Shock Sabatoge in Columbus

[bret]

It just blows to write a post like this.

At the Columbus Goodguys autocross, someone randomly re-adjusted the shocks on at least 5 of the RideTech equipped cars. By re-adjusted, I don’t mean a couple clicks off from our intended settings, I mean radically misadjusted. Some were set to full soft, some to full stiff. Enough to dramatically change the performance of the cars [and trucks]. My 33 Ford, Rob McGreagors C10, Chris Smith’s C10, Jimi Day’s AMX, and Jason Brady’s C10 were all attacked. For whatever reason, none of the other RideTech customers were affected [that we know of]. This shock sabotage resulted in vehicles that quite unpredictable handling…to the point of being dangerous.
We know this was an intentional and deliberate action. My 33 is all exposed, but on the other vehicle you had to open hoods, open bed covers, or crawl underneath to get to the shock adjustments. We found a sweaty armprint on Smittys C10 fender [he’s real anal about such things].
Why? Obviously someone doesn’t want to see these vehicles go fast.
Who? I have no clue.
I know who it was NOT: our honorable competitors. The racing competition is tough but in addition to racing, we all routinely eat, drink, party and room with the same people who have just beaten us by a tenth. I know many of these people better than my blood relatives.
The business competition is also tough but I have a great relationship with EVERY suspension manufacturer in the country. I have their cell phone numbers, we buy and sell components with them, I’ve shared meals with all of them, even stayed at some of their houses. “Competitor” is not interchangeable with “enemy”. Detroit Speed, No Limit, SpeedTech, Schwartz, Chassisworks, JRI, Roadster Shop, QA1, TCI, Fatmans, BMR, AFCO, Hotchkis, Art Morrison, Penske…they all work as hard as we do to create the best products they can…and have no time nor tolerance for this kind of bull****.

To whomever did this…here is what you accomplished last weekend:
• You tainted the results for the winners.
• You proved how crucial proper shock tuning is and how easy it is to tune the RideTech pieces. Kudos for that one.
• You’ve stolen a bit of joy that we all get from this hobby. Now we all have to guard our cars. Shame on you.
• You’ve put yourself in a precarious position…did you really not see all the Go Pro cameras mounted on these cars? They’ve got a really wide lens…

I do not yet have a clue who did this, but I will find out. These type of people cannot keep their mouths shut for long.
Retribution? Wallowing in their own shame. They’ll need no help from me.

Rumor, innuendo, and uninformed opinion will not help this situation. If you WERE THERE and have DIRECT TANGIBLE information…my direct email is [email protected].

[ironworks]

That's just crazy. It would be awesome to catch someone on video.

I just can't imagine, what some one would be thinking they will gain in doing that. Heck even in that Rob mopped the floor in the sponsor shootout by giving it away with being nearly a second faster but hitting the cone.

I was at home in Sunny and Hott Bakersfield working on my tan in my back yard. So it was not me.

[Streetking]

It just blows to write a post like this.

At the Columbus Goodguys autocross, someone randomly re-adjusted the shocks on at least 5 of the RideTech equipped cars. By re-adjusted, I don’t mean a couple clicks off from our intended settings, I mean radically misadjusted. Some were set to full soft, some to full stiff. Enough to dramatically change the performance of the cars [and trucks]. My 33 Ford, Rob McGreagors C10, Chris Smith’s C10, Jimi Day’s AMX, and Jason Brady’s C10 were all attacked. For whatever reason, none of the other RideTech customers were affected [that we know of]. This shock sabotage resulted in vehicles that quite unpredictable handling…to the point of being dangerous.
We know this was an intentional and deliberate action. My 33 is all exposed, but on the other vehicle you had to open hoods, open bed covers, or crawl underneath to get to the shock adjustments. We found a sweaty armprint on Smittys C10 fender [he’s real anal about such things].
Why? Obviously someone doesn’t want to see these vehicles go fast.
Who? I have no clue.
I know who it was NOT: our honorable competitors. The racing competition is tough but in addition to racing, we all routinely eat, drink, party and room with the same people who have just beaten us by a tenth. I know many of these people better than my blood relatives.
The business competition is also tough but I have a great relationship with EVERY suspension manufacturer in the country. I have their cell phone numbers, we buy and sell components with them, I’ve shared meals with all of them, even stayed at some of their houses. “Competitor” is not interchangeable with “enemy”. Detroit Speed, No Limit, SpeedTech, Schwartz, Chassisworks, JRI, Roadster Shop, QA1, TCI, Fatmans, BMR, AFCO, Hotchkis, Art Morrison, Penske…they all work as hard as we do to create the best products they can…and have no time nor tolerance for this kind of bull****.

