Response from Evan Knoll

#61 01-20-2008, 10:08 PM

I (along with a lot of others) have refrained from any comment on this on going saga. Until now. This thing is being beat to death.

The whole thing speaks for itself.

I agree with the latest posters. Mods, please put this thread out of it's misery.

#62 01-20-2008, 10:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jerry Newman

Thanks for the response to the concerns of many fans & past or present racers. There seems to be still some confusion about the past, and future dealings by the Torco "business team".
Maybe you could help clear them up?

#1 Most people thought that the Dale Creasy jr F/C,and Scotty Cannon T/F (now Bobby jr.) cars were part of your in-house teams? Will they still be paid salary and benefits, along with the crew members ? How about everybody on the two Millican cars?

#2 Please review those payment terms with your business team, there seems to be a difference of opinion on the payment dates. Most racing businesses that I'm aware of get payments before the season starts ,and for sure by the last race unless it's a multi-year deal.

#3 Unfortunately some of the vendors in the industry are saying something different, maybe review this with your business team?

#4 Maybe your business team needs to to review the policy of paying for 2008 before all the 2007 commitments are satisfied.? Or maybe because you are rich ,you could help the 2007 racers without them waiting for Latrell ,and the 30+ days deal?

#5 Thank you again for all you have done for the small teams,and Drag Racing, but please understand that the statement "unless I decide to go a different route" makes people worry that you might not be back.

PS.my name is on the post, I've been involved in private industry with Billion+ dollar companies , and 40+ years of drag racing businesses.
Plus I've stayed at hundreds of Holiday Inns.

I'll lighten up and stop with the secondary crap, but I think this post may be the second most valid on this thread.
It deserves an answer. So, I'm going to give this thread the respect it deserves and wait for an answer.

#63 01-20-2008, 10:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by George Civiletto

I'll lighten up and stop with the secondary crap, but I think this post may be the second most valid on this thread.
It deserves an answer. So, I'm going to give this thread the respect it deserves and wait for an answer.

by all means.....hope the answer comes soon.once again,nice work George.

#64 01-20-2008, 10:35 PM

This thread is amazing. Page after page of bullsh1t written by people expressing their opinions about a subject they know nothing about. And then Mr. Knoll compounds the problem by writing his post when he should have left it to his PR people.

I think you're all nuts!!!

#65 01-20-2008, 10:41 PM

I wish to thank Mr. Knoll for all that he has done for drag racing, but, his response was pretty strange considering it was coming from a CEO of a billion dollar business.

Just as strange are some of the posts that it's ok for a business to renege on its agreements.

As an added thought, I wonder if team owners, specially ones directly affected, are going to be so quick to accept such agreements in the future?

#66 01-20-2008, 10:57 PM

You All Need to get off his back and let it Go.

#67 01-21-2008, 02:41 AM

STOP MATER ON MATER CRIME.

Doc (Bobby Miller for the uninitiated) certainly doesn't need my help but I am going to defend him anyway. Doc's and my opinion on all of this do not exactly line up, but never for one second did I think that he had an ulterior motive or agenda for his defense of Mr. Knoll. Personal attacks are certainly not warranted.

What's done is done and nothing said here is going to change it. So why make it vitriolic and personal?

#68 01-21-2008, 08:38 AM

being as there have been additional questions on here I think it should be left open to give Evan the opportunity to answer again if he wishes. At least for know.

Does the torco move make sense? Was Evan's response right? Is there more going on? Yes, no, maybe, who knows. Most of us will never know the full story. All I can think is that for all the time, effort and money that Evan has put into this sport that he has at the very least earned the benefit of the doubt. Maybe we'll find out more good or bad down the road but for now its just a matter of wait and see. I don't like seeing us tear each other down, in the Drag racing community of the mater community.

#69 01-21-2008, 08:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by George Civiletto

How naive you are Bobby, and it should be hitting you right between the eyes like a V-8, but maybe you are just not equipped.
Have you ever heard of any team or person who lost sponsorship dollars risk future programs by opening their mouths in a negative way?
The flip side is this, do we see these affected teams lined up to say it's OK to stick it in and break it off, while the owner openly and deliberately brags about how rich he is, and what a tough guy he is?
That alone did it for me, and I'm sure for the rest of the 99%..

I think you are either conveniently blind, or you think some $$$ may be mined from all of this a$$ kissing.
Since you have such broad shoulders for a man who can take care of himself, how about extending some of that good will in the form of dollars to those left in the lurch?
Just how broad are your shoulders, or is it just easy to give lip service to someone who doesn't need it, or where it doesn't cost you one red cent?
I am drawing a clear picture of your character, and it's sad to see one racer openly and happily dumping on other racers who are screwed right now. .

Wind, wind, wind, that's your game here, and it makes me sad for the others....

