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and why I'll NEVER run a Ft Wayne run event again.  What was meant to be a fun (if hot) day with my Dad co-driving in his first ever auto-x turned into 4 hours of wasted driving capped by some (insert REALLY bad word here) physically ripping my battery out of its FACTORY hold downs and allowing it to drop off into the engine bay, crashing into my radiator fans and in the course of that pulling the main fuse box wire out of it's connector.  So here we are, 2 hours and 146 miles from home with a car with no power.  Thanks to Jeremy's massive supply tub and a nice guy from the Ft whom I did not catch a name (sorry, I was still a little, umm.... pissed) with his multimeter found the cause of the dead car.

 The 45 minute wait to register was way too long, but things happen I understand.  Taking 35 minutes to process the 2 people in front of us to get our money back was ridiculous.  Tech Meister extraordinnaire who thought it was cool to rip apart someone else's car put it over the top.  Poorly organized and manned by Mr God-Complex it's a wonder they have ANYONE show up for an event. 

Had the car not been ran for over 2 full seasons, with multiple Ft Wayne Region events (Grissom, Kruse and Verizon) I might understand.  Heck, had he just said "Look, you need to strap this down more, do that and come see me" I would have been glad to sourced a bungee cord.  To make up crap ( "You have a broken tray" - it was not, "It's all twisted up and stuff"- IT is not, Putting his body weight behind it and yanking hard enugh I thought he broke the plastic tray) and then to physically break someone's car that just carried 3 people 150 miles and ran for over 2 seasons as an auto-x car and sees 300+ miles a week as a daily driver is completely uncalled for.  Your job as Tech chief is to pass or fail the car and instruct the failing cars what needs to be fixed in order to compete.  Your job is NOT to argue with car owners then break their pride and joy in front of them to prove you were "right".

I will be sending my repair bill to the Solo Chair of Ft Wayne.  Anyone have his home address?

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"Drag racing is for fast cars, autocrossing is for fast drivers"

Wow! He just yanked it out? Did he even say he was sorry, offer to pay, or anything? I see your frustration. I think I would have made sure his car was not able to get him home that evening. Sorry, Bob.

Were you able to run then? Or was it all a waste?

How did the event go?

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Jason P.
Indy Region Moderator
STU - M3 e46

After yanking out my battery, pulling my wire loose from the fuse box and making a temp repair to get home, no I did not run.  Nor was I going to run.  I wanted my money, and my family away from there.  No ifs, ands or buts.

No "Sorry".... all I got was "See, I told you."  Inconsiderate, rude and should NOT be touching anyone's vehicle ever again.

Gotta be honest, I'm afraid what he would have ripped off the Swift.  Hood?  Fender?

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"Drag racing is for fast cars, autocrossing is for fast drivers"

  He broke your car, and didn't beg for forgiveness?  How did you hold your temper?  You should be commended.  I would have attached my battery to an accessible appendage of his.

 

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Ted
Thedrumm
2008 & 2009 Indy Region Competitor of the Year
2009 National GTA Sportsman 2nd Place
25 CSP
'88 MR2 SC

Bobzilla:

and why I'll NEVER run a Ft Wayne run event again.  What was meant to be a fun (if hot) day with my Dad co-driving in his first ever auto-x turned into 4 hours of wasted driving capped by some (insert REALLY bad word here) physically ripping my battery out of its FACTORY hold downs and allowing it to drop off into the engine bay, crashing into my radiator fans and in the course of that pulling the main fuse box wire out of it's connector.  So here we are, 2 hours and 146 miles from home with a car with no power.  Thanks to Jeremy's massive supply tub and a nice guy from the Ft whom I did not catch a name (sorry, I was still a little, umm.... pissed) with his multimeter found the cause of the dead car.

 The 45 minute wait to register was way too long, but things happen I understand.  Taking 35 minutes to process the 2 people in front of us to get our money back was ridiculous.  Tech Meister extraordinnaire who thought it was cool to rip apart someone else's car put it over the top.  Poorly organized and manned by Mr God-Complex it's a wonder they have ANYONE show up for an event. 

