Earlier today we talked about the rumors that Dodge is considering bringing back the Scat Pack from the 1960s and 1970s. Back then, in addition to a lineup of specially marketed vehicles, Chrysler also introduced the Scat Pack Club where special access to performance packages from Mopar, a newsletter (technically two of them) and branded items such as patches, bumper stickers, shirts and more. Back in 1970, joining the Scat Pack Club cost Dodge lovers $3 and while we wouldn’t expect it to be that inexpensive – would you join an official Dodge performance club for a reasonable price? Click here for a look at our piece from earlier today detailing the original Scat Pack program.
Say that the new Scat Pack Club was open to any Dodge fans (not just those who purchase a new Scat Pack vehicle) and membership came with club credentials, a free Mopar Performance parts catalog, a vehicle decal (or decals) some apparel like a shirt or hat and a quarterly newsletter, would you sign up for a service like that? If so, what would you consider to be a reasonable price for this program considering that the shirt, the decal and the catalog would regularly carry an MSRP in the range of 35-40?
"Before I was old enough to walk, my dad was taking me to various types of racing events, from local drag racing to the Daytona 500," says Patrick Rall, a lifetime automotive expert, diehard Dodge fan, and respected auto journalist for over 10 years. "He owned a repair shop and had a variety of performance cars when I was young, but by the time I was 16, he was ready to build me my first drag car – a 1983 Dodge Mirada that ran low 12s. I spent 10 years traveling around the country, racing with my dad by my side. While we live in different areas of the country, my dad still drag races at 80 years old in the car that he built when I was 16 while I race other vehicles, including my 2017 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat and my 1972 Dodge Demon 340.
"Although I went to college for accounting, my time in my dad’s shop growing up allowed me the knowledge to spend time working as a mechanic before getting my accounting degree, at which point I worked in the office of a dealership group. While I was working in the accounting world, I continued racing and taking pictures of cars at the track. Over time, I began showing off those pictures online and that led to my writing.
"Ten years ago, I left the accounting world to become a full-time automotive writer and I am living proof that if you love what you do, you will never “work” a day in your life," adds Rall, who has clocked in time as an auto mechanic, longtime drag racer and now automotive journalist who contributes to nearly a dozen popular auto websites dedicated to fellow enthusiasts.
"I love covering the automotive industry and everything involved with the job. I was fortunate to turn my love of the automotive world into a hobby that led to an exciting career, with my past of working as a mechanic and as an accountant in the automotive world provides me with a unique perspective of the industry.
"My experience drag racing for more than 20 years coupled with a newfound interest in road racing over the past decade allows me to push performance cars to their limit, while my role as a horse stable manager gives me vast experience towing and hauling with all of the newest trucks on the market today.
