Lemons Rules
#16
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
#17
Rennlist Member
The rule of buying a car for $500 is in the Lemons rules, but I have never heard of them buying a car (it may have happened, I just have not heard of it). I believe it is a deterent for you to not show up in your "real" race car, because I have seen plenty of cars that were worth more than $500. In fact, at one of the races this year someone showed up in a 911 - it was a beat up 911 but most of the panels looked straight and you cannot buy a straight fender, much less a whole 911, for $500. The story I heard was the team said it was a neighbor's project car and that he "gave" them the car. This is not the story you want to show up with. Nonetheless, Lemons did not buy their car they just assessed them 2000 laps or something like that.
Also, in that rule, it does state you would be given time to remove safety equipment and the like prior to them buying your car. As for the crushing rule, I do not think they have crushed a car in over a year. It is still voted on and the possibility exists, but it seems like most teams are not interested in destroying another teams car so there are not enough votes placed for a team to get their car crushed. Not saying it could not happen, it just has been a long time since the last one. You would also be given a chance to get your safety stuff out of the car prior to crushing.
Also, in that rule, it does state you would be given time to remove safety equipment and the like prior to them buying your car. As for the crushing rule, I do not think they have crushed a car in over a year. It is still voted on and the possibility exists, but it seems like most teams are not interested in destroying another teams car so there are not enough votes placed for a team to get their car crushed. Not saying it could not happen, it just has been a long time since the last one. You would also be given a chance to get your safety stuff out of the car prior to crushing.
#18
Three Wheelin'
The rule of buying a car for $500 is in the Lemons rules, but I have never heard of them buying a car (it may have happened, I just have not heard of it). I believe it is a deterent for you to not show up in your "real" race car, because I have seen plenty of cars that were worth more than $500. In fact, at one of the races this year someone showed up in a 911 - it was a beat up 911 but most of the panels looked straight and you cannot buy a straight fender, much less a whole 911, for $500. The story I heard was the team said it was a neighbor's project car and that he "gave" them the car. This is not the story you want to show up with. Nonetheless, Lemons did not buy their car they just assessed them 2000 laps or something like that.
Also, in that rule, it does state you would be given time to remove safety equipment and the like prior to them buying your car. As for the crushing rule, I do not think they have crushed a car in over a year. It is still voted on and the possibility exists, but it seems like most teams are not interested in destroying another teams car so there are not enough votes placed for a team to get their car crushed. Not saying it could not happen, it just has been a long time since the last one. You would also be given a chance to get your safety stuff out of the car prior to crushing.
Also, in that rule, it does state you would be given time to remove safety equipment and the like prior to them buying your car. As for the crushing rule, I do not think they have crushed a car in over a year. It is still voted on and the possibility exists, but it seems like most teams are not interested in destroying another teams car so there are not enough votes placed for a team to get their car crushed. Not saying it could not happen, it just has been a long time since the last one. You would also be given a chance to get your safety stuff out of the car prior to crushing.
As far as crushing cars, since the 944 incident at Nelson's, you have to really drive like a dick, and somehow **** off almost everyone to have that happen to you. In all the races I have gone too, the 944 was the only one that got it(sorry dan, sam). It is done by balloting all of the drivers at the end of day 1, and i think that you have to get 50% of the available votes. If you come out, have a good time, don't punt everyone off track, etc, you will be fine. No one there wants to see anyone's car crushed, no one.
#19
Rennlist Member
At one of our LeMons races the guys who would have got the curse packed up and left after the first day. No curse. They were back the next morning. Still no curse. I cannot see how they can crush a car or buy it from you if you do not cooperate. The cheater cars just get a lot of laps tacked on, as far as I can figure out.
#20
Rennlist Member
Agree with both of the above. The owner of Weathertech (yes, the floor mat company) showed up with a Caprice at Autobahn a couple of years ago (they Randy Pobst as a driver). The engine was far from stock and very shiny and they had what looked like a brand new 401 rear-end. They sent one of their mechanics to the BS inspection as a joke because they knew they were going to get beat-up. In the end, they were only given 401 laps as a penalty (due to the rear-end). Of course, it might have helped that they had mounted a stripper pole to the roof of the car and they brought strippers to swing from/on the pole during pit stops. They also had a sign painted on the car that said "If you crush this car the strippers go home." Want to guess whether they got any votes or not?
#21
Former Vendor
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Charleston, SC
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LeMons is not a race, its an event. Penalties are at the sole discretion of the judges (bribes other than alcohol work much better). Don't think there is a concrete rule set that you can follow (or not) and avoid penalties (or not). Tons of BS paperwork is surprisingly effective, as they don't want to look at that garbage.
And you will notice after about 5 laps, that there are TONS of cars that would take $5k or more to build.
The curse is not really in effect anymore. It seems to now be a volunteer thing.
The judges live in California IIRC. They aren't likely to buy your car, in any case.
