I didn't get in here to cry "everyone's against Cody." I was unaware that some rules were changed for 1 pull, thanks for clearing that up. As you know, Goshen was different, as has been Truckfest in the past because a separate membership fee was charged to pull for payout and points up until this year. I am glad that was changed, It was the single best thing the club did this year. In Goshen, where I was the tech for all classes along with some sporadic help, we pushed newcomers to pull in the fun classes if they wanted payout so they could follow the looser rules they were used to there in CT. They didn't want to pull the points class if they had to drop another $100. The 1st round bye rule (which I did NOT infer could be used at any one pull of the season) was pretty irrelevant there for that reason- the majority of the trucks (except the 2 (I think) new sign ups there in the diesel class, and I think around 10 overall in all classes) that would've had to use it were pushed to those alternative classes. So as far as I can still remember, that allowance was never actually foregone at any MATPA points pull in the last 7 years I've been involved.
The drama I was referring to was the crowds of people around all the trucks after the finger pointing started...that was unprofessional when it happened to the CT boys that wanted to pull with us the last couple years in the gas classes, and it was unprofessional in Hebron in this class. In the past couple years when I was helping out, we all seemed to agree that it was best to deal with issues and questions in private with the truck owner/driver (as I did with you Derek in Westfield when everyone asked me how a stock regular cab could put 20ft on the field) to keep from making it a spectacle event. I have no issue with volunteers helping the club out, until this year I was one of them every single chance I had. I only have an issue with the biased treatment at the scales as a result of it. If you think we are the only ones noticing it, think again. (I wasn't even aware of it until a few people from other classes and even non-pullers asked me what the heck was going on)
And to answer your question Chris, about whether or not the truck was like that when you pulled against it and even helped tech it - yes, it was some of the time...I give Shawn a LOT of credit designing that ballast...I was like "no F-in way" when I first saw it and thought of all the times he smoked you, us, and Todd even a couple times back then.
Hell, even Lavoie was freighted pulling his 6.0l with weights stacked up in in front floor lol and we knew it...why do you think we gave such a fight about the steel front bumper rule? Things that were not clearly visible to the naked eye went uncontested back then and in some cases still do apparently... some just hide it better than others.
Also, please understand I am not here to bash the club...If I had such a big problem with the club or all the rules or whatever people want to think I have a problem with, I wouldn't even bother being a part of it at all. I am only pointing out a few flaws that have come to people's attention all season, that if are not addressed it will not be the anti-Barker club anymore, since the diesels are what bring the majority of the spectators nowadays...it'll be the anti-diesel club which we have worked so hard to avoid the last 7+ years. (Hence why I still stand behind my statement that regardless of whatever FB comments are made about the sled, club, your friend's cousin's mom, whatever it may be....inviting more competition from other areas like Todd did in Northampton is the best thing the club can do for their attendance and their value as a show.)