Pending Issues / Notes
East Coast Show
The East Coast Show was difficult, embarrassing, and uncomfortable. Nancy Wilson, the Director of the show, was instrumental in us getting there. Because it was so late, all the hotels were booked. We had to attend the show in order to have my father inducted the following year.
I was not happy with the press release... she addressed that as well.
When we saw the “Taz Team” the night before the show, I asked if they were wearing anything special. They got very uncomfortable. “Yes, shirts” I asked if we were to wear the same? Jerry got very upset “What are we suppose to supply for every Aunt, Niece, relative!?!” I was very upset. “So you are all going to be standing there uniformed and we are going to look like we don’t belong... like outsiders?!” Scott said he would get us shirts, he did not.
Yet, if you look at the photos you will see a lot of people that had nothing to do with the original Taz wearing uniforms. We were treated like ‘less-than-fans.” Thankfully, a shirt shop in the area stayed open late to finish the shirts we wore. Otherwise we would have had no ‘place,’ we would have been just the crowd around the car. Jerry informed me during his recent apologetic call that they were very taken back, and mocking, when we showed up with all our shirts.
My Mother was with us. She was part of the original pit crew which couldn’t be denied. Jerry, in order to save face with the people that were at the show that were there back in the day (Mike, Otto and their wives) and the mounting news crews and photographers, gave my Mother a ‘Taz’ shirt. Imagine his face when she told him she was going to give it to Nancy to wear. “Charlie’s daughter’s should be part of this too.” He did not offer another shirt for my sister Lisa, nor my Mother.
My Mother confronted Jerry and Scott further and made them put us in the photographs. Mind you my mother and father were divorced, so the fact that she went through all this was amazing!! (Her husband too!)
We did not look like we belonged. We looked like we were groupies.
An interesting side note. I brought my fathers racing scrapbook with me. Jerry wanted me to put it into their display. I hope you can understand why I would not! I was not going to risk anything disappearing or have it used to further their ‘cause.’ It did come in handy when I had to correct the information to fans. The scrapbook made it clear that this was not the ‘rebuilt original’ nor was George the ‘owner.’ I left the show early when George’s daughter, Tracy, started signing autographs.
The next year, prior to the show, I received a call from Jerry. He told me of how he was ‘doing this all for my father’... then reprimanded me for ‘having a chip on my shoulders” and told me “your making everyone uncomfortable.” He continue with a stern threat, “If you say anything at all that I don’t like on stage, anything to embarrass anyone, I am going to pull your fathers name off the car!!” I had enough! “Pull his name off the car! It’s not his car! I question who you are doing this for? You need to keep in mind that NONE of this would be without my FATHER! You only have this car because of him... take his name off the car!” This took him by surprise and he proceeded to inform me that I ‘had NO right to anything! We made sure of this when we started. This is all taken care of with lawyers. You can’t do anything.’
He was so upset that he could not stop me from getting on stage to accept the award on my fathers behalf. Nancy Wilson made sure I, and my sisters, got to stand in.
I was not happy with the press release... she addressed that as well.
When we saw the “Taz Team” the night before the show, I asked if they were wearing anything special. They got very uncomfortable. “Yes, shirts” I asked if we were to wear the same? Jerry got very upset “What are we suppose to supply for every Aunt, Niece, relative!?!” I was very upset. “So you are all going to be standing there uniformed and we are going to look like we don’t belong... like outsiders?!” Scott said he would get us shirts, he did not.
Yet, if you look at the photos you will see a lot of people that had nothing to do with the original Taz wearing uniforms. We were treated like ‘less-than-fans.” Thankfully, a shirt shop in the area stayed open late to finish the shirts we wore. Otherwise we would have had no ‘place,’ we would have been just the crowd around the car. Jerry informed me during his recent apologetic call that they were very taken back, and mocking, when we showed up with all our shirts.
My Mother was with us. She was part of the original pit crew which couldn’t be denied. Jerry, in order to save face with the people that were at the show that were there back in the day (Mike, Otto and their wives) and the mounting news crews and photographers, gave my Mother a ‘Taz’ shirt. Imagine his face when she told him she was going to give it to Nancy to wear. “Charlie’s daughter’s should be part of this too.” He did not offer another shirt for my sister Lisa, nor my Mother.
My Mother confronted Jerry and Scott further and made them put us in the photographs. Mind you my mother and father were divorced, so the fact that she went through all this was amazing!! (Her husband too!)
We did not look like we belonged. We looked like we were groupies.
An interesting side note. I brought my fathers racing scrapbook with me. Jerry wanted me to put it into their display. I hope you can understand why I would not! I was not going to risk anything disappearing or have it used to further their ‘cause.’ It did come in handy when I had to correct the information to fans. The scrapbook made it clear that this was not the ‘rebuilt original’ nor was George the ‘owner.’ I left the show early when George’s daughter, Tracy, started signing autographs.
