Blown Away!

Now that I have had time to get home and rest for a day, reliving the memories in my mind, I want to make sure to acknowledge some folks who were absolutely integral in the Annual Meet and Darshana & my experience thereof. I am blown away by the amount of generosity, acceptance and camaraderie that exist in this community for everyone who experiences it. While I've been a member of the FCA for quite a long time, I have not yet become official Tifosi and yet still feel as though I've been treated as such at every gathering. There are so many fantastic people in this group...

Warning - I have a lot of people to thank, so the orchestra will get really loud and the networks will have long gone to commercial break before I'm done and the stage crew will be no doubt deploying the hook but that ain't gonna stop me LOL!

IN NO PARTICULAR ORDER (stream of consciousness), I want to send out heart felt thanks to:

Bob Snow for leading the brigade to such a successful and enjoyable event. There were no doubt times when he probably wanted to throw in the towel and everything else with it but his leadership (and speaking ability at the dinners and presentations!) created an outstanding event that will live long in the memories and history books! THANKS BOB!!!

Beth Snow for being such an amazing trooper - working the registration tent and more for days on end in unbearable heat and humidity while ALWAYS greeting everyone with a smile and cheer (and hugs too!!!) Beth, you rock!!!

Gordon King for being SO generous! Without Gordo's donating the use of his RV to the cause for the official Track HQ, the track event management team would have suffered the entire time and maybe not even have been able to do their jobs. Without his donating 150 cones to the cause, there would have been vast confusion as to where to go when in-car. And without his generous and fun-loving spirit, it just wouldn't have been nearly the event it was. Thank you Gordo for always being who you are!!! And now Darshana actually believes you exist!! LOL We can't wait to see you again - as always!

Duncan McPherson, who never even officially got to register for the event - even though he was the point person at the track. He was up and there every morning before the birds even woke up and worked tirelessly before and during the event to make sure that it was safe and as well-oiled as possible! Duncan, did you even get to drive at all?! Wow, your commitment to everyone's having the best time is without description... THANK YOU!!

David Sebok for being the hinge-pin in coordination for all the activities, as well as networking to make sure all were welcomed and having the best of times. You can work a room better than any US President has ever been able to do! The speed at which you move around a room is second only to David Scott's ability to travel faster than light (but I'll get to that in a moment...) You and Linda made Dar and I feel so very special and now that Linda and Dar are 'sisters' I am sure you'll have to put up with us a lot more! ;-) It is clear by how well everything turned out that you worked incredibly hard to make the event seemless. THANK YOU!!!

Linda Sebok for allowing David to run amok and be who he is!! I know it wasn't always easy, so THANK YOU!!! Also Thanks for being such a sweet, kind, amazing person - Dar and I love you to death and can't wait to spend more time with you!

David Scott... Where do I even begin? As my Red Group student, what did we get in - two, maybe three sessions over the whole week? All because of your commitment to making sure everything else was running as smoothly as possible. From segways to conversations with the state police about security, etc. HOW DO YOU MOVE SO FREAKIN' FAST? I hereby nominate a new nickname/handle for you: You should no longer be known as JM Fantango but "Flash" instead - because even the superhero The Flash could not keep up with you. Dude, you move faster than light!! You are a temporal anomaly and should be the center character of a new Star Trek movie or something!! It was absolutely awesome working with you and I look forward to doing so again sometime - if I can find/keep up/catch you!! All I can say is WOW!! If I can get you as fast in a race car as you are on foot, segway, golf cart, etc., I'm going to get you in a Formula 1 car - and you'll win championships!!!!

Mason Cox: The amazing and unexpected gift you gave me at dinner Friday night will be cherished for all my time! Just the history of that pin, much less the fact that you MADE it!!! OMG!! You can bet that as long as it's safe to do so (risk of loss), that pin will be proudly displayed at all my future Ferrari related events and many more. I literally can't think of words to express my appreciation and gratitude. WOW... THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!

Chris Ahlgrim for herding the endless cats that come with registration and coordination for such an event!! Our swag bags were merely a token (a FANTASTIC token, mind you) to the representation of all the hard work you clearly put into this event! Simply put - amazing work; Thank You!!

Steve Ahlgrim for an amazing concours and coordination thereof. I spent so little time with you but your efforts were abundantly clear through what looked like an East Coast Pebble Beach. Awesome!!

