The NAS-T-CAR experience

Last Wednesday, I wrote about the Philippine team’s embarrassing ordeal of arriving at the Charlotte International Speedway in North Carolina to represent the country in what was sold to them as a ‘Nation’s cup’ that would pit twelve countries against each other in a heavily sponsored international race, driving an 865-horsepower NASCAR, only to suffer the indignity of being bunched in a classroom with some overweight tourists in their mid-fifties to join a $1999.99 NASCAR experience that included a certificate and a free Shutterfly photo book. One racer who was there described it as the equivalent of inviting the likes of Tiger Woods and Vijay Singh to compete in a Masters Tournament only to find out it was a round of mini golf. Basically, if you've heard of the Piston Cup, this was the Pissed-off Cup.

Don’t get me wrong –– the NASCAR Racing Experience is an awesome way to get the rush of driving a real NASCAR –– but it is basically a commercial experience best summed up by a testimonial of one their customers on their website that says, "We paid for my husband to drive for his birthday, and we were overwhelmed with how wonderful the experience was. My son and I both ended up going on a ride along and it was amazing! The entire staff made the day relaxing, and extremely enjoyable! Thank you very much for the excellent family experience!" –– Melissa Woodard Fayetteville, NC

Awesome, sure, if that’s what you signed up for. But it is no different to paying for steak and getting tofu. Not judging either, but it is all about expectations and proper representation –– which sums up the entire problem here.

There is the other question that keeps coming up, which is how could something like this have happened to such well-known personalities and sponsors?  But let’s prioritize, shall we?

Because while the argument of why experienced racers, sponsors and media who covered it didn’t see it coming may be a valid one, there are bigger fish to fry. Focusing on them right now is almost the same as blaming the rape victim for dressing sexy and being naive. Two separate issues. Let’s deal with the aggressor first before throwing stones at the injured, no matter how gullible many are accusing them of being. Besides which, if it was so obvious to all those seasoned analysts from the start, why be a hero the day after we needed you?

With that said, let’s jump straight to the main course. A day or so before filing my column, I emailed Paul Monozca, the promoter, main sponsor and organizer of the whole debacle, six direct questions to give him a chance to clear his name in what was shaping up to be some very serious allegations of intentionally misleading the team, the sponsors and the Philippine fans.

As it was election day, I was very clear about an immovable 12 noon deadline; yet despite having the time to email me back and forth for three hours on the morning of the 13th, conveniently, Mr. Monozca sent his statement at 11:47am, knowing full well there was no time to verify his statement or refute any points.

Well sir, I now have that time. So allow me to tackle it in bite sizes for you.

You said in your statement “I made it clear through numerous emails and phone calls that this is a real race with top international drivers participating. She (Heather Lutz) agreed in an email and we continued to communicate.”

Really? Where is that email? The only email exchange I have is of you telling her that you and your drivers are treating this as a real race, to which she replied on March 19, 2013 by saying: “You cannot do a 30-minute race- you can do (4) solo runs of 8 minutes each which is $1999.99 plus $35 fee.  OR the World Champion experience (if space is available) for $2999.99 plus $35 drivers fee.  That is 6 driving sessions- 2 sessions are 15 minute timed racing sessions with 6 car side by side nose to tail racing exercises.”

You even signed an agreement with the NRE on April 26, 2013, confirming this. But when I asked you to explain why you still sold what was obviously a race experience as an international race for $40,000 per driver, you simply replied  “NRE should show a response saying that "we cannot hold an actual race" - if they cannot produce this then I was led on.” As if the omission  served as permission.

I also asked you about the logos, and whether you had permission to use them. You said: “It was made clear to me that once we pay up and have a contract we can use it for our materials including announcements – we paid”

If you paid, why was there still a balance due when you arrived at the track? So I confirmed with NRE, who issued this statement in response: "NO – he was told in an email he MUST send me ANYTHING with the NRE logo for approval prior to using is. AND he was not to promote the NRE event without a signed agreement in place with us."

So I ask again: where is that agreement?

The team claimed that you told them that they couldn't use the track on May 8 (one day before the ‘actual race’) because the other countries had extended their practice times. Yet your statement says, “I was hoping that RaceEX would respond to my queries on the practice rounds especially a day before the main race day and to my surprise, the speedway mentioned that it was being painted and no practice was allowed. We ended up touring the facilities inside instead.”

If that was the case, could you please explain an email exchange dated April 24th, between you and Heather Lutz that clearly says "I have May 9th, not the 8th. Will that work?"

I also asked you to furnish me the contact details of ALL the foreign drivers  and teams that confirmed participation so that I could verify; you sent me a 2,312-word statement that went round and round in circles just like a NASCAR race, posturing yourself as the victim, but nothing in the way of an answer.

The only question you came close to answering was that of asking Carlos Anton and John Marcelo for extra money to cover Michelle’s seat even after she was pulled out by her father. You said in your statement: “Carlos Anton can confirm that I had P250,000 wired to his card at 3am to cover for the team member.”

I called Carlos Anton to confirm, and you are absolutely correct. You did wire 250,000 pesos to his credit card. What you failed to mention was that the following morning, you asked him to swipe 260,000 pesos again to cover the hotel, the balance of the NRE package and some incidentals of which you have yet to honor.

You also never answered how much sponsorship money was actually raised versus the amount that the Monozca Foundation put in so that I can get an accurate percentage that can support your claim to be the MAIN sponsor in all of this, nor could you produce any evidence of the 865-hp Sprint car draped in Philippine colors that you promised was sitting in the factory waiting for the winner of the NRE race that he/she can use to race in the actual Sprint cup series.

I offered you another chance to clear your name last week in a live interview with me on Solar News, Sports Desk or my weekly podcast to answer these questions, but while you agreed at first, you backed out as the date approached saying that under the circumstances, nobody in their right mind would accept a live interview. And I agree. That is why I asked you.

I then offered you a phone patch or even have your lawyer represent you. You said: “In the words of a lot of my friends who know you - they say you are an a**hole...” But then followed up with this sentence in the very next paragraph: “Your podcasts will be useful for our Spirit program and your talent useful to fight for what is needed in motoring.”

I’m flattered, but I respectfully decline because I think you may have enough of those already.

You said my attacks were vicious, but then said, “However, I would be pleased to invite you to a big event we have at the end of the month showcasing the NASCAR Philippine Team to the Whelen race and you will be the only one from the media I will invite and you can do the interview there.”

Exciting as it sounds, in light of all that has happened, I hope you will understand if I’m a little skeptical, so I once again contacted NASCAR Racing experience, who issued this statement."Following our post event meeting Friday with Mr. Monozca and the Philippine teams it was clear to all parties involved that Mr Monozca not only misled the Philippine teams, he falsely accused NASCAR Racing Experience of promising a race. The signed agreement, detailed event itinerary and email correspondence proved the point. Mr. Monozca’s claims are 100% untrue. NASCAR Racing Experience will NEVER work with him again."