Thanks to one of the visitors here who had subscribed to one of the lost week's threads, who sent in a partial recap of this thread, and by digging back into my admin post notifications, in the rough format used by the admin notice, I can re post it.
This one, I'm glad to repost, particularly in light of some really bizarre accusations written by "someone" "somewhere else".
If you all choose to discuss this thread further, can I ask that you PLEASE, keep speculation and commentary to a dull roar if you don't mind? There is information "out there" about the current status of the Bear team and Lyle's mail form on the website is working currently and will be working until I shut down the current version of the website. I'm sure he'd be happy to answer any of your questions directly.
The first section of posts comes from my admin notification system and they are not particularly readable, it does not include the quotes from messages sent nor does it separate the quoted section from the response section very well but you can keep track by reading last message.
*****begin lost thread*****
1) (from my email archive)
Marauder61 has just posted in the Air Racin' forum of Aviation Airshow Air Race Photography Discussion under the title of Sharon Coates leaves Rare Bear team.
This thread is located at http://www.aafo.com/hangartalk/showt...?threadid=2312
Here is the message that has just been posted:
***************
Sad news,
Sharon Coates has resigned as President and Director of the Rare Bear Fan Sponsor Club,Inc.
Sharon did an amazing job helping the Bear team! She will be missed.
2)
GoBear has just posted in the Air Racin' forum of Aviation Airshow Air Race Photography Discussion under the title of Sharon Coates leaves Rare Bear team.
This thread is located at http://www.aafo.com/hangartalk/showt...?threadid=2312
Here is the message that has just been posted:
***************
Hats off to Sharon, she is one of a kind and did a wonderful job.
Don
Rare Bear Fan Sponsor
***************
3)
hattend has just posted in the Air Racin' forum of Aviation Airshow Air Race Photography Discussion under the title of Sharon Coates leaves Rare Bear team.
This thread is located at http://www.aafo.com/hangartalk/showt...?threadid=2312
Here is the message that has just been posted:
***************
I got her email today. She will be missed.
Thanks for all your hard work Sharon. I'm sure Team Rare Bear salutes you! I know we do.
Don and Sylvia Hatten
Rare Bear Fan Sponsors
***************
4)
champ19 has just posted in the Air Racin' forum of Aviation Airshow Air Race Photography Discussion under the title of Sharon Coates leaves Rare Bear team.
This thread is located at http://www.aafo.com/hangartalk/showt...?threadid=2312
Here is the message that has just been posted:
***************
As a Rare Bear Fan Sponsor, it is sad news indeed that Sharon has left her spot on the team. I am sure I speak for others in that her efforts have contributed in many unsung ways to the success of the team. I only hope that the circumstances which have led to her leaving the team are, for her, positive ones She will be missed.
A fair wind and a following sea, Sharon.
***************
5)
hattend has just posted in the Air Racin' forum of Aviation Airshow Air Race Photography Discussion under the title of Sharon Coates leaves Rare Bear team.
This thread is located at http://www.aafo.com/hangartalk/showt...?threadid=2312
Here is the message that has just been posted:
***************
Hmmm...
Two in one day?
Anything else we should know about? Ahh well, I guess the story will all eventually come out.
Don
***************
6.)
Marauder61 has just posted in the Air Racin' forum of Aviation Airshow Air Race Photography Discussion under the title of Sharon Coates leaves Rare Bear team.
This thread is located at http://www.aafo.com/hangartalk/showt...?threadid=2312
Here is the message that has just been posted:
***************
EEkkkk scary thought:
The Bear looks just like a Red Bull can with wings
uppy_dog 
***************
7)
hattend has just posted in the Air Racin' forum of Aviation Airshow Air Race Photography Discussion under the title of Sharon Coates leaves Rare Bear team.
This thread is located at http://www.aafo.com/hangartalk/showt...?threadid=2312
Here is the message that has just been posted:
***************
EEkkkk scary thought:
The Bear looks just like a Red Bull can with wings
First thought: Noooooooo!!!!!
Second thought: Whatever pays the bills...go Bear!
Don
***************
8)
Ron101502 has just posted in the Air Racin' forum of Aviation Airshow Air Race Photography Discussion under the title of Sharon Coates leaves Rare Bear team.