The next year, prior to the show, I received a call from Jerry. He told me of how he was ‘doing this all for my father’... then reprimanded me for ‘having a chip on my shoulders” and told me “your making everyone uncomfortable.” He continue with a stern threat, “If you say anything at all that I don’t like on stage, anything to embarrass anyone, I am going to pull your fathers name off the car!!” I had enough! “Pull his name off the car! It’s not his car! I question who you are doing this for? You need to keep in mind that NONE of this would be without my FATHER! You only have this car because of him... take his name off the car!” This took him by surprise and he proceeded to inform me that I ‘had NO right to anything! We made sure of this when we started. This is all taken care of with lawyers. You can’t do anything.’
He was so upset that he could not stop me from getting on stage to accept the award on my fathers behalf. Nancy Wilson made sure I, and my sisters, got to stand in.
East Coast Press Release
For starters - Not a restored car. That makes it sound like it is the original... it is not. ...and it sure makes it look like George was running the show... which was not the case.
York
The same basic situation happened with the Legion of Honor Award in York. Darwin Doll did not know I existed, or that my father had any family to stand in. He, too, was annoyed with how this was handled. “What are they trying to pull? I was there I know what happened.” He made sure I accepted the award on my fathers behalf. Also, the ‘Taz Team’ provided a picture to accompany the award which was from the replica car. This was not acceptable, as this car was not deserving of any awards. I sent a photo from Dad’s scrapbook. Darwin agreed and changed the award photo.
2nd Annual Dover Drag Strip Nostalgia Drags
Clipped after seeing post/link on Pacers Facebook Wall.Once again, I was not told about any show.....9/19/2010 was the post - clipped 9/22/2010
Then I went on the Web-Site that Dean linked. Scott had some posts for Pacers and the Taz.
http://www.doverdragstrip.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=40&t=300&p=17007&hilit=pacers+auto#p17007
Re: The CHARIOTS
pastedGraphic.pdfby Pacers Auto Inc ® on Fri Apr 30, 2010 11:28 pm
"Let me sort this out ...Dennis runs the Plain Vanilla Altered with NETO and "Pacer" goes with him to Neto Meets -Right...He was at our Nostalgia Drags...were you? Also this Other MG...Bobby's...He still has It but does he run it ?or show it ?AND did it run at Dover ?"
Yes Dino, you are correct.
Dennis Quitoni runs the Plain Vanilla A/Altered and is a member of NETO. He also is formerly the driver of the KOOKS Custom Headers AA/FA. He lives down the street from us.
My father, George, is George Snizek, the original owner and original driver of The Snizek & Dodge Racing Team aka The Pacers' Tasmanian Devil and both Pacers Auto-CARS Magazine Racing Team AA/FD's. He and myself have been to most of the meets with Dennis this past year, including the Nostalgia Drags.
Unfortunately, I don't know anything about The Chariots other than what Dennis told me. I can definitely tell you that he was happy to hear about this forum and looks forward to being in touch with his old friends.
=====
Re: SEACHING for ALTEREDS /GASSERS
pastedGraphic_1.pdfby Pacers Auto Inc ® on Fri Oct 02, 2009 2:01 pm
If anyone has questions regarding The Pacers aka "Snizek & Dodge Racing Team" or the record setting drag racing team of East Coast Drag Times Hall of Fame Members, GEORGE SNIZEK & "CHARLIE DODGE" HAGENMAYER, who founded the company and campaigned The Pacers Tasmanian Devil Altered out of Hewlett and Oceanside, NY, please contact me via email: pacersauto@gmail.com.
Scott SnizekPresident
Pacers Auto, Inc ®
Standard 1320 MemberNNDRA Member
NHRA Member
Pacers Auto Inc ®Round Winner Posts: 13Joined: Fri Oct 02, 2009 1:14 pm
======
pastedGraphic.pdfby Pacers Auto Inc ® on Sat Oct 10, 2009 3:54 pm
Here are some photos of The Pacers Hot Rod Club aka The Valley Stream Pacers that George Snizek started in 1955. It later evolved into The Snizek & Dodge Racing Team (The Pacers) after George Snizek partnered up with "Charlie Dodge" Hagenmayer.
http://www.doverdragstrip.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=40&t=1738&p=10338&hilit=pacers+auto#p10338
=======I emailed Scott and Billy to find out about any shows....
Here’s his reply....Okay nice email... and no show this weekend... though I didn’t know they went last year.... Edit Text
Then I went on the Web-Site that Dean linked. Scott had some posts for Pacers and the Taz.
http://www.doverdragstrip.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=40&t=300&p=17007&hilit=pacers+auto#p17007
Re: The CHARIOTS
pastedGraphic.pdfby Pacers Auto Inc ® on Fri Apr 30, 2010 11:28 pm
"Let me sort this out ...Dennis runs the Plain Vanilla Altered with NETO and "Pacer" goes with him to Neto Meets -Right...He was at our Nostalgia Drags...were you? Also this Other MG...Bobby's...He still has It but does he run it ?or show it ?AND did it run at Dover ?"
Yes Dino, you are correct.