To whomever did this…here is what you accomplished last weekend:
• You tainted the results for the winners.
• You proved how crucial proper shock tuning is and how easy it is to tune the RideTech pieces. Kudos for that one.
• You’ve stolen a bit of joy that we all get from this hobby. Now we all have to guard our cars. Shame on you.
• You’ve put yourself in a precarious position…did you really not see all the Go Pro cameras mounted on these cars? They’ve got a really wide lens…

I do not yet have a clue who did this, but I will find out. These type of people cannot keep their mouths shut for long.
Retribution? Wallowing in their own shame. They’ll need no help from me.

Rumor, innuendo, and uninformed opinion will not help this situation. If you WERE THERE and have DIRECT TANGIBLE information…my direct email is [email protected].

Bret, I am very sorry this happened to you guys.. It's a shame some person/people have to stoop to such lows. You guys have great products and a great reputation. Don't worry, they will get theirs.. Eventually, someone will talk.

SW

[Ron Sutton]

That is horrible & unacceptable. Unfortunately I've seen it before from less than honorable people.

.

[Stuart Adams]

I'm sure you have already thought of maybe a security camera on the grounds that may have seen something. That would take some time, inside the grounds people during those hours are suspicious until not. Damn just messing with someone else's car is death, takes alot of balls. Good luck.

[Vince@Meanstreets]

WTF?!?! That's just straight CS. Were there kids running around the pits? Surly someone would have noticed someone sneaking around.

[Ketzer]

WTF?!?! That's just straight CS. We're there kids running around the pits? Surly someone would have noticed someone sneeking around.

That was my first thought, had to be some little brat with just enough knowledge to know where the adjusting knobs were... as Bret said there is no way someone in the industry or a fellow competitor would do this. Those guys are like a big family.

When you guys find the perp out, he would be washing every car in the RideTech parking lot if it was up to me! ...and cutting the grass, and sweeping the warehouse, and getting his fingers ball-peened....



Jeff-

[DBasher]

Hard to imagine anyone doing this kinda thing, sorry to hear it. Besides the fairgrounds were the cars left anywhere else? Shipped to the show together?

You fire anyone lately?:secret:

[GrabberGT]

Im speechless. Hard to believe any self respecting car guy would do such a thing. Even if they thought it was a prank, a car guy would know better. Its just good etiquette. You dont touch someone elses car. I have to believe it was a kid. I dont want to think it can be any other way.

Im grad to hear no physical damage was done to either vehicle or persons as a result though. Im sure it was quite a shock (no punn intended) diving into the first corner and feeling the unexpected. Those "K" barriers get pretty scary.

[Viperlover]

I hope you find out who it was. You don't just go "adjusting" on someone else's car like that.

They deserve a good ole' :smiley_smack:

[EBMC]

Thats freakin crazy! I always think of the car culture as family and having mutual respect for each others cars and equipment. Something like this would not even cross my mind as a possibility of happening.
A disgruntled former Ridetech employee is the only thing that possibly comes to mind.

[Ron in SoCal]

Man I cannot get out a coherent response; I'm just that angry. The list of possible perps could be endless. Hopefully Good Guys will have someone watch the pits during the lunch break from now on...

[Twoblackmarks...]

I thought stuff like this only happened in Movies!!

And I know there is assholes in real life, but not that People actually do stuff like that.. :disgusted:

Since it is on more than just one car, it must be an personal agenda against Ridetech.

I hope the person get catched, like REALLY catched GOOD on camera or something. :D

[out2kayak]

I was there (fantastic show) but cannot believe someone would be such a knucklehead.

Hope you find out who did it.

Perhaps writing a million times on the chalkboard "I will not mess with things that do not belong to me" would be getting off easy. :)

Sorry to hear!

:cheers:

[Flash68]

Wow just wow... unacceptable.

[tones2SS]

Man I cannot get out a coherent response; I'm just that angry.

Same here Ron. To think that someone(s) would even think about touching someone else's car without their permission or knowledge is very, very disrespectful and very stupid.
It's a shame that the owners of these fine vehicles have to stand watch or have someone stand watch over them at all times. I am appalled. I don't even like when someone walks too close to my own vehicles, I cannot imagine touch them!
Good luck finding the "you know what(s)".

[Sieg]

Bret that's really disappointing on many levels. When found, their reasoning will be interesting.....there are so many reasons that someone could fabricate in their head to justify an act like this. 5 cars, not just one, does give some insight. Were they possibly interrupted before accessing more? Knowing how effective the shock tampering would be narrows the field of perps down some.

Shock manipulation for shock manipulation........eye for an eye. :rules:
http://store.sportdog.com/media/catalog/product/cache/7/image/540x/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/S/D/SD-1225_a.jpg

I look forward to you announcing the winner(s). :thumbsup:

[Streetking]

anyone see obama or axlerod milling about in that area of the track...



