Frequently Asked Questions

Each show opportunity is different.

At every show, our students will be our focus with their current project being the centerpiece.  Our first project (1938 Ford) restored from an all original steel body – using the current patina as the finish.
Unlike many other car shows displays – our projects will always be interactive.  Visitors can climb in and around our displays.  They can get a close up look at how we wired things up.  They can ask questions and offer suggestions/ideas.

Depending on the donation level – sponsors will have their graphics added to the project body, have a show board dedicated to their business and have a banner raised in their honor.  We also offer product placement. For example: Car Audio provided by “ACME XYZ”, or suspension donated by “HungLow Suspensunz”.  Other donors will share honorable mentions on shared show boards and table top displays.  We will also mention as many sponsors as we can on flyers, posters and annual reports.

We are fiercely loyal.  We plan to present to over 2 million spectators each year and travel over 7500 miles each year.

For a list of venues/shows - please visit our Venue page.

Articles

The build articles will be written by the Scouts (with editing and feedback from their specific merit badge counselors).

Press Releases

We are developing a few press releases to be released in July, then again in late August (each will be written to complement each other).  We are waiting to finalize these press releases until we solidfy sponsors.  This way, we can incorporate the sponsors names into the articles as they are released.

Media

We have invited the StarTribune (newspaper), KSTP (regional TV), WCCO (regional TV), KMSP (regional TV), QCTV (local TV), CTN (local TV) and KS95 (radio).

Our magazine list includes: Hot Rod, Rat Rod, CurrentEVents, Boys Life, Scouting and  Popular Hot Rodding.

We have invited the 'Rat Rod Nation' to the event on Saturday for small show.

Social Media: Our Facebook page will be remodeled to better support or website.  We will post updates and and encourage all 450+ Scouts to do the same.  PlugNPlay will also post specific/targeted messages to our Sponsor's Facebook page(s) (prearranged with each sponsor) in order to direct attention to their unique level of sponsorship.

During the event, we will also encourage use of Twitter and YouTube.  Essentially, we plan on exploding virally almost overnight.

We are identifying more media outlets every week.

PlugNPlay and Founder/President John Hodnefield will own the vehicle and will manage the day to day operations and appearances. 

After the first initial build - the truck will be made available to classrooms specifically for renewable energy discussions - but teachers can formulate a lesson plan around almost any topic. 

We have only one build event planned for 2011.  However, we are planning for 2 events in 2012 as well as appearances at over 12 different shows/venues.  Our 3, 5 and 10 year plans include 7 build events (which will introduce new cars, trucks and designs).

Probably one of the greatest examples of recycling....

The original truck will arrive at each subsequent build event and be stripped down to the chassis.  The first thing that participants will see is a restored S10 chassis

We then lead teams through the process of removing the tires, checking brake and transmission fluid levels, checking brake wear. 

Engineering teams will learn about the suspension itself and how the compression works and why it is important. Other teams (metal working, inventing, drafting, electricity, photography and journalism) will be assigned other parts of the build.

Gallery

We actually have 2 projects in the works.  The immediate need is the '38 Ford Rat Rod.  (we will also convert a '39 Studebaker hot rod as well).

• We have photos posted online for the S10 recycling and the 38 Ford body.
• We have art from Sinclair Hot Rods - but it isn't a 'concept rendering'.  It's concentrated on grabbing student's attention.
• We are starting to post photos of other 38 Ford rat rods that we will use for inspiration.

Specific Plans for YouTube

We will be filming certain parts of the build including the soda blasting, body mounts, refinishing/painting and the suspension replacement.  We will then edit the film and add background music from local artists and post to YouTube.  Each video will have the local bands  information and the specific sponsor information.

Cinematography Scouts will also plan, script and film their own videos to post to YouTube during the event.

No.

This is a Boy Scout Merit Badge Weekend, using BSA facilities, concentrated within the Northern Star Council (Minneapolis/St Paul) - but this is not a BSA sponsored event.