5-Minutes with…Carrie Strange – Road Tours, Interiors, and BMX
From the onset, you may not recognize the name Carrie Strange, but chances are that you’ve enjoyed an event that she’s involved in producing. Carrie is a force behind the scenes of many favorite automotive events such as Power Tour, Roadkill Nights, LS Fests, and more. She logs a lot of miles with a load of hours on the road and when she’s home, it’s likely that she’s in the shop with her husband Tim Strange of Strange Motion helping with projects.
In fact, Carrie used to sew the interiors of the Strange Motion project cars, but for the last few years has been an integral part of FM3 Performance Marketing playing a key role in producing some of today’s most popular hot rodding road tours and events. When not traveling, she helps out with Tim’s podcast, The Strange Motion Way, and maybe gets some time to cruise her custom ‘64 Corvair. Any down time is spent hanging with their cats, Turbo and Axle, and maybe working in a little time for Tim. We were lucky to catch Carrie between event weekends for 5-Minutes.
GG: How did you get started in the hot rod industry?
Strange: Well, I had the hots for this older guy with a cool Chevelle and he said that if you want to date me, you’re going to learn to hang out in the shop! My parents owned an awning shop so I thought I could impress him with my sewing skills and ended up sewing my first tweed interior on a home sewing machine at his parents’ kitchen table. (He must have been impressed as they’ve been married 28 years – ed).
GG: You are involved in the production of the Hot Rod Power Tours, Cars and Cones, LS Fests, and many other events. What do you take away about the state of hot rodding after a year of events?
Strange: No sleep and a lot greyer hair! The trends are definitely changing. The events we produce are seeing a lot more youth and the shift in the term “hot rod” with newer vehicles for sure. The industry is still very strong but trends are changing.
GG: What is something that happens behind the scenes at events that would surprise most participants?
Strange: Which fire are we putting out now! Most people have no idea what it takes to put on these big events – the hours of planning, phone calls, sleepless nights, drives through the night, next-day air packages, city meetings, permits, trainings, emergency plans…there is SO much! Most have no idea what it takes to get a place to go to the bathroom at some venues!
GG: Do you have a favorite car event that you’d like to go on as a participant in your Corvair?
Strange: YES, and I am doing it this October! The FM3 oad Trip is our charity event that I have always wanted to drive the Corvair on – so this year I planned it around home so I can drive the Corvair each day and still be able to handle my daily responsibilities! Normally, I haul so much event stuff with me that I have a trailer of at least a truck. This year I am working smarter and one way or another I am going to make it happen!
GG: Can you recommend a favorite location/venue that other hot rodders should put on their bucket list?
Strange: Of course I am going to say the Goodguys Des Moines event. That has always been my favorite Goodguys show. Also the FM3 Road Trip, MoParty and the KKOA Salina Leadsled Spectacular.
GG: Prior to the marketing/event career, you were in the shop a lot more. Do you miss being in the shop?
Strange: I loved doing interior work, it is hard – physically hard, and the older we get the harder it is for our bodies, and my hands were paying for it. I still like to go to the shop and sew but on my terms with no deadlines! I have actually started getting back into the shop with our Strange Motion Way podcast and I am really loving it. It gives Tim and I the opportunity to talk and talking to our industry friends is something I really enjoy!
GG: You and Tim are big supporters of BMX and still do some racing. When and how did you get involved BMX?
Strange: We actually met at a BMX Track in Orion, Illinois. Tim was racing and so was my cousin and brother. Tim ran over a girl the first time I remember meeting him and broke her arm! I did not start racing myself until my mid 20’s when our niece, Tiffany who was racing said “If you think it’s so easy, you do it!” Challenge accepted! I love the sport, I love the adrenaline rush, I love the people it has brought into my life! BMX people are some of the hardest working people I have ever met and are my first “go to” people when looking for event staff. They get the long hours and hot days!
GG: We understand you took quite a spill on the BMX track this past spring – how are you feeling and when will you be back on the pedals?
Strange: I did, on June 1st I fractured my pelvis in four places, broke three ribs, bruised my lung and broke my finger. I never missed a day of work and did the entire Hot Rod Power Tour a week and a half after getting out of the hospital. My goal is to practice at the Grands in November and be back in competition next year. My September, October, November schedule for work is pretty intense so I won’t have any time to train.
GG: Any advice to share with younger car enthusiasts on how to get involved or set a career path in the hot rod/performance industry?
Strange: Don’t be afraid to try new things, keep your options open and learn as much as you can from as many people as you can – you just never know what doors it may open. Most of the things I do have been self-taught. I don’ t let people tell me I can’t do something, I take that as a challenge. Work hard – there is no path to success being lazy.
GG: You are on the road A LOT for car event and BMX…what do you like to do on the rare weekend off?
Strange: Sleep! I love to be home with Turbo and Axle. I have actually started doing a YouTube channel for my cats! I don’t know how to not work!
