Thread: Official dates, times, and places for the key party.

Re-spect sounds like you have a good personality but yea sounds like something I would do

Last year being my first convention, all I can say is that it was more about meeting new people, hanging out and getting drunk in the parking lot and admiring old econoboxes. And BTW yes, I drove my 23 yr old car with uncomfortable seats, bouncy suspension and loud exhaust for almost 450 miles, hell I broke down on the way and guess what, total strangers that I just met up heading there helped me find and fix the problem. From that moment I knew what the convention is about: COMMUNITY.
Hell yea I had un at the drag strip watching our car go down the track, and I was mad that there was no Track day, but we made the best of it. Having that go kart day was a blessing in disguise because not all of us have track cars and that was a hell f a fun day, rain and everything.

I think that there is really a lot of animosity from you. I'll tell you I am younger (I am 28 years old.) When the NJ convention was cancelled a few years back myself, @happynole and @marksr20 stepped up. If I had heard someone poking fun at you a few years back just because of the car you drove I would of been the first person to say something to them. To say the convention will never be what it was back in the day is correct. Every year it has gotten better and better and will continue to for as long as I have something to do with it. I'm truly sorry that you got heckled one year. That being said I don't know that I have seen you at conventions since. I'm not trying to be rude in saying that but if you haven't been to the convention in few years I don't think you have any right to comment. Especially as you may not realize everything that is involved in pulling off a major event like this. I'm not the one that pissed in you cereal, I am the guy that is going to urge you to come back and check it out even if there is no track day. If you are going based on the track day you are truly missing what the convention is about. BTW there are plenty of older guys that go each and every year and they know the convention is only getting better. Don't believe me ask them @ShawnB @Hammerinhank @Fatboyse-r.

@Kyle and @Boostlee I get what you are saying, however organizing an event while working a full time job it tough. When I helped plan to the CT Convention I was on the phone nightly, sometimes for 3 hours at at a time for about a month straight. I also work a full time job but don't have a family like @Madtech. Give this man a break he will respond I promise that, just like the highway signs say let them work let them live.

I have a few years on you. I really prefer modern technology and comfort for long distances. Hence I would drive the tahoe and tow the SE-R.
I'm not into getting drunk anymore, or stay up to all hours of the night bullshitting. Different strokes for different folks, and that's fine.

I degree to some extent about the COMMUNITY. YES, it is about the community --- until you get some jackasses starting nonsense. It is not only me that feels this way. I can name a few people on this THREAD that have PM'd me or Texted me saying that there have been "thugs" or "hostile dickheads" taken part of the convention. That does happen and puts a bad vibe out there for others. Maybe we need more PPL with balls to stand up and tell these idiots to get the hell out of here??? (I did and everyone coward'd away).



YES, indeed. I strongly concur, there is a tremendous amount of animosity from me. I have explained why in previous posts. I'm definitely not the only one. Again, I have had PM's, TEXTS, and Phone calls from others that are 100% on the same page as me. Though they may choose not to voice their opinions as much as I do. --Which is fine.

2013 was the year I was harassed and heckled. I missed the 2014 convention due to the cancellation of the track day, had every intention of going. I appreciate your offer about being the first one to say something when someone is getting harassed/heckled. Again, I did say something to the crowd. I parked my car, walked over to the stands - all by myself. Not one of the little bastards admitted to it OR apologized for it. I took on the crowd of 10-15 assholes all by myself...and nobody else stepped in to help me. So yes, I have ANIMOSITY, not only for the heckling, but for the 2nd year in a row of no track day. I have an old SE-R just for the convention. Not because I really like the car, I would much rather have 400 horsepower and RWD to drive on a track, and piggyback to a dragstrip. So I pay tag, insurance, maintenance, AND store this SE-R for 11 months, 3 weeks and 3 days, out of the year so I can enjoy it over a 4 day convention. Again, yes, animosity. Quite frankly, i'm a little pissed at it all of this and it does show.... It may come off as abrasive and I apologize for that. I should try and keep it more productive and it may be more difficult to translate that over a keyboard.

