UPDATE: DRIFT or DIEcast 1:64 Racing shutting down, heads up
It really sucks that we as racers have to keep going through this over and over again. How hard IS it to let people know, "Hey, I got other stuff going on, let me send your cars back, I'm cancelling all future races"?
I didn't enter his race, but it feels like people like this should be held accountable legally - This seems like wire fraud or postal fraud. And I know this may not be a popular opinion here, but I feel like electronic payments should be mandatory so refunds can be requested/issued and legal action can be taken on the side of the scammer. The apps will have their banking info and address and real name on their end. This would also deter possible future scammers. Sending cash and our cars using hope as insurance leaves us little recompense legally.
- That's not a bad idea. PayPal lets you have a record of transactions — JBlotner42
- Great idea Patrick. I'm looking into that... I've found out where he works, and am looking for a credible info service online to get his address. Then I will sue with small claims court, and notify the cops in his town of mail fraud and larceny — G_ForceRacing
- Yep. I have always thought thieves should be accountable, and a system worked out such that it can happen. — CutRock_R_Marc_D
This was just posted on his Facebook page...
- New let's see if he follows through — JBlotner42
- Yeah, we'll see. At least he finally responded. — SpyDude
- Can only hope for all who entered. — CutRock_R_Marc_D
- I told him on his FB page yesterday that I was about to file a criminal complaint & notify the USPS of mail fraud, & That he should at least communicate. If they don’t come when they would I will move forward on turning him in, what an ass. — G_ForceRacing
- got his attention, apparently — dr_dodge
- still waiting, I texted hiom again, said they should have been here last Friday, and I'm still prepared to file a criminal complaint and contact the USPS for mail fraud. — G_ForceRacing
Can I make a suggestion for future events. What if you don't send money for return shipping until the event is over and the host contacts you for your return address and fee?
This would take the suspiscion off event hosts and save you worrying about any money that was gone or that you thought had been taken. It won't help with getting cars back if the host ghosts you, but at least they wouldn't have cash?
It would also help hosts not stress about what happened to the money between the car arriving and being sent back, and they wouldn't send the car back until the fee was paid. Would that help everyone feel better in the future?
- Good idea. It's been a hot minute since I've hosted but I assume most people just do digital payments. Last time I did it, people were still stuffing cash in with the entries. — redlinederby
- Yes, I I agree and have made that comment before. — CutRock_R_Marc_D
I said this years ago and got blasted for it but I'll say it again. Like everything else, the hobby is being ruined by money. I hosted 18 races just a few years ago and it was $5-$6 for return shipping. You got your car back if you paid $6 and a $30-$50 trophy out of my pocket. If you're in this hobby to make money 1. You're going to be disappointed 2. You're eventually going to let your fellow hobbiests down when you decide it's not worth it. Last few races I've been in it's cost me $30-$50 to race Diecast cars and then you have to hope they actually run the race and maybe send you the trophy that they promised. At that price you're no longer doing us a favor you're now providing a service, essentially running a business and have an obligation to fulfill your promises. I have a car and money at Diecast Dude, I have several cars at EP Videos and a trophy or prize that never came. I have a missing trophy from Elevation Diecast. Why doesn't anyone call out the big hosts? I'm as aggravated with this guy Drift and Diecast as I am at these more popular hosts. At least EP and Elevation contacted me and apologized for the delay, albeit 3-6 months ago but it's been way too long. If you want to host races do it because you love the hobby. Don't do it because you think you can make a living off it. There is one person in this hobby making a living at it. Now I'll wait to see who has something to say about the more popular places to race. I've taken more criticism for sharing speed secrets than these people have.
If you're a host who either hasn't returned cars, money or trophies. Do the right thing and stop everything you're doing as far as Diecast goes and clear that up first.
Where is the governing body of the hobby, those people who made it their duty and feel the need to chime in on everything but stay silent when their take isn't popular?
