This past weekend we used the 2009 Dodge Ram 1500 to tow a Miata racecar up to Buttonwillow for the 24 Hours of Lemons Buttonwillow Histrionics. I'll leave it to JayKav to go over how the towing went. I just wanted to express my appreciation for the truck's rear tinted windows and ample room in the second row.
Ya see, our team's theme was Molly Maid, meaning we had to dress up like French maids complete with feather dusters. And thanks to the roomy second row and tinted windows, I was able to use the truck as a dressing room. And this was even though the second row was filled with racing helmets, driving suits and groceries. This saved me from having to walk the length of the paddock in costume since our teammate's parents' air-conditioned motorhome was located clear on the other side of the paddock. Thank you, Dodge Ram!!!
The truck also served as a handy locker that protected our valuables. Apparently there were some thefts during the race. So every time we all left our pit to go watch the race, we threw everything we didn't want to be stolen into the rear seat where the tinted windows protected them from prying eyes. Made us feel secure and able to focus on more important things...like racing!
BTW, this morning when I was gassing up the truck, this lil ol' man waddled up to me after having just finished washing his windows and asked me if I was from Detroit. He rapped his knuckles on the truck, referring to its Michigan plates. "I'm not but the truck is," I replied. "I'm from Detroit and I used to work at Dodge Corporation," he beamed proudly. "Wow!" was all I could think to say since that was the response he seemed to want. We both smiled at each other and then parted ways. "Dodge Corporation"?
Caroline Pardilla, Deputy Managing Editor @ 5,844 miles
lvranger says:
10:54 AM, 08/18/09
One of the more disturbing pics i've seen on edmunds.
So how did your lemon do?
caroscuro says:
11:06 AM, 08/18/09
LOL!
We came in 5th place out of about 100 cars.
jaguar36 says:
11:10 AM, 08/18/09
Clearly this post requires more pictures.
caroscuro says:
11:15 AM, 08/18/09
There's a picture of our team in costume on Jalopnik...somewhere. :)
redliner says:
11:19 AM, 08/18/09
Yes, Disturbing! But equaly funny. Who or what inspired you to do that theme??
lug1115 says:
11:26 AM, 08/18/09
I am pretty sure this is it:
http://jalopnik.com/5337984//gallery/?selectedImage=1
I believe its time for a roll call!
zoomzoomn says:
11:38 AM, 08/18/09
Um, drinking and racing don't really mix (meth, yes, but drinking no!) and I hope that drinking was involved to get you guys to wear those getups!
crowb says:
11:47 AM, 08/18/09
That chick in the backless dress with the black sneakers on is pretty smokin'...wait...ohmygod...I'm going to be sick.
throwback says:
11:50 AM, 08/18/09
Ok we want names attached to the pictures!
adantium says:
11:54 AM, 08/18/09
Cumon guys who can come up with a tag line for the Jalopnik photo?
old_volvo says:
12:06 PM, 08/18/09
re: Adantium
THis should totally be a new "Caption this pic"
My contributions:
The Edmunds race crew really cleans up at Buttonwillow
Buttonwillow, where the cars are cheap, the racing is hot and the french maids are sometimes men.
fuhteng says:
12:06 PM, 08/18/09
To top it all off, the girls that work for IL are good looking too. I think the IL crew has the best job in the world.
ahightower says:
12:38 PM, 08/18/09
It is California...
lvranger says:
12:43 PM, 08/18/09
Very nice! Is there going to be a write up on the race?
ergsum says:
01:56 PM, 08/18/09
How about "EAT MY feather DUSTer!"
Mad_Science says:
02:05 PM, 08/18/09
I thought I recognized that Dodge...
Greetings from your neighbors: the 74th place Team Unknown Fluids BMW 633 CSI!
After having your team shuffle back and forth all weekend, my neck is super sore.
"Hey look at tha-OMGBARF-lookaway!"
bkochuk says:
02:29 PM, 08/18/09
OMG! I think I just threw up in my mouth.
subytrojan says:
06:35 PM, 08/18/09
Hi Mad_Science,
Did you see my team's (Team Pyrite) Eagle Talon wrapped in gold burrito foil? We only lasted seven laps and finished 93rd. :( Are you going to Thunderhill?
Loren
lvranger says:
07:03 PM, 08/18/09
Finally home so I can view the picture on jalopnik. Wow, that is brutal. As my eyes scan from left to right I have an immediate gag reflex which turns to arousal in the middle then right back to bile in my throat with an arousal finish. I don't know if my fragile psyche can handle this emotional roller coaster.
I've got to say this is the best car site on the web. The fact that you participate in events like Lemons and don't take yourself too seriously means i'll keep coming back.
hybris says:
07:23 PM, 08/18/09
All I can say is DEAR GOD MAN HAVE YOU LOST YOUR SENSE?! On another note good job grabbing 5 out of 100 place maybe after the Project Evo is finished you guys can use that instead.
fuhteng says:
08:23 PM, 08/18/09
Hey subytrojan (or Loren), please enlighten someone from the Bible-belt - is gold burrito foil the newest thing in bling, or was that just your teams fashion statement at the race?
m_thrizzle says:
08:57 AM, 08/19/09
How did you decide on the Molly Maid theme? Was this just an excuse to dress in drag?
dougtheeng says:
09:55 AM, 08/19/09
Hope I don't get banned for this....
http://www.flickr.com/photos/caroscuro/sets/72157621941653605/
Mad_Science says:
12:05 PM, 08/19/09
@SubyTrojan Yep. I remember you guys.
Remember you coming in on the hook quite a few times, actually. Not like our post-wreck 74th place finish was particularly impressive, though.
We're already working on the them for Thunderhill...
good_2_go says:
08:09 AM, 08/20/09
Thanks Doug! I think.