At some point last Thursday night a group of thieves planned and executed a coordinated attack on a used car dealer in Salem, NH. Their take? A Mercedes Benz, a Land Rover and a 2003 Porsche 911 Cabriolet. At this point, there’s nothing really strange about the crime. Thieves steal cars all the time. What they don’t usually do is rub it in the face of local police.
Around 2:00 a.m. the stolen Porsche 911 was spotted in the parking lot of the police department in the bordering town of Methuen, MA. What was it doing there? Donuts! That’s right, donuts. Apparently the thief thought it would be funny to take his joy ride right under the nose of the local law. He was right, it was funny. So funny he decided to do it again. Just 2 hours later the same Porsche came back and started doing donuts in the police parking lot once again. This time a cruiser was ready and gave chase only to lose the Porsche as it raced into the nearby town of Lawrence.
It wasn’t long after the cruiser lost site of the Porsche that police received a call about an accident involving a 911. By the time authorities arrived at the scene the driver was no where to be found and the Porsche was trashed.
As of today, the police are still investigating and the Land Rover and Benz have yet to be recovered.
Almost every sport has its own group of “SuperFans” and the ALMS is no different. In fact, if you’ve attended the 12 Hours of Sebring any time in the last 20 years then there’s a good chance you’ve seen some beer drinking cows walking around on their hind legs. No, it’s not the hot humid air and yes, you might have had too much to drink, but that doesn’t change the fact that there are walking, talking, beer drinking bovines strolling around the track hoping you will “moo for a brew”. This year, the race isn’t the only one celebrating an anniversary at Sebring. ALMS SuperFans, The Sebring Cows (Team Bovine to you and me), are turning 20. We reached out to the cows on Twitter to ask a few questions and here’s what they had to say.
PorschePurist.com’s Valerie Roedenbeck gets caught in a Sebring Stampede
PP:What is the history of the cows?
Cows: [In] 1992, Original Cow and a few of his fraternity brothers later to be known as, Old Cow (should not need ask why), Stunt Dick Cow (do you really need to ask?) and Stingy Cow (yep, squeezes boogers out of Lincoln’s nose), were at yet another Sebring and this year he brought along his Halloween costume because he would, “never wear that again.”
As Original Cow and Co. were walking around Green Park, several good looking young ladies wanted a picture with the “cow guy”. Being the enterprising men that they were, one of them thought that a beer should be offered in return for the photo. Thus, moo for a brew was born.
As they continued around, attentions were drawn, photos were taken and beers were consumed. The very next year the herd was born. To the herd was added those mentioned above and Big Cow (my father). Slowly, over time, a core group of the cows [came to] exist. Big Balls Cow (its his beads), Holy Cow (beer be with you!), Zoo Cow (from the nearly world famous Animal Section of Dick Howzer Stadium at Florida State University where baseball is played), Builder Cow (he builds stuff for a big corporation), Wrestler Cow (was a wrestler, not professional), Dr. Cow (he’s our vet), and Dalmatian Cow (his suit is handmade and looks more like a dalmatian). This year, rejoining the herd after a brief absence will be Wisconsin Cow (from duh!) and Bionic Cow (one leg!). If ever we have a first year cow, he is given the moniker of Virgin Calf. Big Balls Cow was the first Virgin Calf. There have been others who have come and gone and their names shall remain nameless (because we cannot remember them).
PP: When did you start?
Cows:Me personally, Holy Cow, I started going to Sebring in 1984 at the ripe age of 6. I was raised just south in Lake Placid, FL. I was to remain a non-cow until 1999 when I was of age to join the herd. The cow with the most experience at Sebring is Old Cow, who began attending in 1959 [but not as a cow]. The majority of the herd were fraternity brothers and started attending in the late 60′s early 70′s. Most were present when the race did not run in 74! My generation of cow started in the mid-80′s, we had to wait to be cows till the late 90′s for obvious legal, ethical and moral reasons. Three other of my generation began attending in the late 90′s as they were not raised in the area.
PP: What inspired the cow suits?
Cows:See above. The original cow suit has been donated to the Sebring International Raceway Museum.
PP: How many cows are there?
Cows:Since 1992, there has never been no cow at Sebring. After 1992, at least one and as many as 18 (we decided that was too many). This year a Baker’s dozen are expected with a Virgin Calf.
PP: Do you do this for yourselves or is it charity related? If charity related, who do you raise money for and how do you do it?
Cows:We do this because people will give us a beer or two. We wear the cow suit at Sebring because we are the cows. Happily, we need no further reason. We do this for fun’s sake. So that we can have fun, spread fun, and enjoy fun. We wish to be respectable (somewhat), fun, honest and safe. The suit is easy to wear, but hard to live up to. Other philosophical drivel, blah, blah, blah.
PP: Are there any misconceptions about the cows you would like to clear up?
Cows:Happily, we do not work for nor are endorsed by Chick-fil-A, Dell computers, the Wisconsin, California or any state’s dairy boards. We are just cows, not pawns in the grand scheme of some corporations marketing plans.
PP: What would you want people to know about the cows?
Cows:The commercials are lying. The happiest cows come from Green Park!
PP: What’s the strangest things you’ve ever been part of at Sebring?
Cows:Often, young ladies will feel enticed to show us their udders. Well this urge to share udders is not just restricted to the younger ladies. Some of the seasoned citizens of the Sebring Nation got together to give the cows a good showing of udders. There were about 6 of them… ladies I mean, not udders. Anyway the short of it was one of the most spectacular showing of udders that many of us have ever witnessed. That, and I was almost thrown on a bonfire for BBQ…
PP: Do the cows attend any other races besides Sebring?