This thread is located at http://www.aafo.com/hangartalk/showt...?threadid=2312
Here is the message that has just been posted:
***************
I e-mailed Sharon about some Bear stuff a couple days ago and she sent me a message to keep her resignation under the hat, but as it is now public, reading between the lines, she doubted the Bear would even run this year. I tried to E-mail John Penney via the web site as we were at Korat at about the same time but the web site link would no longer work. Wayne, I doubt there is much you can say at this time, but there were also rumours about the crew chief being fired, etc. and the bottom line is at some point that's appropriate in the future an honest public accounting needs to be made for us fan sponsors who spend a couple thousand of our hard earned dollars to make it go.
Ironically my wife is in a "handshake deal gone bad" right now and this has the same kind of odor. May or may not be an issue for public consumption, but basically the public has put the plane in the air for the last couple years after 9 yrs or so in a hangar with no engine so Lyle needs to come clean about this, or else sell the Bear to someone with big bucks who wants to win the gold.
No disrespect intended, but questions need to be answered.
Ron Henning
***************
9)
hattend has just posted in the Air Racin' forum of Aviation Airshow Air Race Photography Discussion under the title of Sharon Coates leaves Rare Bear team.
This thread is located at http://www.aafo.com/hangartalk/showt...?threadid=2312
Here is the message that has just been posted:
***************
Well, I'm officially jittery now.
It will absolutely kill me to root for the red plane (as if...).
John Slack? John Penney? You're registered here. When will some straight poop start coming out? What's going on?
If people start posting answers, please sign your name so we know if you may be close to the team or not.
Don
***************
10)
T. Adams has just posted in the Air Racin' forum of Aviation Airshow Air Race Photography Discussion under the title of Sharon Coates leaves Rare Bear team.
This thread is located at http://www.aafo.com/hangartalk/showt...?threadid=2312
Here is the message that has just been posted:
***************
Doubted it would even run this year!!!!
I'm sure the story will come to light, but nothing makes any sense right now, seeing as they should be in the best position in years after getting the prize money. I was thinking of giving money again this year. You forget that idea now. I'm sure many of the fan sponsers who put thousands into this effort are wondering what the heck is going on.
This sport continues to amaze and madden me at the same time.
***************
11)
Section3guy has just posted in the Air Racin' forum of Aviation Airshow Air Race Photography Discussion under the title of Sharon Coates leaves Rare Bear team.
This thread is located at http://www.aafo.com/hangartalk/showt...?threadid=2312
Here is the message that has just been posted:
***************
I am a little worried about the bear and team bear !sounds like things are falling apart.I thought things were suppose to fall apart when things went wrong, not after winning the gold race!This should be the best time for the bear,and team Bear.Finally having money for much needed engines,mods and other things.I was really looking forward to this years gold race with the big three in the running (Dego,Strega and a little plane called Rare Bear)It will not be the same if the Bear doesnt make it.Please Mr. Penney fill us in,and bring us good news that you and bear will be there come sept!
***************
12)
wingman has just posted in the Air Racin' forum of Aviation Airshow Air Race Photography Discussion under the title of Sharon Coates leaves Rare Bear team.
This thread is located at http://www.aafo.com/hangartalk/showt...?threadid=2312
Here is the message that has just been posted:
***************
I too am dismayed at the news of Sharon's leaving, and Wayne leaving, and even more dismayed at the rumours of problems in the organisation. However, I've been around the Bear for 25 years now, and had my name on the airplane for 5 of those years, and there have always been problems in the organisation. There has always been dissension and anger, argument and disagreement, general wierdness and shifting alliances.
But somehow through it all the airplane has always eventually appeared out of the smoke and fog ready to go racing, and as often as not has ended up with the Championship.
Let's hope it can happen again!
Sharon will truly be missed. Thanks for all the hard work and loyalty!
***************
12)
ShermB has just posted in the Air Racin' forum of Aviation Airshow Air Race Photography Discussion under the title of Sharon Coates leaves Rare Bear team.
