Need your help with Thunder in Muncie!

[DHRA]

Well, I am in the planning stages with Thunder in Muncie. I feel the onlly way to get better is with my TDR brethren's help. Here are some changes already:

Sled Company/Track Preparation

Food Vendors

30K miles and less class in the show-n-shine

The pulls will have the following classes- PROSTOCK 7000 lbs and 8000lbs class, OPEN 8000 lbs only (these are subject to sled officials approval). There will be a rookie pull for and the rules will be any truck, driver must be assisted by an experienced puller. This will be a Rookie of the Year trophy.



I need everyone that attended last year to think of what else could be better and tell me, remember this event is for you all, the diesel owners. Your opinion means alot to me. Our goal this year is the same, those who attend, have the time of their life. Thanks in advance for the replies and I hope to see everyone there June 8-9th!

 

[Oasis-3]

Rookie Class

Eric Very good idea maybe my wife could drive in this class

Thanks

Cliff

 

[Partyat33]

Eric, the event was quite a huge success last year due largely in part to your efforts (and some others as well).



There were only three things that were not as good as they could be but even at that they were minor.



1. The Dyno company seemed confused and the numbers were questionable. I really don't think my truck gives 979 lb-ft of torque on a stock clutch.



2. The grass needed cut badly--can you ask the weatherman to keep it from raining the week before ?



3. The truck pull took too long to get underway.



My whole family had a great time and I want to thank you again for the hospitality. I could not help much last year as my wife was 8 months pregnant. I look forward to this years event.



I can assist in organizing, just send me a PM or email.



PS I really like the rookie pull class, maybe this year I will give it a try.







Dennis

 

[JBrookshire]

Let me know

Need eney help with some thing let me know I will try to help you out, And I will spread the word over hear at home. ***Justin

 

[DHRA]

dyno

Dennis, I forgot about the dyno company. I spoke with them, they have a flat platform now, no slanted vehicles. They also have three programs to run for our trucks: one is inertia (last years program), load (same as Sheid's) and 1/4 mile find where your peaks are on the track! There are some requirements that we are asking of the park, and the grass was ridiculous! And this year I'll take one week of rain rather than three in a row!!!!!

 

[CrewCabDiesel]

How about something for the 1st gen trucks ? After all its where it all started.

Kyle

 

[Hammer]

Eric,,If there is anything I can do to help let me know,,Missed out last year and I've already got my vacation week for that week,,If you need me drop me a note... . Andy

 

[Sled Puller]

One problem with the pull was teching the trucks after they weighed, wich caused a trafffic jam. Minor problem, easy to fix.



Eric has the classes simplified this year, and found out last year how to get the order of pullers. I don't forsee that kind of delay again.



I do forsee a 100 hook pull though!



There is a paint warhouse here, I wish you guys were closer, we could slap a coat of paint around the place.

It is not a bad place, just needs a little TLC.

Gene

 

[Doc Tinker]

Here are a few suggestions, from someone who wasn't there last year.





How about some on-site demonstrations / services, such as windshield repair, window tinting, pinstriping, air brushing, dent repair, etc.



Are you looking into getting the Hooters involved again this year?



How about doing a Divorce Derby. I think this event has been a part of many TDR events of the past.



Is there a tent rental company nearby? Maybe you can talk with them about distributing their phone number to the vendors, so they can get a group discount on tent rentals. Maybe if you can give the rental company exclusive rights, they will offer a discount.



If the place needs painting, cleaning up or mowing, maybe you can work out something special with the owners and we could get together a week before the event and do a work session to get things ready.



I have more ideas, but I can't think of them right now.



Doc

 

[DHRA]

vendors

I also forgot to mention that the vendors will be competing for top honors in their setups. Everyone will receive a ballot for the show-n-shine and one for the vendors, can you all help with the categories?

