poor dennis...

Tracy · Post by **Tracy** » Fri Apr 20, 2007 5:04 pm

OK. This is a hard situation for me, but I'm going to post anyways.

I have known Dennis for a while now. I have known Glenn for a while now. So I am by no means taking any sides.

I want to see NOPI do well, mostly because it would benefit us (Dan and I) as drivers if the series goes well. So, I'm not going to act like it is anything different than that. In fact, I just want a series to do well over here period. In theory, it would mean that we wouldn't have to travel as far as if we did Formula D. I think NOPI has gone out on a limb and stepped up to the challenge. Their reasoning for hosting this series is none of our business, frankly. There are a lot of things that need to be worked out, true enough and I feel it can happen if handled correctly. It will take both sides communicating. Series and drivers.

There are lots of FACTS to take into consideration. 1. is that Glenn has the final say so at the events. This is something that I am aware of, but that many other may not be. Most of the issues this weekend were presented to the judges, not to Glenn directly. Some did not know that...no dispute there. Ultimately, it all comes back on NOPI as a whole....lesson learned. I'm sure Glenn will make it clear at the next event that if anyone has any issues to present that they presented to him directly. 2. Dennis hit a stack of cones and this is what caused the accident presumably. Lesson learned. Maybe there will be less cones on the next course. We have ALL drifted at an event where we have hit/run over a cone. This was a freak occurance. It could very well have been one cone or the clipping point that did this if there were less cones on the course...we will never know. It is what it is at this point. There was a lot of K-rail! I'm not totally sure, but I think the judges designed the course. IMO I don't think NOPI was wrong in trusting the judges to help them do so. 2 of them are drivers with a lot of experince. The problem I see is that when complaints were presented they should have been directed to Glenn. We will never know if that would have made a difference, unfortunately. BUT Like I said...lesson learned. 3. Glenn and Dennis have talked from what both Dennis and Glenn told me. I think this whole tie rod issue was blown a little out of proportion. This is the internet and things sometimes get taken the wrong way. From what I have heard they both are in agreement that it WASN'T driver error and I think that is the point that was trying to be made by Glenn. Dennis was really upset and hard on himslef at FOERST that "he" wrecked his car and Glenn was trying to reassure him that it wasn't driver error. That from the looks of the pics that he saw...it wasn't driver error. 4. The judges said some things that made us a little uncomfortable. I'm with you on that. The best thing to do, as I did, is to call Glenn up, let him know how you feel and let him deal with it accordingly. Maybe he agrees with how the judges ahndled thinga...maybe he doesn't. But if it's not discussed with him, we will never know.

I am just as concerned as everyone else about the issues being discussed. I had some things that happened at the event that I didn't agree with. I did my fair share of complaining. To tell you the truth, it happens at every event I have been to. This series is no exception. I'm sure it will be just like every other motorsport I have particpated in. There is always something. There is always drama. There is always something that's not fair. There is always someone cheating. There are always politics. To be honest I don't know what can be done to remedy this situation besides surveying the situation and trying to make it better next go-a-round. I know everyone is upset and there is a lot on the line for some. Dan wrecked the shit out of his car. I was scared. I just don't feel like what happened was intentional and I feel like it can be addressed and remedied (sp?). This is the second event. Overall, this event was a little better than the last.

I just hope it can all be worked out amicably.

turbofb · Post by **turbofb** » Fri Apr 20, 2007 5:11 pm

Glennw wrote:

Just so you know. I am at LA Fitness on Sugarloaf everynight until 9pm, I can spare 5 mins for you.

Im over at knuckleup most nights

NOPIMAN · Post by **NOPIMAN** » Fri Apr 20, 2007 5:15 pm

I'm usually at Disneyland

Rhoad Racing · Post by **Rhoad Racing** » Fri Apr 20, 2007 5:55 pm

Glennw wrote:Just for confirmation, has Drift 411 ever had an accident and been chastised like NOPI DRIFT is being?

No, b/c Drift411 runs actual safe events. So I highly suggest leaving Drift411 out of this conversation.

Food for thought: Don't bike the hand that feeds you.

P.Haire · Post by **P.Haire** » Fri Apr 20, 2007 5:57 pm

i agree with eugene i think we should just hug this out.

shawn shawn · Post by **shawn shawn** » Fri Apr 20, 2007 6:31 pm

See what you started struka!

