292 Fas3tech
 

Just though I would say hi to everyone in the Formula community. My brother and I landed a job working for Formula boats and GM touring the nation this summer going to various poker run events. Hope to see some of you out there. Her are some picks of the combo that we will be driving.

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c2...5/DSC03557.jpg
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c2...c5/SEMAnew.jpg
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c2...ormulaTour.jpg

You guys were at the SEMA show. Right? I wish formula made all graphic packages available for all the Fastech models. Nice combo though. Who did the work?

a company named IAG-CORP out of scottsdale AZ did all the work. yeah we were at SEMA and will be next year as well. Actually all graphics will be available in the 2008 Models, i think it will be around a 15,000 option, but dont quote me on that. I will get a definate answer shortly for ya.

So how'd you and your brother land this job with Formula and GM? Two well respected companies in two seperate but similar industries. Must be nice to go around show to show. What do you and your brother do when it's not show season though? I used to be into show cars and stuff. Built a few, won some prizes, came to grips with the fact that I never got back what I put in, i.e the time and money. So I cut my losses and moved on. Did you have any input on the design of the boat/truck? What's next on the agenda?

cool job post some pics

Actually I saw this combo in a magazine a few months back and decided I might be best off selling my Grand Cherokee and GMC 2500 4x4 to buy an Avalanche...an SUV with a short truck bed. Then I only have 1 vehicle to maintain, insure, etc.

Here's the rub: THE AVALANCHE IS ONLY RATED TO TOW 8200 LBS!! Chevy's website says 8,200 net towing, 14,000 gross combined...the 292 weighs over 7000 Lbs., figure at least another ton for the trailer, then add gear, beer, fuel, a few passengers and you're exceeding the rated tow capacity by at least 20%.

Not sure what the real-world effect would be, but I'd always rather be on the safe side of that equation, especially if anything bad ever happened. I would imagine some lawyer would say I have legal liability for any accident that occurs in which my towing beyond rated capacity might have been a factor.

I do see that the trailer on this rig looks to be painted aluminum, so it's possible that this particular combo is just at the rated capacity. Just a little miffed (if you couldn't tell) that the Avalanche isn't a practical solution for me after seeing the magazine article and looking into it.

I thought they offered a 3/4 ton Avalanche a few years back? Or were going to... If they don't they should.

Sorry Rob, looks like they're using an Avalanche 2500...10k tow rating.
Saw the package at SEMA and I think the graphics article in Hotboat? Didn't realize those pics were taken at Pioneer Park in Deerfield, right around the corner from me. What's the upcoming schedule like?

If such a truck exists I apologize, but neither my local Chevy dealer nor the Chevy website shows an Avalanche 2500. I even went to the tech guy at the Chevy dealer who said nope, the Av is based on the 1/2 ton pick-up and is only available with the 5.3 or 6.0 (small block) engine.

Here is the trailering guide on the Chevy website:

http://www.chevrolet.com/trailering/

No apologies necessary, looks like the Avy 2500 is discontinued for '07. Probably stopped production to comply with CAFE crap. Also doesn't help they stopped putting the 8.1L in trucks. You'd have to look for a used one if you really want it.
The Suburban/Yukon XL/Avalanche are all built on the same basic platform; 1500s get one setup (rear coils), the 2500s get the traditional leaf springs, larger frame rails, other misc HD parts.
FWIW, I own an '01 Yukon XL 2500 with the 8.1L, a buddy of mine has an '03 Avy 2500 (all Avy 2500s got the 8.1L).