What's the story on ex Chevy man Fred Simmonds (1 Viewer)

[nick name]

I was truly sorry to learn of Fred's retirement from NHRA racing. He was the perfect man for the job considering how much he loves the cars and competition. He was as far removed from a "suit" as can be imagined and it showed in everything he did.

It seldom made the news but Fred did so many things to improve the sport just because he cared and knew it needed to be done. That's a true ambassador.

He'd be the ideal person to have making decisions for what drag racing needs today and in the future, though for the life of me I can't imagine why he would want to take on such a thankless position.

I feel honored to have known Fred and hope he finds a way to stay involved. Drag racing very desperately needs someone like him.

 

[ramblerjay]

Keep shopping at Wal Mart and buying Toyotas, see where it all goes!!

i am the proud owner of two honda vehicles. both of my honda's were built in ohio, just outside of columbus. i have a 2500hd chevy silverado that was assembled in mexico. as an owner of both "domestic" and "foreign" vehicles, i can attest that the hondas and toyotas have far better quality than GM. not surprising because GM's legacy costs to their union workers are outrageous. they can't mark up the cars that much, so they end up reducing the quality to save money.

the big 3 need to go bankrupt, reorganize, shatter the union and then see what they can do. otherwise, bailout money will last them 3 months and they'll be back for more. maybe they should follow honda and toyota's lead and actually build cars and trucks in the states, not canada and mexico.

 

[mastertone]

Screw your Hondas, read this from a local GM dealer here in Columbus, Ohio:

Without GM, there will be no more DRag Racing!!


The Columbus Dispatch : If auto industry fails, everyone will feel pain

 

[CrewGuy]

OK, just to set the record straight:
Gary Claudio (my predecessor at Pontiac) fired Force, I didn't. I followed Gary at Pontiac in Nov, 97; Force's contract was cancelled in early '97. And John will tell you that it "was the best thing that ever happened to him" (his words!).
Fred Simmonds
GM Racing (semi-retired!!)

But Fred, you told my wife and I you were "the guy that fired Force" while sitting in the Pontiac Suite at Atlanta 3 years ago...........

 

[Bobby]

Screw your Hondas, read this from a local GM dealer here in Columbus, Ohio:

Without GM, there will be no more DRag Racing!!


The Columbus Dispatch : If auto industry fails, everyone will feel pain

the logic in that article is faulty. The taxes will be paid by honda instead of GM. They'll need a better argument than that.

we love our 8 year old silverado, but the chevy dealers here are CROOKS.

 

[clwill]

the logic in that article is faulty. The taxes will be paid by honda instead of GM. They'll need a better argument than that.

Thanks, I'm glad somebody finally pointed that out. People drive, they just won't drive those cars.

And people act like Chap. 11 is a death sentence. If handled right, it can be a lifesaver. Get protection from the court, get a chance to reorganize, make some really dramatic changes that the current corporate culture won't accept, renegotiate contracts, get their act together and make it work. There are many companies that are even more successful after an 11 filing...

 

[Jim]

And people act like Chap. 11 is a death sentence. If handled right, it can be a lifesaver. Get protection from the court, get a chance to reorganize, make some really dramatic changes that the current corporate culture won't accept, renegotiate contracts, get their act together and make it work. There are many companies that are even more successful after an 11 filing...

Companies that are successful after Chapter 11 tend to be companies that do not sell products that represent the second largest purchase that most people make.

It is one thing to be a $750 computer from a company that is in Chapter 11. But how many people do you think will pay $25,000 or more for a car made by a coampny that is in Chapter 11....especially when they can buy cars that are equal or better from companies that are not in Chapter 11.

Jim

 

[ramblerjay]

especially when they can buy cars that are equal or better from companies that are not in Chapter 11.

Jim

and whose fault is it that their competitors make cars that are better? i blame the bloated union wages and benefits that do not jive with the private sector of the 21st century.

 

[ramblerjay]

Screw your Hondas, read this from a local GM dealer here in Columbus, Ohio:

Without GM, there will be no more DRag Racing!!


The Columbus Dispatch : If auto industry fails, everyone will feel pain

gee, that's from an unbiased source.

every smart person with any economic knowledge says let them go bankrupt and force them to dump legacy costs and reorganize.

 

[clwill]

Companies that are successful after Chapter 11 tend to be companies that do not sell products that represent the second largest purchase that most people make.

