163 replies to this topic

[Tom Thumb Hobbies]

I would like to make one point perfectly clear. Unlike what has been insinuated on FaceBook I did NOT ask Ron Hershman to NOT be a sponsor of the R4. Nor did I ask him to be a sponsor either. While he and his companies have, in the past, been very supportive of me and the R4, for which I was and am grateful, his recent actions have showed little in the way of support. In fact he and his fellow LLC board members criticize almost everything that I or the IRRA™ do or say.

It is curious to me and many others why he has waited this long to "support the racers". Why begin this effort less than two years ago? Is it a coincidence this began just about the time of the split in Retro? I have to wonder if the real motive here is more to garner support for his own organization and less to support the R4 and those who are coming to race.

Like a few other sponsors did, he never called ME about sponsor possibilities. I know he never contacted me, Noose, or tonyp about All Star sponsorship. And he is welcome to come and compete as well. So why a FaceBook post insinuating he and his companies are not welcome?

[Matt Bruce]

The problem, like with so many other things in this world, is social media. Facebook, Internet, it's all the same. Things get out of control in cyberspace, people say things a lot of times out of context. I see it in business everyday, emails and texts instead of picking up the phone or setting a meeting. A Ping pong match of 20 emails that could have all been avoided with one phone call.

 

While I can't comment really on Ron, I have never hid behind the fact that I as well as others want everyone racing together. That's not to say I disagree with multiple organizations because I do not. I have had conversations with Ron on the PHONE and on social media. Maybe he is lying to me, I don't think so, but he wants the same. There is no reason why organizations can't get along as long as they sit down and come up with a solution for working together. Honestly, the majority of racers, myself included, would and do race in both.

 

Dividing Retro is just so silly. Believing the BS that goes on social media creates its own roadblocks which both sides seem to listen to. Airing dirty laundry never helps any situation. Each one exploits each other's rules like some presidential campaign to really what end? Ron is a very prideful person as are the BoD. It does not surprise me with what is said over social media that neither wanna move off their mountains. For the sake of argument, if I were Ron I would have felt I was not welcome to sponsor or race either.

 

But on the other hand, reading social media and the non-constructive comments of the minions I can see why no one would have asked him. Either way, I personally have found in both business and life to get back to the basics. Look both in the eye, get back to shaking hands and using today's technology as a tool and not as something to hide behind. I think the time is passed for who said what and who thinks they are right and who thinks who is wrong. Some people just wanna watch the world burn. It's very easy to see who those people are watching social media.

 

Are we really that different that no common ground can be had? I think not. I see both sides and I understand very clearly how we got to this point. In the end it's about I was right and you are wrong meanwhile racers are left in the middle just really wanting to race together. We have all been friends for a long time and know the slot car landscape.

 

History tends to repeat itself. Retro is a chance to change that.

[Cap Henry]

And that's why Matt is so respected.

[Bernie]

Well said, Matt.

[Dennis Krivacek]

Matt,

 

Thank you for your post. VERY well-written!!!

[JerseyJohn]

Well said, Matt...

[Cheater]

Matt,

Please know I have the utmost respect for you as a person and as a racer, but I must disagree with several of your points and conclusions.
 

Dividing Retro is just so silly.

And please make sure you understand exactly whose actions directly resulted in the schism to which you refer. To put it plainly, the second competing Retro organization was not created by the IRRA™ BoD; it was created by a disgruntled former member of the IRRA™ BoD who seemingly feels his opinions are superior to the opinions as promulgated by the deliberations of the five-member IRRA™ BoD. And who decided brazenly to attempt to purloin the original organization's history and reputation by using the same name for his newly-created competing Retro organization.
 

I think the time is passed for who said what and who thinks they are right and who thinks who is wrong.

To ascribe the situation currently in effect in Retro as revolving around who is "right" and who is "wrong" is IMO missing the point entirely.

A founding member of IRRA™ was unanmiously voted off the organization's BoD by the other BoD members due to a perceived lack of integrity combined with clear evidence that the member also was not willing to publicly support the results of the deliberations of the Board of which he was a member. As I have posted before, no Board of Directors in any field can tolerate a member who does not support the process in which he is involved and in this specific instance, it is my opinion that not a single member of the IRRA™ BoD was willing to continue to serve alongside the member who was voted off. Please confirm this claim with the other three IRRA™ BoD members before accepting it as gospel; I am not trying to speak for them.
 
And I must strongly disagree that the basic differences between the two organizations involve "pride" to any great extent. As in many situations in life and business, the core issues clearly revolve around power and control. And the racers, with their actions, will decide which agenda they prefer, as they always do, though a portion will recuse themselves by supporting both organizations, thus making no choice.

[John Miller]

Well said, Matt!

[Gator Bob]

I understand one party may have held out an olive branch but nothing reciprocal took place.

[Noose]

No, one party held out demands.

[Gator Bob]

Since spring is coming and the ice is melting how about an "Icebreaker" combo event to start the healing process?

[kvanpelt]

When is enough already?

[Cheater]

Damn good question, KVP!

