In total agreement John... Only expressing amusement and approval at the notion of some very servicable cars that might have otherwise been crushed now finding a perfect salvation and after life. Synergy at its best. A good beginning for this new relationship.
Quote:
Originally Posted by John Greist
And we race crashed and recrashed cars - with pleasure!
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You draw 'em a picture and they eat the crayons... (Duck Waddle commenting on the creative ways some people interpret driving instruction.)
Testing Mid-Corner Speed / Advanced Member (500+ Posts)
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Madison, Wisconsin
Age: 85
Posts: 608
Re: Dodge out, Mazda in at SBR
Quote:
Originally Posted by dalyduo
In total agreement John... Only expressing amusement and approval at the notion of some very servicable cars that might have otherwise been crushed now finding a perfect salvation and after life. Synergy at its best. A good beginning for this new relationship.
Here's a non-Mazda link to the Cougar Ace story. Very impressive slip angle. And a very impressive recovery!
For the ship to reach that angle with the weight of more than 4,800 cars inside and maintain bouyancy for a month is simply astonishing. If it was designed from the start to survive that, I'm sure they were never anticipating a real world four week test. The ship's designer deserves kudo's as either the most brilliant designer of all time or the luckiest. (Perhaps both)
The below pictures were taken by the US Coast Guard.
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You draw 'em a picture and they eat the crayons... (Duck Waddle commenting on the creative ways some people interpret driving instruction.)
From the "well, it was a good thought" category....according to Todd Snyder, the Mazda fleet at Laguna Seca this weekend were all NEW cars, early 07 model year versions -
nothing with a "fish story" behind them....
also, there was apparently QUITE the irritable Driving School student body who showed up with the intention - the SOLE intention, in a few cases - of driving the Vipers....NOT the Mazda 3-series. SBRS ended up having to break out the M3's to placate them....wonder what kind of draw the Mazdas will have. I know when I do corporates, the "driving school" is (was?) only interesting - right or wrongly - by the chance to autocross/thrash in the Vipers....
In total agreement John... Only expressing amusement and approval at the notion of some very servicable cars that might have otherwise been crushed now finding a perfect salvation and after life. Synergy at its best. A good beginning for this new relationship.
I guess they would get them at "list" price? (ok, you may kick me again )
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"Think very carefully, because if you ever start, you will never be able to leave it alone" Sir Donald Campbell, CBE
From the "well, it was a good thought" category....according to Todd Snyder, the Mazda fleet at Laguna Seca this weekend were all NEW cars, early 07 model year versions -
nothing with a "fish story" behind them....
also, there was apparently QUITE the irritable Driving School student body who showed up with the intention - the SOLE intention, in a few cases - of driving the Vipers....NOT the Mazda 3-series. SBRS ended up having to break out the M3's to placate them....wonder what kind of draw the Mazdas will have. I know when I do corporates, the "driving school" is (was?) only interesting - right or wrongly - by the chance to autocross/thrash in the Vipers....
As you say Al, it still makes a great story.
In the grand scheme of things it is unfortunate they didn't anticipate the attraction of the Vipers. It is a tad harder powersliding a front wheel drive 156 horsepower econobox. I'm sure this will all get worked out.
While not the stump-pullers the Vipers were, the rear wheel drive RX-8's have 232hp and a whole lot less weight to push around so they'll probably be plenty of fun on the autocross...
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You draw 'em a picture and they eat the crayons... (Duck Waddle commenting on the creative ways some people interpret driving instruction.)
Todd may not know that all but a handfull of the 4,800 cars on the Cougar Ace were new early '07 models and they were never under water. There was a full compliment of '07 Miata's, Mazda 3's, RX-8's, CX-7's and Mazda 5's.
If someone can write down the Vin number, model and body type of a couple of the new Mazda school cars we could easily check 'em.
In the end it is of absolutely no significance but it would be an interesting answer to a trivia question.
Quote:
Originally Posted by AlDelattre
From the "well, it was a good thought" category....according to Todd Snyder, the Mazda fleet at Laguna Seca this weekend were all NEW cars, early 07 model year versions -
nothing with a "fish story" behind them....
