Is the Mini-truck scene sick? (not the "cool" sick)

I have just come from one of the other mini truck related sites and I am very irritated at the whole "scene". Maybe I am just getting older, or nostalgic or both, but I am really sick of the mini-trucker additude. We have run our scene into the ground (and I say we, because I and people like me have not punched the doucebags in the face and told them that their crap was unacceptable). In the late eighties, I remember going to truck runs and being invited into camps, given beer, and generally a warm welcome. There was an event every weekend. Then through the nineties some things changed. The additude that went hand in hand with gangster rap and speed metal started to spread (btw,I love this music). Some thought it was cool to destroy property, act like gang members, fight and generally have a bad additude. Then everyone was suprised that events were not happening, parks wouldn't have us and our insurance rates for events went through the roof. After almost thirty years of identifing myself as a mini-trucker, I think I have finally had enough. This is a sad day because I always hoped that the mini-truck would define our generation, kind of like the hot rod did for the fifties kids. It is clear to me now that we have been reduced to the dreggs of society. We have earned the scorn of other people, who dread us showing up to other shows. I see this problem spreading into these websites that I love and it makes me sick. I can't for the life of me figure out why someone asking for help would be beat down the way they are on other sites, or when a product comes out and you don't like it or agree with it, you just don't shut the hell up and let others enjoy it anyway. We have allowed it for too long. Of course I have opinions and sometimes I might express them, but only when I think someone is doing something unsafe for them or others out on the road. I am done with my rant and will have to think about if I really want to continue being a mini-trucker or abandon this lifestyle altogether. Your thoughts?

I would say with out a doubt what ever site you are on can definitely influence your outlook on the hobby (positive/negative).

Another thing is people for the longest period of time judge groups, and put labels on them. A topic that seems to come up a lot is someone complaining about being mocked for having a lowered truck, or having their truck being called unsafe. It goes both ways its just the same as someone into lowered trucks saying Donks are Gay, Ricers are Gay, lowriders etc. I'm sure I'm definitely the minority when I say it's just people expressing themselves with their vehicle, just as we do with our trucks let them be.

Keep things positive.

I don't think it's a sickness, I would say it's just people being people.

Agree completely with both of you...

People are just being people, but on the same note they aren't gaining anything from it!!!

MazdaBScene for me is the outlet that I come to, to understand why we are all still in this "scene" or "hobby" as some call it...There is always a positive attitude with the site as well as the members, though some are here to be the top poster, most are here to welcome others and lend a hand, beer, and enjoy in the spoils together!!!

So on that note, I think it is definitely dependent on who you surround yourself with...you are a direct reflection of who you hang out with!!!

MazdaBScene ftw!

MazdaBScene FTW I used to not be so happy with the hobby(scene) but what I did was I just quit visiting those sites that were negative and only visited the positive ones, that changed my outlook around completely!

Rick
I remember the 80

This is what I was talking about. I always get thumbs up when I take my Caddy out, but my heart is in the Mazda. Luckily (or unfortunately)in my area the mini-truckin' scene died years ago, so when I take the roadster out most people want to know what it is, and what I did to it. I have a chance in this area to change public opinion. Most of the young crazy azzholes are driving import cars around here. I see them pulled over all the time. The only problem is, when I do go to a show it is usually in an area where the locals have already created problems for themselves and me by association. I think what needs to happen is education. It seems like common sense to me, but don't drag through someone else's event, don't trash your area and don't be a dick. The last one would do wonders for our image. Please don't be a dick! Anyway, I will keep my trucks forever, but I may have to be a closet mini-trucker....LOL

i can somewhat relate to the treating people right and they will be nice back..

i was heavily into street racing a few years ago,i know i know.
i had a good group of people,all that just did it for fun late at night,and the cops didnt really bother us much,UNTIL some douches started to try and impress up by coming where we hung out(a local store that gave us permission btw)and doing burnouts,racing in the parking lot(why i dont have any idea),leaving trash and just being wreckless. after 1 night of that,and us being allowed to hang out there by the store and the cops kinda(they would stroll through and ask us questions,but never were rude or anything to us) that shit changed.the store people asked us to leave,even after we pleaded our case,but they had already told the cops to come and make sure we dont hang out there anymore.

no fun,and pretty shitty.

ive seen a little bit of the "mini trucker madness" when you would get those punks and they would group together and shows and end up causing a lot of negative public image... you would hear people say "it was those damn mini truckers that (insert majorly bad behavior here) and trashed the place... i remember going to shows and meeting way cool people who drove minis... then you would have the one they warn you about who goes around stirrin up the shit... mini truckers did get labeled... i think those of us here in no way shape or form fit the "mini trucker" interpretation... we are mini truckers by what we drive... but we are a whole new idea to the scene. im sure we will have to represent as the new era to regain respect from the other customizers... but im sure we can do that... we wont be able to stop the punks who wreck stuff but we can set ourselves apart. i like the saying treat others the way you want to be treated... it just works... i dont like confrontation, i like to get along with people... having fun is way more enjoyable than being miserable and pissed off... but understand if someone steps out of bounds all of us need to stand up and curb the negative behavior... show the others that we are respectful and wont tolerate negative behavior... i like the idea of mazdafest being an alcohol free event. we dont have to get drunk and break things to have fun... we're better than that...

my 2 cents...

Exactly!!!

When CL (Chris) and I initially talked about "MazdaFest" it was on that basis. We were going to try and essentially get mini truckin' shows "back to the basics". Which includes bringing your family and friends to a location where you can all enjoy a day of fun!

That is exactly what MazdaFest will be!!!

I think it is in all of the minority of custom world. Imports, mini's, sportbikes, you name it. It starts with a bunch of punks that mommy and daddy didn't bend over their knee and whoop there ass. So no they have grown up thinking the world owes them something, and other peoples stuff is worthless. Go to wal-mart and look at the kids in there that the parents have no sense of control over, there running around knocking things over, talking back. That America is the behavior that spawns into what has given all of these sub-cultures the bad eggs ruining it for all.

Not all but I'm willing to bet if you could look back at the childhood of some of these punks they were raised without much guidance or discipline. Of course this attitude carrys into the rest of society as well.

Look at what happened in my neighborhood months ago, some little 18 year old punk took the life of a guy in his 40's with two little children at home for no reason at all just cause.