I had a nice chat with a couple of guys this week. They are from the area and are avid hobbyists and do car shows as often as they can. One Chat was on their turf, one was on mine. But it was good to talk with them, as they represent a portion of the hobby we don't really understand.
TUNING.
They and I have a great respect for each other and a mutual respect for our rides. With my Automotive background I probably have a better understanding of what it takes to Tune a newer car and can talk turboese if I need to. I can also understand piggy backing an ECU to hack into a management system to tweak a motor above the preset parameters from the manufacturer. Yes, sometimes I awaken in the middle of the night screaming.
After the first chat with a JDM proponent (Japanese Domestic Market) we found that his slight engineering problem was easily cured with some welding and relocating. Then as the discussion went on we discovered that what he does with composite materials and plastic we do with metal and fudge. Imagine that, common ground. What they do with electronics we do with a screwdriver and once you understand that when we fight to get 400hp out of a V-8 with carbs and cams they almost get 400hp out of half as many cylinders with a lap top and a turbo.
The conversations were good and the end result was better as now I know one reason that some of the younger crowd looks at our vehicles with disdain. Its not that they don't like them, they actually do. They just didn't grow up with the Old Cars like we did. I have a photo of my father driving a 53 Studebaker, their dads were driving 89 Honda CRX's and Ford Tempos. But we all have this hobby in common.
We can all learn something from someone every day. I learned that these young guys are as good a friend as anybody else. They learned that Old Guys aren't all stuck in the 50's & 60's. They look at our music much like we looked at our parents music. I remember many clashes of Elvis verses Led Zeppelin in my household. We all learned that when respect is given and earned mutually it makes life just that much easier.
So if a Tuner puts out his hand to shake, make sure you do, they could be your next best friend. They definitely are the future of the hobby.
2/27/10
2/24/10
Updates and More Crap
As some of you know Hotkarz is up and running again after having some type of issue with Bandwidth Exceeded which could be caused by anything. That is if anyone cares, which from the responses, that are in the comments section, nobody does.
LD1642 is still breathing but not as a law or anything with teeth, Yet. The Transportation Committee has sent this to a Stakeholder Committee that reports back next Feb. to give them something to play with. Now for those that are not quite sure what a Stakeholder Committee is. It is a group made up of those that have a Stake in all this. Basically the Uninformed are passing it off to the Informed. Stay tuned for more of that.
The Calendar over at the Road Scholars Site http://roadscholars.webs.com/ is filling up with notable Dates for Shriners, Togus, Durham, Toys for Tots and some new shows by Team 207 and the new version of the Windham Show called Car Show 2010. With 35 dates just in Maine, the Season should be busy.
NSRA will be doing 2 Member Appreciation Days, the First in Orland ME at Kool Kustoms on May 23rd and the 2nd being put together by Western Maine Street Rods for the 6th of June in Rumford at the Shopping Plaza on Route 2 next to Mardens. These are open to past, current and future members of the NSRA. There is a possibility of a third Appreciation Day but the details are still being worked out. All Nsra Appreciation Days will have prize give aways 50/50 and NSRA Awards given to the Street Rodder who best represents the hobby.
The World of Wheels is fast upon us in March on the 12th 13th & 14th and a few local Boys are in the Show with hopes of an award or at least recognition for their efforts. Have fun!!
That is all, till next.
LD1642 is still breathing but not as a law or anything with teeth, Yet. The Transportation Committee has sent this to a Stakeholder Committee that reports back next Feb. to give them something to play with. Now for those that are not quite sure what a Stakeholder Committee is. It is a group made up of those that have a Stake in all this. Basically the Uninformed are passing it off to the Informed. Stay tuned for more of that.
The Calendar over at the Road Scholars Site http://roadscholars.webs.com/ is filling up with notable Dates for Shriners, Togus, Durham, Toys for Tots and some new shows by Team 207 and the new version of the Windham Show called Car Show 2010. With 35 dates just in Maine, the Season should be busy.