This thread is located at http://www.aafo.com/hangartalk/showt...?threadid=2312
Here is the message that has just been posted:
***************
Sheesh, and they say women are such gossips. Why don't you wait for Sharon to giver her statement?
***************
13)
Guest has just posted in the Air Racin' forum of Aviation Airshow Air Race Photography Discussion under the title of Sharon Coates leaves Rare Bear team.
This thread is located at http://www.aafo.com/hangartalk/showt...?threadid=2312
Here is the message that has just been posted:
***************
I hopefully speak for the rest of the Dago team by saying we tip our hat to Sharon for her efforts at getting Rare Bear up and around the pylons.
Tailwinds.
Scotty G
Team Dago Red
***************
At this point, the email sent me picks this up in a much more readable format....
Hello,
You are subscribed to the thread "Sharon Coates leaves Rare Bear team" by Marauder61, there have been 8 posts to this thread, the last poster was AAFO_WSagar. http://www.aafo.com/hangartalk/showt...?threadid=2312
These following posts were made to the thread: ************ Re: Sharon Coates leaves Rare Bear team http://www.aafo.com/hangartalk/showt...6502#post16502 Posted by: AAFO_WSagar On: Yesterday 06:19 AM
All that can really be said right now is that Sharon and I will no longer be on the team. We both worked hard, she worked harder than I have the physical capacity to, even though she's a couple years older than I, to ensure that the "People's Airplane" got into the air and stayed there and made it to first place.
Lyle Shelton now bears this responsiblity and all questions should be addressed to him directly. I've just discovered that the email program used on the old server is not working on the new. As soon as I get that little glitch ironed out, both Lyle's and John's addresses will work.
It's been great!
Wayne ************ Re: Sharon Coates leaves Rare Bear team http://www.aafo.com/hangartalk/showt...6503#post16503 Posted by: Marauder61 On: Yesterday 09:38 AM
Wayne, something els for you to look into, when I click on the thumbnails to view them larger they come up blank? ************ Re: Sharon Coates leaves Rare Bear team http://www.aafo.com/hangartalk/showt...6504#post16504 Posted by: AAFO_WSagar On: Yesterday 10:21 AM
Oh damn... this new server has the latest "greatest" version of apache.. I think it has some issues with php stuff.. well.. back to the drawing board! We'll get it working, no doubt about it, but obviously a teething process involved here!
Wayne ************ Re: Sharon Coates leaves Rare Bear team http://www.aafo.com/hangartalk/showt...6505#post16505 Posted by: "Bear" Driver On: Yesterday 01:22 PM
I too, am very saddened by the departure of these two hard working and dedicated professionals. I'm very sorry, but I cannot answer your questions or address your concerns. Thank you for your support of the team and the "Bear". John Penney ************ Re: Sharon Coates leaves Rare Bear team http://www.aafo.com/hangartalk/showt...6507#post16507 Posted by: Ron101502 On: Yesterday 02:01 PM
Thanks, John.
There is a post by Mark Daniels on the "other" web board giving another slant on the story.
Hopefully at some point all will be clear.
Ron Henning ************ Re: Sharon Coates leaves Rare Bear team http://www.aafo.com/hangartalk/showt...6508#post16508 Posted by: AAFO_WSagar On: Yesterday 02:24 PM
Ron,
not to try to start anything but there's no "slant" here, Sharon and I quit, all questions about the future of the team are to be addressed to Lyle.. Where's the slant in that? I wrote in one message that there was a change in attitude that made it impossible for me to stay on.. that's not slant..
Let's try to not blow this all out of proportion OK?
I just got a message from Sharon asking me to post this for her..
>From Sharon Coates:
I just took time to look at your hanger talk. Could you tell them that you just talked to me and I have no knowledge of whether the Bear will be there but the plan is for it to be there. I just don't know,as this is no longer part of my responsibility but there is no reason why it shouldn't be there. I am currently working with the new personel to try and get a smooth transition so there will be very little disruption in the process. I can not say any more at this time, but will go into it later with the sponsors. ************ Re: Sharon Coates leaves Rare Bear team http://www.aafo.com/hangartalk/showt...6511#post16511 Posted by: Ron101502 On: Yesterday 04:15 PM
Sorry Wayne, I'll shut up now. Thanks for all you do for us.
