I decided to make a separate thread so that those who don't want to hear about it can choose not to look......but I bet you won't be able to not look!

I feel very strongly that Motor City made some false statements and then the thread closed. I cannot let those stand unrefuted.

This is the post directed at me from MCH. Since the thread is closed, it won't quote.

No Jesse. I just really don't like you very much and wanted to remind you of that. You are kind of a jerk who just complains and doesn't offer to help out much. You probably don't like me either, but I'm cool with that. Just my opinion.

Maybe MARS needs someone who races in the series to volunteer to be their voice online? Might Jesse step up for something like that? I highly doubt it.

I'm out. MARS can go do it's thing now. Any issues, I just suggested calling Ken or Bruce or Nick. Try to have some fun this summer and not get caught up in all of the online b.s. around MARS

1. I can accept that you don't like me. Not everybody is going to like people willing to say what they believe and are willing to deal with the consequences.

2. Keith, you apparently don't pay much attention in the Michigan R/C community. I am the jerk who picked up & ran the MGR series last year when it was going to be dropped weeks before it started. And since you like to boast about your attendance, I had over 200 entries. And maybe you've never been to Washtenaw either. I help a great deal with the program there too. Over 150 racers every other week for 10 weeks during the winter. I have been highly involved in Lansing racing for as long as I can remember, save the last few seasons of carpet racing since I run dirt mostly. But I believe, as you put it....I'm "a jerk who just complains and doesn't offer to help out much". I think I can drum up a few willing to disagree with your accusation!

3. Maybe MARS needs someone who races in the series to volunteer to be their voice online? I agree entirely.Like I said in the other thread, it is the 21st century. I certainly could not have had as successful an MGR series last year without the internet. This form of communication is invaluable. And based on the activity on the threads for the CRL, I would assert that you would have to agree Keith. I saw how you had to reconsider dates and locations for your races last season, and what better way to get the word out than the internet? It's not that hard to get online nowadays.

4. Might Jesse step up for something like that? I highly doubt it.
Not a chance in hell. I refuse to assist a leadership that I don't believe in. I have a long history of going the extra mile for a track I believe in. If changes were made in the leadership, I might consider it. You know, they used to have an online presence when a Vicksburg representative was an official. Why do you think they can't keep a Vicksburg rep?


I love this sport as much as anyone, and I want to see it thrive. I generally don't complain unless I have facts to back it up. And yes, I did put forth a suggestion to MARS through the proper channels at the banquet, fully expecting it to fall on deaf ears. I then had the opportunity to ride home with an official (maybe his unfortunate opportunity). I outlined how I'd make things better.


At least if people complain, it means they care. The main way things change is when people complain. If all you want is quiet obedience, the racer quietly protests when they quit showing up.

I fully expect this thread to deteriorate and get deleted, but I hope it doesn't.

well said Jesse we might not agree on somethings but this is a good topic we agree on

:dude: :dude: :dude: :dude: :dude:

I don't know all the specifics of this discussion.. but I will say this.

Jesse is the 1st to help when I need it at Washtenaw and also one of the first to talk to me when he sees something that needs changing to make things better.
He has been an active member of the Michigan RC Racing community for a long as I have been around.
He is PASSIONATE about the hobby. His first date with his wife was to take her a MARS race is I remember correctly!! And now she is a wonderful part of our racing community and a pleasure to have at the track and race with.

Unfortunately there are some who have issues with MARS and how it is run for years.. We would not have seen a split and another race series started if that was not the case.

A willingness to change and grow with the times is a must for a track or race series to be sucessful. Taking into consideration the concerns and interests of the racers and acting on them when possible is a must.

What ever your differences are... Our goal should be to help the hobby grow.

We see that with the work Hank does with this site..

Both men involved with this should ask yourself if you are doing your best to promote the hobby help it grow and keep it strong in our area.

This is just my 2 cents worth... It will be hard for anyone to chime in without an in depth understanding of discussion that was started somewhere else and without first hand knowledge of rift between these two men.... Obviously Jeese feels strong enough about this open this up for discussion again after a thread had been locked..

Dan Burnham
Washtenaw RC Raceway. Michigan Biggest and BEST Indoor Dirt Racing!
RC Product Designs- Home of the TC3 "O" V2

Yup, MARS has problems & those problems caused the FTMS series to start up.

Now MARS seems to be the crochety old man series and the FTMS is the young gun utilizing all the new things available. MARS seems to resist change, where FTMS is open to it. They now seem to cater to sides of the state, Mars is all West side of the state and FTMS is East side. I still think it's a shame things happened they way they did, but oh well.

As for the "rift" mentioned here between Groundhogg & MotorcityHamilton, I can see where it comes from, and I hope others do to. The fact that they may not like each other don't make either one of them a bad guy, they're both just passionate about their viewpoints.
Keith is pro MARS because he's been around it for a LONG time & his Dad has been an intregral part of the MARS administration for as long as anyone can remember so he's pretty passionate about the series and gets defensive about attacks on it.
Jesse, is just a racer passionate about having open communication in a series that needs show some response to Series participants suggestions. Even if the series officials just said No and why they said no would be better than silence.

WOW, Deja vu.....

its just to bad mars has that kinda of people running it and wont do anything but say NO to every questiopn or segestion made to them i only raced 2 years of mars but i seen what went on and last year when they had computer problems as usual they woouldnt let any one on the track for a couple of hours or more thats not cool at all because they didnt want do more maitance on the track OH WELL

Jesse - Nicely said. I can respect everything that you laid down. You are probably right that I should stay out of the whole MARS issue and just run my thing. I know that I do a far better job with the CRL and being in tune with my racers than MARS will ever do. The only investment that I have had in MARS is trying to offer a helping hand to my dad. It really should be none of my business if I'm not willing to step up, get involved and help fix some of MARS' issues myself. I offer my sincere apology for speaking up, out of place. Sorry, to you mostly Jesse, and to anyone else who read this. I know when I have done something stupid and am man enough to admit it.

I'll keep to myself and focus on my full size racing and the CRL. Feel free to come over and join the CRL discussion if you like or don't like anything we do there. I'll at least listen, ask other racers for their opinions and quickly make changes to meet the majority of opinions. Ninety racers for indoor carpet is a big show and I am really proud of what we've done there. I hope anyone that I may have offended will consider coming over to check out what we've got going on, reguardless of what you personally think of me.

Thanks for your time and enjoy your summer dirt season.

Sincerely,
Keith Hamilton

Apology accepted, Keith.