NSRA will be doing 2 Member Appreciation Days, the First in Orland ME at Kool Kustoms on May 23rd and the 2nd being put together by Western Maine Street Rods for the 6th of June in Rumford at the Shopping Plaza on Route 2 next to Mardens. These are open to past, current and future members of the NSRA. There is a possibility of a third Appreciation Day but the details are still being worked out. All Nsra Appreciation Days will have prize give aways 50/50 and NSRA Awards given to the Street Rodder who best represents the hobby.
The World of Wheels is fast upon us in March on the 12th 13th & 14th and a few local Boys are in the Show with hopes of an award or at least recognition for their efforts. Have fun!!
That is all, till next.
2/22/10
Someone Tell Him
In all fairness to all in the hobby, someone should let him know. Although we may not be all warm and cuddly in each others presence and I have been told that there is respect for our opinions in most circles. He needs to be told.
I was greeted today by this on his site today, Bandwidth Limit ExceededThe server is temporarily unable to service your request due to the site owner reaching his/her bandwidth limit. Please try again later.
Apache/2.2.14 (Unix) mod_ssl/2.2.14 OpenSSL/0.9.8e-fips-rhel5 mod_python/3.3.1 Python/2.4.3 mod_auth_passthrough/2.1 mod_bwlimited/1.4 FrontPage/5.0.2.2635 Server at www.hotkarz.com Port 80
That this would happen at all is unfortunate but to happen at the beginning of the season is even more so. As I have stated before, Information is a tool that is easily used by us all.
So tell Bill his website ate itself and then we can get more info to enjoy our hobby.
I was greeted today by this on his site today, Bandwidth Limit ExceededThe server is temporarily unable to service your request due to the site owner reaching his/her bandwidth limit. Please try again later.
Apache/2.2.14 (Unix) mod_ssl/2.2.14 OpenSSL/0.9.8e-fips-rhel5 mod_python/3.3.1 Python/2.4.3 mod_auth_passthrough/2.1 mod_bwlimited/1.4 FrontPage/5.0.2.2635 Server at www.hotkarz.com Port 80
That this would happen at all is unfortunate but to happen at the beginning of the season is even more so. As I have stated before, Information is a tool that is easily used by us all.
So tell Bill his website ate itself and then we can get more info to enjoy our hobby.
2/20/10
Shhhhhhh...Can you hear that. Didn't think so.
As the season approaches, slowly, the schedules are coming out. Filling the spaces of the calendar with multiple entries and notations on what goes on at this show and what happened last year at that show.
All crap that clogs our already full minds with the expected irritations that were persistent last year. Clogs get removed sooner or later, and sooner is better for us all. So lets Let That Shit Go.
As was told to me by a fellow enthusiast and friend "the tell was, as to who was not at the meeting". In return I answered that "the tell was, as to who was there". Later I was told I should attend the winter gathering at C.H.O.P. and I commented I didn't want to stir the pot. I was told,there is no pot. In my mind there is a pot but I can learn to leave my spoon at home.
Don't let last year cloud your judgement on the shows that seemed screwed up. Remember the good parts and try to run with it. Remember how we can have fun and all else will fall in line. Remember who was at the meeting, and not those that did not attend.
And tonight I'll close this rag with what I posted on Facebook.
It Has Occurred to me that if a person can stand up and bitch about it, they can take a step forward and do something about it as well.
Shhhhhh...Can you hear that. Yep, so can I..
All crap that clogs our already full minds with the expected irritations that were persistent last year. Clogs get removed sooner or later, and sooner is better for us all. So lets Let That Shit Go.
As was told to me by a fellow enthusiast and friend "the tell was, as to who was not at the meeting". In return I answered that "the tell was, as to who was there". Later I was told I should attend the winter gathering at C.H.O.P. and I commented I didn't want to stir the pot. I was told,there is no pot. In my mind there is a pot but I can learn to leave my spoon at home.
Don't let last year cloud your judgement on the shows that seemed screwed up. Remember the good parts and try to run with it. Remember how we can have fun and all else will fall in line. Remember who was at the meeting, and not those that did not attend.
And tonight I'll close this rag with what I posted on Facebook.
It Has Occurred to me that if a person can stand up and bitch about it, they can take a step forward and do something about it as well.
Shhhhhh...Can you hear that. Yep, so can I..
