Posts by SD_hopeful2016

  • The Rest of the Slingshot Story - To set the record straight

    The Rest of the Slingshot Story - To set the record straight by Dennis Konkler


    There are a few of us on this site who remember Paul Harvey and his radio spots called “The Rest of the Story”. Not sure if he was alive today if this would be a story he would tell but here is my version of the Rest of the Slingshot story:


    Growing up in the 50’s and 60’s, it was easy for a young boy to become fascinated with anything on wheels. My mother’s family had a history of motorcycle racers and my father’s side had auto racers. So I was introduced to those venues at an early age. Along with watching the events and I heard the stories of the clandestine “factory support” that a few of the participants received. Not always was that part of official factory statements, but there was always a few employees who saw that certain people in racing got what they needed to make a certain manufacturer perform a little better than the others.


    So I went through the usual array of 2 and 4 wheeled modes of transportation growing up. Did some legal racing in karts and British sports cars, and some illegal two wheel and muscle car racing on the streets. Then family came along and transportation became more mundane. My racing days were limited to some officiating and dealing in some old parts. Finally reach the point where kids were grown and I was single again. Began thinking about how to spend the looming retirement years. Knew it had to be something related to either cars or bikes. Searching my options I realized I was too old, fat and out of shape to catch a bike when I fell so four wheels would have to be the way to go. But hearing about Can Am Spyders and then the Slingshot made me rethink my priorities. Three wheels would be something new.


    In 2014 I started following the Slingshot news and stories. When they first started appearing on the streets my interest grew. After waiting months, and being concerning if I could lift my arthritic knee enough to get in, I took a test drive. Was a little slow getting in and out, but smiled for at least a month after I drove one. Friends thought maybe I had meet a new woman and got lucky. Sort of embarrassed to tell them a Polaris Slingshot put that smile on my face.


    While I was contemplating a purchase, I became a nuisance at the dealership. And the more they realized I was really interested and not just a looker, the more we “bonded’. The family who owned the dealership in Hinton, Iowa had decades in open wheel racing. We swapped stories, did some bench racing, and then they started sharing some “insider” secrets about the Slingshot.


    Since the factory in Iowa was not too far away from where I live in Southeast South Dakota, they suggested I try to contact a guy named Max at the factory and have him give me a tour. They told me to let him know that they were the ones who suggested I contact him. They also said that if he trusted me that maybe he would take me to his personal shop there.


    After several weeks and numerous phone calls, I was finally able to reach Max. From his initial hello I could tell he was a gruff old man. As cordially as I could I ask permission to visit the plant and gave him the name of the dealer I was working with. I could almost hear the gears grinding inside of his head as he thought for a few moments, then gave me a date and time followed by a parental voice that informed me if I was late I would not get the opportunity again.


    The date in October, 2015 came and I arrived 21 minutes early, just to make sure I was at the right place and at the right time. Max appeared promptly at the very second of our appointment and had that look of a man who would have been much happier doing something else. We made our way through the factory with him explaining in detail each function of each area, what the people were doing and the machines used in that area. I feebly attempted to make small talk between walking and listening and could tell he did not have much interest in what I was saying until I mention how I use to travel to Watkins Glen every October for the F1 races and how my son was named after a famous driver who I had the opportunity to meet and dine with on one of my trips. At that point he asked me about my racing background, and became a different person.


    As my tour was ending, and too scared to ask, I became anxious wondering if he trusted me and would invite me to his shop area.You can imagine my contained enthusiasm when he suggested I follow him and he would show me something very few knew about or even got to see. I followed him outside and we headed to a different building.The standard “NO ADMITTANCE” was printed on the door. He quickly removed something from his pocket and ran through the security pad. Once the green light came on, we entered through the door to one of the cleanest and brightest race shops I have ever seen. Max explained to me that this was off limits to most of the employees and only his hand selected personnel where allowed in. I could see them working on a few frames, engines, transmissions, etc. throughout the area.


    At this point Max began to explain about how his teams selected a few machines each year from the line and did their research and magic to make them perform above and beyond the others. Surprisingly they always used base models as their starting point. Like the factory “skunk” works of other manufacturers, Max ran the same type of operation here for Polaris. They had hoped their efforts would be appreciated and a special line of Slingshots could be produced with a moniker like the GTO, GTX, 442, Yenko, GT350, Hurst or some other acronym so that the public would know that these were special ones. His group had brain stormed about what to call their version and even made a few trim pieces with that special designation.


    Once they performed their magic, the vehicles were supposed to be destroyed. But he admitted to me that his love for the Slingshot made it hard to do. So he had worked out a scheme to sneak them back to the line and ship them out to customers.He said when I got ready to order mine, to make sure my dealer contact him directly and he would see that I got one of the special ones. You can imagine my excitement and anticipation.


    On my way home I stopped at the dealer, placed my order for a base Titanium Metallic Gray one and told them what Max had said. They agreed that I would really love the one I got. So my wait began. Late in November I got the call that my Slingshot had been produced and was being shipped. The first week in December she arrived. Driving to the dealer was a nervous trip filled with many different thoughts and emotions.


    Once all the paperwork was completed, I was taken to another building where my Slingshot was stored. They had it covered and as they removed the cover I could sense there was something different about this one.Of course the excitement was like a Christmas morning for a child as I couldn’t decide whether to laugh or cry tears of joy. Trying to take it all in was a blur and as I stood there with that look of amazement on my face the dealer handed me an envelope with my name written on it. “This is from Max.” they said.


    Slowly I opened the envelope, pulled the letter inside out, unfolded it and began to read the hand written words.


    “Dennis,


    This is one of the special ones that we built and I know that you will appreciate and enjoy it. Since the introduction of the Slingshot the question has always been asked which one is the fastest.Beginning with the 2016.5 models all will be the same, none faster than the other. But on the earlier models there was a difference, and I shall let you in on that secret.Notice on yours we added those special trim pieces we discussed since this is the last one to leave our shop. When someone points to them and asked what they mean, be sure they understand the meaning of FGO.


    Max”


    Quickly I glanced at the one standing before me, and yes there they were, the letters that made this one special. On the rear fairing below SLINGSHOT I saw those trim pieces and the special shifter that had been added. These were the items that designated this Slingshot to be one of the special ones.


    Once I got home I tried to call Max but the number was answered by an operator who told me that Max had retired, his department was shut down and they did not have a current number for him. Not sure why, but I had to smile.


    Now with every ride, just sitting in the Slingshot, or even at night before I fall asleep, I smile knowing the truth that I do have one of the Faster Gray Ones.


    So for all my brothers and sisters that have base Titanium Metallic Gray Slingshots, please know that we are the special ones. That is the rest of my story, and I am sticking to it.