VAN ORIN, Illinois USA — Two months after a devastating roadside fire totally destroyed Tim Lehr's business, Wildman Rocketry will re-open for business this Monday, September 24th. Lehr's trailer burned in its entirety along side a busy interstate highway in July.

Remains of Wildman's trailer after fire. Photo: Rocketry Online.

In preparation for LDRS, the national launch of the Tripoli Rocketry Association, Lehr loaded a recreational vehicle and the trailer that contained the Wildman store, destined for Jean Dry Lake, Nevada. Lehr left town on July 5th, expecting record attendance at this year's event, held July 12-17 on the dry lake. Lehr had stocked the trailer with hundreds of pounds of rocket motors, hundreds of kits, numerous recovery components and an array of other items, all to sell at the launch.

Approximately 30 minutes into the trip, Lehr got the surprise of his life when he looked in his rear-view mirror: the sight of a blaze trailing his vehicle — his trailer was on fire. Lehr pulled over and moved "faster than I've ever moved in my life, to get out of that RV," and away from the fire, concerned about the hundreds of pounds of ammonium perchlorate composite propellant (APCP) rocket motors on board. In the end, the trailer was a complete loss and the RV suffered enough damage to be a total loss as well.

The blaze ended up shutting down I-80 for half an hour and caused a back-up of traffic 10 miles long. Fortunately nobody was hurt. Commenting on the flammable nature of the rocket motors he was hauling, Lehr stated, "if APCP truly was an explosive, I wouldn't be here right now!"

Undaunted by the turn of events, Lehr made arrangements to pick up shipments of Cesaroni and Aerotech motors as well as Performance Rocketry products, made alternative travel arrangements and headed back out once again. Lehr displayed such a spirit of not giving up that his own competitors stepped up to the plate to help him at LDRS.

Andy Woerner of Polecat Aerospace and What's Up Hobbies, decided to sponsor a raffle at LDRS to help Lehr out, with the proceeds presented to him at the event. Combining donations from other vendors together with several of his own kits, Woerner collected $5 per ticket for those who wanted to help Lehr out while still having a shot at getting something in return. In the end, Lehr was presented with a check for $3,000 from Woerner.

Lehr stated, "I want to thank everyone for their support and patience through the past couple of months of trying times for me." While Wildman is still rebuilding his inventory, he expects shipments to begin arriving soon. Lehr encourages customers who may have incomplete or unfilled orders still outstanding to call or email him any time beginning Monday.

Website: http://www.wildmanrocketry.com/

09-26-2007 09:36 PM  #1
tbrogan Sniper Kitty = Dead Dogs   Joined: Apr 2007 Posts: 106	The Wildman Returns...and all was right with the world again!! Glad to see things are starting to turn around for them! Time to fire up some orders for the winter flying season..... Tom