Landracing Forum
Bonneville Salt Flats Discussion => Bonneville General Chat => Topic started by: SaltFlatBike on July 21, 2010, 02:02:02 PM
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With Great Pain I write is reminder to all fellow racers and crew members. I have a well equipped rolling shop and as always the first to help and loan tools to anyone, also there has been many times I had to hit the pits and beg for stuff and been helped with open arms. But after 3 years in a row I loaned tools out and they have not been returned. In the 20 some years I have been out there this Never happened before. I don't know if its the newer racers or just lack of care or what. But now I'm going to have to limit my tools to my pits only and believe me this Pains me very much. So Please Racers and Crew Chiefs, if you send someone out for tools or parts it is your Duty to make sure it is returned in better shape then you received it, JUST LIKE YOUR PARENTS TAUGHT YOU!!
Mickey
see all in a few weeks!
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Mickey,
Our trailer at Maxton/Loring is the source of many a loaned tool. We have a whiteboard with a tool check out section in our trailer. When anyone borrows anything they add their name, vehicle # & item. Sometimes stuff happens & people miss each other. Knowing where something last went goes a long way to not loosing stuff. We've had stuff out on loan for several months. It's interesting how people get the reminder when their name is out there for all to see until the item is returned. I don't think anyone ever intentionally forgets, I think sometimes we just get busy. When an item is returned it can be left on the counter and a line struck through rather then the name erased. This way if there is any issue or pieces missing we know where to look. We have many trusted friends that know the protocol and are free to borrow if they can't find us. Something like this may help you too even with the "only in your pit" policy! I suspect you don't always have the time to inspect every borrowed item.
Sorry you have had issues in the past and I hope things turn around for you!
Debbie
PS: When I've had the occasion to borrow, I try to leave a note with the source. Just so we both don't get lost or confused! :-)
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:-D Mikey! If ya need a "strong arm" agent I'll be available! BCNU and Terry on the Salt! Crow.
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Debbie,
Thank You for your reply, The key word boils down to RESPECT. You use a board for returns I always show them where to return the tool. We have a big galley set up and Terry is cooking and making Ice Cream for everyone, so there is almost always someone at our pits. As far as time and in a hurry, well so am I, I just took time out from my racing to help you with yours, so show me the same curtsey by returning my tools. We are there for a week, there is no excuse for being to busy. I like you, take great pride in our racing and it has taken a life time of gathering the right tools at a great expense. If you have to remind some one to return your tool or it takes months to get it back, that is no one I want to be around, plus he will also receive my boot up his ass! I guess I come from a different era. A man or woman who uses tools every day to make a living and also in my case it could mean life or death on the high seas, expects his tools to be their when he needs them, because I bought them. So in my old eyes it shows no RESPECT to Me or my Crew when they do not return it. Please do not take this as a attack on you, I'm just trying to remind others about the way Bonneville is, like a Family, Treat it like your Family and they will be good to you!!
Mickey
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Hi Crow!
Now here is our best example - CROW, He will help anybody and everybody and is a perfect example of the Family spirt out here!!!!!!
SEE YA SOON
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I used to work at a Ford dealership - as a salesman. There would occasionally be a need for me to use a tool that I'd have to borrow from one of the mechanics. I always made a point of, when done using it for Mr. Customer, to excuse myself from that customer to go return it to the wrench fellow now -- not later, when my customer was gone. How would I know if maybe the mechanic needed just that tool while I had it -- and wasn't making money while it was gone.
Strangely (or not) - I was the only salesperson that was always able to borrow a tool from the guys in the shop. Take that for what it's worth.
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Debbie,
Thank You for your reply, The key word boils down to RESPECT. You use a board for returns I always show them where to return the tool. We have a big galley set up and Terry is cooking and making Ice Cream for everyone, so there is almost always someone at our pits. As far as time and in a hurry, well so am I, I just took time out from my racing to help you with yours, so show me the same curtsey by returning my tools. We are there for a week, there is no excuse for being to busy. I like you, take great pride in our racing and it has taken a life time of gathering the right tools at a great expense. If you have to remind some one to return your tool or it takes months to get it back, that is no one I want to be around, plus he will also receive my boot up his Acura! I guess I come from a different era. A man or woman who uses tools every day to make a living and also in my case it could mean life or death on the high seas, expects his tools to be their when he needs them, because I bought them. So in my old eyes it shows no RESPECT to Me or my Crew when they do not return it. Please do not take this as a attack on you, I'm just trying to remind others about the way Bonneville is, like a Family, Treat it like your Family and they will be good to you!!
