Originally Posted by Wolfe-e:
Mr. Mills, I do Thank You for your work. I also appreciate what you want and need... You have been heard and as with almost everything else, I am sure that things will improve... I believe the main problem is simply not having the right people know before hand, "with enough time for them get what was needed and the insurance waiver".. There was nothing personal in the decission... I do not have the power, or authority to make that call... As for the cost, again I appoligize... Did you go through USAC for credentials, or the track???
Mr. Wolfe, thank you for hearing me. Again, I wish to express to you that I am not here to bash the track, I just want someone to listen to me, and help me with what I view to be an important issue that hopefully can be rectified for the next event.
I agree with you that I did not give the track the proper time in order to fix the problem for that night, however, I had no idea that I simply wasn't going to be allowed in the turn 1 tower that I have had access to for every event I have gone to there since 1997. The tower has been alleged to be "condemned" for the past 6 years, but nobody has ever said that it officially was until this year. I used the tower for the MSCS event earlier this month, and didn't think anything of it, but as I was later told, I was lucky to not be arrested that day. It came as a complete shock to me when I was admonished as vehemently as I was on Thursday morning before the race. I tried to make peace, but I was refuted sternly, and from there, the communication just became non-existent. Brian Dorsett attempted to help me, but to no avail. So, I took matters into my own hands, bought three tickets (room enough for me, my tripod, and my gear) in the top row at $25 a pop, and proceeded to deal with heads, poles, fences, and lighting glares in my way all night. It was a less than desirable night for me personally, even though it was an incredible night for the fans and teams. It was hard not to notice the fantastic atmosphere that DHK Promotions created. Kudos to them for the yeoeman-like effort in restoring the grandeur and spectacle of the "Action Track". They have done a magnificent job of making the place feel like it did back in the days of yore...I just wish I could have enjoyed it. Alas, my night was filled with turmoil and strife, unfortunately.
And for the record, I went through USAC for my credentials, using my hardcard to get my pitpass, but that wasn't going to do me any good when I was forced as a last resort into the grandstands to shoot. The top three rows in the main grandstand were all reserved, and I had to act quickly if I was to get three seats together. I was lucky I did. But, it should not have cost me to cover this event for National Television. No amount of rationalization will change that. I was there providing a service that came free of charge to DHK, and is invaluable in terms of exposure and recognition. It should not have cost me $75.00 to do so.
In the end, I just wanted to document the event in the manner in which it deserved, and I truly wasn't able to do so. And that is the real travesty of it all...The video I shot looks like a glorified home movie, and this was quite simply an opportunity missed. True story.
DM
