Roger Barr of Chasing Classic Cars

[Greg B.]

Stumbled onto this yesterday and it seems like a sad story.

According to his son (posting on Roger's page on FB) Roger has been laid up twice over the past few months with infections that he believes were caused by working on the Minerva that Wayne Carini (host of Chasing Classic Cars on Velocity) and his partner Ralph Marano bought last year. Roger is 82 and no longer able to work full-time at F40 Motorsports so apparently he no longer qualifies for Workers Comp. The surprising thing is that Carini supposedly is not only not helping out but is opposing him getting compensation for reasons that are not clear. I gather things are tight enough for Roger and his elderly wife that they are hurting financially with him being laid up.

A friend has set up a GoFundMe page to benefit Roger:

Click here to support Friends of Roger Barr organized by Steve Cripps

I checked out the guy behind it as best I could and he seems a legit old-car guy.

I don't know what's going on between Roger and Carini but it appears things may not be great.

 

[tallhair]

carini has always seemed like a pompus *** to me. roger is gem though, hope he pulls through

 

[DocMcNeedy]

That's too bad. I binge watch the show from time to time. I enjoy it and it inspires to keep looking for more Imperials that might be hidden away. He tends to go for the Imports and Concours cars though...not my flavor. But, I like the concept of the show and the chase. I wouldn't sell anything at auction though...

 

[68PK21 440.6bbl]

Sad...

From the GoFundMe page:
"he doesn’t benefit from the sales of million dollar exotics or have an income from a TV series. He just earns an income as an employee, working four hours a day, three days a week without benefits"

FFS he should get SAG scale for every time that infomercial (show) is spammed on Velocity.

 

[FURYGT]

In Connecticut, where F40 Motorsports is located part-time employees are covered by Workers Compensation Insurance by law. There is no gray area here. The only exception would be if he was a 1099 independent contractor working for F40. The other issues could be proving that the infection was work related or if F40 failed to pay their Workers Compensation Insurance premium. Something just does not sound legit here or some information is missing. Workers Compensation in Connecticut is mandatory, is handled by insurance companies and is governed by a liberal Workers Compensation Commission so all Roger would need to do is file some paperwork with the State and request a hearing and have the State issue a ruling or set up a formal hearing.

By the way, F40 is located in the next town over from me and I have 20+ years of working in the claims area of insurance and have handled workers compensation claims in the past.

 

[72Fury]

In Connecticut, where F40 Motorsports is located part-time employees are covered by Workers Compensation Insurance by law. There is no gray area here. The only exception would be if he was a 1099 independent contractor working for F40. The other issues could be proving that the infection was work related or if F40 failed to pay their Workers Compensation Insurance premium. Something just does not sound legit here or some information is missing. Workers Compensation in Connecticut is mandatory, is handled by insurance companies and is governed by a liberal Workers Compensation Commission so all Roger would need to do is file some paperwork with the State and request a hearing and have the State issue a ruling or set up a formal hearing.

By the way, F40 is located in the next town over from me and I have 20+ years of working in the claims area of insurance and have handled workers compensation claims in the past.

Wow. One of the 1099 traps vs regular employee is the tool ownership. If Wayne actually owns the tools then Roger is an employee.

 

[Rapidtrans777]

Workmans comp is an evil necessity. Runs us about 2K a month on 3 employees. At least Florida let's me and the wife opt out as principals.

 

[commando1]

Well, Carini has lost my business, that's for sure. Besides, Peter Fuller always thought he was better than me.

 

[Greg B.]

In Connecticut, where F40 Motorsports is located part-time employees are covered by Workers Compensation Insurance by law. There is no gray area here. The only exception would be if he was a 1099 independent contractor working for F40. The other issues could be proving that the infection was work related or if F40 failed to pay their Workers Compensation Insurance premium. Something just does not sound legit here or some information is missing. Workers Compensation in Connecticut is mandatory, is handled by insurance companies and is governed by a liberal Workers Compensation Commission so all Roger would need to do is file some paperwork with the State and request a hearing and have the State issue a ruling or set up a formal hearing.

