Irresponsible behavior at the cruise.

[4RE KLR]

Dv has "ALWAYS" stated "SAFTY FIRST". ALWAYS!

Guys this is ment to be a fun event for Jenny and DV is the grand master. If the man says stop we should respect his wishes.....

Don't you think!

I will be the first to say I have not been to dvsf but I have wanted to attend each one and infact had reservations for two of the three. If we continue to make this a headache or a problem that adults can't overcome with the reality of common sense we could loose what has become the largest Cobra event in the world.

All we are ask to do is use common sense and be carefull. Remember it is not just your life you hold in your hands.

"SAFTY FIRST"

[casaleenie]

I think that "SAFETY FIRST" is a great concept....

[Dirty Harry]

Maybe if we're going to have a testosterone fest, it shouldn't be right in the middle of a strawberry fest...

Why don't we consider saving all our hard runs for a nearby racetrack.

[REAL 1]

Ed: You're a great guy and put on a great event. Sorry I couldn't make it this year with Rosemary's baby, but I hope to make it next year.

Safety must come first. Laws should be followed, cars should be safe, with proper safety belts used and insured and drivers licensed. There is no other way and any other analysis justifying burnouts and 100mph+ rides should be simply ignored. Its that simple.

My $.02.

[Randall Thomas]

Ed, you have nothing to apologize for. Remember, while you were in the front of all of us running the event, anyone one of us could have stepped up and stopped the show. Further, the police at the other end taking radar shots also certainly could have stepped up and shut them guys down... and while they should have, I think they too were caught up in the exhilaration. Lot's of "should-have's" and "could-have's" to go around for everybody.

Everyone is responsible for their own actions, even though unfortunately you'd have to ultimately be the one to answer for them if something would have gone wrong. for that, we all should apologize to YOU. While I did not make any London runs, I feel just as responsible for the way it "could have" gotten out of hand as you did, and I'll bet many other as well... that's why this thread seems so emotional as some here appear to be "scolding themselves" as punishment. We don't need to be doing that... the point is understood I thinking by everyone... it's just that some are defending Ed and the fling out of loyalty. Don't confuse that with thinking they are somehow irresponsible. I believe everyone here wants a safe event no matter what, and I believe no one here would sacrifice safety and the health of this event for a cheap high speed thrill. I also understand that a compromise needs to be reached to get the best of both rather than just going to the extreme one side or another..

One thing to remember, no matter what could have went wrong, the important part is that this time it DIDN'T go wrong. That doesn't make what took place any better, however, it just means that DV-3 was all it could be and more!!! It was a great time to remember, and there maybe a few things no one will ever see again at this or any event, and that's ok.

Ed, you could have the fling as a parkinglot show with no prizes or hype and it'd still be a great time, and I'd be there. I hope it won't come to that, but the events really don't matter as much as the camaraderie of the people there and just the event happening, period.

It looks like some learning was done, some ideas for next time have been cultivated and possibly some people to draw on for even more help has been identified.

Rest assured that anything you do not want to take place will NOT happen, because you just deputized a whole group here that will watch your backside when you may not be around at the event, and it will NOT get out of hand again, if for nothing else, in direct respect for you and your efforts in keeping this event safe and respectable as you have inspired it.

I hope this came out right and it's understood that we owe you something Ed, and now it's time to repay that back to you in the form of all being part of the new Fling "Safety Committee".

Deputy Randy... at your service, sir!

[concobra]

I am sure I will receive a tremendous amount of critical responses from these comments below. But the concern I have regarding such behavior as written in this thread drives me to express my opinion.

None of us as Cobra drivers has the right to ignore the laws that govern the safe operation of motor vehicles on public streets. Even if we receive any sort of waiver by the police to do so. It is not safe no matter how you justify your actions or proclaim your great driving abilities. The streets are not race tracks. Just think over the last two years how many posts have been listed on club cobra regarding those that have lost their lives by driving recklessly. This has to stop. We are jepordizing our hobby by such conduct and attitudes. Not to mention getting the attention of the insurance companies that are even willing to insure our type of cars. ( Have you noticed how premiums are going up? I have) The police are not responsible for assuring that we drive safely, we are. If we want to retain the right to operate our beloved cars we better respect the laws and apply the common sense needed to drive these cars safely on public roads. Save the racing for the race track.

If you have to justify your improper street driving in your mind and with your words. You already know in your heart it is wrong.

[Randall Thomas]

concobra, your feelings have been expressed many times before your post here.

If you read DV's post, it is already taken care of. It will not happen again. It will never jeapordize the fling again. Take Ed for his word, becasue his word is worth it's weight in gold.

The past can not be changed, and it has been applied to future events. There is really no need to beat a dead horse any longer, and there is no reason to make the event any less than it was by doing so... the event *was* great, and it couldn't have gone any better. No one did get hurt and everyone had a great time. There were no complaints AT the event, so the only complaints were after a few have thought about it a while. The time TO complain would have been while it was happening... that day.

We're thankful it went off without a hitch. Had a lot of fun, raised a lot of money and learned a lot of things. Lets just accept the event for what it was and move on. No one will forget what needs to be remembered, so there is no sense in beating that poor dead horse any longer.

/Randall

[craigayl]

Randall

Amen....

