My name is Jeff Mello, I drive a purple Jeep,some friends said this board had a discussion on Pro Rock and I found it to be a bit one sided.
After 4 yrs and 9 competions with SITR i have yet to have a problem with Bob Hazel.Sure we have disagreed, and still do, on some points but nothing that would cause me to condem him or beleive he is bad for rock crawling.

If so many have had a problem with Bob why do we only hear of it from behind a fictitious name and language and threats that undermine any point the author might have had? For this reason I dont consider this to be quality source for accurate information.So please be cautious whose band wagon you jump on.

A few facts:
1)SITR is a business its supposed to make money
2)payout for IN was up 20% for my class/place even though entries were fewer
3)the "crew cab w/ AC on" was where the lap top inputting scores was so we could have results minutes after the show.
4)Bobs point system came 1st, maybe the other guys should have to conform to ease YOUR confusion.

I commend Shupee and SpaceGhost for attending the event before attacking the promoter,I put alot more value on what they have to say than some elf guy that explains me to be "nobody if Im not on this board." If they chose not to return thats capitalism working.

In closing let me say Im prepared for my next win to deemed "fixed" or "Hazel setting coarses just for Mello's Jeep" because of this but dont say it here,(I wont hear you 'cause Im not much of a Talkcrawler)Introduce yourself on the trail and we'll discuss it...you bring the beer.

PS If you dont like the way promoters are treating us now wait 'til you hear the name CLEAR CHANNEL ENTERTAINMENT!it's going to get worse.

thanks for playing and all, but it looks like chit chat crap to me

Hello my name is fatkid and I like to walk around with no pants on and sing songs while on the trail...:)

Hello my name is fatkid and I like to walk around with no pants on and sing songs while on the trail...

OMG.

ROFLMAO

Depdog:D

Some people are just flat out clueless! :rolleyes:
Jeff, thanks for coming on here and showing the other side, it's almost refreshing to see a rational point of view based on experience rather than word of mouth.

Everyones entitled to their own opinion but if you don't have experience on the subject then why not just listen?

Hey Jeff,
Congrats on the win! You west coast guys made the best of the terrain and your finishing positions are proof you know the sport, and understand the SITR rules set. Nothing I said was intended to take away from your performance, but I did note that the class rules favor some vehicles, and the 90" Cruiser isn't one of them. So be it, I could have just as easily chose a TJ. That was not the basis of my comparison.

You may recall we spoke as I was applying the required decals. I had previous experience in SITR events, and made a trip to Cruces for a Warn event with my friends. Yes I was less than optimistic about the event prior to the start.

I posted my feelings on making money, hell thats the American way. I also know one of Bob's biggest hinderances is his ability to listen. It's the attention to details, and fulfilment of promises that sour the participants. I truely hope this whole explosion of comments causes a review of the things that have been reiterated by many here. Unfortunately many that supported Bob's endeavors, are soured as well.

I also have trouble with the invisible cloak many are hidden behind. Some hide intentionally, others make no effort to hide, just don't reveal an abundance of info. With a little research a person could find a lot of info about most of the posters here. I AM entitled to my opnion, even if it is frought with factual errors, that's also the American way. I was there (as you noted), and expect to be recognized for that.

My comments were not a personal attack on Bob as much as a competiors view of the differences in the 2 series that are within my range of travel. Hands down EROCC is the clear winner. The series, in it's first year, avoided (thru hard work and commitment) many of the things that taint SITR's events. Bob's answer or justification for his point system " I like to be different" isn't satsifactory. The spectators spoke out on this, and ignoring them at this point in the evolution of the sport will be fatal.

Good Luck Jeff, thanks for speaking up. You are my choice to win the series!

In Farmington this spring I helped, along with members of the Rock Garden Club, with the Women's Championships and I participated in the NM Championships.
I doubt if Bob is getting rich putting these events on and I do know his crew works like dogs just trying to keep it together.

I do have a big problem with the trashy way they left the "Garden" and the excuses given for not getting it cleaned up afterwards were entirely unacceptable.

And I hate thier "one cone and yer out" rule but it's their rules and I can live with that.
Bob did take the time to explain a scoreing mixup I had.
And in all, I thought he and his crew were always approachable when problems arose and were prompt to address them.
Though some did not agree with the decisions about them...

I wasn't going to attend the up coming Cedar City event in two weeks but was offered an entry at a discount by someone who suddenly can't attend.
The rules allowed the entry swap and Bob quickly responded and gave approval for the swap.
I just got a trailer so I'm going. I need the experience and would love to place in the top ten to win a berth in the SuperCrawl here in Farmington this fall.
Besides having fun, those are reasons enough to go and participate. I wish I could stay all week.

People can boycott if they feel they must but my hope is that these threads on POR and pointed direct and continuous dialog will help prod Bob and his STIR group to do a better job to help us all both have a great time and also protect our trails and enviroment.

STIR is staging two back-to-back contests in Cedar City shortly.
The contest area is compact, easy to get around, is great for spectators, has GREAT ROCKS!, and the only thing like it in the whole region.
I met a couple of the proud local club members when I was there at the RCAA event recently. Plus the Boy Scouts and the Sheriff's Department deputys were actively involved in helping with the event's parking and crowd control.
Everyone had a great time and even the crowd helped pick up after themselves.
Promoters should always provide adequite recepticles and bags for trash.
It makes a real difference at the end of the day.