- Monster Motorsports, EP Videos, Enoch El, Drift or Diecast, plus everal others I gave up on a while back. I've tried multiple times contacting each person, and.... crickets. — SpyDude
- Not sure about the trophy from EP, but the racing will start shortly. The starting gate was broken, and the GT40 tournament will be finished soon, then the muscle car rally. — ManiacMotorsports
- EP vids where you at? Rather where's my car at? Stop biting off more than you can chew — RC_Attucks
- I don't think money has ruined it so much as people's misunderstanding that hosting is largely a customer service job, not just videographer and commentator. When you're handling people's stuff, that's the most important thing to worry about. — redlinederby
- But also, if you're spending more than $10 to enter a race then you're paying too much, IMO. Price to enter should be cost of return shipping at that's pretty much it. If a host wants to spend more on trophies and whatever, that's on them, they shouldn't pass that on. — redlinederby
- 2 People making money, Nick at TTC and 3DBotmaker, but AFAIK they are not doing mail in's anymore and focusing purley on content. — JBlotner42
- @redlinederby most of the time if theres an entry fee, I won't get my car returned so I won't spend much. If I care about the car and want it back I won't enter. — ManiacMotorsports
- @JB - Focusing on production while also handling entries is an absolute killer...I can see why they focused on just make YT content and money from that, it's smart to focus on one. — redlinederby
- @redline No joke. I have mad respect for anyone that pulls it off. — JBlotner42
- @JB@RLD, that's why I don't focus on production much! I just try to put the videos out in a timely manner. — ManiacMotorsports
- don't forget beaverworx, too I got 4 there — dr_dodge
- Great post BLR. One of the issues is there is no real governing body, and with so many diverse ideas etc, overall sadly never will be. I have mentioned before there I think there should be a grading system for hosts, also there needs to be vetting system, and verification system and other means of official contact etc. Basically in some cases people have sent money and cars to some random post box to who knows knows where and who? Certainly relies on a lot of trust, and taking random punts on new guys at times, only to get sadly burnt. There are some great grassroots host out there though, may not have the polished production and good racing. Take car — CutRock_R_Marc_D
- Why do we have so much respect for the time and real life issues for hosts while the car builders time, money and property are expected to be forfeited with no communication? — BlueLineRacing
- Let’s see if I just stiff a host on racing fees, gift card and shipping fees and see if they show me the same consideration. — BlueLineRacing
- Great points Blueline. I have had a helluva time with Merch by Meekin/Old Yadkin. Douglas finally is sending my cars back, some from 2-3 years ago! Still hasn;t given me credit for 3rd place, likely nothing to Ironbeard for winning. I love that track, but am seriousl considering not sending there anymore until they get it straightened out. Mountain of Doom is great but they're very slow at returning cars, and giving credit on RLD for wins. — G_ForceRacing
- I however have always sent cars back with trophies etc., right after the race. Will always do that because I have integrity, and want the top racers to continue to come to my events. — G_ForceRacing
- Well said Blueline — Dutch_Clutch_Racing
- I hear you with your concerns mate. Cheers — CutRock_R_Marc_D
To all my fans and racers, I owe you an apology.
I’m not here to make excuses. Life has been extremely busy, my free time is very limited, and creating content a sacrifice I make purely for the love of this hobby. That said, I fully own the delays, especially when it comes to returning cars. I also want to share an important update: my start gate was broken, which halted progress for a while. It will be replaced this week!
Because of that, here’s the plan going forward:
I will finish the Ford GT tournament
Then complete the Muscle Car Rally tournament
Followed by the Classic F1 tournament
And finally, I’ll wrap up the main-line 2025 F1 tournament with 3 remaining episodes
@blulineracing — I did send out your trophy package for the Initial D tournament (I hope you got it!) and I am still finishing your custom trophy for Spectra: a racing hat and Mug with your name and event logos. This piece is being made overseas and takes time, but it is in progress. Thank you for your patience.
Regarding returned cars: Please re-visit my event Rules, as stated in the event notes, if you would like your car returned, please contact me through Redlined Derby. I’ve successfully returned cars to several racers using the process that works best for me and, honestly, my very scattered brain.
To all my fans and racers—I’m truly sorry for the letdowns. This community means a lot to me and it breaks my heart to find my name in these comments. YES, I am to blame, and YES, ill own it. Because of this I’ve seriously considered stepping away from hosting because I haven’t been able to keep up the way I want to, and you all deserve better.
Once these events are completed, I haven’t yet decided whether I’ll resume any additional racing. My family’s health and my own mental health have to come first. I want to continue providing great entertainment for everyone, but I also need to be honest with myself.
Thank you for your understanding, your patience, and your continued support. I hope you all have a great year ahead
Much love to you all. ??
- Just to let you know, I do want my car returned. If I remember correctly, I enclosed cash for the return shipping fee. If some how you don't remember, or can't find the cash, I'll gladly re send the money to you electronically. — RC_Attucks
- No worries here. I enter so many tournaments that I don't really care if there's delays, as long as my car runs eventually. — ManiacMotorsports
- Appreciate the transparency, sorry it came to getting aired out here like this :( I know there's a middle ground between going full tilt awesome like you want and stopping entirely. Take a good solid break and see how you feel in a few months. I do it often and it helps more than you might think. I hope you find a balance between hobbies and health :) — redlinederby
- No worries buddy. Real life comes first and we appreciate you letting us know. — JBlotner42
- @EPVideos_Diecast_Racing In your list above, I see no mention of the Lemans Tournament. This leaves me wondering because my GT40 qualified for the Lemans and hence is not being run in the GT40 Tournament. If you're not going to run Lemans, then us top 6 qualifiers sent a car for no reason. It's been a year already. Just wondering. Thx — Zamak_Speed_Shop
- Additionally, Le Mans has been taken over by Boss Racing. We’ll be partnering with them for the final event, where the cars will race Pikes Peak as well as Boss Racing’s track—one big, fun collaboration to wrap it up. — epvideos_diecast_racing
- NP here brother. I hopeyou can keep hosting, your production and track are top notch. I'm ok with race delays, as a host I know how things can get. Hang in there bud, tracks I send to are thinning out, but yours I will always send to. — G_ForceRacing
Thanks for the update. Yes I would like my cars back when you're done racing them. I believe I made that evident in the return slips. I really enjoy your track. It's no surprise you're burnt out and I'm sorry for whatever you're dealing with but I have cars , money and trophies everywhere that I'll likely never see and it's frustrating.
I just got this on FB from Drift or Die, after my scathing messages to him...
"Everything's going out Friday. I deactivated my Facebook, deleted all other social media until recently so didn't see any of these messages. Went through a very bad breakup, went through severe crippling depression, almost got pink slipped, took up drinking, got medicated, didn't leave my house and sold my entire collection. My bad, not really an excuse just wasn't the top of my priority list when I was focused on not giving up when I have a 6 year old I can't leave behind. I'll handle it and everyone will get their cars and stuff back, trophies, money, etc."
- wow — dr_dodge
- Sadly, if that was what he would have sent out and just kept us in the loop, the majority of us probably wouldn't have gotten so upset. Communication goes a long way! — LONE_WOLF_RACING
- Exactly Lone Wolf.... The last message I told him was "Just communicate!" He finally did. — G_ForceRacing
- Wow............ dude's been through some stuff. Wish we had known sooner, so we could have helped with moral support during a bad time.... — SpyDude
- I know! Again, communication is so important!! — G_ForceRacing
- We all have family, problems, life obligations. Communicate and get the job done whether that means cancelling the race and sending money and cars back or setting a date further down the road and fulfilling your obligations — BlueLineRacing
- Agreed. Just do it. Communicate and handle responsibility. — Dutch_Clutch_Racing
Has anyone recieved their cars from Drift or Die-cast? His statement was that he was going to ship them out about 10 days ago and I've yet to see mine - even though I'm in the same state and only 2-3 hours away from his town.
Of course I'm aware of the recent snow storm, our mailbox was destroyed by a snowplow so they held deliveries a couple days until I put up a new one. The local post office says around here they were only slowed a little by the storm so if something was shipped via USPS we should have seen it by now. If they went via another service that could be another story.
Anyway, just curious.
- Nope — BlueLineRacing
- Still waiting, I texted him again, said they should have been here last Friday, and I'm still prepared to file a criminal complaint and contact the USPS for mail fraud. — G_ForceRacing
- Hardly worth all that but I feel your pain. Sucks being ripped off. — BlueLineRacing
- I agree, losing $10 isn't a big deal individually. However taking a few dozen people for $10 and their items, some worth little and some with personal value, harm the trust associated with this hobby, make repeated sob stories and false promises to complete the transactions I think seeing him have to answer to a formal complaint would be worth it IMO. — ChiefWopahoo
- Well he got me too. Glad I didn’t send a second set of cars — BlueLineRacing
- This is really too bad. I'm glad I didn't sign up for any of his races. I'm honestly surprised I've never gotten ripped off by anyone before. — ManiacMotorsports
WOW! I've been away from RLD for quite a few years. I was at an estate sale with a ton of Hot Wheels and it got me thinking about doing some more races, I actually signed up for a race and I've been building and testing cars for the last week or so. Reading this thread has got me rethinking my decision to race again.
How is one to know if we're sending entry fees (which is new to me) and return postage to a reputable track?
- My list of tracks I'll never send to again is larger than my list of good (in my opinion) tracks. — Dutch_Clutch_Racing
- As far as I know Zizzer is reputable, but this is his first ever hosted race. He builds fast cars and seems to be good, but I guess you'd never know. — ManiacMotorsports
- Check out the Where to Race thread on the front page, good solid list of tracks with reviews. — redlinederby
- Ask around to the host’s last tournament and ask what the people who entered say about the host. — HSLmotorsports
Yeh I think my two events I melted a lot of Hot Wheels to make trophies and bases but it was in the name of fun and I look forward to the returning I like giving back more then even the racing
Ron aka (BADDAD)
- Thanks for the Silverado EV base! Working on a mod truck with it right now... — LONE_WOLF_RACING
Crap, I REALLY want that Mustang and Camaro back.... I usually don't enter drag races but wanted to support a new guy...
*heavy sigh*