Russo Steele auction closed due to weather......

[Roadster Shop]

We got there about 10 minutes after everyone was evacuated from the auction. There was some serious damage to a lot of cars. We had several cars in the auction. My brother and myself jumped the fence to make sure everything was alright. A main tent pole fell next to our 70 Chevelle. The pole crushed the car next to it and the car directly across the aisle. One of the cars had the roof line flattened even with the door handles. The tents were flapping up and down on over 100 cars just making an aweful crashing sound each time it would come down and hit the cars.

Our 70 Chevelle and the 70 Challenger (that we just finished) both appeared unharmed, but we were "escorted" out by the cops in a rather unfriendly manner before we could see anything else.

We had 3 more cars in the South tent that I am doubting faired so well since the tent was laying on all of the cars.

[Tom.A]

What a bummer. Hope for the best for everybody.

[cmraman]

Originally Posted by Steve1968LS2

I was set to go tomorrow to cover some Camaros.. glad I cancelled.

Shame about the damaged cars and injuries. I would guess that RS has insurance for that.

I got your back Steve.

[clill]

Barrett was fine. The lifts in the pics were in the end tents. The main tent is rated for 100 mph winds. They closed the end tents and had everyone stay in the main tent. The big difference between Barrett and Russo is Barret has permanent tents on pavement anchored to concrete footings. Russo's tents are temporary and anchored with stakes into the desert. I feel for everybody at Russo...

[cmraman]

Originally Posted by RS-Perf

We got there about 10 minutes after everyone was evacuated from the auction. There was some serious damage to a lot of cars. We had several cars in the auction. My brother and myself jumped the fence to make sure everything was alright. A main tent pole fell next to our 70 Chevelle. The pole crushed the car next to it and the car directly across the aisle. One of the cars had the roof line flattened even with the door handles. The tents were flapping up and down on over 100 cars just making an aweful crashing sound each time it would come down and hit the cars.

Our 70 Chevelle and the 70 Challenger (that we just finished) both appeared unharmed, but we were "escorted" out by the cops in a rather unfriendly manner before we could see anything else.

We had 3 more cars in the South tent that I am doubting faired so well since the tent was laying on all of the cars.

I'm glad you guys are ok. I hope the cars fair well as well. I was at Barrett Jackson when I heard the news. The main tent was full and they evacuated the two end tents. They used big fork lifts to catch the tents if they fail.

[Steve1968LS2]

Originally Posted by cmraman

I got your back Steve.

Thanks!

[chr2002ca]

Originally Posted by clill

Barrett was fine. The lifts in the pics were in the end tents. The main tent is rated for 100 mph winds. They closed the end tents and had everyone stay in the main tent. The big difference between Barrett and Russo is Barret has permanent tents on pavement anchored to concrete footings. Russo's tents are temporary and anchored with stakes into the desert. I feel for everybody at Russo...

You have to kind of wonder about Russo's decision to go ahead with the auction knowing how severe the weather was going to be(and was) versus the capabilities of their tents. That's a fairly dangerous situation to put people in.

[chr2002ca]

A video report from early this morning:

http://www.azfamily.com/weather/Tent...-82320467.html

Actual video of one of the tents collapsing:

http://blog.hemmings.com/index.php/2...ents-collapse/

[Steve1968LS2]

Originally Posted by chr2002ca

A video report from early this morning:

http://www.azfamily.com/weather/Tent...-82320467.html

Actual video of one of the tents collapsing:

http://blog.hemmings.com/index.php/2...ents-collapse/

That sucks so bad.. so who's insurance pays? RS's or the car's owner?

what a mess...

[buickfunnycar.com]

Originally Posted by Steve1968LS2

what a mess...

X2...Oh man.