The fiery redhead used to be the flagman when I raced karts out in front of the track. I had promise, but got too carried away, and would get squirrely.

One night, after crashing the third time in the same race, Rodney came out and said "are you ok"? I said, "yes, I'm fine". He said, "then why are you driving like an idiot"?

I was madder than a hornet's nest. I wanted to run him over. After the race took my complaint to Dave, who was running the track at the time. He told me to go over and talk to Rodney, and he'd say something if we couldn't work it out.

Rodney told me how it was ... flat out ... with no punches pulled. He said "you fly but you don't know enough to slow down when you should". Then, he told me to get in a kart, and follow him.

He took about 10 laps with me, stopping me a few times to tell me when I was being stupid. Afterward he told me, "I tell it like it is. You do pretty good, but you need to smarten up".

I didn't like hearing it, but, you know what? He was right. From that night on, I started improving, and came within inches of stealing a feature race from the track champion.

Here's my point ... Rodney is not paid to babysit. He's not paid to listen to complaints. He's not paid to be a track spokesperson. He's paid to flag, and he does it well. He doesn't take any gruff from anybody, at anytime.

When he comes here, he's representing himself, and, as an American citizen, he has the right to express his opinions on his own terms, just as you and I do.

If that bothers you, there are plenty of third-world countries where you can move to and shoot anyone who disagrees with you.

Lastly ... a note to the Hot Rod ...

I still think you suck, your miserable crumb, but you have the constitutional right to suck, and I'll defend it anytime.

..... You still drive like an idiot! But hey, nobody's perfect! ;)

Thanks for the compliments. It's stuff like that keep me coming back week after week, year after year. The same holds true to the racers too... it's not all bad, just the bad get emphasized more.... Everybody loves the Drama!

Thanks again. See ya at the races.

I'm wondering if you even remember who I am. I think I gave away too many clues already, so I'm not giving anymore.

What I said is true, though ... you do your job well, and you stand your ground. I respect that.

Now ... as for me driving like an idiot ... that's why I only race on the highway. Just kidding. I've come a long way and I'm sure I wouldn't suck as bad now as I did then.

constitutional right YES.
conflict of interest YES.

Tom
Turn 4 fan forever

Tom-

You seem like a decent guy, so I hope you don't take offense in my pointing out that you're incorrect.

If Matt was biased against a driver, there'd be a conflict of interests, as he is the one who decides a drivers fate. To my knowledge, Hot Rod doesn't make any such decisions.

The only unfairness to his posting here is that his opinion gets taken with more regard that yours or mine, because of his capacity as an official.

While it may create such an imbalance on this forum, there's nothing won or lost here, and our words have no impact on the outcome of the races.

I'll be the first to tell you that Rod can be a stand-off-ish so-and-so, and is very opinionated. But, I can also tell you that he's usually correct, and only takes a hard stance when he knows he's right. I don't know him to be a guy who shoots from the hip.

He's also a funny bugger and a blast to talk to. If you try talking with him, instead of arguing with him, you'll find that he's not the beast you believe him to be.

One last thing ... if you sit deep in turn 4, you and I know each other. I'm the little guy who made it so that Hearn and Tremont fans can sit together, give each other hell, and laugh about it together.

he's not the beast you believe him to be? I don't think this at all, I just feel he favors some drivers and fights to the finish for them on rapidray.I dont have a problem with the guy at all im just saying how I feel about his post as a flag guy at the valley I think he steps out of line sometimes here.
But Beast hell no I miss the red head on the flag stand :)

Tom
Turn 4 fan forever

I do appreciate your compliments... but I did want to clarify something.

As a flagger at the speedway, whether it be at the Go-Karts or the Dirt Track, I work in the capacity that I am instructed. Meaning, I officiate, and inforce the rules and/or decisions of speedway.

As a poster on thsi message board, I am of my own free will and opinion. If I feel that a statement made by a fellow post-er is err'd in factual information, I like to make sure all parties know the right info, before getting into a deep discusion about something that is not based on facts. As for my opinion, that's just it, opinion, as a person, and as a race fan in general.

I was a fan of racing long before being asked to be an official. But it was due to my conviction, and un-biased approach that got me to where I am as an official. But that should restrict me on what I should or shouldn't say on a message board, or discussion site. I'm still a race fan at heart - if I wasn't, I would be here at all.

Thanks again for the kind words though - and yeah, I'm pretty sure I know who you are Gasket Case... It's been awhile since you've raced with us though... it would be good to see you back!

If I had known you still flag at the track, I'd have been back just to turn some of that red into grey. Maybe ... just maybe ... I'll make an appearance before the season ends. I'm really surprised that you don't race because you're one hell of a driver.

I just hope my words have sunk in to a few folks, and they can make the separation between you as a flagger and you as a poster. You've got a way with words and are one of the better contributors to this board.

Now that I've kissed both portions of your posterior, will you let me cheat when I come back to run the carts?

Or, do I have to go ahead with the "Rodney For President" signs?