2018 Nationals just ended and one of our longtime members wrote this heartfelt post about his experience. We’d love for everyone to read it and hopefully join us for future events.
Permanent link as of 2018-07-02: https://www.facebook.com/groups/147449445284090/permalink/2165060460189635/
I’ve been with these guys and gals long before there even was an ISSCA, but that doesn’t matter. I’ve been through a dozen or more B and D bodies, sedans and wagons, in that time. But that doesn’t matter. I’ve gone out of touch, got married, started a family, moved a couple times, missed a bunch of events… But that doesn’t matter.
You ever hear the one “It’s not about the cars, it’s about the people”? You ever believe it? Like, actually believe it? It doesn’t matter. This group is different. Way different. When you’re in, you’re family. Legit family.
As I said before, I’ve been around a while, but missed many, many years. And every time I show up, car or not, family or not, competing or not, it’s like I never missed a day. These guys and girls (and their kids) really are my extended family. I have a blast when I’m with them and miss them like crazy when I’m not. And every single one of them would help you or me out of any spot.
Here’s just a small example of what I mean. Every year someone typically has significant trouble. Sometimes it’s car trouble. Sometimes it’s a tranny swap or rebuild in the host hotel parking lot. Sometimes it’s an alternator. Sometimes it’s a wreck. But it doesnt matter. Help is always there. This year was my year (until Terry decided to one-up me, that is) and I can’t explain in words how thankful I am for all the help and encouragement and love I received from everyone to get me through. Many of whom I had never actually met in “real life.” For those who were not there, I hit the wall. Literally, I crashed my car into the wall on the road course, pretty much head on, because the track was wet and very slippery. Well, I stuffed it so hard that the car was not drivable. Bent the core support back into the battery into the coolant reservoir into the power steering… Anyways, it was a mess. Michael Kaczmar, whom I knew pretty well through Facebook and the club, but didn’t know in real life, so to speak, offered the spot on his trailer that his race car would normally occupy to bring me back to the hotel. And somebody else drove his race car back to the hotel (possibly somewhat illegally) so I could get the shuttle back.
Fast forward to that evening, where there was a handful of people, including Mike, Jose, John, Jess, Glen, Timmy, Bobo, Terry and a bunch of other people who set to work helping me getting my car drivable again. There were tow straps and chains and trees involved. There were trailers and winches involved. There may have even been Some alcohol consumed. A grill was fired up and we were fed by Scott. At the end of the day, I could drive it again. Fluids were topped off and nothing was leaking.
So I approached members of the board and asked that if I could make sure my car wasn’t leaking, could I participate in the racing events the next day. I was allowed! You believe that? Because we’re family and we make exceptions. So you bet your ass I made sure I was first in line at the autocross. I placed second in my class. I would not have been able to do that without the help of all these people. I drag raced. In a wrecked car. Much to the amusement of the track workers, by the way. Ratchet straps holding my hood closed. Front end totally gone. I qualified. I raced. Only made it one round, but I was there. Because of all my friends and family that is this awesome Community.
The next day I was allowed to compete in the car show. I spent the afternoon prior to it cleaning and detailing what was left of my car. I had help from more people again, including some of their children, helping me with my car. I placed fourth in the car show with an honorable mention. With a wrecked car. With a storage tote full of front end parts sitting beside it so the whole car was on display. The car was wrecked and had no place being in a car show, but again… It didn’t matter.
A bunch of people busted their asses to help out an idiot like me, who wrecked his car, get it ready for the next day’s events and an 800-mile drive home. Which also went off without a hitch. Aside from hitting an actual dear, but that had nothing to do with these guys.
So yeah, it sucked hitting the wall. It sucked wrecking my car. It was embarrassing and heart breaking. But you know what, I had one of the best weeks of my life anyways. Because my family is awesome. They got me through it.
These guys and girls are awesome. If you’re on the fence about making a donation and becoming part of this club in real life and not just on the internet, just do it. Show up. Hang out. Have one of the best times of your life. Even if you don’t have an Impala or Caprice or station wagon or Caddy. For Christ’s sake, John Lindback showed up in a Crown Vic! And he was as welcome as everybody else. If you’re on the fence, just do it. Join the club. Join the family. Come and hang out, you absolutely will not be disappointed! Come find your long-lost family. Have the time of your life, even if the Malort shows up again.
Just. Show. Up.
I haven’t even mentioned all the just plain hanging out. The fun. The shenanigans. The stories. The memories. It’s awesome. And you’re missing it.
Come next year. I want to meet you in Pittsburgh [ISSCA note: tentatively]. What’s the worst that could happen? You could miss out next year!
I love all you guys. Thank you for everything this week. I couldn’t have done it without you.