GreekDrifter · Post by **GreekDrifter** » Fri Apr 20, 2007 7:18 pm

I'm sorry it has gotten to this point.

I do not feel that anyone is blaming me or saying it was my fault. I think the pictures tell the story. I challenge anyone to go 60mph 25ft from k-rail and try to get out of the situation I was in. I really donâ€™t think it could be done. Thatâ€™s my story and Iâ€™m sticking to it.

1. Arguing on a forum is very unprofessional. It makes people and organizations look foolish.

2. Glen has been great throughout this ordeal. I believe him when he says he wants a safe and great event.

3. The judges did say that we should be pro drifters and drive the course the way it is, or take up practice time to change it. I believe the people of this forum as well as myself take issue with that attitude and/or decision. Unfortunately NOPI is responsible for the opinions and views as well as the decisions and comments of its employees. I feel the judges were out of line and irresponsible in the handling of the situation regarding the original course design. Glen, I believe this forum is holding NOPI responsible for the comments of your judges. I will say that when Glen heard our cries and Dougâ€™s, the course was changed. THIS IS INDEPENDENT OF WHAT HAPPENED TO ME. I did not express issue with k-rails or stacked cones after the change. I felt the k-rail was kinds small, and I wasn't in love with their placement either, but it was a minimal concern.

4. No one knew stacked cones could do such a thing. I hold no one responsible. If I see stacked cones at the next event, I will be upset.

5. No one knew about the k-rail. We have the benefit of hind sight too say that maybe a second row of k-rail, parallel to the FOERST, offset from the other, would have been sufficient to hold in place during an impact. Hindsight's a bitch ainâ€™t it?

I'm on my sidekick and I'm dick of typing with my thumbs.

GreekDrifter · Post by **GreekDrifter** » Fri Apr 20, 2007 7:30 pm

As an engineer, I believe the wall broke the tie rod not the cones. I feel that the two cones somehow locked up the wheel, taking my traction wheel (outside) and rendering it useless, and putting me into the wall.

Either way, itâ€™s irrelevant. I was double-teamed by cones, and the cones took me down. I put up a fight, but went down.

Light.......shedding.....

Dr. Marlow · Post by **Dr. Marlow** » Fri Apr 20, 2007 8:55 pm

Midtenn · Post by **Midtenn** » Fri Apr 20, 2007 9:30 pm

My question is why were the K-barriers in the center even there? from the looks of the course layout, they were pointless, you could have done the whole layout with cones and not had any accidents.

Post by **andysapp** » Fri Apr 20, 2007 10:11 pm

Glennw wrote:Unlike you Andy and a few others on here, I speak words of truth and wisdom, not hide behind the keyboard and whisper things behind peoples backs.

Damn... and I thought no one could see me here on a public forum that I foot the bill for.

According to online etiquette, when you post in all caps with bold type, you are more-or-less screaming your point. I hardly think I'm whispering anything.

Glennw wrote:Have a good day, and you know our numbers, quit ducking the phone calls.

I am busy finishing a documentary about drifting that I quit my job to complete. I'm not making time for anyone right now. Unless you, or everyone else ringing my phone off the hook would like to cut me a check for my time... then I'm sorry - you'll have to take the backseat with everyone, because I don't have the time.

P.Haire · Post by **P.Haire** » Fri Apr 20, 2007 10:15 pm

whatever andy (not his real name) we all know you're a n00b keyboard drifter.

p.s. get back to work

icantdrift · Post by **icantdrift** » Fri Apr 20, 2007 10:27 pm

P.Haire wrote:whatever andy (not his real name) we all know you're a n00b keyboard drifter.

p.s. get back to work

stop talking to andy, he's busy.

Dr. Marlow · Post by **Dr. Marlow** » Sat Apr 21, 2007 12:14 am

OMGWHODAT?!?!?!?!1111

CubanMike · Post by **CubanMike** » Sat Apr 21, 2007 12:27 am

P.Haire wrote:whatever andy (not his real name) we all know you're a n00b keyboard drifter.

No, no, no...you're mistaken! I've seen this guy keyboard drift. He's actually quite good. He's got a garage full of shredded keys. Might make it pro one day.

poor dennis...

Re: Andy Sapp