by Miguel Caparros

Testosterone running poor decisions has been the undoing of many men and women. Poor judgement in the effort to show off, rears its ugly head. At some point it happens to us all, it is part of what makes us tick and also so dangerous. My earliest memory of testosterone experience was when I was maybe 5, I really wanted to ride my big sisters 26 inch bicycle. She asked me to watch it while she visited a friend. The temptation was too great. I hopped on pushed off and took off on the downhill run on the sidewalk. As momentum turned into speed  I was in ecstasy with the resulting increase, fear gave way to the accomplishment that I was riding a BIG bike! As gravity accelerated the bike, I had to face the reality of figuring out how to stop. I was too small to activate the brakes.  Nearing our house and quickly reaching the end of the sidewalk I chose to run into a hedge as a way to stop. It did not do the bike much good, broke the fork and bent the front tire, I sustained minor scrapes and scratches and had to face the wrath of my 13 year old sister who on one hand wanted to kill me on the other she was worried that I was seriously hurt. I was not and Federico, our handy man had her bike fixed as good as new in a couple of days. This adventure eventually led to me to be a professional risk taker. I have spent a lifetime on the edge and perhaps that may be the reason that the survivor in me figured out early on were the limits are. But most of all, the need to show off always was balanced by the need to do no harm to others. I have done a thousand burn outs at the drag strip, never once on the street or a parking lot full of people, NEVER. I have raced on the streets, but always in a controlled environment. The consequences to innocents in my mind, has always overruled the need to just show off. I am guilty of trying to set land speed records at 3 am, again with the though of doing no harm.

That brings me to the following note from Mark Ritter. As you know we are a huge supporter of Mark's Caffeine and Octane. Here is his note from his website.

Event Location Change Coming

Ok guys and girls, time for some facts. First off the event has not been cancelled. Yes we have lost our venue, but I was already working on another location close by. I recognized problems with Mansell Crossing, mainly the lack of Caffeine! Starbucks tried hard and we thank them, but we’ve outgrown the location.

That said though size does it was not the primary reason we were told to leave. For that reason we all need to look in the mirror. We had a number of burnouts, people parked in fire lanes, and the group along the main road egging on departing participants to ” do something stupid!”

As I mentioned I’m working on a new venue, but we need to clean up our act, or the same thing will happen. Frankly I’m willing to try this one more time, but after that… Unfortunately it only takes a few to spoil it for the rest. Before anybody starts pinning blame on a specific group or genre there were offenders of all ages and Marques.

When we do move there will be a lot more police presence. They will not be giving warnings.
More to come soon. But for now keep checking the site and please DO NOT go to Mansell Crossing for the July event.

Quality Judging As A Basis For Good Events by Mike Thies. Miguel Caparros Photos

Meet Darlene and Richard Scott 

As one can image, I have been to a large number of car and bike shows over the years and I have developed some opinions of what goes into putting together a good event. The things that impact on positive or negative reactions (that are within human control) include such things as, is it a benefit?, location, cost of entry, music and sound, DJ, food and drink, attitude of staff and attendants, entertainment, vendors, door prizes and trophies, quality of judging, attention to detail, and of course, is every thing is on schedule. In one short year, I have watched one couple go from regular show attendees to running a collection of the finest events in the southeast.

You may say that I am biased as his friend, and I may be a bit; but anyone who knows will agree that Richard (Gunny) and Darlene Scott have developed an array of some of the finest open car shows around. They work together tireless on the details to put together well organized programs. They really do check it all twice, and they get there early enough to do just that.

Gunny has worked for his strong reputation as a top notch car and bike show judge; completing the stringent ISCA (International Show Car Association used by the World of Wheels) training as well as being a trainer for the American Wheels Events Judges Association. Competent judging is important as those of us who have been a participant when a clearly inferior vehicle car wins over a better one, can attest. Show operators who choose “participant choice” awards will tell you that it doesn’t work well as an alternative, either. Gunny leads all the judging and will be able to tell you very objectively what you need to work on to improve your scoring in the future. This is a great service in its own right.

Gunny gives most of the credit to Darlene as being “the glue” that holds it all together. And when Darlene and Gunny get involved with benefits and charities, it is a special event to be sure. There are so many wonderful people out there operating and attending the “wheels events” around the globe, I thought I would highlight a couple, as we stop for a moment and reflect on what, and who, contributes to the making a good event. Thank you Gunny and Darlene. Keep up the good “work”.  Look for them under Prowler Boy Productions; www.prowlerboy.com.