Did You Get Paid???

Mark Kirby · 12-05-2008, 11:31 PM

In May of 2008, the SoCal Shootout was held at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, CA. As many of the attendees and enthusiasts have read in previous posts, some of the participants who won rounds were due prize monies and did not get paid. This has been discussed on various web boards but so far in fairly gentle and considerate terms. Why?....because the promoter, begged our patience and consideration by not “bashing” her on the internet. Unfortunately, that was many months ago and in the meantime she has not shown the slightest bit of respect or courtesy by picking up the phone and asking for patience, at least to this racer. The pitiful plea on their website was a meager attempt to save face and does not in any way excuse this blatant disregard for our right to be paid. I cannot speak for all the other participants but in my most recent contact with her she basically told me to pound sand that she was broke and facing a foreclosure. The racers were the least of her concerns. She offered to write a bad check if that would shut me up.

We need to discover if this is the first time they have stiffed a group of racers. Is it possible that this is a continuing scam and they plan to return for another round of ripoffs this spring?

I am in the process of compiling a list of all racers who were due monies from the event and did not get paid. I, personally, will not let this stand without pursuing whatever lawful recourse is available. I have heard from some that we should leave this alone. If we pursue it we will just lose another valuable opportunity to race in a special event like this one was designed to be. If these people are allowed to get away with this then any other creep can come into our tracks and prey on innocent victims who loyally support their events.

We plan to contact the Connecticut Attorney General to discuss prosecution on a local basis since pursuing Small Claims across state lines is very difficult to do. They also publish an Arizona address which turns out to be an RV or Mobile Home park. I doubt that California jurisdiction would prevail. I don’t know if this constitutes fraud or simply poor management but we are going to seek a lawful conclusion in the interests of all who were wronged. If you wish to provide your contact info and the amount you were due please PM me.

Ken Etter · 12-06-2008, 10:55 AM

You can add me to your list of another unpaid racer. Michelle waller has not responded to any of my emails since august. I think there were 24 or 26 cars in the Stock/Superstock combo @ 100.00 a piece plus the sponsorship money from Bob Mazzolini and the Broaddus brothers. There should have been plenty to cover the combo at the very least. I know that Nitro joe was involved with this race but am not sure as to what extent. Maybe he can shed some light on the situation. It is bad enough that race payouts are so low but to be owed money and get stiffed out of it is the worst.

Tony Janes · 12-06-2008, 11:55 AM

When one is broke they are not going to pay. What I would call a sign of the times, expect more of the same in the future from various sources.

Mark Kirby · 12-06-2008, 12:35 PM

I understand your point Tony....but I'm not going to let it lie. If I can get enough of the names and amounts I will hire an attorney and attach whatever assets I can find. It has been suggested that her husband is involved in this venture as well and I believe there is inventory that can be attached. Their website describes Mopar Manuals on CD and I think there is a magazine connection.

Maybe you can't get blood out of a turnip but we can sure as helll make them wish they hadn't screwed over so many good folks.

Nitro Joe Jackson · 12-06-2008, 04:00 PM

Since my name, Nitro Joe Jackson, has been mentioned in this forum, I feel it is necessary to enter my comments.
I am so very sorry that payouts have not yet been sent to the Fontana, California racers. I have personally been in contact several times with Michelle Waller, since the event, but we have not spoken to each other in the last month. In our last conversation, she informed me that her accountant had suggested her filing for bankruptcy. But, Michelle said she did not wish to do that because that could result in nobody being paid, or the court process could take forever, and then possibly ending with the racers receiving a much reduced payout. So I have been actively involved in the resolution of these payouts for months; pleading the case for the racers. But I have made no progress.
And just to answer the next question; I did get paid my fee as "drag race event director" before I even left my home in Ohio. I have been contracted, by Michelle, to be "drag race director" for a total of five past events. This is the only event, that I know of, where she has failed to make immediate payouts to the racers.
I want to make it perfectly clear that I am in no way involved with Michelle Waller's business. I also wish to make it known that my association with her has been strictly as a "contract employee". I sincerely hope that these circumstances have not damaged my own reputation of honesty within the "drag racing" community and I want everyone to know that I have never been involved with any payouts at any function with which I have ever been involved. Also know, that I will continue to monitor this situation as best I can for the ongoing integrity of our sport.
Thanks for (Hopefuly) Understanding,
Joe

Mark Kirby · 12-06-2008, 08:18 PM

I have not mentioned your name Joe although I have heard of some kind of connection between the two of you. Thank you for the clarification. I tried to phone and email you shortly after the close of the event and just like my attempts to contact Michelle my efforts went unanswered.

This has gone way too far and too many people have been harmed by this predatory promoter. I spoke to her as recently as last night and she basically told me to kiss off she had no intention to pay anyone for anything. Her personal interests and financial problems outweigh her integrity to the point that whatever suffering is caused by her fraudulent behavior is only of secondary concern.

As I mentioned previously, it would have taken no more than a simple courtesy call to myself and some of the racers who did not get paid to quell some of the anger that has developed. Believe me, this will be resolved in one way or another, and sooner than later. Stay tuned.