Ron ************ Re: Sharon Coates leaves Rare Bear team http://www.aafo.com/hangartalk/showt...6512#post16512 Posted by: AAFO_WSagar On: Yesterday 04:23 PM
No problem Ron but it's kind of a touchy subject and all the conjecture going on, including that which I'm reading elsewhere is not going to do anyone any good, with the exception of, in some cases, perhaps the writer of said conjecture.
It is what it is..
Yours, Aviation Airshow Air Race Photography Discussion team
***end saved thread***
This one, I'm glad to repost, particularly in light of some really bizarre accusations written by "someone" "somewhere else".
If you all choose to discuss this thread further, can I ask that you PLEASE, keep speculation and commentary to a dull roar if you don't mind? There is information "out there" about the current status of the Bear team and Lyle's mail form on the website is working currently and will be working until I shut down the current version of the website. I'm sure he'd be happy to answer any of your questions directly.
The first section of posts comes from my admin notification system and they are not particularly readable, it does not include the quotes from messages sent nor does it separate the quoted section from the response section very well but you can keep track by reading last message.
*****begin lost thread*****
1) (from my email archive)
Marauder61 has just posted in the Air Racin' forum of Aviation Airshow Air Race Photography Discussion under the title of Sharon Coates leaves Rare Bear team.
This thread is located at http://www.aafo.com/hangartalk/showt...?threadid=2312
Here is the message that has just been posted:
***************
Sad news,
Sharon Coates has resigned as President and Director of the Rare Bear Fan Sponsor Club,Inc.
Sharon did an amazing job helping the Bear team! She will be missed.
2)
GoBear has just posted in the Air Racin' forum of Aviation Airshow Air Race Photography Discussion under the title of Sharon Coates leaves Rare Bear team.
This thread is located at http://www.aafo.com/hangartalk/showt...?threadid=2312
Here is the message that has just been posted:
***************
Hats off to Sharon, she is one of a kind and did a wonderful job.
Don
Rare Bear Fan Sponsor
***************
3)
hattend has just posted in the Air Racin' forum of Aviation Airshow Air Race Photography Discussion under the title of Sharon Coates leaves Rare Bear team.
This thread is located at http://www.aafo.com/hangartalk/showt...?threadid=2312
Here is the message that has just been posted:
***************
I got her email today. She will be missed.
Thanks for all your hard work Sharon. I'm sure Team Rare Bear salutes you! I know we do.
Don and Sylvia Hatten
Rare Bear Fan Sponsors
***************
4)
champ19 has just posted in the Air Racin' forum of Aviation Airshow Air Race Photography Discussion under the title of Sharon Coates leaves Rare Bear team.
This thread is located at http://www.aafo.com/hangartalk/showt...?threadid=2312
Here is the message that has just been posted:
***************
As a Rare Bear Fan Sponsor, it is sad news indeed that Sharon has left her spot on the team. I am sure I speak for others in that her efforts have contributed in many unsung ways to the success of the team. I only hope that the circumstances which have led to her leaving the team are, for her, positive ones She will be missed.
A fair wind and a following sea, Sharon.
***************
5)
hattend has just posted in the Air Racin' forum of Aviation Airshow Air Race Photography Discussion under the title of Sharon Coates leaves Rare Bear team.
This thread is located at http://www.aafo.com/hangartalk/showt...?threadid=2312
Here is the message that has just been posted:
***************
Hmmm...
Two in one day?
Anything else we should know about? Ahh well, I guess the story will all eventually come out.
Don
***************
6.)
Marauder61 has just posted in the Air Racin' forum of Aviation Airshow Air Race Photography Discussion under the title of Sharon Coates leaves Rare Bear team.
This thread is located at http://www.aafo.com/hangartalk/showt...?threadid=2312
Here is the message that has just been posted:
***************
EEkkkk scary thought:
The Bear looks just like a Red Bull can with wings
uppy_dog ***************
7)
hattend has just posted in the Air Racin' forum of Aviation Airshow Air Race Photography Discussion under the title of Sharon Coates leaves Rare Bear team.
