[Jim Downard]

Well, I just finished reading the three pages of threads and frankly, I must say, it's a bit disappointing. I'm currently involved in two legal matters with my construction company and it circles around ethics, morals, and respect, all of which seem to be in extremely short supply in the world these days. I get on the forum to feel better about my life and the world in general, but now I feel worse.

Firstly, Ed (DV) deserves the respect of everyone on this forum for what he has accomplished out of his love for these cars, and more importantly, family values. His decision to allow the Great Lakes Cobra club host the next fling was, I'm sure, in the best interest of the Fling itself. After spending four years of his time with the fling, and it's increasing popularity, I believe the man knows what's best for it.

Secondly, I also believe that the City of London is owed our gratitude for opening their doors to allow the fling to take place there. In the four years that this has taken place, I think London's strawberry festival has trasformed more to a Cobra event than a strawberry festival, and the crowds have come to expect that. The Fling itself was responsible for the transformation, and I think the Cobra community needs to maintain some kind of support for it.

I wish their was a more politicly correct way to handle this, perhaps it would be best to separate the dates by a month or so. I don't see that happening this year, but perhaps in the future. All I can tell you now is that I know in my heart, DV is a great man (Ed, take a bow), and he and his family deserve better (my family's prayers are with you and yours hoping all works out). However, after reading the bickering on these last three pages, I have decided not to attend either event as it's losing sight of what it was all supposed to be about, FAMILY.

Jim Downard