Hey, for what it is worth, I spent 4 days and 1,000 miles on a road rally with DeCadenet in April and we had a blast. He is a true car guy and absolutely hilarious. Completely off-color and totally politically incorrect at all times. He was the grand marshall of the rally, and as such, had to give an opening night speech. Well, he gets up there and starts telling dirty jokes and about how he only started racing to get women, after they figured out his "photography studio" in London never bought any film!
Some of the more uptight women on the rally protested, and the organizers warned Alain to "clean it up" for the closing night speech. So we decided he should step it up a notch, since he wasn't getting invited back anyway - I wish I could have taped it. Priceless.
Regardless, when his Lancia broke down on the 2nd day, I offered up a seat in my 65 GT350 so he wouldn't have to ride in a tow truck. Driving out of Vegas, he told me he only drove a Shelby once, a Hertz car he rented in 66 - and promptly blew the engine street racing it. So, I was slightly nervous! But we took turns driving and giving each other a hard time...and had a blast. The guy drives like a maniac, but is a truly great driver. What you don't get from the TV is that he is like the rest of us - just doesn't know anything about muscle cars. I am working on that, and a Victory by Design is in the works on Shelbys and Corvettes. Alain also has me looking for a Shelby for him.
The guy designed, built, and raced his own F1 car, restored and flies his own WWII Spitfire fighter plane, races motorcycles, and is a real decent guy. He is also the father of Amanda DeCadenet, remember her?
We have to remember that just because a guy may not be an expert on the cars WE like that he still can be a real "car guy". Conversely, I would hate to see any of us announcing specs on pre-war Alfa Romeos, Vincent Black Shadows, British fighter planes, or the history of the postal system (which he is writing a book on).
Bottom line - cut the guy some slack - I know him and guarantee there isn't a person in this club that wouldn't immediately figure out he is one of us if you met him.
Or maybe I am just a
as well???