From now on, any organization or promoter who'd dare leave a mess in Cedar City (or here in Farmington again) and then leave town will surely have a mob after them and deserve any punisment, boycot, or banishment they get.
No one should be able to get away with it.
They have had fair warning ...


BTW: I sure need a spotter the 14th and 15th.
Anyone? Will compensate ...

Grab your pitch forks a smelly ogar...:)

Jeff, I'm the guy that talked to you in the big gray XJ. I was thoroughly unimpressed with the way Mr. Hazel handled the entire situation. My biggest problem is probably that Erocc is the only other comp. I've been to and they put on one hell of a show. I'd like to talk to you backchannel or over the phone about some rulings on the whole stock frame issue. Can you send me an email or a PM so that we can exchange phone #'s.

Easy

Originally posted by Jaffer
BTW: I sure need a spotter the 14th and 15th.
Anyone? Will compensate ...

John, you have brought me out of my brief retirement, count on me for Cedar City.:D

Originally posted by fatkid
Grab your pitch forks a smelly ogar...:)

ROFLMAO ...onions...

Jeff, congrats on you finish .... don't want you to get the wrong impression of my post here.

Just because someone posts info on the web in no way means that they are hiding behind a keyboard. The web is simply one more (easy) method by which to communicate. How else would we bitch about Bob? Pen Pal letters? Let's be realistic here.

Despite the fact that I do my fair share of "web crawling," I have met hundreds of new faces on the trail, at competitions, club meetings, trail cleanups, etc. Had it not been for me going down to ProRocks last weekend, I wouldn't have met SpaceGhost, Shupe, BigDude, Syko (I think I was sitting right next to him at camp), Durham, Hamilton, Timmy, Ron, etc.

So to say that posting info on the web is akin to hiding behind a keyboard is about the lowest card one call pull.

And just because 2 people stand up and say "Bob is an okay guy" does not negate the 100 or so others that have bad firsthand experiences with him. The numbers just don't work like that.

Keep in mind Jeff, the words I've typed are in no way a slam towards you. They're simply a rebuttal summarizing my opinions.

cmk

I must be the second guy who gets along with Bob and his Pro Rock / challenge events. for what it's worth I know of others who aren't board members who also enjoy his events. Stuff happens, hopefully people learn and move on.

Jaffer & Land use- see you guys and Jeff in CC, one of your neighbors, Jake Attaway is spotting with me- glad to have him.

Jeff, you've been having a great season, keep up the good work.

with regards to the lynch mob, yup, this is america and I'm sure that there are some first hand bad experiences out there (What's that expression- "Show me someone who makes no mistakes and I'll show you someone who isn't doing anything").

I could be wrong but recent posts did seem like a lot of members without first hand knowledge jumped right in and convicted Bob without a trial- that's another thing that's supposed to be an american tradition, innocense til proven guilty. just seems people kind of shot first and asked questions later. That's just the way it looked to me- sorry.

Happy Jeepin!

Originally posted by raceanything
PS If you dont like the way promoters are treating us now wait 'til you hear the name CLEAR CHANNEL ENTERTAINMENT!it's going to get worse.

Been there, done that, also under the previous guises of SFX & Pace Motor Sports. Have participated in their "shows", as well as been directly involved in helping them operate various events. They are indeed NOT going the way things should go. That being said, only the participants hate them, the fans eat up their shows. I've personally attended one SITR event, and both the fans AND participants considered it to the the absolute worst joke of an event they'd ever attended. And we're talking about folks who've been attending 20+ events a year since the 70's. And like SITR, some folks actually LIKE participating with Clear Channel.

Now, as I've said before. As bad as the SITR event that I attended was, I hold no grudge. If Bob's a professional, he'll work to make things better. I'm happy to offer my advice (as a fellow event coordinator) and even services - relating to mud - if necessary in this regard.

TEX

And just so there's no wondering about my "fictitious" name, my real name is Scott Graham. I'm in the phone book. And I can also be reached via e-mail at mudslideq78@yahoo.com

My name is Kevin. I don't hide behind the keyboard :D

**edit**
I still think hazel's IN event was extremely shitty. Also, I don't see a difference in me typing that here, voicing it on the trails this past weekend in Tellico, mentioning it at ERoCC this Friday, or talking about it over the phone with anyone. They are just different forms of communication.

BD/Kevin- From what I hear you're to big to hide just about anywhere:D

Sorry I missed you a week ago- would have been good to meet you both. Did you move North yet? Are you guys headed to the Supercrawl?

I spoke with Russ Hogan over the weekend, he was fired up about the Attica event too! (Mazda/ Unimog buggy)

Ken

Originally posted by G02Guy
Did you move North yet? Are you guys headed to the Supercrawl?

I spoke with Russ Hogan over the weekend, he was fired up about the Attica event too! (Mazda/ Unimog buggy)

Ken

I'm actually interviewing with Goodyear for a research position in their re-tread facility. It is located in Spartanburg/Greenville SC. Right where I want to be :D Hoping to attend the Supercrawl.

Hogan was a trip, I couldn't believe he didn't wear ear plugs in that thing :D Definitely a really cool buggy. However, I couldn't help but notice he had a manual and only 2 pedals on the floor :confused: He is missing some stopping power huh :D