For the moment, forget everything between the western border of Pennsylvania and the eastern border of California. All that matters this month is the East Coast and the West Coast. Also, keep in mind I'm writing in broad generalities.
Generally speaking, I trust the racers from the East Coast more than racers from the West Coast. Of course, being an East Coast racer, it's easy to dismiss me as biased. But I've found East Coast racers to be more honest, more forthcoming with help and more open with their expertise and innovations than West Coast racers. We're also better looking and much funnier, but I think that's obvious from the quality of women we attract.
Neither the West nor the East Coast racers have a monopoly on speed, reaction time or competitiveness, which is reflected in the results at virtually every event. But the West Coast racers, while friendly, don't volunteer advice or tips to other racers during those events. Meanwhile, the East Coast guys are usually loaning each other tools, throwing out theories, bench racing and swapping parts.
West Coast guys are also a bit more deceptive. A West Coast guy who's your buddy and in your class won't tell you the wrong thing and he won't tell you the right thing. He'll see you doing something wrong, and just say "you're good, dude" and let you go (unless it's a safety issue).
One time I was having a problem sealing a part of my engine, but because we weren't wearing the same colors, the people there who knew how to fix it didn't help me. They let me continue to have my problem. And this was a group I was helping. They were even setting new records with my parts and assistance. Still, helping them felt good.
Fact is, there's just more camaraderie among the East Coasters. We're a brotherhood (with some sisters) and though we want to win, we don't want our friends to do badly. If someone is having a problem and I know the solution, I've got no problem telling them the solution, even if I'm up against them in the next round. Most of us, I think, have enough confidence to run against people with all the same advantages we have. That's where driving comes in.
I'm not sure where this difference in style stems. Maybe it's because West Coast racers have been around longer because import racing started on the left side of the country. Because of this, a lot of the West Coast guys have probably been burned after offering advice, had their asses ripped by racers who claim a design as their own, and have girlfriends who used to be that other guy's girlfriend. They've had more time to develop feuds, jealousies and petty grievances. Maybe as racing grows just as intense and popular on our side of the country, things will become the same way. I hope not.
Now that I've talked in generalities, let me deal in specifics. I have a lot of friends who are West Coast racers-Shaun Carlson, Abel Ibarra, Adrian Sabori, Myles Bautista, Kareem el Sheriff and many others. They're all great people. There are plenty of good guys racing over there-guys who you can count on, guys who are smart and great to hang with. Racing would be a lot less fun if us East Coast guys didn't have West Coast guys to run against. Our rivalry with the West Coast is very friendly, but real.
Sure, not all East Coast guys are saints. But with the exception of a small miscellaneous incident with a guy named "Brown," I've had no conflicts with my East Side bros. But I plan on being in this business for a long time to come. It doesn't matter what coast you're from, I always give everyone the benefit of the doubt the first time around, as do most true honest racers. As the Marine Corps say, "We're always looking for a few good men."