Dennis Quitoni runs the Plain Vanilla A/Altered and is a member of NETO. He also is formerly the driver of the KOOKS Custom Headers AA/FA. He lives down the street from us.
My father, George, is George Snizek, the original owner and original driver of The Snizek & Dodge Racing Team aka The Pacers' Tasmanian Devil and both Pacers Auto-CARS Magazine Racing Team AA/FD's. He and myself have been to most of the meets with Dennis this past year, including the Nostalgia Drags.
Unfortunately, I don't know anything about The Chariots other than what Dennis told me. I can definitely tell you that he was happy to hear about this forum and looks forward to being in touch with his old friends.
=====
Re: SEACHING for ALTEREDS /GASSERS
pastedGraphic_1.pdfby Pacers Auto Inc ® on Fri Oct 02, 2009 2:01 pm
If anyone has questions regarding The Pacers aka "Snizek & Dodge Racing Team" or the record setting drag racing team of East Coast Drag Times Hall of Fame Members, GEORGE SNIZEK & "CHARLIE DODGE" HAGENMAYER, who founded the company and campaigned The Pacers Tasmanian Devil Altered out of Hewlett and Oceanside, NY, please contact me via email: pacersauto@gmail.com.
Scott SnizekPresident
Pacers Auto, Inc ®
Standard 1320 MemberNNDRA Member
NHRA Member
Pacers Auto Inc ®Round Winner Posts: 13Joined: Fri Oct 02, 2009 1:14 pm
======
pastedGraphic.pdfby Pacers Auto Inc ® on Sat Oct 10, 2009 3:54 pm
Here are some photos of The Pacers Hot Rod Club aka The Valley Stream Pacers that George Snizek started in 1955. It later evolved into The Snizek & Dodge Racing Team (The Pacers) after George Snizek partnered up with "Charlie Dodge" Hagenmayer.
http://www.doverdragstrip.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=40&t=1738&p=10338&hilit=pacers+auto#p10338
=======I emailed Scott and Billy to find out about any shows....
Here’s his reply....Okay nice email... and no show this weekend... though I didn’t know they went last year.... Edit Text
Pacer's Taz to Return - Drag List - Jerry J.
http://www.draglist.com/artman2/publish/daily_stories/Pacer_s_Tazmanian_Devil_Altered_to_Return.shtml What does not sit right with me... Once again, making Charlie sound like the hired hand {he was the President} the crew chief {HE was the innovator! Creator! He spoke with CARS Magazine not George!} George did not 'help' or 'guide' the rebuilding... as he does not have the knowledge nor skills {then or now}
Pacer's Tazmanian Devil to ReturnBy Jerry Joaquin
Drag racing was in its early days and fans knew the favorite cars and their crews by their nicknames. Don Garlits was "The Swamp Rat," Connie Kalitta was "The Bounty Hunter," and Snizek & Dodge were "The Pacers" who ran "The Tasmanian Devil." Their self-sponsored racing team out of Pacers Auto in Oceanside, Long Island, created a powerful machine worthy of its nickname. Snarling while standing it was deafening as it roared down the track leaving behind its hazy smoke trail. Racers feared the sound of its growl as it passed them & crowds loved it as it devoured anything in its way-both race cars and speed records.
Driver, George Snizek, and Crew chief, Charlie Dodge set numerous track, class, and NHRA speed records and were legendary in the 1960's drag racing scene for their consistency of strong tire smokin' performances. In their first few years together, the Snizek & Dodge Racing Team amassed over 150 wins plus a few National Records. The team from Pacers were engineers & innovators in their field-being credited as the first to use silicone as an engine sealant. Most of the time, the innovations came about out of necessity. If it wasn't available, Snizek & Dodge designed & fabricated it. If it didn't hold up, they made it better. They were always testing, always tuning, always pushing the limit, always setting the pace. As their ETs and speeds increased, they began reaching numbers normally turned in by dragsters, and as a result, the "Devil" became the first car to require a parachute in a class outside of dragsters.
Pacers Auto was one of the first racing teams to incorporate both "show & go" at the drag meets with their fully coordinated cars & crew and one of the first racing teams to utilize an enclosed race trailer (which jokingly housed 1000 horses). Snizek & Dodge were founding members of the CARS Magazine Racing Team as well as the Official Road Test Consultants for the magazine. Pacers Auto was the East Coast distributor of Nitro-Methane Racing Fuel.
Snizek & Dodge even found themselves the subject of Walter Ungerer's documentary, "The Tasmanian Devil" about the AA/A roadster and the crew that built it to become the number one race car in its class filmed on location when they backed up the run that set the National NHRA speed record in 1963.