2/15/10
A Real Gathering Continued
And people thought that being on Valentines Day it was an omen. Being on the same day as the Daytona 500 must be the coming of the Apocalypse and you can't go to the All Clubs Social.
So I guess the Fact that more people than last year showed up, that just as many speakers as in the past said their piece and more information than you can get from Darryl Waltrip or Forrest Gump's box of Chocolates was given out, must make us all heathens
Wrong again there kemosabi. The Information given out at this meeting was given and recieved by the people of this hobby that want to get the job done, the right way, the first time. We all had a good time. We all had a good meal, we all saw friends we have missed for months. It was a Good Day. Kudos to the Rusty Nuts for a great Meeting. Thanks to all that attended for some great information.
Besides we got home in time to see the race delay, go out for dinner, and see the finish of the race. Must have been better at home watching the Daytona Pot Hole Repair than being at the meeting.
So I guess the Fact that more people than last year showed up, that just as many speakers as in the past said their piece and more information than you can get from Darryl Waltrip or Forrest Gump's box of Chocolates was given out, must make us all heathens
Wrong again there kemosabi. The Information given out at this meeting was given and recieved by the people of this hobby that want to get the job done, the right way, the first time. We all had a good time. We all had a good meal, we all saw friends we have missed for months. It was a Good Day. Kudos to the Rusty Nuts for a great Meeting. Thanks to all that attended for some great information.
Besides we got home in time to see the race delay, go out for dinner, and see the finish of the race. Must have been better at home watching the Daytona Pot Hole Repair than being at the meeting.
2/12/10
A Real Gathering
Sunday the 14th will be a Gathering of a different sort with the Annual All Clubs Social hosted in Bath at the Smith/Tobey American Legion Hall. The reason I say Different is it will entail Potluck vittles, not Pizza and will also include the opinions of many and input from all.
This annual event has taken on a whole life of its own and has succeeded in bringing a host of Clubs of different genre's together in an open forum to discuss their events and schedules for all to enjoy.
The Rusty Nuts have hosted this in past years and co-host this years event with the help of Direct Display Publishing, the people who bring us the "Cruise Maine" booklet of Car Shows.
If your not to enthralled with the Daytona Race make a point of coming to the festivities and getting some respite from the current season and info for the upcoming season.
This annual event has taken on a whole life of its own and has succeeded in bringing a host of Clubs of different genre's together in an open forum to discuss their events and schedules for all to enjoy.
The Rusty Nuts have hosted this in past years and co-host this years event with the help of Direct Display Publishing, the people who bring us the "Cruise Maine" booklet of Car Shows.
If your not to enthralled with the Daytona Race make a point of coming to the festivities and getting some respite from the current season and info for the upcoming season.
2/8/10
Once Upon a Time
In the State of Maine their was Common Sense in the State House. The laws they wrote and put into effect were good for all. The Government was for the people, by the people and was found to be fair to the people.
This is a fairy tale of our dreams. This is not happening now or will it happen in the near future unless we as a hobby stand up to be counted.
As we Speak the Transportation Committee is getting ready to combine 2 bills that should remain separate. LD1642 is the bill that concerns us, as the Establishment of Quiet Zones with a 62db level, which is quieter than a Bean Fart after a Saturday Night Church Supper. LD1675 is the Motorcycle/Public Health Bill that was heard right afterwards and obtained all the News Coverage.
Both Bills went to Work Session last Friday with no result in our favor. LD1642 did not die, nor did LD1675. In fact now it seems they want to put an even tighter restriction on all motor vehicles rather than the ones that the bills were originally aimed at, which are Motorcycles and Tractor Trailers.
I am all for restrictions on the use of Engine Brakes, Control of the noise level of Motorcycles is also a favorable decision that I could support with the proper language and some type of scientific test results to bring the whole ball of wax into perspective. In the case of LD1642, no scientific testing has been done, no facts have been gathered other than the personal feelings of the proponents. The Transportation Committee has not listened to the Opponents who have asked this Bill to die in Committee.
Yet an already written and established statute which can't be fairly enforced due to the lack of training of qualified personnel on a state or local level, the lack of funding for both the training or equipment required to do the job properly isn't good enough at the Federal mandated limit of 95db. They want to reduce down to whatever Decibel level they pulled out of a Hat while wasting our tax dollars on yet a still unenforceable law.