Hmmm... millions of people a year put their own and their family's life at genuine risk at the hands of companies that are in Chapter 11. United, Delta, Northwest, US Air, Frontier, Air Canada all have been in bankruptcy in the last 5 years... But they still fly, and Delta is now merging with NW to make the largest carrier on the planet.

 

[Jim]

Hmmm... millions of people a year put their own and their family's life at genuine risk at the hands of companies that are in Chapter 11. United, Delta, Northwest, US Air, Frontier, Air Canada all have been in bankruptcy in the last 5 years... But they still fly, and Delta is now merging with NW to make the largest carrier on the planet.

Poor comparison. As long as airlines are flying -- whether in or not in bankruptcy -- they have to meet maintenance and operational standards. In the same way, a car company would continue to manufacture cars within bankruptcy as it would outside bankruptcy.

The difference is in support. If you buy tickets for a future flight and the airline goes bankrupt and ceases operations before you make your trip, you are out the cost of your trip. Likewise, if you buy a car from a company in bankruptcy that ceases operations, you will get no more support for your car. Warranties will not be honored, some parts will be hard to get.

A car is not like an airline ticket. No one buys airline tickets today for a flight they intend to take in five years, so there is no need to consider the long-term survival of the airline. However, most people do buy cars intending them to last for several years. So in that case, the long term survival of the company is a factor.

So let's treat the airline example in the same manner. You are planning your family vacation for mid February and you want to buy your tickets now. Would you buy tickets now for airline A, which is in bad financial shape and could cease operations any day, or would you buy tickets on airline B, which is in solid financial shape?

Similarly, if you are looking for a mid-sized four-door sedan for about $25,000, would you buy a Honda Accord, knowing the company is in good shape, or would you buy a Chevy Malibu if GM were in bankruptcy? Remember, Chapter 11 is not a guarantee that the company will successfully reorganize and emerge. I think the idea of buying a car from a company that might not be around much longer would scare people off.

Jim

 

[jimbo]

How in the hell did this initial post turn into this?

 

[clwill]

Poor comparison. As long as airlines are flying -- whether in or not in bankruptcy -- they have to meet maintenance and operational standards. In the same way, a car company would continue to manufacture cars within bankruptcy as it would outside bankruptcy.

The difference is in support. If you buy tickets for a future flight and the airline goes bankrupt and ceases operations before you make your trip, you are out the cost of your trip. Likewise, if you buy a car from a company in bankruptcy that ceases operations, you will get no more support for your car. Warranties will not be honored, some parts will be hard to get.

A car is not like an airline ticket. No one buys airline tickets today for a flight they intend to take in five years, so there is no need to consider the long-term survival of the airline. However, most people do buy cars intending them to last for several years. So in that case, the long term survival of the company is a factor.

So let's treat the airline example in the same manner. You are planning your family vacation for mid February and you want to buy your tickets now. Would you buy tickets now for airline A, which is in bad financial shape and could cease operations any day, or would you buy tickets on airline B, which is in solid financial shape?

Similarly, if you are looking for a mid-sized four-door sedan for about $25,000, would you buy a Honda Accord, knowing the company is in good shape, or would you buy a Chevy Malibu if GM were in bankruptcy? Remember, Chapter 11 is not a guarantee that the company will successfully reorganize and emerge. I think the idea of buying a car from a company that might not be around much longer would scare people off.

Jim

I'm sorry, my life does not equal a $25,000 car. Period...

 

[mastertone]

the logic in that article is faulty. The taxes will be paid by honda instead of GM. They'll need a better argument than that.

we love our 8 year old silverado, but the chevy dealers here are CROOKS.

My point is, it will be the end of drag racing. You think drag racing fans are going top come watch Hondas and Mazdas race in Pro Stock? Better yet you think those manufacturers would even sponsor a Pro Stock car?

 

[Nick Name]

I was truly sorry to learn of Fred's retirement from NHRA racing. He was the perfect man for the job considering how much he loves the cars and competition. He was as far removed from a "suit" as can be imagined and it showed in everything he did.

It seldom made the news but Fred did so many things to improve the sport just because he cared and knew it needed to be done. That's a true ambassador.

He'd be the ideal person to have making decisions for what drag racing needs today and in the future, though for the life of me I can't imagine why he would want to take on such a thankless position.

I feel honored to have known Fred and hope he finds a way to stay involved. Drag racing very desperately needs someone like him.

As in president of NHRA????

 

[nick name]

As in president of NHRA????

Glad somebody was paying attention, Jay.