Lemons HQ Appreciation Note

Below is the note and picture of some 16 year aged Old Pulteney that is being sent to Lemons HQ to see if we can aid the Z quest for 16 races.  After that we can really prep and wait.  

Clunker Refuge Racing

11435 Rampart Drive

Dublin, CA 94568

January 17, 2014

Nick Pon

Lemons Headquarter

5675-C Horton Street

Emeryville CA 94608,

Regarding: An Appreciative Note (For a Change- well sort of)

Dear Nick,

I would like to recognize the hard work you and the rest of Lemons HQ performed in the selection process for the Sears Pointless race.  From the outside, the requirements seem to be daunting:

• Cut the number of cars allowed in, so you can quelch the endless whining from the masses about traffic and reduce your paddock hassles.
• Letting in just enough of the old cars, so you are not flooded with rants.
• Set the hook on the scores of new teams, in order to replace the enviable older teams that leave because they are running out of money, getting so jaded they stop listening to you, and/or get delusional thinking that they are real racers and are thus too good for Lemons.

In appreciation of your hard work, Clunker Refuge Racing II (D Type) would like to present the enclosed bottle of Scotch Whiskey with our wishes that it gives you great enjoyment. Clunker Refuge Racing with it’s four faithful drivers also wishes you enjoy the Scotch Whiskey in an unabashed hope that it will move the team up on the Waitlist.

In either case, we greatly appreciate your hard work and thank you for the opportunity to partake in the entertainment that is the 24 hours of Lemons.

Yours, Sincerely

Muddy

The idiot that runs:

Clunker Refuge Racing -96

Clunker Refuge Racing II (D Type) - 196

D's Acceptance Notice

Hi, Muddy:

Clunker Refuge Racing II (Type D) has been officially ACCEPTED for Sears Pointless at Sonoma Raceway, Sonoma CA on March 22 - March 23. To participate, please read this email completely!

1) FINISH YOUR TEAM INFO: Your team's current status is Not Ready to Race. If you're not showing "ready to race," log on here and fix what's missing.
 

2) PRINT OUT THE LATEST SAFETY-INSPECTION CHECKLIST, then inspect each listed thing on your car. When everything's checked and correct, bring the signed, filled-out checklist to the track and present it at pre-race tech. (Remember, not every rule is reflected on the Checklist--you still need to study the full LeMons Rulebook.)
 

3) READ THE NOTICES BELOW:

EVENT SCHEDULE, CAMPING, DIRECTIONS, ETC: Look for these on this race's Event Page--when we learn something new, we'll update it there.

DRIVER-SAFETY GEAR: Event-sponsor Pyrotect offers all the required driver-safety gear in one box at a big LeMons-only discount. These subsidized rates are only available at LeMons' online store.

RACE #s: If the number you want isn't available on your Team Home Page's pulldown menu, somebody else already has it. Pick another one.

RULES: The LeMons Rulebook has been updated! Read the complete Rulebook (http://www.24hoursoflemons.com/prices-rules) now and re-check it often, refreshing your browser each time. Remember, it's your job to know this stuff!

DROPOUTS: When you enter a race, you're buying the right to compete--not a guarantee from us that you'll get your own act together. If you drop out, can't finish your car, blow up, go broke, catch swine flu, step on your own wiener, or otherwise fail to avail yourself of your grid spot, you forfeit your entry fees. That's why they're called "entry" fees, not "I got to drive the whole race" fees.

4) COUGH UP YOUR ENTRY FEE: Your entry fees are due now--all fees must be paid in full by 01/25/2014. Miss that deadline, and your spot may be given to a team on the waitlist. (Need to beg an extension? Please drop us an email before the due date.) To check your current balance or make an online payment, see your Team Home Page athttps://registration.24hoursoflemons.com/members/races/registration/signup_id/8969.

TO PAY BY CREDIT CARD, just use the "Pay Now" button on your Team Home Page, athttps://registration.24hoursoflemons.com/members/races/registration/signup_id/8969.

