Clay Millican 2014?

[HEMI6point1]

Freakin' a-holes.

How would they like it if a person went into to buy something and tell them they're short on cash?? Or buy something on credit and then mail in only 60% of the bill??

Preferably with a note that says, "You did it to Clay."

 

[PJ]

It's not uncommon for a sponsor contract to call for an partial lump sum payment up front and the balance in payments spread over the season.

I can understand that, it just seems that we often hear about teams that go months without a payment. It seems more regular payments wouldn't leave teams high and dry

 

[90-percent]

I think Clay would be a gold mine for a major corporate sponsor. HE HAS CHARISMA!

And he seems like a genuinely decent, good natured, generous people person kind of guy to me. It's also fun to watch a guy that seems to genuinely love driving a race car, that also seems to be happy all the time. He would give any sponsor with a well conceived program $2 back for every $1 they invested. Clay is a good business decision.

I hear many stories of aloof drivers that don't schmooze with their fans at the ropes like they should. IF there's a gaggle of fans outside your pit with sharpies in their hands waiting for autographs, don't keep them waiting for hours. Especially if it's children.

Going to the races and not getting the autographs your hoped for is enough to never go to an NHRA meet ever again!

And in the big picture, there isn't going to be any racing if there's no fans. There is certainly enough staff on the big teams to give the drivers time to greet the fans as frequently as necessary to keep them happy.

-90%

 

[Raconteur]

I hear many stories of aloof drivers that don't schmooze with their fans at the ropes like they should. IF there's a gaggle of fans outside your pit with sharpies in their hands waiting for autographs, don't keep them waiting for hours. Especially if it's children.

This is also known as the "Champion's Complex", fortunately only a few drivers are afflicted...

 

[MHayes]

Parts Plus hasn't been making their payments for the sponsorship...

I'm wondering how accurate this statement is? I saw a tweet yesterday from Parts Plus that said Clay stopped by the headquarters to sign some memorabilia for upcoming give-a-ways, and then Clay retweeted it to all of his followers.

Clay's actions just doesn't add up to a sponsor that wasn't making payments. JMO!

 

[Larry]

You can read anything on the internet . I liked Clay when he raced IHRA and I think he is great Asset to a team a sponsor and the Sport .

 

[MHayes]

You can read anything on the internet

Very true Larry, and even more so on here, LOL!!

 

[Nunz]

Maybe they just didn't renew for next year? Has anyone seen a formal announcement from Vandergriff yet?

 

[Nitrohelper]

.....Clay's actions ....

Clay isn't the guy that wasn't getting paid - Bob V. keep paying the team members - now it's up to the lawyers to meet with Parts Plus...

 

[MHayes]

Clay isn't the guy that wasn't getting paid - Bob V. keep paying the team members - now it's up to the lawyers to meet with Parts Plus...

Really? Clay wasn't the guy that was getting paid? Why don't you ask Clay since he lost his job! Parts Plus wasn't making their payments as you say, and that was a direct cause of his team getting shut down by BVR. So why would Clay go to their headquarters and sign memorabilia for giveaways after the fact?

I don't know about you, but if my sponsor caused me to lose my job, I sure as hell wouldn't be doing things out of goodwill!

 

[Jeff]

Michael, If you were the one who bought Parts Plus to the party, and your "second best" to Parts Plus was a distant second, then I bet you sure as heck would do stuff out of goodwill!

Hopefully this will work its way out, but you've got to realize that sponsors "have the gold" and have a huge upper hand. There is almost no upside to dragging them through the mud ... it impacts all sponsorship deals, not just the one that screwed you most lately.

This is not rare in business at all, whenever there is a supply vs demand imbalance ... the scales clearly tip and the party with the upper hand takes advantage of it.

 

[z28]

Michael, If you were the one who bought Parts Plus to the party, and your "second best" to Parts Plus was a distant second, then I bet you sure as heck would do stuff out of goodwill!

Hopefully this will work its way out, but you've got to realize that sponsors "have the gold" and have a huge upper hand. There is almost no upside to dragging them through the mud ... it impacts all sponsorship deals, not just the one that screwed you most lately.

This is not rare in business at all, whenever there is a supply vs demand imbalance ... the scales clearly tip and the party with the upper hand takes advantage of it.

Could be that Clay wants to be sure he fulfills any obligation he has to Part's Plus. He would not want to give them any excuse to deny payment. The money may come along later so don't burn your bridges just yet.

 

[Treeshaker]

Really? Clay wasn't the guy that was getting paid? Why don't you ask Clay since he lost his job! Parts Plus wasn't making their payments as you say, and that was a direct cause of his team getting shut down by BVR. So why would Clay go to their headquarters and sign memorabilia for giveaways after the fact?

I don't know about you, but if my sponsor caused me to lose my job, I sure as hell wouldn't be doing things out of goodwill!

Maybe, I don't know, but maybe Clay is employed by Parts Plus and not BVR. Maybe PP is happy with Clay and not BVR and in protest didn't make payments. I feel they are obligated to fulfill their promises, but again, maybe they did. I don't know and not many people do know both sides of the story. The ones that do aren't talking much.

 

[HEMI6point1]

Would be awesome to have a team like DSR or JFR pick up clay for next year!

 

[MHayes]

Maybe, I don't know, but maybe Clay is employed by Parts Plus and not BVR. Maybe PP is happy with Clay and not BVR and in protest didn't make payments. I feel they are obligated to fulfill their promises, but again, maybe they did. I don't know and not many people do know both sides of the story. The ones that do aren't talking much.

Good point Virgil.....thanks for chiming in!

 

[TooTall999]

Maybe, I don't know, but maybe Clay is employed by Parts Plus and not BVR. Maybe PP is happy with Clay and not BVR and in protest didn't make payments. I feel they are obligated to fulfill their promises, but again, maybe they did. I don't know and not many people do know both sides of the story. The ones that do aren't talking much.

Good point Virgil...and everything that's been posted here is speculation and hearsay, The ones that know aren't saying anything.

 

[Paul]

Competition Plus - Drag Racing Magazine - SILLY SEASON CONTINUES: VANDERGRIFF MAKES CREW CHIEF CHANGE