Craig

[TomH]

This is beginning to degenerate into the a form of self-flagellation that hasn't been seen since the Shah was driven from Tehran. There was no head-to-head street racing, so THAT sermon isn't necessary. The principals involved acknowledged that it was too fast and too furious. Ed says it won't happen again. Isn't it time to move on before we talk ourselves out of "IV"?

[searanch]

...put this thread out of its misery

[Excaliber]

Sshhhh, don't tell anyone....I want to burn rubber in the Main Street of London, Ohio. I want to leave two big black swaths of rubber on the street and spread the joy! Then I want to hit the Airport and go a 100 mph.

I confess, thats what I want to do. But I WILL listen to what Ed says we can or can't do. I know his game plan will be in the best interest of safety for all concerned.

..........(I hope there is a place to just "melt the tires" somewhere though). That would be fun!

Ernie

[Jamo]

I think we have a plugged toilet...the sh!t just keeps coming back up.

[concobra]

Thank you for your response. My comments were made in general and not directed towards any specific event. I am sure, based on the thread, that the event in question was well ran and well controlled. CV seems to be the type of person that is respected and dedicated to his sport. Putting on the event that started this thread is hard work. He deserves thanks from the attendees and other Cobra owners just for heading up this event.

I realize this thread is over done and I except blame for continuing to write in it. Nevertheless, I stand firm that we as Cobra owners need to project a positive image of our cars and sport and driving dangerously on public roads is not the way to do it. I know this seems overly condensending but that is not my point. My point is to address the bad driving issue and begin to create a self-governing attitude of good driving habits. One the public will embrace and support. There are so many Cobras now that everyone, including those that look negatively on our sport, will see us and if we do not conduct ourselves properly, those opposed to us, will push to restrict our abilities/freedoms to enjoy our hobby.

Look how Harley Davidson changed their image and created and positive public perspective. I just want us to do the same and I fear with the amount of bad press created in the last few years we are headed the wrong way.

Let me share this. I recently attended the All Ford Car show in Hillsboro, OR. Great event. Loads of fun. There were thirteen Cobras in attendance. All were fantastic cars. What got my attention was the public that walked up and made comment about the recent deaths associated with our cars. I was set back by the amount of people that were not only aware of this but were concerned enough to bring it up in discussion. That's bad press.

Anyway, I hope that all reading this will understand that I only wish to further our sport and make sure 5 years from now we can all enjoy the same level of freedom we do now. Smiles from the public, low insurance rates, and great group functions such as the one that CV has done.

Submitted with respect to all.

[Jamo]

Ah geez...one stubborn floater.

[Jamo]

...and BTW, given your desire to at least appear to be well-informed for someone that obviously wasn't there...it's DV, not CV!

[Turk]

Do you honestly believe the Florida Strawberry growers have any reason to apologize to California growers?

I had both, and I think the smaller ones are far better than the ones I get at Raley's.

What do you think?

TURK

[Randall Thomas]

concobra, one very important topic you proved without knowing it... you mentioned that you didn't like to see the "bad press" of the "recent Cobra deaths" from the public at a car show.

Think about this everyone... the only real "bad press" discussed about any of those incidents, were probably born from *fellow cobra owners*... such as right here, right now. I have not heard to date anyone making a big case about "recent cobra accidents" except for on the public cobra forums. How else would the "public" have been enlightened unless investigating on their own. Peter Jennings didn't spread it.

You see, what many are getting at here, as an example in this case, is we are being are own worse enemy! Why do we need to worry about anyone else out there to kill our sport and our cars when it seems we do a pretty good job for them, ourselves? Self punishment does not change the actions others would take on us anyway, so why give them a helping hand? They will not look at us and say, "boy those Cobra guys are really being hard on themselves, maybe we'll leave them alone". what they are probably thinking is, "these people are being stupid. We'll let them bash each other then go in for the kill and take the rest of them out". Our only hope is solidatiry and support of each other througfh understanding and comprimise.

As far as this thread, the discussion as it was borne from is going off into left field and is certianly not fair at all to the title of this thread, to the honor of the Fling and in respect to Ed, and in light of Jenny. If this line of discussion needs to be dissected further, I suggest at the very least and out of respect to all named above, that a new one be started and named differently.

In closing, I saw no UNsafe or reckless driving at the fling. I DID see some spirited antics that were APPLAUDED during the event, however, after digesting and considering all the ramifications, it appears many would now like to take their applause back. Can't be done, and there is no need to. Plus, you don't have to worry about it becasue Ed said it's all taken care of, fixed and you don't need to worry about seeing that in the future. Understand that, respect that and beleive it. I do.

Be good to each other,and while it's ok to be critical of your own actions, don't be so hard on each other, because their are enough other people out there that do NOT like our cars or our hobby that *will* be more than happy to do that for you. They don't need any help.

Now please, I ask that this thread pertaining to the Fling title be paused, and if it must, be continued under a new heading, more appropriately titled to reflect the content... like "We need to condemn ourselves before the opposition gets a chance to" ;-). or something like that.

/Randall

[Jamo]

We spend alot of money on methyl bromide and other chemicals to make our berries taste and look good. What is good for Dow and Monsanto is good for the United States.

Florida is a sand bar that thinks it can grow things.

Good points Randall.

[Jamo]

Turk, I presume the cars are back and that the truck is headed my way?

[concobra]

Randall,

Well stated. I will honor your request and drop using this thread. Furthermore, I will not begin a new one regarding this topic.

Thank you for taking the time to respond.