RACERS AREN'T ALWAYS RIGHT

I feel the need to respond to your column on contingencies and the way they are paid. First, I agree that a few companies do respond slowly or not at all to inquiries to contingency questions. Most of the time I find it's a lack of communication or an internal problem with the manufacturers. However, I think many racers that complain about payment of contingencies misunderstand the very meaning of the term. A contingency would be better described as a "conditional payout." Many manufacturers have varying "conditions" as to when they make this payout, which adds to the confusion. Many racers I've spoken with, consider the act of applying a decal as their sole responsibility in getting the payout. They don't take the time to research the "conditions."

I worked at a major sportsman event this year as the contingency coordinator. I was very surprised at the lack of knowledge these racers had when it came to contingencies. I observed things that ranged from unwillingness to apply the decals of the event sponsor, to outright knowingly trying to commit fraud. I was even seriously offered a monetary bribe to "look the other way" and sign off on fraudulent claims. I refused of course, but this made me look at a few of my fellow racers in a new light. I was told of ways by the racers themselves how they "trick" sanctioning officials during verification. I heard Karen Raffa (one of the hardest working and honest people I know) called several derogatory names.

Contingencies are a way that manufacturers pay for "getting the word out" on their products. This advertising at the grassroots level is very important to the health of the sport, as well as the company. I see many racers "fly the colors" not because they believe in the product, but because they get paid for having the decal. Many racers don't understand that the company is paying you to be a spokesman for their products. To me it's an astonishing lack of respect and professionalism. How can we continue to expect companies to respond to us if we treat them this way?

Several racers have suggested track-side payouts of contingencies. If this happens, the verification process will be much stricter. I don't think that a quick decal inspection will cut the mustard. I think you will see teardowns resembling tech inspections.

In the end it is still the racer, not the sanctioning body responsibility to meet ALL of the "conditions" to get the payout.

Thanks for letting me sound off.

Paul Wright

HERE IS THE DEAL FROM QUARTER PRO SHIFTER

I am sure you remember me, Louis Malave, the owner of Quarter Pro Shifter. I found the article that (Jok) wrote on companies listed as Major Sponsors that have reneged on paying out contingency money or late payment interesting. In my 10 years as an after market automotive manufacturer, I have found that a lot of people are to blame for this miscarriage of justice. Please allow me assist you in this roast.

Let's begin with the Major Sanctioning bodies. It is listed in the NYS CPL (criminal procedural law) that a robber is removing property from a person by means of force. I am referring to the major sanctioning bodies that require you to post $15,000 in order to be listed in the major sponsor list. Of course, should any one win, the money would be deducted from the money posted. If no one wins using your product, at the end of the year the balance of the money left over would go into a scholarship fund. Funny how it always seems to be someone who lives in California. Wow what a bargain -- in order to have the privilege to be listed on the Major Sponsor list also you are allowed a space at the all the major events throughout the country. Sounds good if you are a retired millionaire and want to see the country. Not. Let me stop here and tell you what I do about contingency payout because if I don't stop here I could go on forever writing about this stuff.

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