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You draw 'em a picture and they eat the crayons... (Duck Waddle commenting on the creative ways some people interpret driving instruction.)
My dealership has a carfax account so i would be happy to run the vin's however those cars in the ship will go to a salvage auction. They would make good cars for a race car build. I will bring a RX-8 with me to my next race.
craig
Maximizing Exit Speed / Advanced Member (10+ Posts)
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Ellensburg, WA
Posts: 17
Re: Dodge out, Mazda in at SBR
Sorry, but I had every intention of writing down a VIN or two yesterday. But with the torrential rain all morning and then the usual race stuff after that...
Testing Mid-Corner Speed / Advanced Member (500+ Posts)
Join Date: Apr 2004
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Posts: 634
Re: Dodge out, Mazda in at SBR
ORLANDO, Fla. (14 December 2006) - Mazda North American Operations and Skip Barber Racing School LLC announced today a new, long-term partnership agreement that promises to reshape the world of competitive motorsports. The agreement will deliver a broad range of programs designed to further define and strengthen the U.S. motorsports "ladder" through which drivers learn and gain experience on their way to the top ranks of amateur and professional racing.
Mazda will supply vehicles to Skip Barber for exclusive use in the "Skip Barber Driving School Powered by Mazda." The school annually graduates more than 7,000 students and will feature the MAZDA3, MX-5 and RX-8 cars in a variety of purpose-built exercises at Skip Barber’s premier base locations, including Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca in California, Sebring International Raceway and Daytona International Speedway in Florida, Road America in Wisconsin, and Lime Rock Park in Connecticut.
In addition, Mazda engines will soon provide power to the 120 racecars used in the "Skip Barber Racing School Powered by Mazda" and the "Skip Barber Race Series Powered by Mazda." To read the entire press release, please click here
Testing Mid-Corner Speed / Advanced Member (500+ Posts)
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: NYC
Posts: 634
Re: Dodge out, Mazda in at SBR
Just got this in my email.
ORLANDO, Fla. (14 December 2006) - Mazda North American Operations and Skip Barber Racing School LLC announced today a new, long-term partnership agreement that promises to reshape the world of competitive motorsports. The agreement will deliver a broad range of programs designed to further define and strengthen the U.S. motorsports "ladder" through which drivers learn and gain experience on their way to the top ranks of amateur and professional racing.
The answer to the Cougar Ace trivia question is a resounding no. As usual Todd had it right. After checking a couple of VIN numbers against the full lists made public by Mazda it appears the new vehicles being used by Skip Barber did not come fromthe group of 4,800 cars that enjoyed a four week vacation in the hold of the Cougar Ace while it lanquished on its side.
That rumor can be safely laid to rest.
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You draw 'em a picture and they eat the crayons... (Duck Waddle commenting on the creative ways some people interpret driving instruction.)
...jes' continuing the hijack that is well in progress...
A friend just did Car Control at Daytona this weekend, and not a Dodge in sight. But it seems the damaged cargo in question hasn't made it to the East Coast yet, they were using M3s and 911s. Time to do Car Control, get a High Performance day for the cost of Car Control, before the fish smell makes it East...
BTW, my friend says he pulled off nearly THREE powersliding laps around the skidpad in the formula car. His name is Timothy Allen and he's building a spec miata, but I'm trying to talk him into more SBRS race events. good guy to race with, and sounds like he is a natural at car control.
Quote:
Originally Posted by rcote
Incidently.. I've only had 2 students that were able to pulloff a full lap around L.R.'s skidpad in a full powerslide in probally thousand upon thousands of miles right seating in that circle. One was our very own Michael Auriemma ( your welcome MIke ) j/k
I was at Laguna on Sunday and those Mazdas were not off the Cougar Ace.......as I suspect will be the case for the entire SB Mazda fleet.
Whilst some of us were at Laguna recently for a race weekend, others attended a car control clinic (sans Vipers), and at least one participant was reportedly more than a trifle miffed at seeing Mazda products of any type in place of the anticipated (now erstwhile) powerplants.
