. A true tortoise that always finishes.