CLEARING IT UP
I just returned from a Show in Pensacola to find this windstorm of activity (actually, a friend called and told me about it) all about me and CAR Motorsports. It is clear that the complaints are about me and CAR Motorsports despite sloride's failure to specifically use names, thus preserving his ability to say (which he did) that “I never named them, some people just figured it out from my description.” Of course, this denial is somewhat disingenuous and rings hollow in that the “description” he gave identifies me/us in every aspect but by name leaving no doubt as to who he is talking about.
Wow, three pages long thus far and not one single post from me. Can I safely say I didn't start this thing? I’m sure it looks like I’m ignoring this post since it was started on March 15 and I haven't posted a response (until now). In fact, reading it makes me feel a bit like Michael Douglas in the movie American President. Maybe if I had been around I would have posted earlier. Oh well, guess its time to weigh in now.
First, I'm appalled that there is an entire 3 page post on this board about me which I did not invite. I could see the relevance if the accusations were true and the facts correct. Regrettably, neither is. And the only thing that's happened is division, side taking, name calling, a poor use of bandwith and general distraction to the members of this list. I hope that this post does not make things worse and apologize in advance for the necessity of even making this post. Unfortunately, silence on my part would likely be taken as an admission of guilt and nothing could be further from the truth.....aside from some of the "facts" in various posts made by sloride.
BTW, is that you drew sharpe masquerading as sloride? It has to be as you are the only person I've dealt with about the issue involving Jax Seat Covers. BTW, don’t worry about having deleted those PMs we traded because I’ve still got them all. Do you want me to post them? Shall I include everything or just the parts that don't reflect badly on you? Unfortunately, I will need to significantly modify the PMs that I have to be consistent with the "you the Patron saint - me the devil" picture that you've tried to paint here. Sloride, even if you are not drew sharpe of the cayman islands, your distortion of the truth and inaccurate posting of facts is quite extensive.
For the record, CAR Motorsports DOES NOT own the rights to the Power 6 logo. We did apply to GM and obtained licensing approval to use the Power 6 logo and a number of other logos that GM owns. We chose this route because it is the correct and legal route. I cannot help the fact that other vendors are having problems due to their use of GM logos without the appropriate licensing approvals. Perhaps our application to GM alerted them to the fact that someone was interested in using these logos and they decided to start checking out whether anyone else was using them. We did not know this would happen. We simply wanted to do things the right way and filled out the appropriate paperwork. Our licensing is not exclusive so anyone else wanting to use the logo can just obtain licensing. Auto Custom Carpets has a GM license and uses the Power 6 logo as well as a bunch of others including T-Type and the Grand National emblem. Katzkin is GM Licensed and includes them on seats and headrest covers. I'm sure that there are MANY vendors licensed to use the logo. I see it on valve stem caps, shirts, hats, etc.
BTW, sloride, regarding your posts to b4black, there's a big difference between having parts for these cars and having accessories. Inability to use a power 6 logo has to do with accessories, not parts. We actually make a lot of reproduction parts for the TTA and old Buicks (Skylarks and Gran Sports) and have begun working on a few for the GN. I would hope that our efforts would be welcomed, rather than spurned. We are looking to expand the parts available to GN owners, not reduce them.
I've bent over backwards many times to try and help people. I've sent out product prior to being paid. Given refunds without question. Sent free products for sampling. And much, much more. I'm hopeful that at least a few people have experienced and appreciate my efforts.
As for threatening to sue this board, I don’t recall making such a threat. I did contact the administrators about the threats of violence made by a certain board member against me and my family and asked if they would take appropriate action. I was assured that they would look into and do the right thing and that was sufficient for me. To my knowledge, they did exactly as they said. Its not my business what was done and I don’t need an explanation. In fact, I have spoken with Jason Debler a few times by phone. Each time, our discussions were friendly and professional. To my knowledge, we have no problems between us. In fact, I offered Jason my help in various ways. He seemed genuinely appreciative and said that if necessary, he would take me up on it. Jason has my phone number and if he has a problem with me, he can call me at any time. I've also traded emails with a couple of other moderators/administrators. Again, I am aware of no problems in my dealings with them. They were very courteous, professional and helpful. All of them know that they can contact me any time to discuss whatever is on their mind.
There are many more allegations made here to which I could respond, but I'm not sure that full blown explanations would be constructive. For example, there are some statements made regarding Jax Seat Covers. Because they were not posted by Jax/Paul (as best I can tell), I don't feel that a response, which would necessarily involve Jax, is appropriate as I am hesitant to involve someone who has thus far not involved themself. I like Jax Seat Covers products. I think they have the best cloth seat covers made and always refer people who call me looking for cloth to them. Now, I do think our leather covers are better and I generally tell people so.
All I can tell you the board members is that the allegations made by sloride are unfounded and the facts as stated by sloride are wrong (although not entirely because I am a lawyer, but a very good one contrary to what sloride says). I am not a snake in the grass. Unless things have changed without my knowledge, Mike McCoy is a friend of mine. As for Dennis Kirban, I've met and dealt with him on several occasions and don't think he has any beef with us. He gave my partner an autographed copy of his book at last year's nationals.
For those interested, I invite you to drop by our tent at the Nationals to meet me and make your own conclusions about the type of person I am. Spend 5 minutes with me discussing whatever you want and see if you think I'm a snake in the grass or a nice honest guy. If you have a problem with me, call me and tell me what it is and I'll see what I can do to make it right. I'm easy to find and don't hide behind a mysterious id. You know my name and where I'm located.
Alan