Easiest way to understand the Barr side of the story is to read the first few posts and replies to them here. It seems complicated.

Roger Barr

 

[FURYGT]

Easiest way to understand the Barr side of the story is to read the first few posts and replies to them here. It seems complicated.

Roger Barr

I did read the posts before I posted a reply here. 1. Why doesn't the Facebook admin identify themselves? 2. Unless he is a 1099 contractor vs. an employee getting him workers compensation coverage should be a slam dunk baring something unusual that has not been shared.

 

[Greg B.]

Bill, the admins did ID themselves further up the page as Jim Barr (his son who is in the USAF) and Sally Barr (Roger's wife). You must have missed it, so I posted a capture of it below. I saw your post asking about filing a WC claim and that is a reasonable question that I hope sees an answer posted soon.

 

[commando1]

Question: I can't find anywhere why Carini isn't helping this guy. Is he that cold?

 

[garyh]

If it's on FaceBook, It Must be true !

 

[1978 NYB]

Good luck to Roger.

REAL old school mechanic!

 

[68PK21 440.6bbl]

Question: I can't find anywhere why Carini isn't helping this guy. Is he that cold?

Yea I went to Classic Car Facebook and no mention of Roger, but I take it this has been going on for months and I didn't scroll down very far in the Classic Car timeline.

My guess is under advice of attorneys either of his own or the shows he's not commenting.

 

[72Fury]

Question: I can't find anywhere why Carini isn't helping this guy. Is he that cold?

I'm guessing Wayne is only loyal to the dollar. Didn't Roger work for his dad as well?

 

[FURYGT]

Greg, Roger's son has replied to me and the pertinent information from his response is;

"In regards to the Workman's Comp claim, from what I've been told by Roger is that Wayne is delaying it somehow, saying the injury at work might not have been the cause of the initial infection. Anymore knowledge on this part needs to come from Roger's mouth, because what I know about laws is not to break them. One of our family members is a lawyer, and has been giving some advise, but as I live in Texas, I don't get play by plays on some of the things happening. If you or someone else you know could provide advice or aid in finding representation, we'd love to hear from you."

I have replied to Roger's son giving his some direction.

What I suspect is happening hear is that the workers compensation insurance company for F40 is fighting this as they are questioning whether the infection stems from a work related injury.

 

[Greg B.]

Thanks, Bill.

I asked him about the statement on FB saying that Roger receives not a single penny from appearing on the show. I mentioned I thought people who appeared had to be members of ACTRA and would receive scale at a minimum. He responded with a comment that it was an interesting question and that some legal documents were changed over the years, which left me confused. Perhaps he meant waivers were signed but I don't know. He asked if anyone knew an entertainment lawyer they could talk to about it, presumably one near you. The mess deepens.

 

[FURYGT]

Greg, I offered his son the option of contacting me and hopefully he will as I know all to well how hard it is to deal with a loved one with medical problems that lives far away from you.

 

[68PK21 440.6bbl]

Thanks, Bill.

I asked him about the statement on FB saying that Roger receives not a single penny from appearing on the show. I mentioned I thought people who appeared had to be members of ACTRA and would receive scale at a minimum. He responded with a comment that it was an interesting question and that some legal documents were changed over the years, which left me confused. Perhaps he meant waivers were signed but I don't know. He asked if anyone knew an entertainment lawyer they could talk to about it, presumably one near you. The mess deepens.

I've come to the conclusion that practically all those shows on Velocity are just glorified infomercials and I'll bet'cha ACTRA & SAG don't apply or are somehow gone around via some legal loophole.

I've always wondered about sticking your nose into some of these 'Barnfinds', hantaviruses and all. Heck I saw a show about a serious disease you can get from Raccoon droppings.