Ok, well this is my second post on stormtrack, and im already going to have to give an opinion..lol. Let me first by saying that I truly feel it is an HONOR to be part of this board. I have no been chasing for 3 years and when I first started, I read this board with amazement of how so many people had vast knowledge on chasing. I have looked up to many on this board and respect everyone for what they have accomplished. I will tell you that I am still learning everyday about the different aspects of chasing, but have already experienced many of the different frustrations that all have mentioned about chasing. I had the amazing oppurtunity last May to chase with Tim Marshall, Stuart Robinson, and Andy Revering. I know that they probably got annoyed with all of the questions I had, but I am a person that is dedicated to learning the specifics about chasing. It was an absolute honor to learn from, what I feel, are some of the best out there today.
Anyway enough of myself, and onto the topic at hand. At one point this season, I had the chance to discuss the topic of "newbies" or new chasers with Tim Marshall. I hope that he doesn't mind me using his name, but I have much respect for his opinon, since all of us know the experience, knowledge, and accomplishments that he has gained over the years. My point I tried to make to him is that I get frustrated when many of the "new" chasers recieve bad wraps, because of the idiots that David is describing. Im get absolutely angry over people like that. I know that many of the veterans on this board all had to start chasing at some point in their lives, and were once at a point such as myself, and didnt know all of the vast terminology and specifics about chasing. People that speed, or try to show off, can ruin reputations for people like me, that are just HONESTLY trying to do it the right way. I have spent hours studying, spending time learning how to read computer models, learning the vocabulary, not to even mention how to create my OWN forecasts. It pisses me off, everytime I hear of idiots on the road who try to tarnish the reputation of every chaser out there.
I guess my point is that there are people(like me)out there who have great respect for the people that paved the way to help get where we are today. I hope that these "nascar chasers" can maybe one day get a clue. If there is one thing that I have learned in my brief experience, chasing is not a race. Its about learning to analyze a storm and being knowledgeable enough to make the right decisions at the right time. David, I am sorry to learn about your experience, but I can promise you that there are still some people out there that are trying to learn and do it the right way.....