TO PAY BY CHECK OR MONEY ORDER, make payable to "24 Hours of LeMons" and mail to LeMons Dept. of Up-Coughing, 5675-C Horton St, Emeryville CA 94608.

5) ALL SET? CLICK BELOW TO CONFIRM YOUR ACCEPTANCE NOW!
https://registration.24hoursoflemons.com/login/acknowledge/sid/8969/hash/268d3fee104197230e70002d3749fa56

Got questions? Hit www.24HoursofLeMons.com or:
Nick Pon, Associate Perpetrator
5675-C Horton Street, Emeryville CA 94608
nick@24HoursofLeMons.com

1/2 of the Fleet is In for Sears Pointless

Just before the applications were due, Lemons HQ set out the following message:

SEARS POINTLESS SIGNUPS DUE TOMORROW

The deadline for Sears Pointless (22-23 March at Sonoma Raceway) is tomorrow, 11 January. We'll be cutting the grid back this time, so pump up that team concept and 

apply online before midnight this Saturday.

Tuesday we received the notification from Lemons HQ that we are half in (and yes I did enter both cars, I did spend some time updated both essays for the this application, and if you think you can do better why go right ahead).  The good news is the application for the D was accepted! (See I did something right and I will post the good news next).  But our other entry for the Z has us placed on the dreaded "Waiting list".

Seeing the above Lemons' sequestration notice for "cutting the grid back" and reading through the Lemons' blog site, there does seem to be a trend of more than normal "waiting list" notifications.  On the blog there also seems to be a disproportionate number of multiple car teams not getting all their cars in.  So, it appears, we are also in that condition.  (I think "it's not my fault" might apply here)

In the past, like everything else Lemons, bribing (normally with alcohol) tends to help encourage outcomes in your favor.  It just so happens, I have this exciting 12-year-old aged rum from Zaya Gran Reserva that might be useful in this situation.  I acquire this Trinidad born beauty at the last Sears Pointless, for helping the Battleship Blue Team that runs a '92 300zx (a true z32, in my dreams).  I have been saving this bottle for the right occasion, and I now see my options with this salutary brunette to be:
1) Send my precious to Lemons HQ to see if it greases any skids to move the Z up the waiting list, or
2) Keep my precious (all for myself), enjoy my precious, and see if I can get some personal relief out of my precious.
Either way as Torch says, "Something will happen."

As for sending this beauty as a bribe to Lemons HQ, I am a bit on the fence.  Reading through the waiting list notice I am not sure that sending some Rum will be all that helpful. (Plus I think Jay is a whiskey or tequila guy, and who knows what Nick likes.)

So, I could use some help.  Place a comment or hint (especially if you are from Lemons' HQ, yes Nick that is you)  if you think I should sending my unabashed encourager (or for that matter, any liquid tonic that you think would work).  Or should we wait this out because we feel lucky.

----- Forwarded Message -----
From: 24 Hours of Lemons <nick@24hoursoflemons.com>
To: Muddy
Sent: Tuesday, January 14, 2014 5:19 AM
Subject: LeMons: You're on the Waitlist

Hi, Muddy:Thanks very much for applying to Sears Pointless on March 22 - March 23. We got a lot more applications than the circuit could handle, so we faced some tough choices selecting the grid. Sorry to say, you guys didn't make the first round. You have made the WAITLIST, however.

The waitlist is randomized, so I can't predict if or when you'll be offered a spot to move up. At past events, between one-third and two-thirds of waitlisted teams have ended up racing.

Since we don't know when or if a slot will open up, the best thing you can do is set a deadline for your team, and if you haven't heard from us by that deadline, you can pull the plug and plan for the next event. Unfortunately, once you're on the waitlist, improving your team concept won't improve your chances--although those tweaks may indeed help you for next time.

For a few general ideas on how to improve your chances for the next race, here's a forum thread on the topic. 

No matter what, thanks again for the app--we hope to see you at this or another race soon.

Good luck and best regards--NP

Nick Pon, Assistant Perpetrator
24 HOURS OF LeMONS
5675 Horton Street, Suite C
Emeryville CA 94608

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