Some of The Pacers Snizek & Dodge Racing Team's accomplishments with the Tasmanian Devil Roadster include:
150+ Career Wins TogetherNHRA Record AA/Altered 154.90 MPH at Atco, NJ June 16th, 1963Popular Hot Rodding's "Best Appearing Crew" 1963 NHRA Nationals Indianapolis, INNHRA Record AA/Altered 161.87 MPH @ 9.56 seconds at 1964 NHRA Nationals, Indianapolis, IN"Best Appearing Car of Meet" at NHRA 1st Regional Meet of 1965. Cecil County, MD, in A/FD Class 8.81 secondsNHRA Class Record CC/FD 165.13 MPH @ 9.34 seconds at Island Dragway May 22nd, 1966
After a long absence, the Rumble of the Raging Lil' White Roadster from Pacers Auto will shake the drag strips once again.
Just as Jack Warner resurrected Taz for his fans, AAA Firefighting's Jerry Joaquin from Arizona, under the guidance of George Snizek, is resurrecting an all new "Tasmanian Devil II" Supercharged-Hemi-Powered 23T built to spec of the Original Tasmanian Devil by South West Custom Trucks in Apache Junction, Arizona. To date the car is 90% complete, should be ready early spring 2008. The new race team goes by the name Tasmanian Devil Racing Team. The car is still the same name, Tasmanian Devil II.
This past October George Snizek and his partner Charlie Dodge along with his crew were nominated to the East Coast Drag Times Hall of Fame. They were selected this month and will be inducted into the Hall of Fame in October 2008.
Jerry Joaquin
Drag racing was in its early days and fans knew the favorite cars and their crews by their nicknames. Don Garlits was "The Swamp Rat," Connie Kalitta was "The Bounty Hunter," and Snizek & Dodge were "The Pacers" who ran "The Tasmanian Devil." Their self-sponsored racing team out of Pacers Auto in Oceanside, Long Island, created a powerful machine worthy of its nickname. Snarling while standing it was deafening as it roared down the track leaving behind its hazy smoke trail. Racers feared the sound of its growl as it passed them & crowds loved it as it devoured anything in its way-both race cars and speed records.
Driver, George Snizek, and Crew chief, Charlie Dodge set numerous track, class, and NHRA speed records and were legendary in the 1960's drag racing scene for their consistency of strong tire smokin' performances. In their first few years together, the Snizek & Dodge Racing Team amassed over 150 wins plus a few National Records. The team from Pacers were engineers & innovators in their field-being credited as the first to use silicone as an engine sealant. Most of the time, the innovations came about out of necessity. If it wasn't available, Snizek & Dodge designed & fabricated it. If it didn't hold up, they made it better. They were always testing, always tuning, always pushing the limit, always setting the pace. As their ETs and speeds increased, they began reaching numbers normally turned in by dragsters, and as a result, the "Devil" became the first car to require a parachute in a class outside of dragsters.
Pacers Auto was one of the first racing teams to incorporate both "show & go" at the drag meets with their fully coordinated cars & crew and one of the first racing teams to utilize an enclosed race trailer (which jokingly housed 1000 horses). Snizek & Dodge were founding members of the CARS Magazine Racing Team as well as the Official Road Test Consultants for the magazine. Pacers Auto was the East Coast distributor of Nitro-Methane Racing Fuel.
Snizek & Dodge even found themselves the subject of Walter Ungerer's documentary, "The Tasmanian Devil" about the AA/A roadster and the crew that built it to become the number one race car in its class filmed on location when they backed up the run that set the National NHRA speed record in 1963.
Some of The Pacers Snizek & Dodge Racing Team's accomplishments with the Tasmanian Devil Roadster include:
150+ Career Wins TogetherNHRA Record AA/Altered 154.90 MPH at Atco, NJ June 16th, 1963Popular Hot Rodding's "Best Appearing Crew" 1963 NHRA Nationals Indianapolis, INNHRA Record AA/Altered 161.87 MPH @ 9.56 seconds at 1964 NHRA Nationals, Indianapolis, IN"Best Appearing Car of Meet" at NHRA 1st Regional Meet of 1965. Cecil County, MD, in A/FD Class 8.81 secondsNHRA Class Record CC/FD 165.13 MPH @ 9.34 seconds at Island Dragway May 22nd, 1966
After a long absence, the Rumble of the Raging Lil' White Roadster from Pacers Auto will shake the drag strips once again.
Just as Jack Warner resurrected Taz for his fans, AAA Firefighting's Jerry Joaquin from Arizona, under the guidance of George Snizek, is resurrecting an all new "Tasmanian Devil II" Supercharged-Hemi-Powered 23T built to spec of the Original Tasmanian Devil by South West Custom Trucks in Apache Junction, Arizona. To date the car is 90% complete, should be ready early spring 2008. The new race team goes by the name Tasmanian Devil Racing Team. The car is still the same name, Tasmanian Devil II.
This past October George Snizek and his partner Charlie Dodge along with his crew were nominated to the East Coast Drag Times Hall of Fame. They were selected this month and will be inducted into the Hall of Fame in October 2008.
Jerry Joaquin
I am confused?
I - we - are treated as 'fans' - actually less than a fan... at least a fan they try to keep included and around. (The rest of my family is so fed up they want nothing to do with it.)
