Wow, great news to hear the cars were recovered, and they got the bad guys. I really need to keep my 87 GN under lock and key.
There's been a lot of discussion lately about what to do to increase attendence at the nats. Well, here's a golden opportunity. Bring that guy next year and set him up in a local carnival style dunk tank. Fill it with laquer thinner and scratch him up a bit first :Brow:
What does that parking lot picture show? There's only cars driving by in it. o No: One thing that has always amazed me. We can look into someone's front window with a sattellite image, but a security camera is as effective as mammaries on a bull. Quality is terrible.
Some way cheaper to make money for the event. Chain him to a pole and sell rocks to throw for $1.00 a piece. :grin: That is how they would do it over seas.
Forget overseas, that's something they used to do here back in the day. Another goody is to place a large slab on the person and then have the townsfolk climb onto the slab until everyone in attendence is on board. Then after the last person gets on the slab they all cheer and climb off and go home. It's best to have a drain and a hose nearby if you use this method.
For those that were concerned that this may have been an inside the Buick community person and/or someone at the track... In post 695 on the yellowbullet thread, Billy states that they were not at the track. He can't say too much more right now. By the sounds of what the scumbags were doing by re-vinning the car, and looking to do the same to the truck, it was probably a larger scale operation outside of the Buick community... Again, that is my opinion. If they were in the Buick community, I think they would have known how small it is and that the car would eventually be realized for what and whose it was. It was a scary thought that someone could actually do this inside our community. I really believe it to be a very far fetched thought, but it is possible. I will be anxious to learn more as the investigation allows. It is a complete shame that Billys truck was damaged so badly also. The vandalism to it was surely done as they had found out the car was recovered and the truck could not be kept. Maybe that McDonalds will have video and the perps can be identified to add to the arrest department. Although Billy has his car back, it will be a long and painful road to be even close to feeling comfort with his vehicle combination again. I am curious of what will happen with the VIN tag being removed by the thugs. Will the car be considered totaled? Can it be officially re-vinned again? I am thinking the car will have no value as a specialty vehicle again unless the original vin tag is located and re-installed officially. What a bummer. Best of luck with your journeys Billy. You know you have a great support group for whatever will help you get back in the saddle. Mike
When that happens, the car gets a state issued VIN. It does severely impact the value of the car. If Billy has collectors insurance, he should/ought to be compensated for the diminished value. It sucks, but thats what you have insurance for. Hopefully the worst is behind him at this point. With the technology in real time GPS these days, there shouldnt be anyone who doesnt have a locator in their vehicle at this point. With one cell phone call, the exact location of a vehicle can be had instantaneously on a Google map.
I'm really glad the owner got his car, trailer, and truck back and now maybe the persons who bad mouthed Bowling Green, Ky as being a bad town for car theifs can back off as it looks like the people who stole these items were not from around here. I like this town, there are alot of good people here, and we like cars here. Just my two cents worth.
You are RIGHT ON about bad mouthing Bowling Green. I have had nothing but the best treatment every time I have been there. The hospitality of the city is wonderful and I hope to continue visiting every year for many to come. Honestly, we recognized a lady working at the McDonalds on Scottsville RD next to the Red Roof. She was there last year also and is such a pleasure and so talkative to every customer. She is really worth visiting the restaruant every morning from the positive vibes she emits from her personality. There are probably several people that know who I am talking about. Mike
For everyone that has not seen the other forums (I hope this is OK to copy and paste). Billy wrote on yellowbullet.com... UPDATE I have all my vehicles back. I want to give a big thanks to all you guys that helped out. I can not go into details because the investigation is still ongoing. Here's the damage: GN: The original vin in my car was ripped out and a bogus one glued in it's place. The ignition key cylinder was also swapped. I broke the crank mandrel in the final round racing. I have a low oil pressure cut off switch which shuts the motor down. I don't know if the POS theiving bastards figured out how to start the car. I'm going to pull the motor out to go through it; to be on the safe side. All the stickers on the windows were scraped off, even the World Trade Center 911 sticker. But the stupid theifs left the car number on it. My fire suit was taken, all my time slips, XFI wiring notes. They left my Simpson helmet and the neck collar. My NHRA competition license was in the car. Truck: The truck was left at a McDonalds in Detroit. Not going to go into detail but whoever dropped it off, smeared brake fluid all over it as a "**** you". The only body panel that wasn't touched was the roof, even got the grille and headlights. Everything was removed from the interior of the truck that wasn't bolted down. My laptop, camera, jumper cables, clothes, YB stickers, etc, etc gone. Looks like the truck is going to be a total loss, I'll know more later in the week. The ignition cylinder was also changed. Seemed like POS were going to remove the windshield to gain access to the VIN. The interior and exterior windshield trim was removed. All the spare parts are gone. On a good note, 85% of my tools were recovered. Pic is me picking my car up from my friend's shop. Billy T.
