Evan Knoll Strikes Again
- Thread starter shane
- Start date
Not me Timmah, sorry, but he has had a negative impact on many teams where I could not take the cash in good faith until he has paid his prior commitments first. Once he has made good on his prior commitments, then I might think about it. But, as I think about it, I would not want to represent a company or person who has such a bad reputation. One more thing, Evan does not pay that much cash upfront!
Rajunz
Nitro Member
Easy Jerry, not EVERYONE tought so!
mw6789
Nitro Member
American Express is a chicken sh*t company in my opinion. I had one from 1978 until about 1994. Used to charge up to around 10k a month in my business on it until we had a little problem. We paid the account one month as we always did (on time I might ad), and when I arrived at work one morning I received a phone call from my wife that she had been called out of a meeting by her secretary to be informed that American Express had a bad check on us. Naturally she was livid--and embarassed to boot. When I calmed her down, I assured her there was no way this was right and even told her she had just balanced the check book (and there was over 20k in there). I later found out a AMX employee had called my business and badgered my 16 year old son into giving her my wifes work phone # since I was not at work at that time. To make a long story short, after hours on the phone and being told by my bank there was no way a check was sent back on me, I finally got the check back in the mail (along with a threatening letter). We use First Security Bank and the check was clearly stamped NOT OUR ITEM--FIRST NATIONAL BANK across the front. AMX had presented it to the wrong bank. The GENIUSES at AMX apparently could not read--or like most big companies didnt give a sh*t. At the time I had just received an "invitation to become a platinum card holder". I took it, both our gold cards, cut them in half, got a FEDEX overnight letter envelope, sent them to the chairman of the board of AMX in New York, along with a letter, and very politely told them to place them in an orfice where the sun dont shine. I also demanded the remainder of my membership fee be refunded (which they did). What I never did get was an apology or even an admission that they were at fault. I would not have another one of their cards if they paid me, and do not accept it in my business (for one thing their fees are ridiculous). Been 14 years and it still makes me mad
NitroRichFire
Nitro Member
I'd be careful how you judge Mr. Knoll. If Mr. Knoll did this intentionally, he will have to answer for it on "Judgement Day", like everyone else who has walked this earth. This is one date none of us will get around, "Judgement Day with the LORD!!!"
mw6789
Nitro Member
You are asolutely correct Richard, and sometimes He even deals a little judgement out before you leave the earth.
Meeks
Nitro Member
I wouldn't call it that. I'd call it the Maters trying to give the guy the benefit of the doubt until the actual truth came out. I felt sorry for him when it came about this head injury stuff and whatnot but now that I know what type of guy he really is I speak my mind about it. I'll never believe a word the guy says and I'm not afraid to say it.
paoldtimer
Nitro Member
Sorry, Charlie....um, Timmah,
Chinese proverb say Fool me once, Shame on you ~ Fool me twice, Shame on me."
Not even with a ten-foot pole. But then again, I'm sure there are others out there that would take the money and and not even think twice.
blackbeard
Nitro Member
Sorry, Charlie....um, Timmah,
Chinese proverb say Fool me once, Shame on you ~ Fool me twice, Shame on me."
Not even with a ten-foot pole. But then again, I'm sure there are others out there that would take the money and and not even think twice.
that's funny, i thought that proverb went something like:
"There's an old saying in Tennessee — I know it's in Texas, probably in Tennessee — that says, fool me once, shame on — shame on you. Fool me — you can't get fooled again."
club
Nitro Member
I believe this is the quote your looking for. YouTube - George W. Bush at his best : Fool me once....
Sorry to say that they would be lined up again. May be not the same ones but someone would get every dime available.
Tim5636sc
Nitro Member
Paul and Cheryl... I don't think you really read what I wrote... (AN UPFRONT CASHIERS CHECK, not his previous business dealings). If you read it correctly, and would not take money because of your opinion of the guy, well, than I can't argue with your opinion. I would take the money, and I'll tell you why.
Evan LOVED this sport, and I'm sure he still does. He trusted some people to help him run his business affairs that obviously were not qualified to run a large company. They ran a country club, a party palace, and did a horrible job of running the business of Torco and Knoll Gas. Personally Evan made some poor decisions in his life that resulted in a bad auto accident which lead to some head trama that he has not, and most likely never will fully recover from. These decisions, and his lifestyle are not one that makes a good business leader. I don't hold sympathy for the guy, because I've always believed that a person has to live with the decisions they make, and deal with the consequences of their actions. But, if he wanted to get back into the sport as a primary sponsor, had the money up front, I'd let him flip the bill to fund my team.
There are many levels of mistakes in life. What Evan and his group did not cause any physical injury or deaths. As a matter of fact, everyone who had major Torco Sponsorships are still alive and well. Many of them are stronger, learned some valuable lessons themselves, still racing and doing quite well. JR Todd, he landed on his feet just fine. Matt Smith, yup, he found sponsorship as well. Gary Densham, Dave Connolly, Melanie Troxel, Justin Humphries, and many sportsman racers like Marty Thacker, the Harker Sisters, even our own Randy Goodwin and his TAFC team are alive and well. Competitionplus.com, yeah Bobby Bennett is still alive. It has been a tough year personally for him and his family, but the E-Zine is still online (heck they have me blogging for them)!
Whipping your hands of a person because of a few mistakes they have made, in my opinion is weak. It is not the way I would like to be treated. I have made mistakes in my life as well, and yes the mistakes I have made have effected people close in my life. Yet, those same people have not turned their back on me. They have embrassed me, given me a 2nd chance in life, and I am a better father, friend, employee, and all around person because of their faith in me.
People may be leary about trusting the sponsorship or business dealings from Knoll due to his recent history, but if the money was in the bank, I'm sure that over 90% of all current and aspiring pro teams would take an "UP FRONT" payment of $10,000,000 from Evan Knoll, Scott Griffin, John Costanza, or any of the previous "BAD GUY" owners from NHRA teams in the past. Some times people bite off more than they can chew in life, especially in our sport. How many Bankrupsy's, forclosures, wage garnishments, Divorces, and other finantial and personal losses have occured because of peoples "NEED FOR SPEED"? So, because I would give someone a 2nd chance in life, does that make me "Shallow" in your opinion?
So, Evan, if your out there, like it was said in the movie Top Gun, "Maverick, you'll get your reel when you get to the ship, if you don't....give me a call.... I'll fly with ya!"
...just my .02 cents....cause that's about all I can afford right now....!
But I still can smile about it!
Evan LOVED this sport, and I'm sure he still does. He trusted some people to help him run his business affairs that obviously were not qualified to run a large company. They ran a country club, a party palace, and did a horrible job of running the business of Torco and Knoll Gas. Personally Evan made some poor decisions in his life that resulted in a bad auto accident which lead to some head trama that he has not, and most likely never will fully recover from. These decisions, and his lifestyle are not one that makes a good business leader. I don't hold sympathy for the guy, because I've always believed that a person has to live with the decisions they make, and deal with the consequences of their actions. But, if he wanted to get back into the sport as a primary sponsor, had the money up front, I'd let him flip the bill to fund my team.
There are many levels of mistakes in life. What Evan and his group did not cause any physical injury or deaths. As a matter of fact, everyone who had major Torco Sponsorships are still alive and well. Many of them are stronger, learned some valuable lessons themselves, still racing and doing quite well. JR Todd, he landed on his feet just fine. Matt Smith, yup, he found sponsorship as well. Gary Densham, Dave Connolly, Melanie Troxel, Justin Humphries, and many sportsman racers like Marty Thacker, the Harker Sisters, even our own Randy Goodwin and his TAFC team are alive and well. Competitionplus.com, yeah Bobby Bennett is still alive. It has been a tough year personally for him and his family, but the E-Zine is still online (heck they have me blogging for them)!
Whipping your hands of a person because of a few mistakes they have made, in my opinion is weak. It is not the way I would like to be treated. I have made mistakes in my life as well, and yes the mistakes I have made have effected people close in my life. Yet, those same people have not turned their back on me. They have embrassed me, given me a 2nd chance in life, and I am a better father, friend, employee, and all around person because of their faith in me.
People may be leary about trusting the sponsorship or business dealings from Knoll due to his recent history, but if the money was in the bank, I'm sure that over 90% of all current and aspiring pro teams would take an "UP FRONT" payment of $10,000,000 from Evan Knoll, Scott Griffin, John Costanza, or any of the previous "BAD GUY" owners from NHRA teams in the past. Some times people bite off more than they can chew in life, especially in our sport. How many Bankrupsy's, forclosures, wage garnishments, Divorces, and other finantial and personal losses have occured because of peoples "NEED FOR SPEED"? So, because I would give someone a 2nd chance in life, does that make me "Shallow" in your opinion?
So, Evan, if your out there, like it was said in the movie Top Gun, "Maverick, you'll get your reel when you get to the ship, if you don't....give me a call.... I'll fly with ya!"
...just my .02 cents....cause that's about all I can afford right now....!
But I still can smile about it!
Timmah, I respect your opinion and your view on this deal. I am a firm believer about not associating myself with people who might give me a bad name (guilt by association) and I think this deal fits my belief. I don't know Evan, but I do know some people who were impacted by Torco's failure to meet their commitments and that has left a bad taste in my mouth. If I am given the opportunity to come into the sport professionally, I want it to be with a person and/or organization which have a good or even no reputation among drag racing community.
The Counterfeiter
Nitro Member
That there is some funny stuff!
clwill
Nitro Member
Be sure the check clears
One of the big scams these days is overpaying for an EBay or Craigslist purchase with a "certified" or "cashier's" check, asking you to refund the balance, which you gladly do with your own good check -- until you realize a week or so later that the "certified" check bounced and you've lost the difference (and maybe the item too, if you sent it as well). They make fake certified checks on remote banks, and it takes a week or more for them to puke back. By that time, your good check has been cashed.
Tim5636sc
Nitro Member
Be sure the check clears
One of the big scams these days is overpaying for an EBay or Craigslist purchase with a "certified" or "cashier's" check, asking you to refund the balance, which you gladly do with your own good check -- until you realize a week or so later that the "certified" check bounced and you've lost the difference (and maybe the item too, if you sent it as well). They make fake certified checks on remote banks, and it takes a week or more for them to puke back. By that time, your good check has been cashed.
yeah, i've got a great one from NIGERIA framed at my house... fortunatly I did not ship the item until I was told it was good...which it was not!
You!
Nitro Member
Tim,
With all due respect, you obviously haven't followed what actually happened here with Mr. Knoll. He committed fraud and now the federal government is now involved, spending our tax dollars to find him and likely prosecute him.
His actions cost EVERYONE money. Our money, which if you haven't noticed is in short supply right now. His ego got in his way and his Viper wreck was 4 years ago. That is a smoke screen. He is bad and his actions were calculated. He doesn't give a rat's ass about you or anyone else.
Would you take a check from Gene Snow too?
With all due respect, you obviously haven't followed what actually happened here with Mr. Knoll. He committed fraud and now the federal government is now involved, spending our tax dollars to find him and likely prosecute him.
His actions cost EVERYONE money. Our money, which if you haven't noticed is in short supply right now. His ego got in his way and his Viper wreck was 4 years ago. That is a smoke screen. He is bad and his actions were calculated. He doesn't give a rat's ass about you or anyone else.
Would you take a check from Gene Snow too?
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