heinrich

Mark much as I value and support you and your amazing work, this is more than you. My support here is specifically for the Porsche 928. You have proven yourself to be a very capable driver and I support you 110% on that basis, but removing the 928 from SCCA racing is a major blow to all 928 owners. Not just you, but every 928 will never be seen there again if we allow this. I have mailed the SCCA contacts and also PCA Leadership.
Regards,
Heinrich

mpesik

****! -What to do? I did appreciate your efforts!-Thanks-Mike.

heinrich

Randy may we please stick this one a while? Seems ultra-important ....
All the best,
Heinrich

Thaddeus

A chorus of voices is always more effective than a few. The tools are here, people need to use them. Email.

MBMB

I am not familiar with SCCA / racing politics. What might such an email say to be persuasive?

SharkSkin

Nor am I... but here is what I sent:

From: Dave A. Anderson (Mtv)
Sent: Friday, November 19, 2004 2:07 PM
To: 'acoalwell@sccapro.com'
Cc: 'president@scca.com'; 'gmudd@scca.com'
Subject: Regarding the 2005 race season

Sir, I would like to register my extreme disappointment with your decision to exclude Porsche 928s from next season’s World Challenge. Perhaps only the companies with big money behind them are allowed to compete now? Or was the true nature of the problem more an issue with having a 10-year old car running ahead of some other manufacturer’s “latest and greatest” models?

Not that you care about revenues for speed channel… but I was poised to sign up for that channel just so I could follow this series. Now it seems there is little point. Also, I expect that our Porsche clubs will be attending fewer events, if any. This is a sad day, though I suppose it is to be expected… GM, Dodge, and Audi all want to be perceived as “on the cutting edge” and it must really chap their hides when they finish behind an old car that qualifies and races on the same tires.

I understand that you all want to try to make the best decision for the sport, but I see(on message boards such as rennlist.com) a broad perception that competition is no longer the main concern; if it was, there would be no limit regarding year model of entrants. If you truly want to foster a competitive spirit, let the old cars that can still compete do so, and let the big $ players get embarrassed repeatedly until they improve their offerings enough to edge out the older cars purely on the basis of qualifying times.

Sincerely,

Dave Anderson

Tony

Marks car would make one heck of a door prize at Sharktoberfest next year!

Sorry to hear about the ruling Mark. Like so many things these days it seems, one figures out the game and they change the rules.
Im glad you embarrassed as many of the high dollar teams as you did! Your driving, commitment and passion for the car are an inspiration to me and im sure many others on here!

theres always a race to be had out there somewhere!

Nicole

Mark: This is indeed very sad. But see the bright side: You had been able to prove your point: That the 928 with an excellent, consistent driver was so far ahead of its time that even years after production ended, the competition had a hard time doing better. They had to use politcs to stop you and a winning car - without that you could have been successful for who knows how much longer!

In fact, I think that everybody, including Porsche, had reason to be embarassed for quite some time because of your accomplishments with a 928.

All good things end (unfortunately), but they were not able to prove you or the car wrong!

IcemanG17

It is a sad day. I was looking forward to attending races at Sears Point and Laguna Seca this year, just to see the 928's run. I guess I can save the trip for something else now! Yet another example of a big money operation getting pissed that thier million$+ program got spanked by a 10+ year old car driven by a low budget privateer.

"If you can't beat them, change the rules!"

onewhippedpuppy

Mark, I'm in the same boat, so I simply copied Thaddeus's short message from page 2, it's well written and to the point. Despite the fact that they will happily ignore a few enthusiasts for the sake of $$$$, we still have to voice our opinion. Impotently complaining on Rennlist won't make any difference. SCCA president's email address is on page two as well, lets fill his inbox!

Carl Fausett

Well my friend, the day you told me was coming has come.

I remember when you said (last year) that the 928 "sneaked in" for one more year in the sunshine. But they had reduced the maximum number of races you could run in so there was no way you could get yearly points total for the series.

I am sorry that the door finally closed. You have been a stollwart flag-bearer for all of us.

Your grasp of the reality is exact: ...that is the way it has to be for them to sell tickets.

Please bring the White Zombie to SCCA Solo 1 racing Nationals (where I hope to be headed) where you will be welcome. ...and somebody m,entioned Pike's Peak - and Open Road racing - these sound great! A great place for a road-course car to shine.

Or (I'd hate to loose you as a driver for us 928 guys), I still think you should pick up a professional ride. As I have told you before - your racing resume has shown you can do more with less than other monied teams. Call McKenna, or the Racer's Group, and get a ride in a Porsche.

puyi

200 % agree with you Heinrich.

puyi

hacker-pschorr

Mark,
What would they do if you just happen to "show up" on the grid?

Carl Fausett

Mark - maybe we could interest you in the PCA Nationals? Hmmmm?

Mark

I would suggest that we also include speedchannel in our protest efforts. They have as much (IF NOT MORE) to lose than anyone. Afterall - if we give our intent to drop speedchannel from pur cable/satellite lineups, they see potential loss in viewership which equates to lower advertising $$!!

As to the SCCA...the 2nd "C" should be change from "CLUB" to "CASH"!

Mark - I wish you the best. You have done SO MUCH to foster the admiration for our cars, and you have been a great inspiration to all of us!