This thread is located at http://www.aafo.com/hangartalk/showt...?threadid=2312
Here is the message that has just been posted:
***************
EEkkkk scary thought:
The Bear looks just like a Red Bull can with wings
First thought: Noooooooo!!!!!
Second thought: Whatever pays the bills...go Bear!
Don
***************
8)
Ron101502 has just posted in the Air Racin' forum of Aviation Airshow Air Race Photography Discussion under the title of Sharon Coates leaves Rare Bear team.
This thread is located at http://www.aafo.com/hangartalk/showt...?threadid=2312
Here is the message that has just been posted:
***************
I e-mailed Sharon about some Bear stuff a couple days ago and she sent me a message to keep her resignation under the hat, but as it is now public, reading between the lines, she doubted the Bear would even run this year. I tried to E-mail John Penney via the web site as we were at Korat at about the same time but the web site link would no longer work. Wayne, I doubt there is much you can say at this time, but there were also rumours about the crew chief being fired, etc. and the bottom line is at some point that's appropriate in the future an honest public accounting needs to be made for us fan sponsors who spend a couple thousand of our hard earned dollars to make it go.
Ironically my wife is in a "handshake deal gone bad" right now and this has the same kind of odor. May or may not be an issue for public consumption, but basically the public has put the plane in the air for the last couple years after 9 yrs or so in a hangar with no engine so Lyle needs to come clean about this, or else sell the Bear to someone with big bucks who wants to win the gold.
No disrespect intended, but questions need to be answered.
Ron Henning
***************
9)
hattend has just posted in the Air Racin' forum of Aviation Airshow Air Race Photography Discussion under the title of Sharon Coates leaves Rare Bear team.
This thread is located at http://www.aafo.com/hangartalk/showt...?threadid=2312
Here is the message that has just been posted:
***************
Well, I'm officially jittery now.
It will absolutely kill me to root for the red plane (as if...).
John Slack? John Penney? You're registered here. When will some straight poop start coming out? What's going on?
If people start posting answers, please sign your name so we know if you may be close to the team or not.
Don
***************
10)
T. Adams has just posted in the Air Racin' forum of Aviation Airshow Air Race Photography Discussion under the title of Sharon Coates leaves Rare Bear team.
This thread is located at http://www.aafo.com/hangartalk/showt...?threadid=2312
Here is the message that has just been posted:
***************
Doubted it would even run this year!!!!
I'm sure the story will come to light, but nothing makes any sense right now, seeing as they should be in the best position in years after getting the prize money. I was thinking of giving money again this year. You forget that idea now. I'm sure many of the fan sponsers who put thousands into this effort are wondering what the heck is going on.
This sport continues to amaze and madden me at the same time.
***************
11)
Section3guy has just posted in the Air Racin' forum of Aviation Airshow Air Race Photography Discussion under the title of Sharon Coates leaves Rare Bear team.
This thread is located at http://www.aafo.com/hangartalk/showt...?threadid=2312
Here is the message that has just been posted:
***************
I am a little worried about the bear and team bear !sounds like things are falling apart.I thought things were suppose to fall apart when things went wrong, not after winning the gold race!This should be the best time for the bear,and team Bear.Finally having money for much needed engines,mods and other things.I was really looking forward to this years gold race with the big three in the running (Dego,Strega and a little plane called Rare Bear)It will not be the same if the Bear doesnt make it.Please Mr. Penney fill us in,and bring us good news that you and bear will be there come sept!
***************
12)
wingman has just posted in the Air Racin' forum of Aviation Airshow Air Race Photography Discussion under the title of Sharon Coates leaves Rare Bear team.
This thread is located at http://www.aafo.com/hangartalk/showt...?threadid=2312
Here is the message that has just been posted:
***************
I too am dismayed at the news of Sharon's leaving, and Wayne leaving, and even more dismayed at the rumours of problems in the organisation. However, I've been around the Bear for 25 years now, and had my name on the airplane for 5 of those years, and there have always been problems in the organisation. There has always been dissension and anger, argument and disagreement, general wierdness and shifting alliances.
But somehow through it all the airplane has always eventually appeared out of the smoke and fog ready to go racing, and as often as not has ended up with the Championship.
