THSCC Forums

Recently at a couple of events hosted by other clubs, I've noticed some Tarheel members with less than sportsmanly attitudes such as rudeness and unprofessionalism from some fast competitors. I am far from naive and I know that with consistently fast times some mild elitism is to be expected. I joined Tarheel specifically due to the higher level of competitiveness.

However, this does not mean that one must look down on their noses, shun other competitors, or go so far as to be openly hostile to other competitors in their own or other classes. This reflects poorly upon oneself and also upon the club with which they are associated. Even among the competition, autocrossing (and of course rallycrossing too) are large social events and yet some folks have decided that being unsociable is how they should approach such things.

Tarheel already has a stereotype of its members being "uppity" or "snotty" or "elitist." Whenever I hear this sort of talk, I do not hear about how well the club is run, how fast the competitors are, the organization, or anything else; simply how poor the attitude is towards others. Quite honestly this is disheartening to hear and even moreso when I actually see it reinforced by members time and again at events hosted by other clubs.

The attitude of its members is what Tarheel is known for. So folks, at the next event hosted by another club (or even our own events) please stop for just a moment and try to be sociable with the folks from other clubs. I believe it would go a long way towards working to change the "eltist asshole" perception that the club, deservedly so, has brought upon itself.

I've never seen this, or experienced this. I have run with three other clubs this year (VMSC, Triad and NASA-VA), and have never been treated as a snob or seen elitism in action. In fact, it has been more of a gateway (do you know so-and-so, haven't seen him around in a while).

YMMV

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Has no responsibility whatsoever.

So what did Tom do or say this time?

Seriously, though, could you give more specific info on what you saw/heard/whatever (without giving names) so that we can tell when we're being elitist assholes? I know Tom, Aaron & myself talked some trash about each other & our competitors at the Laurens autox, but I didn't think it was that bad... ok, well some of it was.

I'm just wondering if this was one of those things, or if somebody really was being a complete dick?

Yeah some can come off a bit like this:





I have never seen a THSCC'er "Style and Profile", when it was not in good, clean fun.


But... to be the man, you gotta beat the man WHOOOOO!!!

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02 Focus SVT
STF 9

Hrm. I'll let Mike give his story but I've seen this many times, both when I was an "outsider" and now as a member of the club.

The things he's talking about and that I've seen are not innocent good natured trash talking. Everyone and every club does that. What he's talking about are people going to events copping an attitude towards event operations, other club's organizers, and other club's members.

Basically this happens when people take their club pride a bit too far. Yes, Tarheel currently runs the best organized events in the state. However this doesn't give the members right to rub it in the noses of the other clubs. If you go to some outside event (and you should! It's good to run with as many different groups as possible!) be careful to only offer constructive criticism and make certain to be personable to the folks you meet. You don't need to become a travelling goodwill ambassador just be nice and act humble rather than arrogant.

--Kevin H.
(who has more than once been called an arrogant bastard... Practice what I preach not what I do! )

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2003 WRX (again!)

Probably quite a few other states too. I've attended events held in VA, OH, IL, and NY and none of those clubs were even close to our THSCC organization. Makes me wonder how that perception of people from "down south" having a lower level of intelligence got started. I guess 40 years of practice does make it perfect, or closer to it than the others.

One thing I agree with Kevin about is you need to run with other clubs. When you come back to a THSCC event everything you thought you wanted to complain about at our events will quickly fade away.

Since Mr. Hoppe is a THSCC boy I guess at least one of us can claim to be the best and have the goods to back it up.

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Vincent Keene
'06 Ford Mustang GT (track rat)
'15 Dodge Charger R/T (yeah, it's got a HEMI!)
'07 Ford Fusion SE (205,000 miles and counting)
'98 Chevy Z-24 (retired)
'93 Acura Integra (Team SWB 24HOL Car)

Kevin you should put away the "Jump to Conclusions" mat! (Kidding, and obscure Office Space reference there)

It has/had nothing to do with Tom (I actually didn't even think about him) and I really don't care to deal in specifics. I understand when it's smack-talk for fun and flat-out arrogance. Obviously I'm more concerned with the latter.

It's a perception thing and it isn't going to go away easily. Just being talkative, friendly, helpful, you name it! These things go a long way towards building good relations and helping to cut back some of the negativity associated with Tarheel.

Everybody knows that Tarheel runs well organized, on-time events and has fast drivers. It would be much better to also be known as a club that has a lot of friendly and helpful members as well.

Ryan:

Some do cross the line and that's what I'm worried about. If there weren't folks doing things in good clean fun, then it wouldn't be called autoxing.

Mike, the reason I asked for specific examples is because I was wondering what exactly gets people offended. I usually don't give a rat's ass what other people say, probably because I'm arrogant and elitist. Just wanted to compare my own behavior & behavior I've seen to what I KNOW some people consider elitist.

If you don't know you're being an asshole, you don't have any reason to change.

Or if you DO know you're being an asshole, and you dont care, you have no reason to change.

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'88 bmw 535is
'98 honda civic ex

Let me be unpopular here and just say it doesn't take much more than looking at some of the postings on this forum to see this attitude. Now, I know that many people have an "online persona" that is very much different and less confrontational than their "in person persona". But I would not be surprised if there is a few people that act the same online and off. Who that is, I don’t know.

If this is happening, what people have to realize is that these are individuals acting in a certain way all on their own. This is not a club sponsored activity. Unfortunately they are also acting as unsolicited representatives for THSCC.

I also think that if we have a great club, put on great events and have high quality drivers, then we should let the final product speak for itself. I don't see much of a need to beat our own chests in front of other people.

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Richard Casto
1972 Porsche 914
2013 Honda Fit Sport
2015 Honda Fit EX
http://motorsport.zyyz.com
Money can't buy happiness, but somehow it's more comfortable to cry in a Porsche than a Kia.

I for one am going to speak out for the club and offer this:

On 9-24 the NCR SCCA held an autocross here in Wilmington with a very green crew-me being one of them. We had focussed a little too much on promotion and not enough on preparation, and had a huge crowd of mostly novices. We struggled through it and have gotten a lot of good feedback from the inexperienced participants but more importantly, there were a number of THSCC members who, instead of deservedly complaining about how dis-organized we were, volunteered to help out where they could. Without them stepping up and helping out I would not have been able to relax at all and would not have enjoyed any of the day.

You guys know who you are and you have my deepest gratitude. I have a new motivation for being as involved as possible in THSCC now to bring that experience back to the NCR group. I doubt we (NCR) will ever be able to be as organized but it's my goal to do what I can to take what TH has to offer and apply here locally.

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'99 Mk IV Jetta VR6 now claimed by the better half.

'90 Miata A-package, Floats like a butterfly and buzzes like a BEE with loudspeakers.

Confirmed! But for some reason I like Kevin anyway. I've been called arrogant though not lately. IMO if you can back it up it's not called arrogance...it's called telling the truth.

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Vincent Keene
'06 Ford Mustang GT (track rat)
'15 Dodge Charger R/T (yeah, it's got a HEMI!)
'07 Ford Fusion SE (205,000 miles and counting)
'98 Chevy Z-24 (retired)
'93 Acura Integra (Team SWB 24HOL Car)

I'm personally offended by Wes' avatar.

Hmm, okay, maybe not offended, but troubled deeply.


--Donnie

I see yours, Ryan, and raise you this.

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Has no responsibility whatsoever.