Michael Lysczek, Carl Iseli, and Matt Lallo: I group you guys together because you worked so well as a team that it was as if you were a single entity! All the driver and instructor meetings were informative, covered the necessary bases and never belaboring. Your tireless work to keep everyone safe and all cars straight was incredible and over the top! Whenever anyone needed anything - from an instructor needing a soloing wristband to a student having the most basic question, you guys were always around and had the solution pronto. A testament to your professionalism and dedication to the program. I so enjoyed working with you all and would gladly do so again in a moment's notice. Anytime any of you need anything from me, ask without hesitation and I'm there for you. Most people there have still no clue about the hoops within hoops you all had to jump through and the creativity you had to use to create such a smooth running program. I know it didn't seem at all smooth to you ('cause you were the ones hoop jumping) but trust me, on the surface - where the participants play, it was a seemless event. Even with all the communication, logistic, and timing issues you suffered, the response I heard repeatedly throughout the paddock (One gentleman from Florida raved for literally minutes as to how this was THE best event he'd ever been to and considered it over the top!!) was overwhelmingly how wonderful the event was. An astounding acknowledgement to an amazing job that only you three could put together as a team!!! THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!!

Andy Green for covering the tech's and being the resident expert on how to get around a track that 99.5% of us had never even seen. THANK YOU!!! As well, it was so great meeting you and your lovely companion. We must get together again when we're not tasked up! Dar and I both really enjoyed our time with you at the Challenge Celebration dinner and continued to say how we'd like to spend more time with you. Lastly, Andy - let me know when you are ready to work on VIR; I will make sure you are the fastest you can possibly be there!

Tom Williamson... Wow, how do I begin? This one's a little personal too... Ever since I met you over 10 years ago, you have been so generous, kind and amazing to me. As well, any time we are at the track you are always my biggest advocate and suporter! Introducing me to people everywhere and always making me feel special. Words can't describe the thanks and caring in my heart for who you are for me. THANK YOU. And THANK YOU for making Dar's birthday over the top special at Garibaldi's Saturday night!!!!!!! The company, the food, the wine and the conversation - all fantastic! One of my first missions when I arrived in Savannah was to find out if you were there and I was so happy to see you at the track Thursday (or was it Friday - it's all a blur) as honestly, it truly would not be an official FCA event without your presence. Dar and Cheryl are now bonded like sisters, so you better keep her! She is QUITE the catch and compliments you so well. We love you both and can't wait to see you again!

Woody and Susan Byrd - (More personal... hey I can't help it - take another commercial break LOL) You all too are always so great to Dar and I. And pressing on through having just been under the weather to come down for the festivities! Awesome! You are so fun and such a great inspiration to and influence on everyone around you. You're contagious - in a great way!! And Woody, your driving has come so far since we first started working together! You can wheel that car around a track, my man - so smooth!! From your smiles to Susan's 'tattoo' you two are always the life of the party!!

Hank, Ronnie, and David from FCI: I don't know how you guys do it! Hank's energy is only matched by Ronnie and David's endurance! You always show up with great machinery, swag and above all attitudes. You all know intimately the meaning of customer service; but more importantly - you know the value of relationships. Your kindness, eagerness to help others, and cheerful demeanor always makes you all such pleasure to be around.

While I'm on vendor types - Steve Barney: Your dedication to Italian cars, the events around them and your friendly and unimposing way of customer service is unmatched. Thanks for just being you at these events! And for this event in particular, I think you know how much Eddie Smith meant to me and so many others - so a BIG heart felt THANK YOU for taking such good care of the NART Spyder over the last 2 years!!!! Wow, I can only imagine the responsibility!! You're amazing TLC for the car and the family and helping them get it to its new home is unprecedented and so appreciated by even those of us outside the family. You truly are one great guy!

Eddie and the Smith family: Seeing how I just met you Eddie Jr. - it was a great honor and pleasure. I'll be sending you that info we discussed at the councours. THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU for being so generous as to bring the family and the car to the event!! That car truly is a piece of history and to share it as you have/did is amazing and generous beyond measure. Eddie (George) Sr. loved that car as his 'baby' and shared so many stories with us about it and other experiences in a way that only he could - so colorful and full of life. I still miss your dad and seeing that car brought back so many memories and tears of joy for the time (albeit relatively small by comparison) that he shared with me. Amazing.

Dennis (Denny) & Sarah Anderson - First of all, Sarah... how did your voice bear the heat and humidity and constant announcements that you did to keep us all informed?! By the time I got home, my voice was (and still is) completely shot! WOW! What a trooper you are to have stuck it out and been there for us, making most of the PA calls - THANK YOU!!!
Denny, aside from being a National Chair and experienced concours judge, your input and expertise was top notch and SO appreciated!! The two of you together make a powerful force and without you, this event would have been riddled with issues. Again - thank you both!!!