Remember, its not a race and not about being fair; its an event that is about having fun. Leave your competitive side at the gate for your first race, then see where the "rules" can be manipulated, and come back to win later.
And you will notice after about 5 laps, that there are TONS of cars that would take $5k or more to build.
The curse is not really in effect anymore. It seems to now be a volunteer thing.
The judges live in California IIRC. They aren't likely to buy your car, in any case.
Remember, its not a race and not about being fair; its an event that is about having fun. Leave your competitive side at the gate for your first race, then see where the "rules" can be manipulated, and come back to win later.
#22
Your life will be made miserable if you show up at Lemons with a clean 928. Even a beat 928 will be heavily scrutinized.
Here's a video a gal with our team made back in '07 of the people's curse in action. I have a feeling that environmental concerns put an end to the crushing of the people's curse car.
Phil
Here's a video a gal with our team made back in '07 of the people's curse in action. I have a feeling that environmental concerns put an end to the crushing of the people's curse car.
Phil
#23
One of the series has a rule that if the "judges" pin the value over $500 they can "buy" the car from you for that amount if they think you've been too egregious with the rules. They give you 30 minutes to remove whatever equipment you can salvage and then you're screwed. Never heard of that actually happening but its been in some set of rules. Perhaps it's changed in the last year but it's worth looking into and understanding......best
Oh, yeah, there's also the the rule where if your fellow competitors think you've gone bull$hit, they get to vote to have your car crushed. Never heard of that actually happening either but it's in the rules too. Some of this is a bit draconian but it gets the point across......best again.
Oh, yeah, there's also the the rule where if your fellow competitors think you've gone bull$hit, they get to vote to have your car crushed. Never heard of that actually happening either but it's in the rules too. Some of this is a bit draconian but it gets the point across......best again.
Here's a bit of Leh's stint - yea we had a police siren in the car.
#25
Race Director
Hey Brian. I can't buy any more cars like you can't. No
More room or good will with the wife. I have these in the collection, so it's worth it to find out. But I think I have and I don't want to risk even a dollar being turned into garbage because of someone's perspective on value
Or a rule sheet. It sounds like fun racing, but I won't/can't risk my efforts and money in that way.
More room or good will with the wife. I have these in the collection, so it's worth it to find out. But I think I have and I don't want to risk even a dollar being turned into garbage because of someone's perspective on value
Or a rule sheet. It sounds like fun racing, but I won't/can't risk my efforts and money in that way.
#26
Race Director
some hints on how to be successful (sorta anyway) in lemons
distraction is your best friend........giving free prescriptions (booze) to the crowd is encouraged....having naughty nurses giving out prescriptions is even better
here is the same car on slicks racing against a lotus challenge elise...guess who wins
distraction is your best friend........giving free prescriptions (booze) to the crowd is encouraged....having naughty nurses giving out prescriptions is even better
here is the same car on slicks racing against a lotus challenge elise...guess who wins
#27
Rennlist Member
i cant even watch or read about Lemons anymore. I heard about Lemons in 04 in a car mag at the Ford dealership. Finally got a chance to build a car, bought a 944 for 250 bucks from a Rennlister, built it fair, stuck to my budget. Got gigged fifteen laps because we were all PCA members - EVEN WITH **** AND BOOZE!!! Blew the head gasket, spent six hours in the pits putting the motor back together, finally got out on the track and managed 109th place before we got the curse and they seized our motor with "clunker bomb" because someone thought our car sounded like it had a supercharger. Damn balance shaft belts..... we had a blast up till that point, then decided chumpcar all the way F them hillbillys.
#28
Umm. I'm really confused. Why would anyone want to take a clean 928 (that is obviously worth more than $500 - no matter what BS you tell yourself) to a race designed for $500 cars? Why not sell the 928 for what it is really worth and spend the money on an appropriate car?
#29
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
i cant even watch or read about Lemons anymore. I heard about Lemons in 04 in a car mag at the Ford dealership. Finally got a chance to build a car, bought a 944 for 250 bucks from a Rennlister, built it fair, stuck to my budget. Got gigged fifteen laps because we were all PCA members - EVEN WITH **** AND BOOZE!!! Blew the head gasket, spent six hours in the pits putting the motor back together, finally got out on the track and managed 109th place before we got the curse and they seized our motor with "clunker bomb" because someone thought our car sounded like it had a supercharger. Damn balance shaft belts..... we had a blast up till that point, then decided chumpcar all the way F them hillbillys.
I don't even want to know what a clunker bomb is.
#30
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
Umm. I'm really confused. Why would anyone want to take a clean 928 (that is obviously worth more than $500 - no matter what BS you tell yourself) to a race designed for $500 cars? Why not sell the 928 for what it is really worth and spend the money on an appropriate car?
You are basically right however - why don't I enter the car where it would fit in better.
This thread has been very helpful though! I appreciate everyone's responses simply because just reading the rules does not provide this info.