Well, I am now equipped with a keyboard, vs. tapping on a phone in an
airport waiting area, so I will take another run at this with a bit more
depth. And yes, I know the Runoffs are being held now, which limits the
audience. Accidental? Anyhow...
Those motivated to respond (a few, not too many) to my original post are
split nearly 50-50. If this is true for the nearly 1,000 SRF owners at
large, it's likely a dead issue. Nevertheless, I am an optimist, so let's
take a deeper look at some of the issues raised.
1- If Enterprises can make $50k off rich idiots, why should we stop
them? That's how the world works anyhow, who are we to fight it?
Enterprises deserves, and needs, to be profitable. I think we all (or nearly
all) know that. However, I do not recall hearing that Enterprises is in dire
need of $50k to stay afloat. And, if it is, there are more sensible
solutions than selling air to those willing to pay for it. A $100 bump to
the engine price would eventually add about $100k to the coffers, would hurt
no one excessively, and hit everyone equally.
Sure, money makes the world go 'round, at least here, today. But I thought
that SRF was designed as a way to fight back against that, wasn't it? Why
would we decide that we want a class where money matters as little as
possible and then "sell" priority access to the newest equipment? (Why did I
leave GT?) I still haven't seen any assurance that the supply will meet the
demand by the time the cars can go on track, so let's admit that what's
really being sold is additional time to test and tune with the new engine.
Should that go to the well- (or relatively better) heeled?
2 - Aw, Erik's a good guy, and he limited the maximum bid to $2,000 anyway,
so what's the harm? How about a silent auction to set the "real" price?
I know Erik, I like Erik, Erik's a good guy, Erik just blew this particular
call. It happens. He's not quite perfect, just ask him.
It's not the selling of slots once one has already acquired it that bothers
me (That's for you, Mittster fans, but why would millionaires muck about SRF
rather than playing with Peterson?) but rather I object to the entire idea
of selling the slots by Enterprises. That's what sellers do if you want to
buy a jet, or the latest and greatest limited edition 'Vette, 'Stang, etc.,
but doing so has consequences. I don't think Erik wants to choose car
dealers as his target reputation. Selling priority access may be accepted at
Disneyland or at airlines, but let's keep it out of our little piece of the
racing world.
The idea of an uncapped auction is, I think, a great way to make my point.
If someone offered $100k to be first, or the first 25 bids were $10k each,
how would that fly? I bet no one wants to see that. Why did Erik use a $2k
cap? Because he couldn't possibly justify, to us or to himself, the pure
greed that it implies.
Here's the problem folks. This issue is like the girl whose date took her to
see "Pretty Woman" and when Redford made his proposal whispered. "For that
much, I'd do him." When her date said "How a about a quickie for $10 right
now?" she answered huffily, "What kind of girl do you think I am?" to which
the reply was, "We've already established that, now we're negotiating the
price."
The problem is that once you sell your honor, you can't get it back. Once
everyone signs on to the "Well, what's the harm, let Enterprises make a few
bucks that don't hurt me, and I don't have to pay," the next time anything
is priced, what questions might you think of. Here are some that come to
mind. What's the kickback (from the price we all pay) to Enterprises from
_________ (fill in the blank, the chosen tire supplier, the chosen
alternative seat supplier, the shock supplier, the wheel supplier, etc,
etc.) To retain the full faith and confidence of our community it is
important that Enterprises acts so that we are sure we are all being treated
fairly and honestly, straight up and above board, keeping the purity of
Caesar's wife.
If you agree, tell Erik right now, before it's too late.
eskirmants@scca.comPS, when I signed up, I was asked to choose a pseudonym. I assumed that this
was part of the forum mores. I have no need for, nor interest in, hiding my
ID from anyone-- I am R.B. (Bruce) Wright, SRF #64, SCCA Mem. #212. RBW64
seemed logical.