Cows:The cows did make an appearance at Petite LeMans in October of 2010. Only 5 or 6 were present. They report that it’s a totally different event. We have plans on attending the 24 Hours at Le Mans, however we are unable to secure sponsors at this time. Anyone???
PP: Do you hang out with the Drunk Monks of Sebring or is there a rivalry between you two?
Cows:There are some of us who do hang with the Drunk Monks. In fact, as far as I know, I am the only ordained Cow Monk. Therefore, Holy Cow. They are a more diverse group of folks (allowing women into the order) and we like them a lot. The Cows have no beef with them. In fact we share a motto. Be respectful, have fun, be honest and be safe. [Editors Note: We too have been ordained into the "order" and have the towel to prove it!].
PP: Has anyone ever tried to “tip” a Sebring Cow?
Cows:UMM… see the video below. The cow in question is fine, he was a cow the following year and has yet to rejoin the herd. His name is forgotten to time.
Twas the night before Christmas, where all through the shop Not an engine was leaking, not even a drop. The tires were filled to their max PSI, In hopes that dreaded flat spots won’t appear where they lie.
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all our friends and supporters! Have a wonderful, safe and enjoyable time with your family and friends. See you in the New Year!
You film them of course. Many of you may have seen this last year when it was first posted. However, it seemed appropriate to use as our Thanksgiving video. Happy Thanksgiving to all our readers and supporters. We produce this site for you and appreciated your comments, sharing, feedback and encouragement. Have a happy and enjoyable Thanksgiving holiday!
It just might land you in jail. At least that’s what happens to a guy in Naples, Florida. According to an article in the Naples Daily News, A Porsche owner (we’ll keep his name out of the article so as not to add to his already considerable embarrassment) gets upset after a deal he strikes with two women isn’t honored.
Allegedly, the man hands over cash to pay for the women’s limo with the understanding they will come back to his house afterward. When the ladies drive off in the Hummer with his cash (and not to his house) things take a turn for the worse.
While there’s no information about a Porsche chasing a pink elephant Hummer limo through Naples, we can only assume that’s what happens. We pick up the story when the Porsche driver cuts off the Hummer in an attempt to reclaim his money. Unfortunately, to the ever lasting embarrassment of the Porsche driver, a local deputy intervenes after witnessing a “standoff” between the Porsche and the Hummer.
The Collier County Sheriff’s report goes on to recount the incident as the deputy watches the women in the limo give the Porsche owner a “handful of cash”. He then gets back in his Porsche and drives away. Surprise, surprise, just a few short blocks away the same deputy catches up with the Porsche and arrests the driver for suspicion of driving under the influence.
Watch what happens when Jeroen Bleekemolen takes his GTC class Porsche on an off-track excursion during qualifying for last weekend’s ALMS Baltimore Grand Prix. Talk about keeping cool and staying on top of things.
What’s even more amazing is that even after all this, he goes on to secure pole position and then win the race in his division! If the video above doesn’t show in your email simply click on Jeroen Bleekemolen loses tire and still wins race.
It’s time yet again for another Photo Caption Contest and this time it is sponsored by Porsche Design Driver’s Selection. If your caption is picked as the winner you’ll receive a Porsche Martini Racing Gift set that includes a: Martini Racing Beach Towel, Martini Racing Beach Chair, Martini Racing Volleyball and a Martini Racing Ice Cube Tray. Combined, these items are valued at over $225 and make a great addition to your trunk space for the beach, backyard or track.
PorchePurist Photo Caption Contest Rules
Look at the picture above and then using the comment form at the end of this post let us know your idea for a caption (if you’re viewing this post via email simply click on the email title or the comment link at the bottom to visit the site and post your entry. Entries sent via email will be added to the site.)
Submit your comment sometime between now and the 11:59 pm EST on August 18, 2011.
Please limit your comments to three (3) per person (just to keep things fair).
We (that’s John and I) will pick our favorite from among the entries and notify the winner via email and by adding a comment below. We’ll give you 48 hours to respond. If we don’t hear from you in that time we’ll pick the next favorite comment.
Offer is only good for residents of the US. Everyone can play, but if you’re shipping address is not in the USA we can’t send you the prize.
Win a Porsche Martini Racing Gift Set from Porsche Design Driver’s Selection
Porsche Design Driver’s Selection last sponsored our Mother’s Day contest and a lucky reader won a $450 PDDS Handbag for their mom. This time, if you’re caption is chosen as our winner, you’ll receive a collection of gifts from the Martini Racing collection geared toward the beach.
We have the ice-cube tray, beach chair (that’s me in the picture above) and towel ourselves, so we know how great these items are.
This contest ends on August 18, 2011. If we pick you as the winner, we’ll notify you via email and/or by commenting below to arrange shipping (so be sure you give us a good email address and be sure to subscribe to comments).
Additional Ways to Win
We have lots more good stuff to give away, (e.g. Flying Lizard team gear, Gift Certificates for Service Work, RC Cars, Die-Cast Models, Books, etc., etc.). What we need are great pictures to use for future contests. If you have a funny or interesting Porsche related picture you think is a good fit for our caption contest send it along to us at captioncontest@porschepurist.com. If we use your photo we’ll send you a PorschePurist shirt just to say thanks.
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