Over the years ive met alot of the members on this forum through various events held around the country, yet i still havent had the priviledge to own an SRT4 although i spend alot of time modding, repairing and racing them. Of ALL the nats that have been held in the past i was unable to attend one, the second one held in louisiana. I was there for the first and was there for the last but wish the show would go on but as was said above the hardcore people have moved on. This year alone i made the trek to Ohio with Dansrt4 for the midwest event only to turn around less than 3 weeks later and end up at Mopars at The track in my own Neon. I had planned to make it to the canadian event but lack of documentation to cross the border and paid time off to use kept me at home. I personally dont mind traveling distances to do what i enjoy and meet people who share my passion but it seems that as time passes and the new generation of automotive afficianados goes....the passion is loosing its edge.
I was once amongst people like on this forum who were very hardcore about road racing, auto crossing and even the ocassional drag racing but now its boiled down to people who only care about street racing, bragging rights and know nothing about what their car (Dodge SRt4) did for the domestic sport compact scene let alone the fact that Neons have their own place in american grassroots motorsports history.
I thank all of the CSC guys for showing the rest of the SRT community what a bunch of gearheads can do when they are really passionate about their vehicle/community. On the same token i have to say the rest of the midwest crew deserves mention....all you guys are pretty hardcore in comparison to the laid back atmosphere we have here down south. My neon ended up getting to take trip back from memphis on a dolly as the stock clutch with all 110k miles gave up after almost 7 hours of road course abuse. I had a blast then and every year prior despite the drama and uncertainty....
Thank you Dale Seeley, i respect you greatly eventhough we often butt heads and your tolerance levels go right out the window in my presence
To the rest of you who are new around here...search and take the time to read what a wonderfull time was had before you bought your car and brought along ignorance to a once hardcore group of owners. That i dont thank anyone for except those parents who refused to show their kids the basics of the gearhead world or those brilliant drivers/techs/fabricators/tuners who are so caught up in themselves for not caring to pass along the gift/art that was passed onto you. People...we are dwindelling because of selfishness and ignorance not because people are moving on, as such i have made it my point to not be like everyone else...
