Re: Poking the Bear Ford Performance Products
 

I would say the Manufactures! It is a Manufactures class more than NHRA. NHRA is just hosting it.


If the Manufactures don't put it together, set the rules, it goes away. Pretty much what is happening here with the combo you are requesting. They don't want it, its out, case closed.

Re: Poking the Bear Ford Performance Products
 

Correct. All it takes is an ill-conceived and misdirected combination that cannot compete with two that are very good and you have what you've got today.

Re: Poking the Bear Ford Performance Products
 

Okay Gentlemen,

I was only asking Mike D. what his reasoning was for pulling this out of the guide. Since it was in the guide for a period of time and it is still a Stock Eliminator legal combination. I first started asking for an answer, then I had to demand for an answer and the more I poked the bear, the more aggressive he got. The only people who have suffered from this is classracer.com because Mike pulled Ford's 10 year sponsorship due to my posts. Also the 08-12 Cobra Jet owners and myself have suffered. His negative comments and lies he said about me, some Ford enthusiasts took it as real information.

So I have been speaking with Mike's direct boss Mark since the national event in Norwalk. He is a stand up guy, straight forward but does not make a decision instantly. I like him, although he did give me a decision it took him about 3 weeks to make. He had spoke to a hand full of Ford racers that run the showdown class right now. The decision was to not put the 5.4L with 4.0L combination back in the guide for Showdown. He is interested in putting the 5.4L with a 2.9L in for the 2018 Cobra Jet build. This is what we originally asked for in the Showdown class. So a big thumbs up to Mark for that.


As for Mike D. I would still like him to come up here and tell all the Ford racers of his decisions. It would be good for everyone to know his stand point. But until then I am done. Again my apologies to classracer.com and also thank you Ken for keeping this an open forum.


Jim D'Amore

Re: Poking the Bear Ford Performance Products
 

Here's what comes to mind....

Re: Poking the Bear Ford Performance Products
 

So, you went over Mike's head and got an answer. Other than Ken losing his Ford sponsorship what did you accomplish here?

Re: Poking the Bear Ford Performance Products
 

That's exactly how I feel...

Re: Poking the Bear Ford Performance Products
 

Bruce,


The only thing that comes to my mind is where a loyal Ford enthusiast does not matter to a man that worked for Mopar for 30 years and has a great retirement job at Ford.


For almost 30 years I've worked with some of the coolest guys inside Ford Motor company. From the engineers to the daily workers, and even some of the higher ups. I have to say when the last two true Ford Racing enthusiasts left Ford Performance they never replaced them with someone that actually cared about Ford's and drag racing. I have spent 22+ million dollars with Ford Motor company over my span and even that doesn't mean anything to the new guys. They do not care if Ford loses my next 22 million dollars. So that's what I've learned. Bottom line I and many others mean nothing to them.


As for Ken losing his Ford Performance sponsorship, that really speaks of Mike's character and "poking the bear"


Jim D'Amore

Re: Poking the Bear Ford Performance Products
 

Jim,
Didn't you learn that it was not Mike's decision and that he was simply following instruction from Ford? I also got the impression that you were approaching this issue from the perspective of business rather than a "loyal" Ford man and that you came out here to hammer Mike for a decision that he did not make.

Re: Poking the Bear Ford Performance Products
 

Bruce,


Please do share your information. You say it was not Mike's decision. Tell us what you know.


What type of business decision was I making here? Cobra Jets are only 5% of our business, if that. I happen to own one and wanted to use that combination in my car.


As far as hammering Mike, I'm just telling it like it has happened. I did not realize you were included in our (Mike, Ford, and me) meetings, or our emails, or our phone conversations. If you have any real information on this please post it. This is an open forum.


Jim D'Amore

Re: Poking the Bear Ford Performance Products
 

Jim,

Are you saying that Mike made the decisions on his own? Are you saying that you are not concerned about this issue from a business perspective? Are you saying that you haven't been bashing the heck out of Mike for doing his job?