Doc, we pay those clowns for the grounds, they can paint the buildings, fix the toilets, and mow the grass, or give up having the baddest diesel rally in the country in their park! They were not very easy to work with last year and made a ton of cash from us, this year, they can do a few things to spruce it up.

Hooter's pooped out on us last year, but for 2002 they are expecting to be available. The do not like to plan things more than two months ahead.

 

[danandamy]

Will there be any drag racing?

 

[DHRA]

drag racing?

Of Course, On June 9th we will have the drag race. It went so smooth last year that the only changes will be to invite the vendors to set up at the drag strip and more racers. I will also have a guaranteed purse this year.

 

[BigYellowIron]

What are the dates?



I seen this asked about may madness, Is their any place that we can take the women that they can have something to enjoy as much as we do the diesel events.



Just curious.



Adam

 

[BigUgly]

Eric,

I just got one bit of advice on how you could make Thunder in Muncie a lil bit better for me. Could you move Muncie about 3-400 miles South-SouthEast? No? Oh well! Other than that it was great! We'll try to get a few more SETDR Rednecks up there this time.

Josiah

 

[DHRA]

Adam, June 8th and 9th are the dates. Muncie has a visitors bureau. http://muncievisitorsbureau.org/

Not only that, but Indianapolis is just 50 miles Southwest of Muncie, plenty to do down there.

Josiah, we have PLENTY of room for more rednecks!

 

[CrewCabDiesel]

Eric,

You seemed to have overlooked my question, so I will ask again. Will there be any thing for the 1st generation trucks as well as conversion Nuts ? The last thing I want to go to, is an event that is geared for new truck owners. There is a very serious lack of aftermarket parts and accessories for the 1st generation trucks and I don't what to go somewhere and all I see is stuff for the 2nd gens. A lot of guys who have a 2nd generation truck, it is thier first Dodge. I and a lot of others here have been driving Mopar long before it became cool. I would love to own a second gen truck but there are two problems, 1st Dodge is yet to build a TRUE Crew Cab Diesel and 2nd, it is moronic to have a truck payment that is more than your house payment. So how about it anything for the 1st gen trucks ?



Sorry to vent but I have taken sh*t for 20 years for driving a Chrysler product.



Kyle

 

[DHRA]

dilemma?

I'm sorry that you feel I overlooked your question, I have to admit I wasn't sure how to cover your very broad question without sounding insensitive to your needs.

I need your help; first off, I don't have any control over the products folks offer, and I understand your frustration. But I do have control on what takes place at this event.

That's why I titled this "I need your help". What would you like to see? Do you have anyone specific you would like to see there? I really do want your opinion, but I need suggestions.

If you want VE help, Dave's Diesel does that work, if you want big injectors, exhaust pieces, intercoolers, turbos, gauges, they have all of that.

 

[CrewCabDiesel]

ok, more to the point,

Drive train componets are easy to find, I am after things like aftermarket bumpers, ground FX, nerf bars, body parts, interior upgrades, you know, accessiores that are a dime a dozen for the 2nd gens. I am sure there are other 1st gen. owners in TDR land that would like to update the wonderful OEM seats that our truck came with .



As for venders, ASK them if they can bring some 1st gen stuff, who knows maybe one of them has a whole warehouse full of stuff. And IF they ask if the 1st gen people spend money, you bet we do !!! In my truck alone I have wrapped about $14,000 in upgrades.



I would really like to go this year, but as I said again, I am not going to a 2 gen show with a 1st gen truck.

 

[maint.man]

Eric , If there is something I can do just give me a yell. Also , how's that rig of yours start in freezing weather with only one battery ? I know when we talked at Scheids you were one short due to the "twins" Just curious.

 

[DHRA]

cold start

It cranks just fine, for it's fourth winter! I have never had a battery survive this long, of course when I go to start it in a minute, it will be dead.

The lower compression and lack of grid heater keeps the truck plugged in when the temps are under 40F. But, she's a keeper, I break her alot racing, but she puts up with my hobby and continues to do her job.