Detroit Auto show nightmare!

Gary H NC

Fleet Admiral
Joined
Dec 1, 2005
Messages
8,972
I thought i was going to have a good time bringing a 07 Nascar car of tomorrow Dodge Avenger to the auto show. WRONG!
I set parked on the side of the street for 8 hours waiting to unload it.
Finally got the ok to bring it to the dock to unload.Rolled it off the trailer and some idiot parks right behind me and blocks me in.It took an hour to find the A-hole to move his car.
Get in to start it up and it won't fire.
Well,some knucklehead at our shop had a secondary kill switch hooked up that wasn't supposed to even be on the car.
Went to start it again and the teeth on the flywheel and starter shattered...:^
Spent the next hour under the car in the dark to find that out...
By this time the big wigs from Dodge are getting ticked off (like i built the car)...geeze!! Then they ask if i can go get a new starter and get it fixed before 8 am..Like you can buy a race starter at any auto parts...Thats not going to happen.Like that would do any good with the ring gear teeth gone.
So the plan was to drive it on stage for the tv cameras in the morning.
So now the car was pushed on stage....and i'll watch it on tv from my hotel room,then go sit another 8 hours to load it up tomorrow night..
Sometimes i just LOVE my job..
Had to vent to someone!!8)8)
 

Boomyal

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Aug 16, 2003
Messages
12,072
Re: Detroit Auto show nightmare!

That sure shows the dirty side of those shows Gary. I was just at the Portland Boat Show, thinking what a nightmare it must be to get those things set up. You've kinda verified my musings.
 

bjcsc

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Jun 1, 2006
Messages
1,805
Re: Detroit Auto show nightmare!

Bummer...when did they start making their starters and ring gears like their transmissions?
 

gonefishie

Commander
Joined
Jul 28, 2004
Messages
2,624
Re: Detroit Auto show nightmare!

I thought the Avenger was dead, replaced by the Stratus. ??? Are they re-replacing the Stratus with Avenger?????????? Oh wait! this is another one of there trick isn't it? Just like when the Stratus replaced Avenger but yet it looked almost identical to the one it replaced. This time around, it will be a Stratus wearing an Avenger badge.8)
 

Gary H NC

Fleet Admiral
Joined
Dec 1, 2005
Messages
8,972
Re: Detroit Auto show nightmare!

The Avenger looks alot like the Charger,A bit shorter.
Good looking car but just another re-bagded Dodge.I think it will replace the Stratus..
 

Daddy O

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
Jul 8, 2006
Messages
89
Re: Detroit Auto show nightmare!

The Avenger is replacing the Stratus. 3 engines 2.0, 2.7., or 3.5. I would go with one of the V6's. If the Nascar Avenger has a race V8, Dodge didn't make it as with most race parts.
 

Gary H NC

Fleet Admiral
Joined
Dec 1, 2005
Messages
8,972
Re: Detroit Auto show nightmare!

the only thing Dodge makes is the block,358 ci..V8
our engine department does the rest.
They said today the Avengers will hit showrooms this fall.
I thought the best looking new design they had was a Sebring with a V8 Hemi in it...not in production yet..

I enjoyed looking at all the models running around in short skirts..it was difficult to look at all the cars..
Carmen Electra was there..OMG!!!:^:^
 

puddle jumper

Captain
Joined
Jul 5, 2006
Messages
3,830
Re: Detroit Auto show nightmare!

you got to play with an 07 nascar .Way tooooooooooo cool.8)8)8)8)8)
 

Gary H NC

Fleet Admiral
Joined
Dec 1, 2005
Messages
8,972
Re: Detroit Auto show nightmare!

I loaded it up tonight to take it back to Charlotte. Had to park the truck 2 blocks away so i had a bunch of guys give me a push start,it fired right up thank goodness.
I did have to leave Detroit a calling card. About 100 ft of burnt rubber..:^ Detroit PD was watching..gave me a wave...lol
 

puddle jumper

Captain
Joined
Jul 5, 2006
Messages
3,830
Re: Detroit Auto show nightmare!

I use to be invoved in racing a few years back.So i can relate to how these cars can be stubborn like a high strung race horse.Our buget was not as big as yours about $80,000 a year.I gess you would say a wantabee nascar.I bet laying the strip was the pay back.8)
 

Gary H NC

Fleet Admiral
Joined
Dec 1, 2005
Messages
8,972
Re: Detroit Auto show nightmare!

It is one of the perks of the job. I get to drive on the track several times a year. You get that much power under you,ya just have to light em up sometime..:devil:
 

puddle jumper

Captain
Joined
Jul 5, 2006
Messages
3,830
Re: Detroit Auto show nightmare!

yup it a fealing not many know What i always like was when you went into the pits in the begining of the race every one would be all competive
but after the race every one would be buddys trying to find out your secrets.If your intrested google wescar and that was the series we ran.I was with car 52
 

aspeck

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
May 29, 2003
Messages
19,116
Re: Detroit Auto show nightmare!

So, this is puddle jumper?

DSC08795.jpg


Cool 8)

I see a little tire action on your door - someone was doing some bumpin' and grindin'
 

Gary H NC

Fleet Admiral
Joined
Dec 1, 2005
Messages
8,972
Re: Detroit Auto show nightmare!

Looks like Puddle Jumper was doing some hard racing!
Bump and Run!!

Cool pic Aspeck..I haven't had time to look him up myself. Just got in from Mich....

Got nailed in a West Virginia speed trap...87 in a 55...
NO WAY i was going that fast!! Cop was a @$#%$#@!!
A lawyer is going to charge out the butt for that..
No choice,my job is on the line..what a strange trip this has been...:'(
 

puddle jumper

Captain
Joined
Jul 5, 2006
Messages
3,830
Re: Detroit Auto show nightmare!

No thats not med:). Thats the the guy i pitted for ontill my wife pi$$ed in his wifes cornflakes.It was a blast wile it lasted but the woman didnt always see eye to eye.Like thay say you not racing if your not rubbing.
Were you in alitte bit of a hurry8)8)
 
Top