Coming Soon

In a little less than 36 hours the Show season begins. With that being said, so to does all the Drama and Douchebaggery, the Trophy Worship and the Temper Tantrums, the He said She said Crapola Machine that makes the Car Show Season seem so worthwhile.

As the sweat runs off your nose, while you clean your car for the fourth time that day, remember it is supposed to be fun. When you don't get that $25.00 Cheap Ass Trophy because somebody or group of somebodies voted for their buddy, remember how much fun you had that day. When the Trailer Queen that drove 100 yards into their respective class takes first place for the tenth time this season, remember the ride to the show and the ride home you have to take.

It's all about the Fun and the people. The friends you haven't seen since October are worth the price of admission and that is the truth. Others would have you believe that it's a competition on the highest level and in one word I say Bullshit. Athletes compete and the last time I looked the 100 yard dash is more of an amble over to the Porto Potty.

Have Fun. Be Fun. A Simple idea that proved itself last year and needs to continue. The recognition of being awarded a trophy for your cleaning abilities is one thing. The recognition from your peers in the form of Friendship is a whole lot bigger and better. Besides trophies take up space and collect dust. There is always room for more friends and if they get dusty you can hose them off.

Coming Soon ... Medomak

Read It.

Drizzle, steady drizzle all day, but the insistence remained. We had gone over it time and again and even in this drizzle the insistence remained. As I opened the door the two of us were drawn to the cool crisp air but we held back as the drizzle turned to a steady rain.

Disappointment perched on our shoulders like a small bird chirping its song of gloom in our minds, yet we paid it little mind. As time went on we were drawn further in and soon we closed the door to wait in silence for the time to come.

As we waited we saw the day getting shorter but our spirit never waivered. We soon were rewarded with a break in the weather and off we went in the drizzle not caring a bit about getting wet.

We ran, we warmed each other, and the harder we ran the more we enjoyed the cool air and the drizzle seemed to stop. As we turned toward the homestead we had left earlier we were giddy with that first run and in the rain to boot.

The garage door closed and the keys were hung on the hook we were ready for another season. Yes we were.

7 days to go.

New Word

BUREAUCRAPPIC is a word invented after listening to the minions at BMV from 9am to 11am today in Bugusta.

Nothing Major really happened other than educating the ignorant, having a conversation with the knowledgeable and generally throwing out most of LD1306 with minor changes in language for customs. A few proposals were made and may come to fruition at some point in time.

The Right Reverend Fudgewhistle was there and actually stated his opinion quite clearly. Never once did he attempt to beat anyone about the head and shoulders with the Holy Grail, but I could see in his eyes he wanted to. Luckily for us the meeting ended and he was allowed to cool his emotions.

What really happened today is a dialog was opened between good people with the same inner passion for Automobiles as we. Thats a good thing.

Bible Thumping

So today we went to Bugusta and listened to a boat load of LD's that amounted to a bunch of Blah Blah Blah and a couple of Yada Yada's. So then we got to our little slice of heaven called LD1306 which was heard last.

The Right Reverend was a little more subdued and thumped his bible just a little and never mentioned 457 and all its grayness during the hearing, but was later seen beating some poor soul about the head and shoulders saying "Repent Repent"

The problem with a public hearing it is not very public and from the age curve of the committee they were probably hard of hearing. We got our point across to the powers that be to the point that on the 20th an ad hoc committee of concerned hobbyists will meet with a Rep of the BMV and State Police to come up with some type of idea for the Work Session on the 29th. A Meeting to convene more Meetings. Politicians are giving me a case of the Red Ass.

Here is my little speech that I gave being "neither for nor against" LD1306

I speak to you today on LD 1306 being neither for nor against or if I may, being both for and against.

LD 1306 is not about adding Restrictions to the criteria to register an antique Auto or to make it easier to enjoy the privilege of Driving our Antique autos, Custom Cars and trucks or Street Rods, or making minor changes in wording that as the opponents and proponents have stated are unneeded or not worded correctly, respectively.

It is however about a concept of which I applaud. That concept is to either completely or partially close a loophole in a Statute that was conceived and implemented in the 1950s when things were a lot simpler. A loophole that allows hundreds of vehicles that have been registered as Antique Autos solely to circumvent the rules and regulation pertaining to Motor Vehicle Safety inspections, not as the Historic or storied vehicles that have written an entire era of American History. These vehicles include various older cars of no significance other than daily transportation as well as customized vehicles and street rods that should be registered as just that Customs and Street Rods.

The concept of a working Group of Stakeholders consisting of all parties concerned in our hobby as well as state agencies, working toward a viable plan would only help our hobby and allow us to present to you a plan or idea or possibly an update on a statute that needs to dragged kicking and screaming into the 21st century.

This is not about restrictions, wording, interpretation or one sector of the hobby acting against another, but all sectors of the hobby coming to a consensus in order to preserve our hobby for future generations. Before non hobbyists put into action restrictions that would take away our privilege to operate our Antique Autos, our Street Rods or our Custom cars and trucks.

The language of LD1306 I am NOT for.

The Concept of LD1306 I am NOT against. 　

Medomak Show

Got a call from the Chief Bottle Washer and Chef in Charge of the the 10th Annual Cruisin to Graduation Show with a request.

