Sunday, January 12, 2014

Sound-off Bullying - Poetic Beginning to a Great Run

Sound-offs can be both fun and stressing. But in all cases, bullying is unmerited. My advice, don't sink to their level. Like Chuck, take the high road instead.
International Auto Sound Competition Association Logo
International Auto Sound
Challenge Association
This is a short story of an IASCA Eastern regional event my team and I attended around 1995. Exactly when in 1995? I can't remember. So, don't mind my complete inability to remember the precise date; these events happened a long time ago. In any case, the essence of the narrative has nothing to do with time. It is all about the beginning of something awesome. 
Chuck Barbosa, now a serious Kansas City SWAT officer, was once a lost audiophile punk like me. One day, I convinced him to enter one of the most challenging shows in the US. Prior to working together, he had not had much luck at big venues; so Chuck was not too excited. But he obliged in the end.

Battered Spirit on Saturday Morning
On the morning the first day of the event, Chuck was finishing detailing his car when a famous competitor approached him. “Nice car” he said. “What class are y'all in?” Chuck competed in Amateur 251 to 500. “Damned boy, if I was you I'd stop cleaning the car and start tuning. Do ya know that red truck over there? That truck is gonna whoop you boy!”. And after pointing at his teammate's red Florida Mazda he walked away smirking and shaking his head. Needless to say, Chuck was devastated.
When Chuck told me, I replied “So what? What do you worry about? If they are better, you’ll loose any way. But they are not the judges. You just do your best and leave the rest to the real judges. The guy was just trying to intimidate you. Don’t pay attention.
I had known this guy for a few seasons but he didn't know much about Chuck and what we had done with the car. He was therefore talking out of his rear.
Chuck decided to trust on our preparation and did a really good job presenting the car.

Award Anxiety Sunday 
Trophy time arrived. Those were very competitive events when plenty of good cars battled for the last few points. Being that his new system was being day-viewed, we had no idea what to expect.
Fifth place was called. Then came fourth place. Third place went to the very good red Mazda truck. Chuck feared the worst and begun to walk away. Second place went to another impressive car.
Totally numb, Chuck didn't recognize his name when called for first place. “That’s you Chuck” everyone who knew him yelled. His smile couldn't grow any bigger. The whole thing erupted into an applause frenzy. Many people knew Chuck's incredible dedication and his previous lack of success.
Still floating, Chuck once again missed his name as Best of Show Amateur winner. It could not get any more surreal! He was finally on his way to becoming one of the most decorated sound-off competitors in the nation.

Sweetness
As soon as the last trophy was awarded, I asked Chuck, who was still glowing, to follow me with his two trophies. We walked towards the guy and, after congratulating him for his trophy, I followed my smile with "I came to introduce you to my new protegee. Meet Chuck".


The following are a few old pictures and a video of how Chuck's car looked at the end of the 1995 season (I will discuss the features in a future post): 







Photo image of the outside of the car (with the engine compartment opened) of Chuck Barbosa's Red Laser as it stood during the winter storage at the end of 1995 and beginning of 1996.
Outside of the Red Laser
during winter storage
Photo image of the outside of the car (with the hood opened) of Chuck Barbosa's Red Laser as it stood during the winter storage at the end of 1995 and beginning of 1996.
Vehicle exterior as it looked
at the end of the 1995 season

Photo image of the engine of Chuck Barbosa's Red Laser as it stood during the winter storage at the end of 1995 and beginning of 1996.
Lots of chrome and 3/8" acrylic

Photo image of the engine compartment of Chuck Barbosa's Red Laser as it stood during the winter storage at the end of 1995 and beginning of 1996.
Engine compartment



Photo image of the right open door with speaker grills of Chuck Barbosa's Red Laser as it stood during the winter storage at the end of 1995 and beginning of 1996.
Right door with midbass grills





Photo image of the right open door without speaker grills of Chuck Barbosa's Red Laser as it stood during the winter storage at the end of 1995 and beginning of 1996.
Right door with grills removed





Photo image of the front interior showing the very small kick panel in Chuck Barbosa's Red Laser as it stood during the winter storage at the end of 1995 and beginning of 1996.
Front-interior
with very small kick panels


Photo image of the front interior showing the motorized CD changer and head unit in Chuck Barbosa's Red Laser as it stood during the winter storage at the end of 1995 and beginning of 1996.
Front-interior with motorized
globe box and head unit





Photo image of the rear interior showing the power distribution panel behind the seats, the ODR system inside the motorized rear seats, and the amp rack being motorized upwards in Chuck Barbosa's Red Laser as it stood during the winter storage at the end of 1995 and beginning of 1996.
Fuse distribution behind the
motorized rear seat



Photo image of the rear interior showing the rear seat area after being motorized back into position in Chuck Barbosa's Red Laser as it stood during the winter storage at the end of 1995 and beginning of 1996.
Closed rear seat




Photo image of the rear hatch area showing the woofer box, the battery rack and the amplifier rack being motorized up in Charles Barbosa's Red Laser as it stood during the winter storage at the end of 1995 and beginning of 1996.
Rear hatch area
with amp motorization,
woofer box and
battery compartment


Photo image of the rear hatch area showing the woofer box, the battery rack, the motorized amplifier rack in the down position and the rear seat with the ODR system after being motorized open in Charles Barbosa's Red Laser as it stood during the winter storage at the end of 1995 and beginning of 1996.
Rear hatch area
with amp rack closed and
motorized rear seat
with ODR system




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