Mickey
Ice Cream!! Whats you trailer look like :-D
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There are still great people at Bonneville, we loaned a primary tension shoe to some Canadians last year and as soon as they got home they mailed us a brand new replacement part with a heart felt letter of thanks.
I would hate to see the spirit of Bonneville ruined by a few turds.
Sorry Mickey and thanks for all the advice and help you have given us over the last few years, as you know there is a long learning curve to this Landracing thing and it's people like you that keep us coming back.
Dave Arnold Jr.
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Mickey, I agree with you wholeheartedly! The fun part of our board is that any names that stay there "too long" are well remembered. Some people don't get a next time, the board helps us remember who that is! :-D With more than one of us it's helps to share the knowledge *if* there's any doubt! ;)
It's a shame not everyone gets that whole respect thing! Trust me when I tell you that you probably won't find a woman on this planet that cares more about her tools then I do!
So, tell me about this ice cream! Do I need to bring my own cone? 2 years in a row I still haven't even gotten my apple! :| Maybe this year!
Debbie
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Deb, ask Todd to read the email I sent him this morning -- about a photo and some dimensions for the front hitch/tongue of the SSS race trailer.
Thanks -- see you Monday evening. We'll call and let you know our progress.
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:-D Mikey, Thank you for the kind words. You and Terry were the first people I met in '07, and you informed me of the kinds of people that attend the Salt meets. I am proud to be part of that family of people, and will do whatever is necessary to keep the proper spirit of the Salt alive! (The offer still stands!) BCNU soon! Crow. (Terry, Peach this year?)
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I have always loaned tools at work and for a long time they all came back.
Then I had a run where several tools didn't make it back. I realized I was out money with nothing gained.
So I started a simple policy. I'll loan you a tool and I'll lock up your car keys in my tool box. Bring back the tool and I return the keys.
Then one time I went home and the guy didn't return the tools. The next morning he was livid. Didn't have keys to drive home did he?
My reply? Simple, don't borrow my tools and you won't have that problem.
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I have always loaned tools at work and for a long time they all came back.
Then I had a run where several tools didn't make it back. I realized I was out money with nothing gained.
So I started a simple policy. I'll loan you a tool and I'll lock up your car keys in my tool box. Bring back the tool and I return the keys.
Then one time I went home and the guy didn't return the tools. The next morning he was livid. Didn't have keys to drive home did he?
My reply? Simple, don't borrow my tools and you won't have that problem.
very good idea... :-D
A fellow at my work will borrow tools often. He told me my 12 volt test light was broke 2 months back. He has borrowed 2 times since and it is still broke.
:cheers:
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When I used to rent out an HD clutch hub puller at my shop, I would make them leave their drivers license.. they always came back...
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Mike,
When I first started, '63, the borrowing of tools and parts was normal. We loaned a clutch to a class competitor one year and he took our record. Another year we were all at the down run impound waiting for return runs and I had to borrow a timing light. The others guys took off so I threw the light in my truck. By the time record cert was done the others had left for San Francisco. I keep the light in my truck until the next Speedweek, "no problem" was the answer I recieved when I returned the light.
You used to be able to leave your stuff in your truck in town, last year someone went thru every thing I had and left us without impound tools and cert cards. I will leave everything on the salt from now on.
DW
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DW; That was the right thing you did to make sure the light was returned, even a year latter. No one has made a attempt to return my tools and what makes it even worse the first year it happened they where wearing Orange Hats! I'm not that hard to find, for every year I help tech the bikes and that freightliner is not that hard to miss. Such is life. As per Crow there will be peach Ice Cream this year, it seems to me you also liked that one!??
Crow- Peach it is! Sounds cool and refreshing! It goes with out saying you are always needed and for muscle for hire, some one has to cross the 10 feet and back to the ice cream , for I will be sitting in my new chairs I bought for the truck, in 70 degree comfort, I love that truck!
John- You just get the whole tool thing, unfortunately some don't. What I don't get is what happened to the two ss that was left of the word as to where I wanted to plant my boot. It took me a minute but I get it now, RESPECT, got it and it will never happen again!