Had the car not been ran for over 2 full seasons, with multiple Ft Wayne Region events (Grissom, Kruse and Verizon) I might understand.  Heck, had he just said "Look, you need to strap this down more, do that and come see me" I would have been glad to sourced a bungee cord.  To make up crap ( "You have a broken tray" - it was not, "It's all twisted up and stuff"- IT is not, Putting his body weight behind it and yanking hard enugh I thought he broke the plastic tray) and then to physically break someone's car that just carried 3 people 150 miles and ran for over 2 seasons as an auto-x car and sees 300+ miles a week as a daily driver is completely uncalled for.  Your job as Tech chief is to pass or fail the car and instruct the failing cars what needs to be fixed in order to compete.  Your job is NOT to argue with car owners then break their pride and joy in front of them to prove you were "right".

I will be sending my repair bill to the Solo Chair of Ft Wayne.  Anyone have his home address?

 

Bob....I was sorry to hear what happened when I didn't see you lined up in the 2 driver lane during the first heat.  I don't blame you for expecting compensation for repairs.  What a huge bummer!  All the board contacts can be found in the newsletter. (page 3)  http://www.fwscca.com/Drift/Newsletters/juneDrift09.pdf

Wow.  That is absolutely uncalled for.

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Rich Hughes 1994 Miata SSM, KY Region (17)

Sorry to hear your car was damaged.

Well.... I have taken their events off my list. I was going to run a few with the Neon to get more seat time.

Charles

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Charles Lemeron
Novakar J360 F500

I know I was not there to see this happen in person and maybe my view is a little bit skewed since I'm friends with Bob, but WHAT THE F*CK?! How the hell did anyone stand and let this happen? More importantly I marvel at Bob's ability to hold back and not go postal on this guy. I'm not sure I would have been able to do the same had I been in his shoes. Who the hell is this guy who willingly damaged your car? I was planning on going to the ft.wayne event at grissom in august, but now I'm not so sure. I don't think I have the time or money to deal with aggravated assault charges after some one breaks my car.

 Thank GOD! for Indy Region!

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89/189 STS Miata

Clemens:

Shahab has it figured out

That just solidified my never attending a Fort Wayne autocross.  I was thinking about that yesterday after the Walesboro event, that it would be neat to visit another region and have some fun (if not for the points events down here and the three hour drive to FW), but people like that do NOT deserve to tech cars.  Sorry, it's not your job to try and fix an apparent (or not) safety issue.  It is the driver's responsibility and his/her's alone.

Get Jim Priest up there.  Pay him for his time or something.  Obviously a warm body does not fit the bill.

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Tony Johnson
SM(S) #53
Subaru WRX w/gold wheels
CSCC Region 64 4 lyfe, yo

So let me get this straight...... I got lost with the OP.

You go to tech your car, tech guy tells you that you need secure the battery better, then shows you by ripping it out?
Or does he just say "this is busted", then proceeds to majorly bust it?

 

Here's the rub.....does anyone know that you are the tech chief for our region? And that you will need to tech all the FTW cars that will come for the second event of the "shootout"? Hope you have a good memory of what the guy looked like.  Just sayin'. 

Oh..and I'd talk to Steve K.....the FTW RE.

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Will Lahee -- Indy Region
Section 8 Racing

Knowledge is realizing that the street is one-way, wisdom is looking both directions anyway

While I'd love to fail every car that came through I can't and won't.  That's not me.  This is a sport of amatuers and we all do it for the fun.  I won't stoop to that level and deny anyone that has a proper vehicle.

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"Drag racing is for fast cars, autocrossing is for fast drivers"

Bobzilla:

While I'd love to fail every car that came through I can't and won't.  That's not me.  This is a sport of amatuers and we all do it for the fun.  I won't stoop to that level and deny anyone that has a proper vehicle.

You missed my point.... never said to fail everyone.....

 

But anyway, I do it for the fun AND the fans.  lol

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Will Lahee -- Indy Region
Section 8 Racing

Knowledge is realizing that the street is one-way, wisdom is looking both directions anyway

I won't make up excuses to fail even the person that did this.  AS much fun as it would be, it always comes back to bite you in the butt.  I refuse to stoop to that level.

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"Drag racing is for fast cars, autocrossing is for fast drivers"

fail tech? I wouldn't even want this person at an indy region event to begin with.

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89/189 STS Miata

Clemens:

Shahab has it figured out

Shahab323is:

fail tech? I wouldn't even want this person at an indy region event to begin with.

 We don't get that option Shahab.  Here's where we play the better man and let it go. 

I guess what I wanted out of this thread was a chance to vent, and share a terrible experience with the people that I know would never let happen in their own region.  Let's be thankful for a healthy and growing region that has support from it's members and community.

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"Drag racing is for fast cars, autocrossing is for fast drivers"