shortest Challenge drive ever before fail!

Grab a center punch or chisel, use it to walk the shear bolts for the ignition barrel around untill they're loose enough to undo with your fingers. Remove the ignition switch from the back of the barrel, grab an appropriate sized screwdriver, start and drive. Had to do this a few weeks ago when my key snapped off in the barrel and I couldn't get a locksmith out.

Unless it's got a transponder in the key? Then you're in trouble.

Edit: you can probably cut a piece of coke can or cut up a worm drive clamp to cover the slot in the steering column that the steering lock slots into, which would allow you put the barrel back on so you don't look like some shifty thief. Grab a key, any key, and cut the shank off it and just put the head in the ignition so it doesn't look like you're driving with no keys

It's not too late to change your username to NOKEY!

I feel your pain.  I'm so bad with keys I've lost spares of spares. If I could eliminate them from my life I would be a lot happier.

If lack of an ignition key stops you, this isn't your type of event.

I only have one key for my rental Uber.  I'm awful paranoid nowadays even though Pop-a-lock probably still exists for those times when I step outside the car or am cleaning it.  Should just get into the habit of always taking it out.  

For all my other vehicles I always have the back up key in my back pocket.  Actually all the back up keys are on one chain with all of the house keys also backed up.  Had an expensive three cab night almost two decades ago when I used a house key to open a box and left them on the bench.

That chastened me greatly.

I hope it shows up.  It's Florida it's gotta be warm enough to sleep in the car.  Right?  

Bumpstart that sumbitch and get some padlocks at Lowe's for the doors :P

key found.  found when unpacking, was at the bottom of the drink/snack cooler and I can actually envision how it ended up there.

And evildky might be right.  

Pete

It's this easy to get those shear bolts out. You can be on the road in under an hour, dont give up mate, it's not called "the challenge" for nothing

Edit: glad you found the keys. 

Good news. Glad you found it, I know that feeling well

NOHOME said:

key found.  found when unpacking, was at the bottom of the drink/snack cooler and I can actually envision how it ended up there.

 

 

And evildky might be right.  

 

Pete

 

Awesome! When do you leave?

You can crash in the room with us, or someone else has room for you too I'm sure.

It would be good to see the car used as intended. You're a few hours behind and the hotel situation just got a bit wonky, but there are about 200 really cool car guys and girls that would like to see you and the car. 

Indy-Guy said:

NOHOME said:

key found.  found when unpacking, was at the bottom of the drink/snack cooler and I can actually envision how it ended up there.

 

 

And evildky might be right.  

 

Pete

 

Awesome! When do you leave?

You can crash in the room with us, or someone else has room for you too I'm sure.

This.

If you hit the road tomorrow morning, you can probably still get there before me.

mazdeuce - Seth said:

It would be good to see the car used as intended. You're a few hours behind and the hotel situation just got a bit wonky, but there are about 200 really cool car guys and girls that would like to see you and the car. 

Exactly . You got this man!

there is a spare bed in my room

you can do it

John Welsh said:

I suspect  now that you have stopped looking for the key you will find it almost immediately.

WINNER !!!!!!

I'm hoping this was just some reverse psychology used to find the keys.

Plenty of time to make it to the challenge.

If it helps, you can stay at my place in Summerville sc on the way down or back.

Pete, you can still make it.  Sleep well tonight and hit the road at 6AM.  

In the morning, I am swapping an alternator that just E36 M3 the bed. I am not quitting until this berkeleying car won't drive another inch.

C'mon Pete, you got this!

gumby said:

In the morning, I am swapping an alternator that just E36 M3 the bed. I am not quitting until this berkeleying car won't drive another inch.

C'mon Pete, you got this!

Yes. Pete, get to Indianapolis by around 2:00pm and you can convoy down the rest of the way with Gumby and I. Layover for the night in Atlanta at Maschinenbau's

Indy is a small detour, but I say hell yeah!

You've got this. 

Get the band back together, pete

NOHOME said:

key found.  found when unpacking, was at the bottom of the drink/snack cooler and I can actually envision how it ended up there.

 

 

And evildky might be right.  

 

Pete

 

Awesome.

But what part of evildky is right?  That the event is not for you????  Totally disagree.  I don't see how missing the key, and not being able to get around that in time enough to bail is a reason to not participate.  That would beyond freak me out, too- especially when starting a drive on a questionable car that could strand you anywhere between Windsor CA and Florida.  Let alone the conditions being projected to be bad in Florida.

If you can go, go.  If it's too late, do it next year.  And make copies of the keys.

One observation I've made that keeps repeating is how people rush to finish the cars, just to mak the event, and then stop and move on after the event.  If you don't go, use the year to really develop the car.  Even if you are not trying to win, you are better off making sure that the car is as good as it can be- just to have the best time possible.  

When I started reading this thread my honest thought was this was a joke and he'd just turn up in Florida laughing at those who thought they would be a no show.  Looks like I was wrong.  Happy travels to all teams.  

Gotta go!  Look, if there was ever a Blues Brothers "we're on a mission from god" moment, this is it.

You know, I have been accused of being both shiny and happy at times, but I never understood the point of kicking a man when he is down.   I totally get the panic that this may have caused, and telling someone that after all of the preparations of the trip, not to mention the build, that they aren't right for this event is an incredibly tone deaf move.


I was trying to figure out a way to get up to Canada and trailer the car down to the Challenge for him and then we could figure out the rest in the parking lot.   And I wasn't even planning on going to the Challenge this year...