The first dirt RallyCross of the season went well in Pueblo, CO, but I never expected the day to end like it did.
I'm driving the rally car by myself following my co-driver in the service truck heading back to Colorado Springs after the RallyCross. I hadn't driven the car since Sept, after the COG Rally in Steamboat. Co-driver in the service truck and myself in the rally car passed a state patrol going under the speed limit just a mile or so outside of Pueblo. As we passed the state patrol pulled out from where he was sitting in the median right away and proceeded to pursue me.
Less then 30 seconds later after he pulled me over he came to the side of the car and told me my plates were expired. I hadn't driven the car in months so I just completely forgot and assumed everything was cool, however, the tags expired in October. The officer asked for my insurance, reg, and license. Although before heading to his car he whipped off the windshield and questioned me about my VIN number missing from the dash, who removed it and why.
My rally car is a 91 Honda Civic and because of the upper bar in the roll cage the top part of the dash, containing the VIN, was removed so I could fit the lower part of the dash in there. For anyone who has a car or has prepped a rally car they know this is common, if the dash isn't modified or partially removed its completely removed.. and the VIN goes with it.
To make this long story short I was arrested soon after for removing the VIN from the car and I'm facing a felony charge of 42-5-102 (2) : Stolen motor vehicle parts. Any person who, except as needed for legitimate repairs, intentionally removes, alters, or obliterates a motor vehicle identification number, manufacturer's number, or engine number or who knowingly possesses a motor vehicle or motor vehicle part containing a removed, altered, or obliterated vehicle identification number, manufacturer's number, or engine number commits a class 5 felony.
This is really just a whole lot to do about nothing the cop simply has something to prove. The changes done to rally cars fall within the 'legitimate repairs' and the fact is there are hundreds of rally cars out there like mine. More so I am unaware of anyone else dealing with an issue like this.
If you own a rally car, or work for a shop that has prepped one or more cars I'm asking for your help. I'm trying to gather as many statements from persons in the national rally community to help support my case and the fact I am in no wrong. If you have a few minutes please write and fax a letter stating that this is a standard practice when prepping a rally car, if the safety equipment prevents the dash from being fully or partially reinstalled it is modified to fit or completely left out of the vehicle. You do not need to make any statements saying you removed anything yourself, simply that this is a common thing that is done when a rally car is prepped. Please include your name, years in the rallying, how many cars you have prepped (if you work for a shop that has), your team name, and place it on company or team letterhead.
Thanks for your support!
Fax Number: (253) 295-8619
Brian
#419 '91 Honda Civic Si
www.bigredracing.net
I'm driving the rally car by myself following my co-driver in the service truck heading back to Colorado Springs after the RallyCross. I hadn't driven the car since Sept, after the COG Rally in Steamboat. Co-driver in the service truck and myself in the rally car passed a state patrol going under the speed limit just a mile or so outside of Pueblo. As we passed the state patrol pulled out from where he was sitting in the median right away and proceeded to pursue me.
Less then 30 seconds later after he pulled me over he came to the side of the car and told me my plates were expired. I hadn't driven the car in months so I just completely forgot and assumed everything was cool, however, the tags expired in October. The officer asked for my insurance, reg, and license. Although before heading to his car he whipped off the windshield and questioned me about my VIN number missing from the dash, who removed it and why.
My rally car is a 91 Honda Civic and because of the upper bar in the roll cage the top part of the dash, containing the VIN, was removed so I could fit the lower part of the dash in there. For anyone who has a car or has prepped a rally car they know this is common, if the dash isn't modified or partially removed its completely removed.. and the VIN goes with it.
To make this long story short I was arrested soon after for removing the VIN from the car and I'm facing a felony charge of 42-5-102 (2) : Stolen motor vehicle parts. Any person who, except as needed for legitimate repairs, intentionally removes, alters, or obliterates a motor vehicle identification number, manufacturer's number, or engine number or who knowingly possesses a motor vehicle or motor vehicle part containing a removed, altered, or obliterated vehicle identification number, manufacturer's number, or engine number commits a class 5 felony.
This is really just a whole lot to do about nothing the cop simply has something to prove. The changes done to rally cars fall within the 'legitimate repairs' and the fact is there are hundreds of rally cars out there like mine. More so I am unaware of anyone else dealing with an issue like this.
If you own a rally car, or work for a shop that has prepped one or more cars I'm asking for your help. I'm trying to gather as many statements from persons in the national rally community to help support my case and the fact I am in no wrong. If you have a few minutes please write and fax a letter stating that this is a standard practice when prepping a rally car, if the safety equipment prevents the dash from being fully or partially reinstalled it is modified to fit or completely left out of the vehicle. You do not need to make any statements saying you removed anything yourself, simply that this is a common thing that is done when a rally car is prepped. Please include your name, years in the rallying, how many cars you have prepped (if you work for a shop that has), your team name, and place it on company or team letterhead.
Thanks for your support!
Fax Number: (253) 295-8619
Brian
#419 '91 Honda Civic Si
www.bigredracing.net