12-05-2008, 11:31 PM	#1
Mark Kirby Junior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Bakersfield, CA Posts: 9 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Did You Get Paid??? In May of 2008, the SoCal Shootout was held at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, CA. As many of the attendees and enthusiasts have read in previous posts, some of the participants who won rounds were due prize monies and did not get paid. This has been discussed on various web boards but so far in fairly gentle and considerate terms. Why?....because the promoter, begged our patience and consideration by not “bashing” her on the internet. Unfortunately, that was many months ago and in the meantime she has not shown the slightest bit of respect or courtesy by picking up the phone and asking for patience, at least to this racer. The pitiful plea on their website was a meager attempt to save face and does not in any way excuse this blatant disregard for our right to be paid. I cannot speak for all the other participants but in my most recent contact with her she basically told me to pound sand that she was broke and facing a foreclosure. The racers were the least of her concerns. She offered to write a bad check if that would shut me up. We need to discover if this is the first time they have stiffed a group of racers. Is it possible that this is a continuing scam and they plan to return for another round of ripoffs this spring? I am in the process of compiling a list of all racers who were due monies from the event and did not get paid. I, personally, will not let this stand without pursuing whatever lawful recourse is available. I have heard from some that we should leave this alone. If we pursue it we will just lose another valuable opportunity to race in a special event like this one was designed to be. If these people are allowed to get away with this then any other creep can come into our tracks and prey on innocent victims who loyally support their events. We plan to contact the Connecticut Attorney General to discuss prosecution on a local basis since pursuing Small Claims across state lines is very difficult to do. They also publish an Arizona address which turns out to be an RV or Mobile Home park. I doubt that California jurisdiction would prevail. I don’t know if this constitutes fraud or simply poor management but we are going to seek a lawful conclusion in the interests of all who were wronged. If you wish to provide your contact info and the amount you were due please PM me.

12-06-2008, 10:55 AM	#2
Ken Etter Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Riverside,Ca Posts: 112 Likes: 0 Liked 87 Times in 9 Posts	Re: Did You Get Paid??? You can add me to your list of another unpaid racer. Michelle waller has not responded to any of my emails since august. I think there were 24 or 26 cars in the Stock/Superstock combo @ 100.00 a piece plus the sponsorship money from Bob Mazzolini and the Broaddus brothers. There should have been plenty to cover the combo at the very least. I know that Nitro joe was involved with this race but am not sure as to what extent. Maybe he can shed some light on the situation. It is bad enough that race payouts are so low but to be owed money and get stiffed out of it is the worst. __________________ Ken Etter 7375 STK/5 SS

12-06-2008, 11:55 AM	#3
Tony Janes Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Whittier, Ca Posts: 830 Likes: 94 Liked 3 Times in 3 Posts	Re: Did You Get Paid??? When one is broke they are not going to pay. What I would call a sign of the times, expect more of the same in the future from various sources. __________________ Tony Janes 7941 STK, SS

12-06-2008, 12:35 PM	#4
Mark Kirby Junior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Bakersfield, CA Posts: 9 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Did You Get Paid??? I understand your point Tony....but I'm not going to let it lie. If I can get enough of the names and amounts I will hire an attorney and attach whatever assets I can find. It has been suggested that her husband is involved in this venture as well and I believe there is inventory that can be attached. Their website describes Mopar Manuals on CD and I think there is a magazine connection. Maybe you can't get blood out of a turnip but we can sure as helll make them wish they hadn't screwed over so many good folks.

12-06-2008, 04:00 PM	#5
Nitro Joe Jackson VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Loudonville, Ohio or where ever the Nitro Lounge is parked Posts: 2,293 Likes: 57 Liked 67 Times in 19 Posts	Re: Did You Get Paid??? Since my name, Nitro Joe Jackson, has been mentioned in this forum, I feel it is necessary to enter my comments. I am so very sorry that payouts have not yet been sent to the Fontana, California racers. I have personally been in contact several times with Michelle Waller, since the event, but we have not spoken to each other in the last month. In our last conversation, she informed me that her accountant had suggested her filing for bankruptcy. But, Michelle said she did not wish to do that because that could result in nobody being paid, or the court process could take forever, and then possibly ending with the racers receiving a much reduced payout. So I have been actively involved in the resolution of these payouts for months; pleading the case for the racers. But I have made no progress. And just to answer the next question; I did get paid my fee as "drag race event director" before I even left my home in Ohio. I have been contracted, by Michelle, to be "drag race director" for a total of five past events. This is the only event, that I know of, where she has failed to make immediate payouts to the racers. I want to make it perfectly clear that I am in no way involved with Michelle Waller's business. I also wish to make it known that my association with her has been strictly as a "contract employee". I sincerely hope that these circumstances have not damaged my own reputation of honesty within the "drag racing" community and I want everyone to know that I have never been involved with any payouts at any function with which I have ever been involved. Also know, that I will continue to monitor this situation as best I can for the ongoing integrity of our sport. Thanks for (Hopefuly) Understanding, Joe __________________ Nitro Joe Jackson STK 3431 nitrojoe@neo.rr.com

12-06-2008, 08:18 PM	#6
Mark Kirby Junior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Bakersfield, CA Posts: 9 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Did You Get Paid??? I have not mentioned your name Joe although I have heard of some kind of connection between the two of you. Thank you for the clarification. I tried to phone and email you shortly after the close of the event and just like my attempts to contact Michelle my efforts went unanswered. This has gone way too far and too many people have been harmed by this predatory promoter. I spoke to her as recently as last night and she basically told me to kiss off she had no intention to pay anyone for anything. Her personal interests and financial problems outweigh her integrity to the point that whatever suffering is caused by her fraudulent behavior is only of secondary concern. As I mentioned previously, it would have taken no more than a simple courtesy call to myself and some of the racers who did not get paid to quell some of the anger that has developed. Believe me, this will be resolved in one way or another, and sooner than later. Stay tuned.