[YerDugliness]

Originally Posted by elmariachi

Sorry, but I am calling BS on this comment because it could affect someone's decision to objectively evaluate Hurricane. The term "Dark Side" was coined by a few folks during the 2008-2009 "White-era" when Hurricane Part Deux went into receivership as a result of SEC fraud having nothing to do with the product. People were pissed at the Whites as new owners for not helping them with their builds, so there was some b*&^%g and moaning on the forum, as would be expected (BUT NOT NOT ABOUT THE PRODUCT). The new owners of Hurricane Motorsports have chosen to keep the owner's side of the forum closed but it not for the reason you mention.
Jim

Call BS if you want, Jim.

Then check out my membership data on the manufacturer's website, not the one Paul P started. You'll see that I have been a member of that forum for much longer than back when the "White" fiasco happened, and it WAS called "The Dark Side" back then, too. Get your fracts straight before you get all huffed up.

As for the perception that Hurricane is hiding something, I simply stated how it looks TO ME. I am a firm believer in doing one's due diligence before purchasing a big-ticket item, and the fact that Hurricane wants to hide the content of the "Dark Side" smacks of exactly what I stated, like it or not. I made a special trip to Lee's Summit to see the product, liked very much what I saw. I even took the time to call and talk to Dean Lampe personally, long before he built the new one (he was just starting his RCR40 build at the time, and he had nothing but positive comments for the Hurricane product).

Like I said, I've always championed the Hurricane product...with a big BUT for the company's "secretive" choice to keep the build thread info on the "Dark Side" available only to owners. It kept me from being able to perform my "due diligence" research, in the end kept me from buying a Hurricane kit b/c I couldn't get the info I needed to be prepared for the problems that occur in the build (and problems do occur in every build, it's the nature of the beast).

If it cost Hurricane my business, it might well do so even more easily for someone who did not do as I did....take the time to participate on the forum and familiarize myself with the product. Other than one board, I'm prohibited from participating on the forum Paul P. started b/c I don't own a Hurricane. Paul is quite specific that his forum is for OWNERS (or, in a few cases and with the limited access I mentioned, for "potential owners") ONLY. The manufacturer's forum does have a lot of information on it, but IMHO hiding the "Dark Side" causes suspicion in most folks. Why hide things that might help people make the decision to buy their product? Right....it is quite easy to believe that the only reason to hide info might well be to keep people from finding out why not to buy their product. I was quite specific with Mike (had very little direct communication with Rich) about the perception with which the practice left me (I did suggest that Rich and Mike offer "read only" access to the "Dark Side" for those who feel as strongly as I do, but they sold the business before the issue could be resolved).

Like it or not, that's the way I see it, and I doubt I'm alone.

It may surprise you to hear that I still hope to be a Hurricane owner someday, but since I want a 289 model, I'm waiting to see if the new owners are going to offer one. Yet, the 289 mule I saw in Lee's Summit used their standard 427 model chassis, so before I put ANY money down, I'd still need at least read-only access to the "Dark Side" to make my decision. It's my $$....just as whether or not to grant access is their choice.

YOMV, as is obvious...I'm not saying you're not entitled to it, just that mine is not BS, as you called.

Dugly