February 01/08

I was kinda critical of John Force and his racing empire last season but I will stand by my judgment. I think his organization and the media were out of control, but as we all know John is big news, just about always the biggest news in drag racing. This attention to John sometimes makes our sport appear one dimensional.

The latest example of this was on one of the ‘Speed Reports’ in January. The show's host gave as much air time to the news that John Force had ‘maneuvered’ in and out of the cockpit of his Castrol Funny Car as he did to the story that Evan Knoll had pulled all race team sponsorship for the 2008 season because of health issues, but would continue event sponsorship with the IHRA and NHRA through his Skull Shine and Torco brands.

In my opinion they should have done a full segment on Evan Knoll. He has dispersed hundreds of millions of dollars throughout the motorsports industry. His biggest effort was in drag racing. He bought his own ‘personal’ race track and even had his own ‘personal’ Top Fuel Dragster that he loaned out to his friends. He kept a lot of teams viable when they had nothing and supported the rookies as much as the veterans.

Now, I’m not pimping him because I was one of the lucky ones to be on the gravy train. Mind you, we tried. Jory had some conversations with Knoll Motorsports but they were not very interested in a Canadian relationship. I asked Jory a number of times if he had any ideas on how we could become part of Evan’s empire. His response was always the same…”if you meet him and he likes you, he gives you money.” Well Evan, I like you. I like what you have done for our sport. Quite frankly I’m a pretty good guy myself and I think you’d like me. So if you come back in 2009 please don’t forget your friend to the north. Geeze, now there was a bit of unabashed groveling for ya.

Anyhow, when the IHRA’s contract with Hooters ended and they were looking for a title sponsor a year later, Evan Knoll stepped up to the plate. On behalf of my team I thank him and wish him well in the future.

Now, back to John Force, who I also wish good luck with his recovery. We need John Force! I’m a fan too but last year I was overcome far too often with nausea because of exaggerated reactions from John, his team members and the media as the NHRA world revolved around Force Racing. There are many important players in our sport who deserve some attention.

Ok folks, I’m going to come clean…there is a ‘method to my madness.’ In my over-active and somewhat distorted mind I have this vision. And this vision is that at some point John Force gets so upset with my criticism that he makes a personal phone call to my office. He says that he’s had enough and asks me to lay off him for a while. I tell him that I have my journalistic pride, ethics and a moral responsibility to my readers that I must honour. He says “I’ll give you one of my new Mustang Funny Car rollers.” and I blurt out the shipping address for my race shop. Ok, so I sold out. Listen folks, I want to go racing again! My friend Vince has always maintained that “everyone can be bought.” So until my integrity is once again tested by my imagination or real life, I will continue to be vigilant and stand for everything that is righteous in our world.

That’s why they call me ‘Bogus’.