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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