Exploratory: Boston area challenge team formation?

I am very interested in returning again to the challenge this year, but some pretty harsh health issues have made it clear that I am just not going to be able to do it alone this time...

So, is anyone else in the Boston area interested in forming a team to split up the workload? I am not looking to win any awards, be ultra competitive or reinvent the wheel; I just do not want to miss out on an incredible event. I have a few ideas and am very open-minded to the myriad possibilities that may be.

What I have:

Time - flexible schedule with enough extra to get things done

Money - really, the rules limit this specifically so it can't be too expensive

Space - garage and extra room for parts and wrenching

Intelligence - I can research well and learn anything new quickly

Experience - went twice long ago and I still remember most of last year...

Camera & Web Space - I can take a decent picture and build a modest site

Desire - I am not a quitter; I enjoy being helpful and honor my commitments

What I do not have:

Energy / coordination - I tire very easily and need to take breaks too frequently

Personality - I play well with others but no one would call me the life of a party

Tools - I have just the basic hand tools, and I do mean basic

Expertise - kind of a shade tree, self taught type

A Car - I'm saving my 1g DSM for other stuff; so not an option

Tow Vehicle - never towed a racing car to the track, only towed 'em home

Ebay / Craigslist skills - I just never seem to find the great deals like others do

Driving skills - I am out of practice and have a really crappy nervous system

A Plan - Really, this is the easy / fun part; right?

It seems the the people I already know in the area are busy with other things this year, so I am reaching out to every friend I just haven't met yet. I would happily join an existing team (as long as I can make a meaningful contribution), but there is plenty of time to start from scratch too.

If anyone else out there is in a similar situation, then we should talk about the possibilities...

Where are you located? I am on the south shore,and am willing to join you in a quest for challenge domination. I am not the life of the party either,and my skills are lacking when it come to fab,but I am not a quiter,and I know how to spin a wrench pretty well.

In reply to Mazdax605:

I am living in west newton, essentially at the intersection of 90 & 95

I think I should host a brainstorming BBQ sometime soon for anyone interested in joining up or even just bench racing...

How about the 85 Dodge Omni GLH in the $2011 classifieds right now? It is a former challenge car at a great price,and the project is already started for us. I have a line on a 86 or 87 Dodge Caravan 5 speed for litlle money or maybe even free. We could combine the two,and have one hell of a minivan.

In reply to Mazdax605:

I like the way you think

I actually know the seller (problemaddict) well from when I was a turbo dodge guy myself down in philly and have always wanted to do a minivan.

I'm leaving for the hospital now but will only be 1 or two days so hopefully I can monitor this thread and fire off some emails too...

Unfortunately I won’t be able to make it to the challenge this year since I’m in a wedding that weekend. Not sure how much free time I’ll have this summer but I’d like to help out if possible. I can weld, paint, and my MacGyver skills are top notch. I’m also familiar with MegaSquirt and have access to a few decent junkyards.

In reply to PseudoSport:

First, Have fun at the wedding... but have more fun at the bachelor party first

Second, Thanks for the offer to pitch in where you can, I can certainly see paint help and possibly megasquirt in the future... and I'll probably need to borrow your engine hoist again some day...

I will be sure to keep you in the loop on any developments

Good luck guys. If you can squeeze them on, I have a set of 13" Kumho slicks I'll sell real cheap for your effort.

I'm in CT and would deliver.

PseudoSport wrote: Unfortunately I won’t be able to make it to the challenge this year since I’m in a wedding that weekend. Not sure how much free time I’ll have this summer but I’d like to help out if possible. I can weld, paint, and my MacGyver skills are top notch. I’m also familiar with MegaSquirt and have access to a few decent junkyards.

Yeah, sorry about that.

We will be back in action for $2012 though, and possibly with a Turbo Dodge, if it doesn't crumble into the Earth by then.

Still looking...

Possible. I was part of the SPOC NE team in 2004. I just moved to Berlin, MA, so I'm nearby. I have no idea if I can actually go to the Challenge, but I enjoyed the previous project, and it would be fun to help with another at least a little bit. Due to my living situation I'm down to one car, and it's over budget (but at least it's a Miata )

I would be interested in helping. I have tools. I am elbow's deep in a ms project and the moment. I have been involved with racing for more than 20 years. I don't know about the trek to FLA (family and work always seem t get in the way) but building the car is where I get the most satisfaction anyway.

I really appreciate all of the offers of help with getting a car ready for the challenge and I will not hesitate to call on you all if and when the need arises.

Currently I am very much looking for someone who can commit to going through with the whole deal from start to finish. I can manage most things by myself but need help with the more involved bits and am trying to economize by splitting all the associated costs with others.

I am still actively shopping for a car and trying to make plans with one forum regular, but at this point I might just fly down to spectate...

Hay Have you ever considered "team manager" as a calling. Between all the people that have responded I bet we could build a car in a weekend!!!!

Anyway my offer stands. Need an extra set of hands let me know.

No time or space to help now but if you guys do it and use 13 inch tires I've got 4 NIB treaded Hoosier TD's 23.5 roll outs i think..... I also have sorces for worn 235/60/13 American racer tires that are DOT stamped.

I can bring them as far east as Lexington.

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I'd love to help but I'm probably a bit too far north to be useful (southern Maine). Living in this area is kind of a bummer for stuff like this, it seems like all of the car guys I know are either an hour north of me or an hour south, so I end up wrenching alone.

At the moment my most pressing need is for a tow rig to move a car 50 miles from central MA to the Boston suburbs asap... anyone for hire at challenge friendly prices?

Dam.. My enclosed hauler's got a snaped axle. But might have be able to grab my old open trailer from the kid i sold it to if the kabotas not on it... PM me with where it's going to go.

I have a truck and U hall trailers are cheep. I may be able to borough a trailer but this would have to wait till the weekend

If you rent a trailer I can tow it with my truck but my only free time is Saturday morning.

In reply to dean1484:

First, Happy Birthday!

Thanks for the offer, I have a lot of coals in the fire at the moment and hopefully something will catch... I will be sure to be in touch if there is anything you can help with

In reply to PseudoSport:

Thanks for the offer. This might have to happen somehow if I cannot work out another deal before then. I probably already owe you one or two favors, but I make good on my debts so we could just add this to the tab...

tb wrote: In reply to dean1484: First, Happy Birthday!

Thanks!!!!!! Going home early to burn something on the grill and have a couple cold ones!!!

I don't have much money right now but I'm pretty handy with a wrench and I have a LOT of motorsports connections.

Located in Lowell.

I wouldn't mind getting my hands dirty. I'd have to look into the schedule for the challenge and my schedule later this year, though. Also if I can fit this into the schedule I have a sortof tow vehicle. I'm in dorchester (moving to quincy soon)