:lol:

[intocarss]

The people responsible, need to be ^*&%*& . I've seen it done at the drag races too

[bret]

Bret that's really disappointing on many levels. When found, their reasoning will be interesting.....there are so many reasons that someone could fabricate in their head to justify an act like this. 5 cars, not just one, does give some insight. Were they possibly interrupted before accessing more? Knowing how effective the shock tampering would be narrows the field of perps down some.

Shock manipulation for shock manipulation........eye for an eye. :rules:
http://store.sportdog.com/media/catalog/product/cache/7/image/540x/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/S/D/SD-1225_a.jpg

I look forward to you announcing the winner(s). :thumbsup:

The visual is awesome. Thanks for adding some levity to the situation.

[Sieg]

The visual is awesome. Thanks for adding some levity to the situation.

Welcome :thumbsup:

We certainly can't change the world, only how we deal with it.

That said if the collar doesn't give the desired effect, add a no-bark collar to the package. For every action there's an equal and opposite. :D

hwzpBBS4P-c

[Vegas69]

Better than loose lug nuts. :unibrow: They will get what they deserve, that's one of lifes guarantees.

[Cams-DK]

We cannot believe this can happen at a race. We generally don't leave our car as we are always adjusting on it and then it goes to a box at night. This worries us though as both our boys drive. Dave was helping tune on Coomer and Brady's truck and noticed the next day that the truck was all over the place and all the shocks were changed, but by that time the race was over. You've all noticed that Dave's not a gentle person, so I hope all things work out.

[jy211]

I'd post up still shots from the go pro's :computer:

[70supersport]

Find them and use them as cones for next event

[buickfunnycar.com]

Find them and use them as cones for next event...

Best post so far...

[syborg tt]

I can't believe people are that stupid. I will spend some time tonight looking thru the pictures I took at the event.


Is it possible it happened at the host hotel where the cars are parked at night and not at the event.

[Sieg]

Is it possible it happened at the host hotel where the cars are parked at night and not at the event.
Hopefully the host hotel has security cameras on the parking lot and are willing to share footage. I'd check it out quick before they dump the files.

[kennyd]

The worse part of this is the next time someone is talking to bret he will always have in the back of his mind was it him ?

PS. are the knobs on my shocks not normal if they are all different ? maybe that's what's wrong with my car ........

[youthpastor]

Bret...I totally read the whole post waiting for the punch line. I cannot even fathom that this is true- unbelievable - glad nobody was hurt

[Track Junky]

Hopefully the host hotel has security cameras on the parking lot and are willing to share footage. I'd check it out quick before they dump the files.

Sieg nailed it. File a police report and find out if there are security cameras in the parking lot. If the police choose to investigate they could request video

[Sieg]

Sieg nailed it. File a police report and find out if there are security cameras in the parking lot. If the police choose to investigate they could request video

Play the tampering with vehicular safety equipment card or something similar. Their actions could have created a serious incident depending on the course layout. Paint the right picture and it might get the attention of the local police.

Is it time to start adding safety-wire provisions to the shock adjustment knobs?

[Shmoov69]

Wow, amazing! "Car people" especially. It's not like this is the freaking Indy 500 trophy that they would win (for their buddy). Somebody needs ousted so EVERYONE knows how big of a DB they are, like on every message board they frequent and in the GG Gazette, and all the other rags! :warning:
Sorry to hear Brett, you are good peeps!!

[glassman]

My guess would be, not an Ride Tech disgruntled employee, but one who WORKS at a competitors shop not knowing how things really operate up top, the comorodory and the like. I've accidently hired scumbags in the past.

And yes, most likely in the parking lot at night, nothing good happens after midnite.

Just glad nobody "lost" it and got hurt, the scum doing this type of sh*& probably doesnt' realize that these things are missles.

What about "white-out"?, just a quick sweep along the setting to see if its been tampered with, easy to clean for the next event...

Mike

[GrabberGT]

Here's another theory... Have you ever come across one of those "buttons" or "knobs" you just cant help but push or twist. I know I have (not on anyones car though) Perhaps its just people wanting to see what it feels like. Sounds like a good excuse to set up a mini shock booth in the auto-x area for people to play with. I've played with the shocks in the Ridetech booth and found twisting the knobs surprisingly satisfying. :secret:

[89 RS]

I can't believe this happened! It seems like there is always some clown in the mix that has to jack things up. One of things I enjoy most about the autocross events and such is the accessibility of the cars so I can check out the vehicles with my son, as well as talk to the owners. As mentioned, when stuff like this happens somebody will start running their mouth and the truth will get out.