Now, to address your comments about not being at the convention for a few years I don't have a right to comment. NOT TRUE. I was at the 2013 convention. I have every right to voice a concern.
To address your comment about not knowing what is involved in organizing the convention. Are you kidding me??? I'm the one that said it is a tremendous amount of work involved. I offered the LLC advise to anyone taking on this task, since LLC's are typically required with renting a track. Good gosh, nothing personal my friend, but I have quite a few years on you and have been managed, directed, and lead multi-million dollar companies into better paths. I know what is involved, I watched JOE (happynole) do it twice. It's a ton of work, I would not want that responsibility....because I do not believe I could give it 100% effort at the moment. However, I would be absolutely willing to assist an organizer in completing some tasks, or assist them with direction like I did with the LLC aspects.

So please, lets not take needless pokes at each other and say you don't have a right to comment or voice an opinion. I do appreciate the comments and concerns however. I will lighten up on my animosity moving forward.
Thanks....

@Jimithin7000, all we are asking for is answers as to how we got bumped (especially considering there seems to be conflicting information out there), and nothing to do with attacking Ralphy himself. Having a little knowledge how track days work and and having prior knowledge of the track and the officials, all I want to know is if we were solidly in, how did we get bumped a few months before the event. There was clearly no mention of the possibility of us getting bumped or what the process we need to follow to make sure our day was set. To me, it just seems like were not aware or just how much it takes, both monetary and time commitment, to plan a proper track day.

As far as I am concerned, that is really not asking for alot. Just answers so we, as a community, can make sure NOT to make the same mistakes in the future.

The Convention is all about commnunity and the people, and I never once went against that. But, I just want to know what really transpired (as it seems we were only "penciled" in from day one and were never actually considered for a solid spot) and how we let the track day get axed.

I dont pretend to know the specifics of how you were treated, but you sure it wasn't just ball bustin? I think it goes without saying, but there is some grade A ball bustin in this community, but it doesnt come from a place of hate or even seriousness. If i took the way I was treated sometimes seriously, I'd have needed a therapist by now lol! But its ok, cause then I dont feel guilty giving it right back.

Great questions....
Great post.....



I thought about that before I said something. At my age, we tend to over think conflict situations before reacting.
The fact that it was repeated and repeated after I asked them to please stop was what did me in.
In addition, these folks from what I can tell, seemed like little thugs and assholes in the making.
Furthermore, after I confronted the crowd, nobody even apologized, admitted to the fact, or made direct eye contact, they sort of backed away and ignored me. Hell....even a simple "we just playing" comment would have made me feel better. I could have even been ok with a negative comment in my face, that would have at least created a confrontation and perhaps one of these thugs being carried off the stands to the local ER. That would have been ok. It was merely the hatred comments that set my future animosity.

With that said, can we all agree that if we have future "thugs, gangsters, troublemakers, hostile bastards, etc" that we notify the organizers and have the issue at hand dismissed from the gathering? As an organizer, they should have the power to inform management (IE: Drag track managers, road course managers, hotel managers, etc) to legally boot these idiots from the location. Feedback? Thoughts? Comments? Concerns? - on this topic. Thank you.

I wonder how much support there would actually be if the convention (maybe 2016?) was held in Texas or somewhere NOT up north. I bet most up north wouldn't make the drive...even if all events, including a track day, were present.

Shit happens for various reasons...regardless of the reason. So some people will only go to a convention if there is gonna be a track day? That is certainly their choice...but it's definitely not the only possible day of the year you can take your car to a track. I personally think that's rather selfish...me me me...no track day...I'm not going! I'm taking my ball and I'm going home! Again, that is your right but that mentality doesn't promote "community".

Last year's karting was truly a blessing. I wasn't planning on tracking my car anyways because I wanted to make sure it would make the 21 hour drive...but the karting!!! That's just about the most fun one can have with their clothes on! And the rain actually made it much better...having to change driving styles as the track dried. AWESOME! Two broken ribs? Thank you, may I have another!!!

See you in June!

Lets change the title of this thread to "butthurt whinings."

Relax 95g atl, the guys putting the event together are doing us all a great service. If you want to track race your car don't count on someone else to set it up for you. Go to the track with a helmet and cash in hand, be a big boy.

Ya, I was bummed about not having the track day but id rather not be on the hook for hundreds of dollars to rent the track and instructors. The initial $250 was about as much as I would be willing to pay to thrash my car around for a day.

And besides, there is a road course in my state that doesn't require me driving to VA. But I'm still making the drive anyways.

Might as well change your handle to Sr20Thug



hahaha, sorry, i had to say it someone