Evidently they want to set up an area as a Showcase, to show these specific vehicles to the public without Competing for Trophies. She went on to say that some of the area Dealers and Owl's Head Transportation Museum would participate in this also.

I gave her the names of some people who might be interested in this as they are not Trophy Hunters or wish any type of accolades.

Now some of you Trophy Mongers (I don't want use whore, as that congers up visions of street corners, bad fashion and heavy makeup) could jump on this as a sign of good faith that you are actually trying to curb your passion for that $25.00 Cheap Ass Trophy(as the price of oil rises so does the price of plastic tubing, faux marble and the adhesive that holds those little brass labels on)and want to have fun.

If your interested you can contact Elizabeth-Ann Bartlett Phone: 207-542-0848

LD 1306

Ld 1306 will be going to public hearing on the 12th, Tuesday, at 1pm in Room 126 of the Capital Building before the Transportation Committee. The language has again been revised and the Right Reverend is still adamantly opposed I'm sure.

As we approach this, remember this date is also the 150th Anniversary of the start of the American Civil War. Coincidence???

Meanwhile Back at the Ranch...

As I sit here in my 400lb Ogre suit, thinking of who's cornflakes I can shit in, I get this e-mail from SEMA.

The e-mail has to do with an April Fool's Prank. Evidently an Orson Welles/War of the Worlds type of moment came over the membership of the Shelby American Automobile Club.

It seems a Newsletter/E-mail was sent out, with an article in the name of Senator Charles Schumer with a proposed Federal Collector Car Tax.

Trumpets across the land were sounded, Paul Revere rode again and about 10,000 assholes puckered up so tight it will be next month before they can fart. All as a prank.

Everybody is now laughing except Senator Schumer whose office is now under siege by the ones who didn't get the memo.

SUCKED

So we went to World of Wheels in Boston today. Great ride down with some good people and the Massholevanians were even driving better than usual.

The World of Wheels moved its venue this year to the Boston Seaport World Trade Center which is a great place to have a show.

The problem is the Show sucked, really sucked, as in big time. After having helped set up an award winning car from Maine at last years Show, this year as a spectator found no satisfaction at all.

The biggest problem was the size of the show itself, which was a 1/3rd scale replica of its former self. About 100 cars, hardly any vendors, and not one big name car or draw. Well let me say that a different way, they didn't have any big name cars to draw people in just celebrities.

Paul Teutul Sr. of OCC fame was present and a revelation came from on high, he's only about 5'9" Tall and really old. Jonathan Hildstrand from Deadliest Catch was also on hand as a draw for some more spectators.

So what we got for a $15.00 Admission was a few fancy ass cars and 2 douche bags.

Great, Just Fucking Great, glad I was with friends

Something New ???

Hey I got this e-mail from the Portland Motor Club, sounds like it could get interesting if they can find some help to pull it off. Let me repeat that last bit IF THEY CAN FIND SOME HELP!!!

Sorry, here is the content of the message.

Hi there. We're doing a new event this year in Portland with the Portland Police Department to support their "P.A.L." program for kids at risk -- trying to provide positive things to do for area kids. We're doing a car (trucks and motorcycles, too) show on Saturday, June 25 in Portland -- not expecting it to be a huge show -- we want to get the word out to everyone but especially to get the word out to any "youth" out there (teens and early twenties) who are interested in cars at any level (owners, mechanics, restoring, body work, customizing (tricking out), detailing, etc.). A healthy interest in cars can be a good distraction for young people. And, of course, there will be lots of kids on hand. We'll certainly be reaching out to the regular car show community but we want to add this focus to the event. We are going to contact the PATHS high school program in Portland that serves pretty much Cumberland County with various auto-related classes at the high school level. What and who else it out there? Do you have a passion to pass on your passion for cars to the next generation? We are looking for some guidance and support to help get this event off the ground. Do you know of any younger car groups out there that might like to help introduce their love of cars to kids and teens in Portland? Can you help us with some tips on how to run a simple car show -- we'll have a few categories including teen owners (16-19) and early twenties (20-25) as classes and a few others. We will have a lot of activities and items of interest for both young and older car people. • We expect to have the entire cast of special police vehicles on hand -- bomb truck, SWAT vehicle, etc. -- for viewing and some demo • We'll be doing some fun competitions like tire changing races, etc. • Detailing demonstrations • A texting while driving golf cart obstacle course demo • Late model muscle car youth favorites (Camaro, Mustang, Challenger, etc.) from area dealers • The car show itself • Possibly a burn-out event • Raffles, door prizes, (reasonable) live music from area youth, food to support area community groups If this idea interests you at all and you have any ideas or energy to share, we'd be grateful especially for leads on reaching out to youth statewide and for how to do the basics of the show (forms, disclaimers, judging, etc.). Of course, we'd be happy if you could just talk this up when you can. This could even serve as the beginning of a state-wide, youth-focus annual event in various locations to kick off a healthy, safe summer. Please be in touch. Thanks so much. And have a great car season yourself. We should have all your events online on our Portland Motor Club website very soon. Kal Rogers Membership Director, Portland Motor Club direct: 207-233-9970 Raymond Ruby Youth Services Officer, Portland Police Department