Dave and crew are the guys that wear the White hats, the good guys. The problems they had, they took it with a smile. I have always said, if you showed up at the Salt and only made one run you have WON. Dave and crew are winners!
Debbie and Brian- The trailer is the White One-----------Kidding, look for the black flag, DONT TREAD ON ME and with the words LIBERTY OR DEATH on it. WORDS I BELIVE IN !!
See Ya Soon
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Wow, hate to hear that.
I have loaned tools a bunch and always got them back. Only one time I was pizzed because I had to go looking for the tool and it came back salty but as a rule its always been a good experience.
last year I helped a French guy who pitted next to us weld up pegs on his 50cc, the French guy has asked my wife and I several times to come visit him in Northern France (and one of these days....). I have never seen anyone more grateful....and damn near spit polished the welder when it was returned.
Good things do happen.
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The overseas guys can have it real tough.. I heard one guy, probably the moped guy, brought his bike over in suitcases.
Some guys from Belgium (Krugger), were pitted beside us, ran a Sportster, which they had shipped ahead. They arrived with a handfull of tools in a rental car, the bike and leathers were brought to the salt for them. When they were working on the bike, they would sometimes need tools, but did usually not know the name of them in English! So they would point to what they needed, with some hand gesturing, and I would go and look for the tool to borrow, then bring it back later..
It all worked quite well, it was rather amusing... but , a great time was had by all, and they managed to set a record..
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And on another note of borrowing......
I just wanted to thank the bean bandits who pitted next to us last year and a time came we needed a second jack for a few minuets.
Well....I would of asked.... if anyone was around.....but....
Needless to say they never knew I borrowed their jack. This is because it was put right back where we got it in the same condition....if I had broke it they would of owned a new jack better then the one they had.
(*found out later the bandits borrowed some of our tools when we were gone also, and WE never knew it!)
Also....if anyone needs to borrow tools or parts I bring a full mig, plasma, impact and other tools many people may not have. I am not worried about getting them back...I have too much confidence in people and wouldnt mind making a scene if need be.
.
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Back when I was working as a mechanic for a living I was reluctant to loan tools to anybody but other known mechanics. You learn quickly whom not to lend tools to! At the drag races or sprint car tracks we often shared tools and I never had problem getting my stuff back from other racers. It was nothing to loan a fellow racer parts to keep him running even if he later beat you with your parts! I blew the transmission, drive line, rear end out of my Camero one day at the drags and had offers of all the parts I needed from a dozen racers before the "Safety Safari" had me towed back to the pits.
I am looking forward to SW and will be glad to bring tools and help any team that needs an old fart like me. I am a ASE master mechanic and been a hot rodder and mechanic for over 50 years. If anyone needs an extra crew member I work cheap, beer and tequila is my favorite paycheck!
Leaving Southwest Idaho on the 12th., not sure when I am returning. "Have trailer, will haul"
:cheers:
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In my shop I have threatened my friends of taking a digital pic of them holding my tool when they borrow it and erase it when they bring it back. Some friends are so forgetful but still friends.
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My god you would think I would have learned by now. 4 years in a row now! Any one know how to get a hold of Jim that crews for Roosevelt?
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Hey Mickey... :cheers:
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I love the honesty of everyone who ever borrowed or loaned me a tool.... I try to remember... but damn... I've finally just told Todd and Debbie to Hold onto the ECTA Screw Gun and let me have it back at the beginning and end of each meet... ( where upon I return it to their custody till the next meet )
K
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I love the honesty of everyone who ever borrowed or loaned me a tool.... I try to remember... but Dodge... I've finally just told Todd and Debbie to Hold onto the ECTA Screw Gun and let me have it back at the beginning and end of each meet... ( where upon I return it to their custody till the next meet )
K
Funny Keith! :-D (no checkout required, if it's the beginning or end of the meet, we know where it is & who's got it! LOL )
Wouldn't you know we left WOS with 3 borrowed items? Not so much our fault as we were still actively using them when the owners departed! Luckily they're ECTA racers so it will be easier to return them, which we will, cause we know who's they are! :-)
Thanks Dean & Joe! :cheers:
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After all there is.......ECTA INTEGRITY.......(at least that what I was told a many posts back...OK. ignore me now again)