What I want to see happen is this.SHOWS - Though I - nor my family - cannot attend every car show, we deserve the courtesy of direct notification. This does not mean having to search web-sites, Facebook pages or any other means.AWARDS - If ANY awards are being presented we also need to be notified with ample time to attend. I, or my sisters, will be the only person(s) accepting on my fathers behalf. If we cannot be there to accept, we will decide who will stand in.FULL DISCLOSURE - Where my father was key, needs to be disclosed - fully, straightforward, with honor and truth. This includes web-sites, Facebook sites, interviews, talking with ‘fans’ and so on. Since Charlie Dodge is part of the topic, his family members should be forwarded or included in the addressees.CHARLIEDODGE.COM - When interviews, news releases, fans, etc. inquire, this web-site should be offered as well. My fathers accomplishments need to be heard equally. Any images taken from this site needs to refer back to the site, which has not happened.
NEED TO ADDRESS AND ADD
(East Coast, York, Cruizin’ for a Cure Show, 2nd Annual Dover Drag Strip Nostalgia Drags)
(East Coast, York, Cruizin’ for a Cure Show, 2nd Annual Dover Drag Strip Nostalgia Drags)
Time after time I am told that it was the drivers that got all the attention. They were the faces of the car. Boy was that the case! But now, it should be my fathers turn to shine. Not the case. He loses because he is no longer with us. I can’t let that happen.
The truth is out there with a few key people. George could not answer any questions about the building of the Taz. (George actually admitted to Billy Lynch after not being able to answer questions that he did not build the car, Charlee did. George was at the gas station/garage, his other job. I have been sworn to secrecy about this conversation as well!? ...and again, if I bring this out to anyone I will be cut off.) Yet all the information out there has a ‘under the guidance of George Snizek’ spin.
This same person pointed out that ‘George is all about me, me, me’... this, as I have been told, is nothing new. I suppose that could be said about anybody. Yet, I can’t tell you how many people out there - that were there - that are upset and bothered by how ‘reality’ is being portrayed.
This same person pointed out that ‘George is all about me, me, me’... this, as I have been told, is nothing new. I suppose that could be said about anybody. Yet, I can’t tell you how many people out there - that were there - that are upset and bothered by how ‘reality’ is being portrayed.
Remember George, driver - Charlie, tuner, head wrench, crew chief...
‘Official’ Pacers Blog write-up - George, driver. Charlie, tuner.NY Metro ISOA News - George, driver. Charlie, head wrench.Drag List - Charlie Dodge, Crew ChiefWest Hempstead Wikipedia - George, driver.
‘Official’ Pacers Blog write-up - George, driver. Charlie, tuner.NY Metro ISOA News - George, driver. Charlie, head wrench.Drag List - Charlie Dodge, Crew ChiefWest Hempstead Wikipedia - George, driver.
Why should my father be minimized? It is not accurate and it diminishes my fathers role. He does not deserve that, nor does our family. After all it was us without our father for all that time... and my mother without her husband. Not the case for George...
No matter how you spin it, no matter who I speak to - including George... my father was the mechanical brains behind Pacers, he was amazing and could build anything... Marty Schorr, the former editor of CARS MAGAZINE had such wonderful words about my father. “Your Dad was an extremely talented fabricator and tuner, he knew his stuff. He was a serious Hot Rodder.”
(Pacers was the official Road Test Consultants for CARS. Marty ‘dealt most of the time with my Dad, not so much with George.’ Per Marty himself. The reasons self evident.) and yet... when I have a proud moment to dote over my fathers distinction, I get a blatant counter from Scott. (Eisenhower Photo Comments)
No matter how you spin it, no matter who I speak to - including George... my father was the mechanical brains behind Pacers, he was amazing and could build anything... Marty Schorr, the former editor of CARS MAGAZINE had such wonderful words about my father. “Your Dad was an extremely talented fabricator and tuner, he knew his stuff. He was a serious Hot Rodder.”
(Pacers was the official Road Test Consultants for CARS. Marty ‘dealt most of the time with my Dad, not so much with George.’ Per Marty himself. The reasons self evident.) and yet... when I have a proud moment to dote over my fathers distinction, I get a blatant counter from Scott. (Eisenhower Photo Comments)
It is not enough for me and my family to quietly know what my father did. Just because I am not a gear head doesn’t mean I don’t know when information is slanted. Just because he is gone, does not mean his rights are gone. I know my father... I know what he did! So do a lot of other people. In reality I have kept my tongue for quite a bit I should not have.
It was my father’s mind, his blood, sweat and tears, his long hours - which my family endured - that made the Taz and Pacers what it was. None of it would have been possible without him.
It was my father’s mind, his blood, sweat and tears, his long hours - which my family endured - that made the Taz and Pacers what it was. None of it would have been possible without him.