Let's hope it can happen again!
Sharon will truly be missed. Thanks for all the hard work and loyalty!
***************
12)
ShermB has just posted in the Air Racin' forum of Aviation Airshow Air Race Photography Discussion under the title of Sharon Coates leaves Rare Bear team.
This thread is located at http://www.aafo.com/hangartalk/showt...?threadid=2312
Here is the message that has just been posted:
***************
Sheesh, and they say women are such gossips. Why don't you wait for Sharon to giver her statement?
***************
13)
Guest has just posted in the Air Racin' forum of Aviation Airshow Air Race Photography Discussion under the title of Sharon Coates leaves Rare Bear team.
This thread is located at http://www.aafo.com/hangartalk/showt...?threadid=2312
Here is the message that has just been posted:
***************
I hopefully speak for the rest of the Dago team by saying we tip our hat to Sharon for her efforts at getting Rare Bear up and around the pylons.
Tailwinds.
Scotty G
Team Dago Red
***************
At this point, the email sent me picks this up in a much more readable format....
Hello,
You are subscribed to the thread "Sharon Coates leaves Rare Bear team" by Marauder61, there have been 8 posts to this thread, the last poster was AAFO_WSagar. http://www.aafo.com/hangartalk/showt...?threadid=2312
These following posts were made to the thread: ************ Re: Sharon Coates leaves Rare Bear team http://www.aafo.com/hangartalk/showt...6502#post16502 Posted by: AAFO_WSagar On: Yesterday 06:19 AM
All that can really be said right now is that Sharon and I will no longer be on the team. We both worked hard, she worked harder than I have the physical capacity to, even though she's a couple years older than I, to ensure that the "People's Airplane" got into the air and stayed there and made it to first place.
Lyle Shelton now bears this responsiblity and all questions should be addressed to him directly. I've just discovered that the email program used on the old server is not working on the new. As soon as I get that little glitch ironed out, both Lyle's and John's addresses will work.
It's been great!
Wayne ************ Re: Sharon Coates leaves Rare Bear team http://www.aafo.com/hangartalk/showt...6503#post16503 Posted by: Marauder61 On: Yesterday 09:38 AM
Originally posted by AAFO_WSagar
Originally posted by Marauder61
Wayne ************ Re: Sharon Coates leaves Rare Bear team http://www.aafo.com/hangartalk/showt...6505#post16505 Posted by: "Bear" Driver On: Yesterday 01:22 PM
Originally posted by Section3guy
Thanks, John.
There is a post by Mark Daniels on the "other" web board giving another slant on the story.
Hopefully at some point all will be clear.
Ron Henning ************ Re: Sharon Coates leaves Rare Bear team http://www.aafo.com/hangartalk/showt...6508#post16508 Posted by: AAFO_WSagar On: Yesterday 02:24 PM
Originally posted by Ron101502
not to try to start anything but there's no "slant" here, Sharon and I quit, all questions about the future of the team are to be addressed to Lyle.. Where's the slant in that? I wrote in one message that there was a change in attitude that made it impossible for me to stay on.. that's not slant..
Let's try to not blow this all out of proportion OK?
I just got a message from Sharon asking me to post this for her..
>From Sharon Coates:
I just took time to look at your hanger talk. Could you tell them that you just talked to me and I have no knowledge of whether the Bear will be there but the plan is for it to be there. I just don't know,as this is no longer part of my responsibility but there is no reason why it shouldn't be there. I am currently working with the new personel to try and get a smooth transition so there will be very little disruption in the process. I can not say any more at this time, but will go into it later with the sponsors. ************ Re: Sharon Coates leaves Rare Bear team http://www.aafo.com/hangartalk/showt...6511#post16511 Posted by: Ron101502 On: Yesterday 04:15 PM
Sorry Wayne, I'll shut up now. Thanks for all you do for us.
Ron ************ Re: Sharon Coates leaves Rare Bear team http://www.aafo.com/hangartalk/showt...6512#post16512 Posted by: AAFO_WSagar On: Yesterday 04:23 PM
Originally posted by Ron101502
It is what it is..
Yours, Aviation Airshow Air Race Photography Discussion team
***end saved thread***