We have been going to the GS Nats for 22 years and always have been treated great by the people in BG. I think cars are stolen everywhere in any town, that's not BG's fault. Where Bowling Green has a black eye is the police did nothing for a week to assign a detective to investigate these thefts! I emailed the tourism bureau about that when the cars were first reported stolen and they said they met with the police to make them realize how important car events are to Bowling Green and the BGPD's attitude was going to hurt them in the long run because this incident was on scores of car related web message boards with fellow car enthusiasts on the lookout for the cars while the BGPD pretty much ignored the thefts.
I'm glad he got his ride back! I certainly hope that after the investigation is over, the names of all the DB's responsible get posted all over the Internet so everybody knows exactly who they are! :af:
I have been checking this thread periodically and am glad to see the truck, trailer and GN recovered. Hopefully, the Police investigation - state Police at that - will yield some good evidence for prosecution. If insurance is involved for the theft of the truck or the GN (comprehensive coverage), I would recommend (demand) an engine & transmission (if auto) oil analysis to prove if there are any unusual levels of metals or other contaminants in the oil which could reasonably be attributed to this theft. Most Insurers have these resources, but, CTC (Cleveland Technical Center Labs) is an excellent fluid analysis company (NASA uses them). Remember, though, there likely will be many personal items not recovered and the general unknowns with the truck (especially) and the GN. I did want to mention that there are many (more than ever before) anti-theft devices and equipment which can be used in our hobby. I know that there are several high-endtracking and recovery systems like LoJack, etc., and, these generally work very well. But, there are many other options as well - even ones which cost a few dollars. I know that the facts of this loss were somewhat unique in that the Theives were likely attracted to the "entire rig" concept - as in, steal the power unit ... the trailer ... and all the contents (GN) in one event, but most of us will usually be dealing with the risk of our car being stolen separately. That said, I know that on newer cars or older cars with electric fuel pumps, a simple on/off switch that is hidden can totally interrupt fuel delivery preventing driveablity. Similarly, there are ways to remotely interrupt the ignition without installing a full alarm system. Theives generally know where to cut the wire to neutralize the OnStar system (in seconds) and factory alarms and even transponder ignition systems can be defeated rather easily if you know what and how to do this (parts from a salvage yard). I just wanted to add .02 cents because we all value our cars so much. My Dad gave me my Stage 1 and I just couldn't imagine having it taken from me. I hope this story turns out as best as it can.
We all want to know how Billy's stuff was recovered........it's been a couple weeks......what's the secrets here. The good guy's come out on top.....was it a stroke of luck......help from these boards(that sighting post)........resources that the GP don't have........Divine intervention......or the reward$$........o No: Did they find any of the other vehicles........ Glad you got your car and truck back Billy :TU: Peace WildBill
Reward money on Yellowbullet.com is what really got the guy. See all the talk on that sight. Very powerful sight! Many eyes & ears out there.
Your not kidding John, that thread is 50 pages deep!!!! In a little over a months time. Powerful :beers2:
