6-17-2007 -- Visit to Hurricane - Part 1

Here are some pictures from my visit to Hurricane Motorsports on June 16, 2007:

Sorry in advance, for the fact that I haven't figured out decent formatting yet on this website, or how to tweak the camera for the best results.

Picture 1 is the Econolodge in Oak Grove where I stayed the night before. Great room. 50 bucks instead of 90 like the first 4 I went to. It was about 4 or 5 exits prior to the turnoff to Lee's Summit, maybe 10 miles, but it was very clean, relatively quiet, and had very straight forward free wireless internet capability. Lots of food, gas options right there, and next to a Wal Mart. Cable had Speed Network. And it was only about 10 miles or so west of a racetrack, with both dirt and asphalt, but I was too tired to go that night. I would definitely stay there again. Savings practically paid for the installation manual that I bought.


Picture 2 is of the building exterior. It is a modest front in a smallish industrial park. The area is very nice, quiet (except when the Cobra is on the run) largely residential area, right off the highway.


Picture 3 is their conference room. I met with Mike Arps, the president of the company, for almost 6 hours! He was terrific and it was a lot of fun, but he was too bashful to get caught in any pictures.

Picture 4 is in their shop. It shows the area where they stage all of the parts coming in for each car. They basically work on one chasis per week doing their fab work, but the parts gathering takes time so they have 5 orders going at a time. The leadtime from order to ship is more like 10 to 12 weeks right now. They can't start immediately as some of the stuff has to be made by other vendors. Fiberglass bodies come from a supplier, as does the rear end, which is dependant on the customer gear choices. Engine/tranny choices determine some of their frame welding too. Each shelf is for a different car. On the extreme right you can see part of their bench area where they do some bench work and keep all kinds of fasteners and stuff.

Picture 5 is the rig they use to create the frames. The Hurricane story is kind of strange and too long to post, frankly. But this was one of the main assets they bought when they acquired the company (via an EBAY auction), and is still being used after their own modifications.