While I can understand the attraction of sliding one of those beasts around an autocross, the car should be the least important part of the experience. If you are doing a car control clinic because of the car... You're missing the point.
Quote:
Originally Posted by WatertownNewbie
Whilst some of us were at Laguna recently for a race weekend, others attended a car control clinic (sans Vipers), and at least one participant was reportedly more than a trifle miffed at seeing Mazda products of any type in place of the anticipated (now erstwhile) powerplants.
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You draw 'em a picture and they eat the crayons... (Duck Waddle commenting on the creative ways some people interpret driving instruction.)
You're correct that the point is education, but a significant portion of customers sign up for a driving school to drive a zoomy car, and for many years, that was the Viper.
We have experienced some complaints and did our best to make up for it in other creative ways. The transitionary period brings this kind of challenge, but its just another challenge of business getting through it.
--As for the tilting boat, yes indeed, none of those cars will make it into the SBRS fleet.
It does make sense Gerardo. The Viper was an attraction for many years and since they were replaced before the Mazda public announcement, it's not surprising you'd have some cranky customers pre-amped for spinning Viper tires.
If a customer has told girlfriend and buddies he'll be right back with smokin' video of himself power sliding a Viper, it's easy to imagine how, when handed the keys to a Miata... He might swallow his gum.
As you say, just the ongoing issue of managing expectations and keeping the customer satisfied.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Gerardo
We have experienced some complaints and did our best to make up for it in other creative ways. The transitionary period brings this kind of challenge, but its just another challenge of business getting through it.
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You draw 'em a picture and they eat the crayons... (Duck Waddle commenting on the creative ways some people interpret driving instruction.)
It does make sense Gerardo. The Viper was an attraction for many years and since they were replaced before the Mazda public announcement, it's not surprising you'd have some cranky customers pre-amped for spinning Viper tires.
If a customer has told girlfriend and buddies he'll be right back with smokin' video of himself power sliding a Viper, it's easy to imagine how, when handed the keys to a Miata... He might swallow his gum.
As you say, just the ongoing issue of managing expectations and keeping the customer satisfied.
Clearly Mazda is going to have to step up their line up a bit if they're serious about making this relationship work. I propose a 450 horsepower 4 rotor ubercar to round out their model range
Clearly Mazda is going to have to step up their line up a bit if they're serious about making this relationship work. I propose a 450 horsepower 4 rotor ubercar to round out their model range
Need a handfull of two-seat V-8 Radicals, geared to top out at 55 mph. That should provide enough tire smoke for the customer videos. Cheaper than Vipers too, I'd guess.
A SHIP WRECK PROBABLY DID LESS DAMAGE THAN ONE DAY OF CAR CONTROL CLINIC.
JUST A THOUGHT; SINCE THE R/T 2000 IS TECHNICALLY A DINASAUER, MAYBE THE CRASH DAMAGE COST WILL GO DOWN AS A WAY OF USING UP ALL THOSE SPARES THAT WILL HAVE TO BE TRASHED ANY WAY.
I MEAN, THEY ARE JUST GONNA THROW THE STUFF OUT ANY WAY.
RRRRRRRRRRIIIIIIIIIIIGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHTTTTTTTTTT! !!!!!
Finally.... a thorough closure of the Cougar Ace story. A great read, not just on the ship and contents, bit also of the unique individuals involved. RIP to the lost soul...
Yeah... But well done. Quite a story. Shame there was a life lost. Tough stuff.
Certainly ends speculation that any of those cars wound up in Skip Barber programs although they'd have been perfect candidates and parts cars. A loss like that has to make the cars and marine insurance more expensive.
A shame all around and probably a bonehead mistake that caused it in the first place. Nobody talking about that.
Quote:
Originally Posted by cdh
that article puts DD's crushing word counts to shame......
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You draw 'em a picture and they eat the crayons... (Duck Waddle commenting on the creative ways some people interpret driving instruction.)