This also is the second session of our Legislature which should by rule be reserved for the passage of Emergency legislation, not this public annoyance crap.
Go to the State Web Site and get the E-mail of all the members of the Transportation Committee and let them know how you feel about the Antique/Classic/Street Rod /Muscle Car hobbies being held hostage by proponents who couldn't find a clue in a box full of them.
Next session I want a law that says all wannabe elected officials must first pass an Idiot Test not just take it.
Added at 6:55PM: A combined Work Session is scheduled for the 19th of Feb. this will be for both LD1642 & LD1675
This is a fairy tale of our dreams. This is not happening now or will it happen in the near future unless we as a hobby stand up to be counted.
As we Speak the Transportation Committee is getting ready to combine 2 bills that should remain separate. LD1642 is the bill that concerns us, as the Establishment of Quiet Zones with a 62db level, which is quieter than a Bean Fart after a Saturday Night Church Supper. LD1675 is the Motorcycle/Public Health Bill that was heard right afterwards and obtained all the News Coverage.
Both Bills went to Work Session last Friday with no result in our favor. LD1642 did not die, nor did LD1675. In fact now it seems they want to put an even tighter restriction on all motor vehicles rather than the ones that the bills were originally aimed at, which are Motorcycles and Tractor Trailers.
I am all for restrictions on the use of Engine Brakes, Control of the noise level of Motorcycles is also a favorable decision that I could support with the proper language and some type of scientific test results to bring the whole ball of wax into perspective. In the case of LD1642, no scientific testing has been done, no facts have been gathered other than the personal feelings of the proponents. The Transportation Committee has not listened to the Opponents who have asked this Bill to die in Committee.
Yet an already written and established statute which can't be fairly enforced due to the lack of training of qualified personnel on a state or local level, the lack of funding for both the training or equipment required to do the job properly isn't good enough at the Federal mandated limit of 95db. They want to reduce down to whatever Decibel level they pulled out of a Hat while wasting our tax dollars on yet a still unenforceable law.
This also is the second session of our Legislature which should by rule be reserved for the passage of Emergency legislation, not this public annoyance crap.
Go to the State Web Site and get the E-mail of all the members of the Transportation Committee and let them know how you feel about the Antique/Classic/Street Rod /Muscle Car hobbies being held hostage by proponents who couldn't find a clue in a box full of them.
Next session I want a law that says all wannabe elected officials must first pass an Idiot Test not just take it.
Added at 6:55PM: A combined Work Session is scheduled for the 19th of Feb. this will be for both LD1642 & LD1675
2/2/10
Politics Suck Pt III
The Public Hearing for LD1642 was today. Also being heard was LD1675 the Motorcycle Noise/Public Health Proposal. There is a god and we went first.
Public hearings are a Circus on a amateur level with a Committee of Ringmasters all trying to make the Elephant sit. It doesn't get any better.
The proponent/Sponsor Presents her side, then answers questions. If I would have had a bag of Clues she could have bought me out. Its amazing to me that someone elected her. Then We got our chance and told them diplomatically to stuff it. Whether they do or not is another story and is going to cost millions in funding, so I think for now the 62db level of sound in a quiet zone which needs to be designated by the DOT without funding and enforced by the Police without training funds or funding for equipment.
Basically if it gets to a vote it will look like a toothless Barney Fife waving at us as we go bye with Ma Kettle asking, "What's that noise?"
Public hearings are a Circus on a amateur level with a Committee of Ringmasters all trying to make the Elephant sit. It doesn't get any better.
The proponent/Sponsor Presents her side, then answers questions. If I would have had a bag of Clues she could have bought me out. Its amazing to me that someone elected her. Then We got our chance and told them diplomatically to stuff it. Whether they do or not is another story and is going to cost millions in funding, so I think for now the 62db level of sound in a quiet zone which needs to be designated by the DOT without funding and enforced by the Police without training funds or funding for equipment.
Basically if it gets to a vote it will look like a toothless Barney Fife waving at us as we go bye with Ma Kettle asking, "What's that noise?"
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