"Carroll Shelby Speaks Out" Article

[Mark IV]

I am personally somewhat concerned about the tone many posts here and elsewhere are taking regarding CS.

I do not know the man. Our paths have crossed a couple of times and he has spoken to me but I am sure that he wouldn't know me from a bag of rectums.

I too, held him in "godlike" status for many years. When I was young and thought the Cobra was the neatest thing since sliced bread, I held him in the greatest regard. I was very disappointed when his health kept me from seeing in the flesh at an early Trans-Am race at Watkins Glen. I was convinced he was Henry Ford, Enzo Ferrari and Preston Tucker all in one.................as time went on I realized the Tucker comparison was probably the closest to the truth (in my opinion).

I very much admire his ability to work with OPIUM (Other Peoples Money) and IS the consumate promoter. He was a very talented driver in his day an no one should take that away. However, he NEVER "designed" a car. He did not "manufacture" cars per se, rather he arranged a melding of several sources into more than the sum of the parts. His greatest skill may be finding great people and letting them do the job. Remington, Miles, Brock and others rose to the occasion and beyond. The ability to manage many headstrong personalities is a skill most of us lack.

I am saddened to see what he has become and more saddened that many who admired him are now becoming as embittered as the man himself seems to be.

Lets all stop a moment and think about what we post. I have been guilty of of posting things that I thought were funny or amusing but in retrospect I find them insensitive.

That I am concerned should be of no weight to you or the others on this forum......that said we still should be civil and respectful of the feelings of those we talk about should be.

I wish I had the verbose skills of Turk and others so that I could present this better. I too, am upset and disappointed with the direction that CS has taken, I do however, wish him and everybody else on this forum nothing but the best-good health and happiness.


Rick