My students (Raisa, Rich, Tom, Dave, Bud, Scott, and anyone else with whom I may have jumped in at the last minute on the grid because your right seat was empty) - Thank YOU for allowing me to be of service to you and hopefully up your skills on this track and others as you go forward (as well as on the street(!) - don't forget these skills translate, sans the speed!) There's nothing for me that matches that moment when it all 'clicks' for you and we find that magic line through a section (or better yet, an entire lap!) that gives you that giddy feeling in your gut and realization on what works best!! I look forward to seeing you again soon on track and perhaps away from the track as well.

THE CORNER WORKERS!! OMG!!! They stood out on the pavement and/or next to it for hellish days on end just to keep us safe and had the best of attitudes! I didn't get to spend any real time with them but wow - what a fantastic job! And the nice lady who was stationed at pit-in; her smile and wave made every minute worth it! She was just joyous!!

THE VOLUNTEERS (yellow "Staff" shirts) - again, SO AMAZING!!! I can't thank you all enough for doing all you did!! Never a wry word or daft look - always a smile and proper guidance and getting it done. Absolutely amazing! I salute you all!!!

The race team, who seemed to come from all sanctions and all areas of the US, did such a great job - be it running gate and session control to rescheduling the actual race to make it more amenable for everyone (racers and spectators alike) and creating a format that was equitable, fun and put on a great show! THANK YOU!! You guys had so much to do in the RV, no one really knew you were there, it just all happened by magic! Truly an homage to how great of a job you all did!

To the participants - without whom NONE of this would have been possible. THANK YOU for being so generous and fun loving to bring your wonderful machinery to the event to do what it was designed to do!! What a show and community you all put on. The eye candy was endless and the fun, spirit and camaraderie were as well. We met so many great people and made so many new friends that this event will endure the rest of our lives. Again - THANK YOU!!

Henry - Our dinner conversation brought up SO many memories from my old IMSA, SCCA, ARCA, etc. etc. etc. days... My gosh... Someone needed to throw cold water on us. It was awesome meeting you and I look forward to seeing you again. Oh and HAPPY WEDDING in February!!

Marc McConnell - It's always great to see you and I'm sure you had plenty of hands in this. Thank you for your continued perspective, hard work, and company. Not to mention you're bringing your fun wife!! Getting that many mischievous girls together (Friday night on the patio) could be bad for all us guys' images! :-D Especially Tommy's LOL (Just kidding!)

MY LOVELY WIFE DARSHANA!!!! She sat in a hot car all three track days waiting on ME - even though it was her birthday week (trust me... there's a birthday MONTH!) and never complained, well except about how hot it was - and the mini van that the VW dealership gave us as a loaner while the Touareg was in for maintenance... My wife is amazing. She didn't even get a ride (when I offered but told her long sleeves and pants, she politely refused due to the heat - understandable)!! If it weren't for her and her support, I would not be able to help the people I do go faster, safer and get better - living my passion. I love you baby!! THANK YOU !!!!!!!!!!!

I know I am leaving out/forgetting so many people, but the hook is around my waste and I'm being dragged off stage!! No! No! wait, there's moooooooooooore!!!
(Yank!) Paaaaaaaaaallllllllmmmmmmm Sprrrrriiiiiiiinnnnnnnnnngssssssss! (poof)

Cheers & C U @ d'Track!!
C

Chuck Hawks,
Pro-Driver, Coach, Instructor & Facilitator
rEvolution Performance

 

Hey, Thanks everyone for the kind words!
I think considering everything that presented itself as a challenge over the course of putting Savannah together, the team that did so worked miracles! It truly was a great event.

All I can say is Palm Springs has some REALLY big shoes to step into!

Oh and Dave - I'd love some hi-res versions of those panoramic shots! Man, those things are AWESOME!

Cheers & C U @ d'Track!!
C

Chuck Hawks,
Pro-Driver, Coach, Instructor & Facilitator
rEvolution Performance

 

Me too Patrick. I do appreciate our phone conversations and your suggestions and voicemails on places to visit for sure! We ended up going to B&D Burgers several times - that place ROCKS!!

Indeed. I look forward to finally meeting you in person!

Cheers & C U @ d'Track!!
C

Chuck Hawks,
Pro-Driver, Coach, Instructor & Facilitator
rEvolution Performance