Regardless, my father loved George. He just kept dealing with it... until one day he got a call from Andy Schwartz in Michigan. Andy offered my Dad a job doing Research and Development for Baten Engineering. (1985) At this point, George was traveling with his girls soccer teams for years, my father finally had enough. Scott and I had words about this as well. He told me the reason Pacers split up was because of my Dad ‘abandoning his father, leaving him to carry the work load and deal with the tax and bill collectors, who were pounding on the doors?!’ This was not true, and I immediately said so. ‘Sorry Scott. That is not the case, your father was always off with his soccer teams leaving my father with all the work. That is why my father took the job. I remember it quite well.‘ He countered, ‘Oh No! That came after!’ He was clearly irritated. I was highly insulted and took offense to his spin. Who knows how many people he is telling this falsity. Thankfully, there was more than enough information on the web about George and his soccer teams to stop this line of discussion. (at least with me...) Soccer Honors, NY Metro ISOA News, Big Apple Soccer Community Pages - 2009
George was traveling with his wife, Barbara, who work for the airlines, or at the other garage... and then in later years, coaching his soccer. My parents fought over the imbalance at the shop. I could go on and on with stories... so could my mother.
(NY Metro ISOA News <-- George - ‘travel team from 1980’/‘focused on soccer from 1969’)
I listen to people tell me how my father was always covered in grease and George was always clean and pretty. My father had his fair share of comments about this as well. I remember him and my mother fighting about it. He was upset that she could not get his uniforms clean. “I always look like a mess. George’s uniforms are alway clean. Why can’t you get my uniforms clean?! Maybe you should call Barbara up to see what she does... ” I had spent time with my Dad at the shop and began working in the office (1976 ish) It was blatantly clear to me, even as a child, why George was so clean. I had to stick my nose in between my fighting parents and stop my father. “Dad! The reason your uniforms are always so dirty and George’s are so clean is because it is you working on the cars... I never see him doing what you do. He’s always in the office... he never gets dirty.” My father stopped.
I listen to people tell me how my father was always covered in grease and George was always clean and pretty. My father had his fair share of comments about this as well. I remember him and my mother fighting about it. He was upset that she could not get his uniforms clean. “I always look like a mess. George’s uniforms are alway clean. Why can’t you get my uniforms clean?! Maybe you should call Barbara up to see what she does... ” I had spent time with my Dad at the shop and began working in the office (1976 ish) It was blatantly clear to me, even as a child, why George was so clean. I had to stick my nose in between my fighting parents and stop my father. “Dad! The reason your uniforms are always so dirty and George’s are so clean is because it is you working on the cars... I never see him doing what you do. He’s always in the office... he never gets dirty.” My father stopped.
One tale that relates to this same situation actually made me chuckle, for it is so my father. Apparently George was on another trip with Barbara, and my father was ticked off to be left with the work again. So, while George was gone Dad sold his prize dune buggy as payback. George was pissed. (Their take - Dad had some nerve selling their belongings out from under them while they were away... “We came back and the Dune Buggy was gone, and on another trip the brown Cadillac!?” Go figure...)
That was not always the case. Scott blamed much of what transpired back then on Jerry Joaquin. Yet, I recently received a very apologetic call from Jerry himself. He asked that I not discuss our conversation and went on to tell me the same as so many others... that he knows that it was my father that built the cars, George was just the driver... all wonderful stuff about my Dad that I am, again, not suppose to talk about?!
Scott and I discussed this years ago. I had him read a letter while sitting at my kitchen table, detailing and explaining our concerns. (Letter) He responded with “Your absolutely right, I can’t argue with any of this.” Then claimed that Jerry was the one putting this spin out there. I did not allow him to bring the letter to his father because I didn’t want to tarnish George’s moment. I thought, since it seems that Scott was/is documenting and basically driving the information, that the situation would be addressed.
letter to scott
Oceanside Pennysaver - 2007
NY Metro ISOA News 2007
Long Island FREE Press - 7/2009
Original East Coast New Release -2007/2008
The Taz on Wikipedia - 2008
Big Apple Soccer Community Pages - 2009
Drag Racing Release 10/2009
SK Ski Racing Runabouts - 2009
Magazine - 6 page layout - story and correction
“Charlie wanted to stop...” Not so much that my father was the family man, because his racing was hugely on his to do list... it was just that George was traveling a lot and it got tiring handling all the mechanical needs all the time... all alone... and fighting with my mother over it - because she was PISSED that George was off galavanting (traveling/no kids) and here my father was a family man, busting his ass.
NY Metro ISOA News 2007
Long Island FREE Press - 7/2009
Original East Coast New Release -2007/2008
The Taz on Wikipedia - 2008
Big Apple Soccer Community Pages - 2009
Drag Racing Release 10/2009
SK Ski Racing Runabouts - 2009
Magazine - 6 page layout - story and correction
“Charlie wanted to stop...” Not so much that my father was the family man, because his racing was hugely on his to do list... it was just that George was traveling a lot and it got tiring handling all the mechanical needs all the time... all alone... and fighting with my mother over it - because she was PISSED that George was off galavanting (traveling/no kids) and here my father was a family man, busting his ass.
I don’t want to disrespect George - or his family. I understand how prideful these moments and memories are. I understand Scott being proud of his dad. I understand wanting to sing his praises. I understand him wanting to get credit for something so wonderful. But some of this is not his credit to have. George knows the truth, as so many have pointed out. As well, when I speak to him he says it outright. Yet, my fathers family is purposely not included, and information is not put out there forthright.