George, are you coming out to the Firebird test or National Event? I would love to introduce you to Bobby and his boys. This is not a threat, and eventhough they are big in stature, they are kind hearted people. IF you knew them, you would NEVER say what you have said. The funnist thing that you mentioned is that the Doc is trying to get some of Evan's money. That is laughable. They are self made and want nothing from anyone. This is a waste of time trying to tell you this, but it had to be said! Get a clue!

#70 01-21-2008, 09:09 AM

Justin,
Bobby and I just exchanged PM's and (not speaking for him), I think we have a better understanding and respect for each other.. Sorry Bobby if it seemed personal, but it truly wasn't, we just disagree on who the victim is here. I would certainly like to meet those guys as long as they promise not to jump me and drag me behind the trailer for a good old fashioned thumpin'..

Other than Bobby's crew, trust me, I'm not afraid to take care of myself when checking in at the pro pits. I am sure hundreds who took his message the same way are not afraid either. In fact, I'll make a point to introduce myself.

This subject should be talked about and rightly so. If clearer (ANY) answers are to come, the subject should be discussed.
I think any one of us who has worked hard to grow a business has experienced something like this before, it can be a major set back that could take years to recover from. Not everybody has a money tree to brag about, and that's what's even more galling to those effected.

In edit here,
The perfect opportunity was given for a clear explaination and reason for the actions taken. The thread was his.
Considering his generous past, anything remotely professional would have been enough to give him every benefit of the doubt.. I think most would have wished him well, along with a speedy and successful recovery for 2009.

The path he chose to take was extremely...unique... to say the least.
You plant beans, you get beans.....

#71 01-21-2008, 12:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by George Civiletto

Justin,
Bobby and I just exchanged PM's and (not speaking for him), I think we have a better understanding and respect for each other.. Sorry Bobby if it seemed personal, but it truly wasn't, we just disagree on who the victim is here. I would certainly like to meet those guys as long as they promise not to jump me and drag me behind the trailer for a good old fashioned thumpin'..

Happy to hear it... They are good people!

#72 01-21-2008, 02:08 PM

I didn't think Evan's post had the same tone like others he has written but I am not offended by it as some seem to be. For those taking offense and still asking questions please keep in mind that he just had major BRAIN surgery. You have no idea of the shape he is in either emotionally or physically. Hasn't anyone here ever known someone who has had a severe head injury and then doesn't act exactly the same afterwards? Good God. So glad there are so many head trauma specialists on this board,

#73 01-21-2008, 02:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robert Korreck

This thread is amazing. Page after page of bullsh1t written by people expressing their opinions about a subject they know nothing about. And then Mr. Knoll compounds the problem by writing his post when he should have left it to his PR people.

I think you're all nuts!!!

I don't have a dog in this hunt, but this post here pretty much nails it.

#74 01-21-2008, 03:07 PM

NO TALKING WHILE "RED LIGHT" is on during dead horse beating is in progress

#75 01-21-2008, 08:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bobby Miller

Michael,
I've always respected your work and appreciated your point of view. They're both commendable in my view. I'll respectfully disagree with your assessment of me since I've never met Mr. Knoll nor do I ever expect to meet him or hear from him. I also have no need for any of his money since I fund my own team of currently four sportsman cars with no sponsorship help whatsoever and have for over a decade. I'll even leave your grammar alone since this is just an internet message board and we all get caught up in the moment at times. I'll just state that it is my opinion that Evan Knoll is NOT bad for drag racing. In fact, I believe him to be a very good thing unlike many others here. I am also waiting for the actual sponsored teams to chime in against him before I participate in his current crucifixion. I do know Randy Goodwin has been under his sponsorship and seemed to be grateful for such rather than critical. Have we heard disparaging remarks from anyone under his sponsorship? I know there have been more things than I could casually sit by and watch stated by so many against his character, business practices, timing and even, God forbid, questioning his health.

Lastly, I'll gladly take such posts as yours along with the other bandwagon riders which seem to remove the heat from a man just fresh from brain surgery and transfer the heat to myself who has quite broad shoulders.

Again, I have nothing ill to say about you, I just feel Evan needs greater appreciation for his contributions and less criticism for his current condition. If that seems to be me placing my head somewhere unspeakable to you, I'll simply respectfully disagree. Is this an appropriate response for such a keyboard warriors or will I next be accused by you of doing something else unspeakable in your eyes?

Bobby,

I bit to your replies and got carried away therefore I apologize. There has been some heat in this place recently. I too have always respected you on this board and never thought you could ever wind me up. I just got wound up by your cheeky posts asking where are the 'hater's' now so to speak. I agree with you Evan did a lot and has some issues at the moment and it's best he works on getting his health back up. But his attitude and response on here doesn't impress me much, it in fact makes me go a little red. And seeing guys like Foley who spent up big now having a hard time... doesn't sit so well. Anyway I've read your response it's fair. Now I'm going to go back to how it was. Also Bobby that keyboard line was out there, I do know that you are clued in from reading a lot of your old posts. Sorry mate.

Michael

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