[Spridgets] Ruminations on OSHITs and Frank

[Ron Soave]

One reason I race a Spridget is that the spirit is still very much alive and well. The silent force behind many OSHITs and what still goes on today is Kevin Valentine. His knowledge and generosity is unparalleled. 

After many years of never havingvenough space, I finally have a dream garage (attached to a nightmare house). Nothing would make me happier than to plan an OSHIT to properly christen it. My one stipulation is that everyone needs to take parts off my shelves when you go. I can’t believe how much there is. As my great friend Ron Downs says, “I’ve got more projects left than I do haircuts.”  

Ron Soave

> On Oct 22, 2021, at 9:47 PM, Dave and Terri Woerpel via Spridgets <spridgets at autox.team.net> wrote:
> 
> 
> Mark my friend,  you had me close to tears...not at the passing of Frank, although it wouldn't take much, but for the pure altruism of kindness and service to others.  When I took part in the Holy Sprite project I did so because I had to be a part of whatever it was that made folks relay a Sprite from California to New Jersey, tear it apart, restore, and reassemble in 2-3 months and hand it off to a retiring priest.  There was something Big at work.  All walks of life came together for a common purpose and all have been Paying It Forward ever since.  It's Frank's legacy and it's there on the sticker on my toolbox:  WWFD?   It's why I wrote an article to Vintage Motorsports (IIRC); the world needed to know about Frank. Why can't the world pick up where Frank left off?  In some small way it is...with US!
> 
> Thanks for the reminder Mark and George. 
> 
> Dave W
> 
> 59 :()
> 59 MGA 1500
> 
> Burlington WI 
> 
> "Pay It Forward"
> 
>> On Fri, Oct 22, 2021, 7:43 PM Mark Haynes via Spridgets <spridgets at autox.team.net> wrote:
>> This'll be a little long, so bear with me or just delete as you see fit.
>> I was having a beer with a friend who got me into AutoX last night and he mentioned that he'd told his wife about how I travelled to Dodge City to help out Jim Johnson with his Sprite. he inferred that I did it because it was pay back, and I told him no, that I did it 'um, I'm not sure why'.
>> Today I was stacking wood for the winter, which is a kind of meditative process, and realized that the reason why I am willing to travel long distances to help  people that I've never met is Frank Clarici, and his motto "Pay it Forward".
>> This realization that Frank is still affecting my life and correcting my attitude was very powerful. That a man who I never met could have such a long lasting affect on me and my approach to others simply astonishes me. 
>> The fact that OSHITs are still occurring is a testament to what he believed, that there is always someone out there willing to devote their time and skills to help others who are unable to finish a labor of love. I have found that I enjoy the sharing of the knowledge and skills we all have acquired, both ways, is one of the best parts of an OSHIT, not to mention the prodding and poking and general lack of any respect for one's person 😜.
>> The ability of everyone to come together from great distances and work toward a common goal for another is such a gift to all who are involved, not the least of whom is the car owner. My local British car buddies are great, but having the opportunity to come together with folks from so distant is a gift that I cannot express.
>> If you're still reading this, I'm sure that you too, knew Frank. If you've never taken part in an OSHIT, I would encourage you to do so, you'll meet like-minded folks, enjoy some laughs, make some memories, make some friends, drink some beers and most of all, create an enduring memorial to The Dean of Spridgets, Frank Clarici.
>> As always, PAY IT FORWARD!
>> Mark Haynes
>> It only goes one way- Pay It Forward
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