8/16/2010
I can’t keep trying to explain this situation. I feel like a broken record. As well I am just coming off like the forlorn, disgruntled daughter.
Sunday 8/15/2010 was the car show at Eisenhower Park in which the Taz attended. I found out by chance via facebook. (Jamie Arkin’s/Dunwell posted it on his facebook page on Saturday.)
I had a computer class to go to Saturday and Sunday that involves my fathers book. Actually the rest of my family is up in Pennsylvania, my kids included, to allow me time to work on it. Regardless, as soon as the class was finished Frank and I headed over to the show. Had I been given more notice I could have rearranged my schedule.
When we got there, Scott greeted me with ‘Did you just get here? You just missed it, we had the car running.‘ I was upset that I missed that... ‘Yes I just got here, I’m lucky I even found out about the show. You never told me there was a show.’ Scott said ‘I never posted anything on facebook.’ I said ‘I know, I would have thought you would have emailed me, I just found out by chance when Jamie posted...’ Barbara chimed in saying that ‘Dunwell has had it on their site all week.’ as though I should have known. Of course, this took me by surprise. ‘No they didn’t, they post yesterday and I would think I should get a little more notice than a facebook fan?’ She argued back and forth that they did post it all week and finished with ‘OH! Get over it!’
Later when talking with someone that knew my Dad years ago, and who was admiring the car, Barbara interjected the conversation with ‘Oh, he was colorful.’ with a roll of her eyes and a snide laugh. Clearly she has some issue, and given the present pattern, her comment cut enough to trigger a response from me “Well, why live if you can’t be colorful?!”
I am sure if people knew the whole story they would understand how hard it was for me to hold my tongue. My husband was cringing, fearing I would blow up. I held my comments, I do not want to tarnish my fathers name or the Taz. Yet I am flabbergasted at the disregard and blatant disrespect for my father and his family. My own family is mad at me for continuing to try to be a part of this. They wont even speak to me about it anymore. Why I continue to put myself in a position where I am disrespected and have to watch my father be minimized is beyond them. Sad to say but it is no surprise to be treated this way from George or his family.
I do not feel I should have to search sites for information, like Dunwell’s or any other for that matter. Jamie did not have this posted all week. They posted once - yesterday... 8/14/2010.
Scott sent me a video of the Taz running Sunday after the show... nice, really appreciated, though it’s after the fact and, hence, feels placating.
I can’t keep trying to explain this situation. I feel like a broken record. As well I am just coming off like the forlorn, disgruntled daughter.
Sunday 8/15/2010 was the car show at Eisenhower Park in which the Taz attended. I found out by chance via facebook. (Jamie Arkin’s/Dunwell posted it on his facebook page on Saturday.)
I had a computer class to go to Saturday and Sunday that involves my fathers book. Actually the rest of my family is up in Pennsylvania, my kids included, to allow me time to work on it. Regardless, as soon as the class was finished Frank and I headed over to the show. Had I been given more notice I could have rearranged my schedule.
When we got there, Scott greeted me with ‘Did you just get here? You just missed it, we had the car running.‘ I was upset that I missed that... ‘Yes I just got here, I’m lucky I even found out about the show. You never told me there was a show.’ Scott said ‘I never posted anything on facebook.’ I said ‘I know, I would have thought you would have emailed me, I just found out by chance when Jamie posted...’ Barbara chimed in saying that ‘Dunwell has had it on their site all week.’ as though I should have known. Of course, this took me by surprise. ‘No they didn’t, they post yesterday and I would think I should get a little more notice than a facebook fan?’ She argued back and forth that they did post it all week and finished with ‘OH! Get over it!’
Later when talking with someone that knew my Dad years ago, and who was admiring the car, Barbara interjected the conversation with ‘Oh, he was colorful.’ with a roll of her eyes and a snide laugh. Clearly she has some issue, and given the present pattern, her comment cut enough to trigger a response from me “Well, why live if you can’t be colorful?!”
I am sure if people knew the whole story they would understand how hard it was for me to hold my tongue. My husband was cringing, fearing I would blow up. I held my comments, I do not want to tarnish my fathers name or the Taz. Yet I am flabbergasted at the disregard and blatant disrespect for my father and his family. My own family is mad at me for continuing to try to be a part of this. They wont even speak to me about it anymore. Why I continue to put myself in a position where I am disrespected and have to watch my father be minimized is beyond them. Sad to say but it is no surprise to be treated this way from George or his family.
I do not feel I should have to search sites for information, like Dunwell’s or any other for that matter. Jamie did not have this posted all week. They posted once - yesterday... 8/14/2010.
Scott sent me a video of the Taz running Sunday after the show... nice, really appreciated, though it’s after the fact and, hence, feels placating.
I copied and pasted this post... it has since been removed from Facebook?
