No offense to the poster with "Bad Day," but I think I can beat that as to what happened to me at Bristol Motor Speedway this past weekend.

On Friday, my '04 MCS was parked in a legal parking spot, with my permit in the window. Seems that they had some parking issues on Friday night due to the Busch race and Cup qualifying, so they parked some other folks in illegally.

So the guy behind me needs to get out and he's illegally parked in. My car, however, has space in front of it. The brainchildren at BMS (not the idiot kids parking staff, but the execs) decided it'd be a great idea to get about 10 to 15 of those dumb kids to "pick up" my MCS and drag it out of the parking spot.

Of course, I had not planned on this happening, so the parking brake was set and the car was in gear. They dragged the car a good 10 feet or so, or bounced it, or whatever they did that didn't involve a tow truck (or a phone call to ask me to move my car).

So...I've got a misaligned hood, a bunch of lower trim wheelwell pieces that are separating themselves from the car, marks and fingerprints everywhere, a good sized dent behind the driver side door, and lord knows how much transmission, brake and tire damage. As I work in the NASCAR industry for the primary sponsor, the BMS folks were, shall we say, a little apologetic. Of course the fact that I'm also an attorney probably didn't help matters much.

Luckily enough, the car made it back from Bristol to Charlotte this morning. Will make it to Hendrick MINI for an undisclosed amount of time being gone through thoroughly (on their dime, but what about my time and energy?). At least I hope.

So that's the end of this rant. Unfortunately it's all true. Appreciate your ears, but only you MINIacs would truly understand what this means - it's not just another car!

- Autopasse
'04 MCS
Chili Red/Black Roof/Black Stripes

 

Wow, that is bad. Especially the aggravation.

 

EGADS!

The execs decided this was a good idea?

Decision making under the influence?

I hope you're able to stick them with the bill and then some!

 

Dan

That's bad!

Having spent 5 years on a NASCAR team I can see that happening. I was lucky that we were normally in a team van or a rental car (never buy a rental car that a racing team has rented) when parking at a track. I saw a lot of problems that involved parking. Bristol has no infield parking which makes the outside even worse.

Between Hendrick MINI and Import Paint and Body you should be back to normal soon.

I bet knowing that you work for Nextel and happen to be an Attorney did make them a little nervous.

Bruton Smith does own at least 3 MINI stores so maybe they could trade you into an '06 for your trouble.

Good luck
George

 

should have asked BMS staff who you should sign your title over to since they just bought themselves an addition to their maintenance fleet and go get yourself that nice new '06

 

I agree with eechan about this......................
Get a nice new 06

 

I guess it's been a real bad week for some MINI owners. Let's hope next week goes better for all, but with the storm getting ready to hit the New Orleans area I'm sure we'll hear more.

 

Sounds like those idiots have seen too many Mentos commercials. I can't believe anyone would have the nerve to even attempt a stunt like that... especially when you have a parking pass.

 

Finally was able to get the car over to Hendrick today. I keep finding body damage...so this should be interesting.

Thanks to everyone for your support and outrage!

- Autopasse
damaged '04 MCS

 

Was there any beer involved with this decision?


As with most stupid adult tricks, I bet this one began with, "Here hold my beer!" and was closely followed with "Watch this **** Bubba."

Wishing you a speedy recovery

 

I can't believe it!! What did they think your car was? A beetle? I hope they have a fat wallet to pay for the damage!! Or be willing to trade yours for an '06!! It figures, Tennessee, too.. Like smokey said, "Here, hold my beer." Bunch of idiots!! My condolences and hopes that your MINI is well again soon..:smile:

 

My word, what idiots. They certainly should cover the cost of a car for you to use in the meantime and compensate you for the time and depreciation to your car (the repairs will effect its value). I agree with the others, considering the origin of the damage and that it was intentionally inflicted (vs an accident) it would make sense for them to give you the option to exchange the car for an unmolested one - perhaps they pay you top retail dollar for yours based on its previous condition and mileage and give you the new one at cost for the pain they have put you through. They can just have their liability insurance repair the car and resell it.

This is strangely similar to a situation from another forum where an co-worker decided to move a guy's M Coupe with a fork lift just for fun That was a big bill and no big company to deal with...

 

Dan

Any good news on your MINI.

 

Good evening my fellow MINIACs. OK...you asked for updates.

I've been without the car for two weeks (on the nose) today. I'm driving around in a pimpin' Grand Marquis. But that's another story. In a perfect world I will be back in my MINI in a week or so.

Loren at Import Auto Body has been working on the car. Current total for paint, bodywork and all applicable trim pieces/stripes/etc. comes to just under $2K. All told, with inspection costs, a four-wheel alignment (which I have to schedule) and the rental car, this debacle will end up costing the Speedway between $3,500 or $4K.

But therein lies the problem. I do appreciate getting my car back in hopefully good condition and just like it was before I brought it to the Speedway, but just repairing it to me is not enough. What about my time and nerves? How about paying insurance and payments on a car that I probably will not have for 3-4 weeks? Who knows what I can ask for or what they will give me. Right now they won't do anything until the car is back in my possession.

Of course, thanks again for all of your support. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated!

- Autopasse
broken '04 MCS

 

you're the lawyer!! pain & suffering and all that rot! j/k

give a conservative amount of your time since the very beginning at the track through the time it will take to get it back...double it (or triple if you are feeling mighty punitive)...times your billing rate...

say 20 hours x 2 = 40 hours times $200 an additional $8,000 or $12,000 for triple...sell the car and take all the proceeds and max out a new '06

they sure wouldn't do it again!

 

For the two weeks of stress and nerves, I'd demand two weeks pampering, at the Bellagio perhaps or the Canyon Ranch:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/8758118/

Or perhaps a two-week cruise would work those kinks out of wherever they are?

Don't forget that they would have to provide for your SO's comfort in like fashion, or your life could become a living thereby negating the effects of the remedy....

 

If you can get extra $$ out of them have the shop do some extra wet sanding and buffing to get a better-than-stock finish :smile:

 

Yes my friends, the car is finally back to me. Got it Tuesday after six weeks of shop time. After an aborted pickup on Sept. 27 where the car was not right, Loren and the Import Paint folks did quite a job on the car. It's stunning.

Thanks for all of your support during this time. Bristol Motor Speedway has gotten the initial bills from Hendrick and Import, but I'm not finished yet. Updates soon and thanks again!

- Autopasse
'04 MCS, repaired and returned

 

It is a sad truth but something like this could happen to any one of us. I have a friend that came out of a movie theater and someone bent the windshield wipers and stole the emblems off of his Corvette.
I also one time cought a teen age kid keying cars at the Mall. I almost got in trouble for detaining him with force until I could get someone to get the security people.