Racers and crew members being stand up guys…

[D.Johns]

Figured I'd put a positive comment from this weekend.

Don Fezell is truly a stand up gentlemen. Rich with history of the sport and is truly a car guy. I just got "back home again in Indiana" from the trip to Fezell's shop in PA. I first met Fezell a few years back at the Cobra Jet shootout in MI. I had just started my long journey on a BIW build by ordering the Competition Kit from BuyFordRacing. I was drawn to Don's car for a multitude of reasons not the least of which was he was still one of the few that still rowed gears. I came up to him asking about his transmission and clutch set-up/maintenance. He stopped what he was working on and began filling me in on his experiences.

Fast forward to a few years later Don for his reasons switched to an Auto. I spoke with him again at the Nowalk CJ shootout in 2015. I asked if he still had his transmission items that he may want to sell. He stated that he did and gave me a business card to give him a call. I told him that I wouldn't bother him until after everything calmed down in the schedule. After all the CJ shootout, then Indy, then the 4 wide and the Dutch. I spoke with him again at Indy to establish when I would give him a call and work out when I could come over to PA.

Enter this past weekend. My wife and daughter loaded up the truck for PA to meet with Fezell at his shop. After arriving he took us on a tour of his car collection and memorabilia. I told him that I wanted to buy his items because I trusted him and new everything would be top notch. But at the same time I really didn't want to because I wanted to see him put the clutch pedal back into the car. We talked about cars for a while and struck up a deal on a clutch, transmission, bellhousing, shifter and an assortment of other items. Have no fear though our deal left everything he needed to put a Manual transmission back into his car the day he chooses to do so. I had 1 more thing for him to do before our deal was finalized and that was sign my 08 Cobra Jet diecast I brought. He graciously agreed and gave us some shirts before we left for our trip home. As we said our good byes he joked about we meeting first round of the factory car showdown with his old equipment. I said how about we meet final round instead.

Don and his friend Dick was very welcoming and took time with me and my family on a busy day for them. He seems to always make time for others. His history and experience in this sport/class is one that I look up to.