Jamie Arkins via DunWell Collision: Tomorrow(Sunday 8/15) is shaping up to be a GREAT day for "Cruise To The Show"parade and car show at Eisenhower Park...over 500 cars toparticipate!!!!
pastedGraphic.pdf
Nassau County "Cruise to the Show" 2010
cruisetotheshow.com
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Saturday at 9:37am · Comment · Like · Share · Report
Interesting.... and confusing. Especially given the people involved.
Jamie Arkins via DunWell Collision: Tomorrow(Sunday 8/15) is shaping up to be a GREAT day for "Cruise To The Show"parade and car show at Eisenhower Park...over 500 cars toparticipate!!!!
pastedGraphic.pdf
Nassau County "Cruise to the Show" 2010
cruisetotheshow.com
Home Page
Saturday at 9:37am · Comment · Like · Share · Report
Interesting.... and confusing. Especially given the people involved.
6/26/2010
I am confused.... Billy Lynch called to make sure I was aware about the New Taz... and the show. He says Scott told him he has been keeping in touch with me, and updating me, thru facebook/computer.
Scott told me May 8th, 2010. The project has been going on for 6 months. In his email he claims it was a 'big secret' - one that he has been dying to tell but couldn't.... yet when I look at the photos of the New Taz's creation, lots of people knew. www.projectpacers.vox.com
Why not Charlie Dodges family?!
Funny, I would not have been able to be there... my life is very busy with work, kids, etc. - but it would have been nice to have been included.
I don't know who to believe.
I am confused.... Billy Lynch called to make sure I was aware about the New Taz... and the show. He says Scott told him he has been keeping in touch with me, and updating me, thru facebook/computer.
Scott told me May 8th, 2010. The project has been going on for 6 months. In his email he claims it was a 'big secret' - one that he has been dying to tell but couldn't.... yet when I look at the photos of the New Taz's creation, lots of people knew. www.projectpacers.vox.com
Why not Charlie Dodges family?!
Funny, I would not have been able to be there... my life is very busy with work, kids, etc. - but it would have been nice to have been included.
I don't know who to believe.
Scott 'un-friended' me on facebook. Not the Pacers page but his own personal
I published the site on March 29, 2010... I went into Scott's Facebook to try to send a notice out to all those interested in Pacers. Scott not only blocked the Pacers 'friends' but East Coasts ? Very curious the timing?
Emailed Scott about the show in VA - did not respond.
Wasn't nominated by Don Gartlis.Jerry Joaquin nominated them.Snizek and the Dodge Racing team? (cute ...?)"Snizek's Honors" - Sure made Charlie sound like a side note. Let's not forget that Charlie was the President of Pacers and the one that begged George to leave his job to build a race car with him.... Dad had the dream and the knowhow.
10/21/2008
George, Scott, Jerry... and the rest of the 'Pacers' team ALL had uniforms. They presented as a team and did not include my fathers family in the slightest. I argued with Jerry... who felt he had no reason to allow us to wear uniforms/shirts. Mind you every other person that was wearing it - out side of George, Otto, KB - and OK Jerry - had less business being in a uniform than Charlie Dodge's own family!
We were made to look like complete outsiders and basically a fan club. Thankfully we were able to have shirts made prior to the show. The T-shirt shop heard our story and stayed open late to accommodate us.
George, Scott, Jerry... and the rest of the 'Pacers' team ALL had uniforms. They presented as a team and did not include my fathers family in the slightest. I argued with Jerry... who felt he had no reason to allow us to wear uniforms/shirts. Mind you every other person that was wearing it - out side of George, Otto, KB - and OK Jerry - had less business being in a uniform than Charlie Dodge's own family!
We were made to look like complete outsiders and basically a fan club. Thankfully we were able to have shirts made prior to the show. The T-shirt shop heard our story and stayed open late to accommodate us.
Check out the street sign - kind of ironic!
10/21/2008
The only reason I have a shirt is... my mother was there. They 'presented' her with a shirt because she was in the pit crew and, of course, was married to Charlie Dodge! (of course this was AFTER I had requested to be included, was denied, and hence blew a fit!!!) My mother thanked him for the shirt and immediately said she was going to give it to Nancy - CHARLIE'S DAUGHTER! - to wear. Quite the uncomfortable moment for all.
I smiled - and tried to be as amicable as possible - for every picture. I did not want to tarnish any more of this memory than it all ready was. It is a shame that something that should have been so positive for my sisters and I had to be so calculating and unfeeling.
The only reason I have a shirt is... my mother was there. They 'presented' her with a shirt because she was in the pit crew and, of course, was married to Charlie Dodge! (of course this was AFTER I had requested to be included, was denied, and hence blew a fit!!!) My mother thanked him for the shirt and immediately said she was going to give it to Nancy - CHARLIE'S DAUGHTER! - to wear. Quite the uncomfortable moment for all.
I smiled - and tried to be as amicable as possible - for every picture. I did not want to tarnish any more of this memory than it all ready was. It is a shame that something that should have been so positive for my sisters and I had to be so calculating and unfeeling.