BMW buyers beware...another ship recently listed and damged many M3's and M1's destined for the US. Article I read stated that some units would be destroyed in the crusher but others would be repaired and sold!
A cargo ship carrying new BMWs, Mercedes, and Volkswagens arrived in the Port of New Jersey on Friday with more than 470 damaged cars in one of its cargo holds. The cargo ship Courage, operated by Wallenius Lines, encountered rough seas in the Atlantic before arriving at port. Vehicles in one of the ship’s cargo holds were ripped from their lashings during the storm, hurtling cars into one another. In total, about 370 BMWs were damaged, roughly 120 of which are a total loss.
BMW North America spokesman Tom Plucinsky confirmed the incident, which was first reported on the eve of the start of the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. Plucinsky indicated that while there were BMWs in several holds of the ship, the damage appears to be limited to just the one. Nevertheless, BMW plans to inspect every one of their vehicles that was on the Courage, looking for damage at chassis tie-down locations and conducting a four-wheel alignment check on each one before releasing them to dealers.
The exact breakdown of the damaged vehicles is still being sorted out, but a significant number of the cars in the affected cargo hold were M3s intended for use as dealer demonstrator vehicles ahead of the full launch of the M3. A fair number of new 1 Series coupes, also intended for dealer use, were damaged as well. The remaining cars consist of customer orders and European delivery vehicles.
BMW says customers concerned about ending up with a damaged car can rest assured that any and all damage will fully disclosed before being sold to dealers. Following its long-standing policy, the damaged vehicles will be handled appropriately based on the degree of damage incurred. For instance, any vehicle whose repair costs approach or exceed its inventory value will be crushed in whole at the port.
Vehicles with damage greater than three percent of their value will be repaired and used as employee vehicles for a period of time before being sold at dealer auctions with full disclosure of the damage and repairs. After being sold at auction, the cars will carry the balance of the original factory warranty.
Cars with less than three percent damage will be repaired, after which the dealer, or the customer in the case of a special order vehicle, will be notified of the damage and repair and then given the option of accepting or refusing the car. Any repaired car that is rejected by either a dealer or a customer will be sent to a dealer auction and the vehicle will be replaced with an identical one at the earliest possible time. All repaired vehicles will carry the full factory warranty.
Those customers who were waiting for their European Delivery vehicle to arrive will have the same options and everyone else. Essentially, they can take a similar vehicle from dealer stock, or they can order an identical replacement new from the factory.
The damaged inventory is an unfortunate setback given the timing. New M3s, 128i and 135i coupes
Quote:
Originally Posted by LimeRockRacer
BMW buyers beware...another ship recently listed and damged many M3's and M1's destined for the US. Article I read stated that some units would be destroyed in the crusher but others would be repaired and sold!
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You draw 'em a picture and they eat the crayons... (Duck Waddle commenting on the creative ways some people interpret driving instruction.)
Did I just see that the name of this ship is "Courage"????? hmmmm First "Courage Ace"... and now "Courage"....... One day when I have a vessel, I know what word I definitely WON'T be including in the name of her....
The next generation of transport ships will be named Woosie Deuce and Pink Panther.
Quote:
Originally Posted by rcote
Did I just see that the name of this ship is "Courage"????? hmmmm First "Courage Ace"... and now "Courage"....... One day when I have a vessel, I know what word I definitely WON'T be including in the name of her....
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You draw 'em a picture and they eat the crayons... (Duck Waddle commenting on the creative ways some people interpret driving instruction.)
I wonder if we could buy some scratch and dent m-3's for about 50% off? Good luck to anyone thinking of buying one in the near future will be at risk of possible lack of disclosure . Not all dealers are as honest as others.
I see these kind of cars at factory auctions all the time. Some are nice, some are not. The factory usually does a good job of disclosing any previous damage. The sales people on the lot are so-so. I bet those cars are pretty well documented. You have more leverage buying from a franchise dealer, a private party is pretty hard to recover money from. By law here in KS&MO we are required to disclose any damage equal to or greater than $500. I am waiting for those M3's to show up at the BMW factory sale, very curious to see what they bring, and what kind of damage they have.