[Mike Patterson]

Mike,

 

No clarification was needed.

 

You need to spend less time on Facebook. It's the heroin of the internet.

[John Miller]

... And the racers, with their actions, will decide which agenda they prefer, as they always do, though a portion will recuse themselves by supporting both organizations, thus making no choice.

 
Cheater, are you implying that the racers should choose between the organizations? Originally, I noticed that you used the word "save" themselves by supporting both orgs.... I find that interesting because I thought that us racers were all just hanging out racing cars with good friends regardless of which organization. I didn't realize that I was recusing or saving myself...

[Dennis David]

Am I wrong or are most of the rules very similar such that we could find a compromise somewhere? Isn't this mostly about motors? If so can't there be come common classes at least?

[kvanpelt]

Yes, turn off your FB accounts for a week and enjoy the races and friends at a really great raceway.

 

FB is evil!!!!!!

[Samiam]

Am I wrong or are most of the rules very similar such that we could find a compromise somewhere? Isn't this mostly about motors? If so can't there be come common classes at least?

NO! It's about integrity. Or in this case the total lack of.
 
Racers will race anywhere they can. We just want to enjoy our sport. The banner we race under is less important than the racing. This has been demonstrated by the great turn-out at the so called All Star race. A reported 51 racers!
 
I don't see a reconciliation. All I see is a amicable divorce.
 
Support those who support the sport.
 
Lets race.

[Gator Bob]

No, one party held out demands.

 

Joe, Were they demands that could not be met or discussed to find some common ground?

[JerseyJohn]

To quote Rodney King...
 

 
LMAO...

[redbackspyder]

John, I thought the real quote by Rodney was: "Why can't we all just get a bong?"

[Tom Thumb Hobbies]

Most of you know I have said very little for the 18 or so months since the split. I simply am tired of being accused of actions I did not do nor had any part in. Whether by direct accusation or just letting a false statement continue uncorrected it is still the same. I took the BoD position and voted to keep the ORS with the IRRA™ because what we have now is the best thing for slot racing in a long, long, time even with its faults. And, I simply think it is foolish to burn down a house just because it needs a coat of paint.

I agree with Matt. Something needs to be done for the good of ALL Retro racers. Some say that since the split there is more opportunity for everyone to race. What has actually happened is it has diminished racing at most events. Turn off the Spin-O-Matic and take off your blinders and realize that an improving economy has put more racers in raceways, not the current Retro split. What would the numbers look like without the animosity between the groups?

The current climate is not very conducive to cooperation. A start was made several weeks ago to try for some level of cooperation. The LLC was asked to begin with their topic list. Instead we received a demand that we never again discourage racers or raceways from running LLC events. A private conversation via text message was offered as proof of the IRRA™ guilt. It was between a track owner and an IRRA™ BoD member. It WAS not the comments or thoughts of the BoD but that BoD members own personal opinion. Not OUR opinion but HIS. And it was a warning, friend to friend, that in his opinion the LLC founder could not be trusted. A bit of a stretch to consider that a campaign to discourage racers away from the LLC.

Meanwhile, no mention at all is made about the comparisons between farm animals, insects, and sex toys and the IRRA™ BoD members made by one of the LLC Executive Committee. I don't see how anyone would consider this type of behavior a serious attempt to coexist and cooperate.

Like Matt I still hold out hope for an end to this schism in Retro. But this is NOT the way to start.

[Rusty Pinion]

NO! It's about integrity. Or in this case the total lack of.
 
Racers will race anywhere they can. We just want to enjoy our sport. The banner we race under is less important than the racing. This has been demonstrated by the turn-out at the so called All Star race. A reported 51 racers.
 
I don't see a reconciliation. All I see is a amicable divorce.
 
Support those who support the Sport.
 
Lets race.

 Really??? You think 51 racers is a joke or something..??  Get real.

Oh... and I hate to tell you... but slot racing is not a sport... it's a hobby. People show up a pay admission to watch a sport... I never known that to happen with slot cars.

[Rusty Pinion]

The current climate is not very conducive to cooperation. A start was made several weeks ago to try for some level of cooperation. The LLC was asked to begin with their topic list. Instead we received a demand that we never again discourage racers or raceways from running LLC events. A private conversation via text message was offered as proof of the IRRA™ guilt. It was between a track owner and an IRRA™ BoD member. It WAS not the comments or thoughts of the BoD but that BoD members own personal opinion. Not OUR opinion but HIS. And it was a warning, friend to friend, that in his opinion the LLC founder could not be trusted. A bit of a stretch to consider that a campaign to discourage racers away from the LLC.

 Well... let's look at this... doesn't a IRRA™ BoD member voicing his personal opinion reflect back on the BoD that he is a member of... Of course it does. It's just like how the employees attitude reflects back on his employer.

[Samiam]

Hugh,

I should have clarified that. Absolutely the exact opposite. That was a great turn-out even with life threatening weather reports. It shows that racers will race, no matter what the controversy over whose banner is flying.
 
Hobby? Sport? Whatever! I just want to RACE!
 
(Edited that post to clarify.)