Message from Ronan, TIV Driver

This past season was quite a ride. We had our share of problems, but in the end, I had a complete blast. Added almost 18,000 miles to my chase mileage. Saw more than my average number of tornadoes, yet my total number is still a guess.

Besides the actual chase action, I had the opportunity to meet and speak with so many people. Driving around in a street legal tank is one way to get a conversation started! Everyone asks if I ever get sick of people asking about it, and the honest answer is no. I love the interaction, and when we actually have time to stop and talk, I get to learn about more than the weather.

There were many memorable moments, like getting over taken by a tornado, at night, with winds higher than our official rating! (You may wonder what committee rates TIV's, well, with the help of a debris cannon, we have come up with a certain threshold.)

For me, the most frightening moment did not involve chasing. On a ferry day, an older couple, going the wrong way on the highway, caused a head on collision that occurred right next to us. The sound of two vehicles crushing next to you is something that will send a chill up your spine! Josh did come research for me and found that everyone survived!

Whenever I start the season, I think it will last forever, but in the end, it flies by. When it's over, I start counting the days until the next season begins, but at least for a moment, I get to enjoy staying in one place for longer than a night! Honestly, I love the nomadic life style chasing affords me, but after 2 months, it's nice to sit still for more than one day straight.

Back in New York, I continue my work as a producer, looking for new TV shows and working on a variety of projects on any given day. Once in a while, I go check out the series while it's in post and watch an occasional edit . But for the most part, once the production wraps, I don't start working one the show again until the next season gets closer. Making this show was an idea I had from the first year I went out, 2000, as I always thought there would be an audience. I hope everyone enjoys it!

I cannot wait to see the series start, giving me a chance to re-live some of the moments we experienced!

Ronan
TIV Driver
KC2LHD

Comments

[Byron]

I forgot to add that IMAX Filmmaker Sean Casey will blog later this week! Stay tuned!

Byron

[Richard Cave]

Thanks for sharing, I am looking forward to Seans comments as well. Are you guys going to do a online transmission party after the first episode.

Rich

[Brandon Copic]

Hi, I am Brandon I am a Weather Spotter For NBC 24 in Toledo, OH I just wanted to say that the storm chasing must be fun! I plan on taking a trip to tornado alley in a little over a year first of all I still have to get the money, 2nd of all I am only 14 years old! Sad The Severe Weather Season is gone, but there is next year!

[Brandon Copic]

Jeez have fun driving the tiv! Sean... Making a new tiv. Outrageous!!! Talking a lot of dough is going away! But the Tiv's have to be my all time favorite vehicle (S) considering theres two of them, anyway you need to combine tiv1 and tiv2 to get tiv 3 the best because everything that was wrong with tiv1 is fine w/tiv2 but everything wrong w/tiv2 is fine with tiv1 jeez that's a mouthful, but their probably the best because i am a 14 year old of weather and well I like the DOW too! Even though it's not as roomy! :) Hey Shoot me an email anytime Whitmerfootball12@yahoo.com, or ToledoWeatherSpotter@yahoo.com talk to you later! :)
-Brandon,Weather Spotter

[Brandon Copic]

Jeez have fun driving the tiv! Sean... Making a new tiv. Outrageous!!! Talking a lot of dough is going away! But the Tiv's have to be my all time favorite vehicle (S) considering theres two of them, anyway you need to combine tiv1 and tiv2 to get tiv 3 the best because everything that was wrong with tiv1 is fine w/tiv2 but everything wrong w/tiv2 is fine with tiv1 jeez that's a mouthful, but their probably the best because i am a 14 year old of weather and well I like the DOW too! Even though it's not as roomy! :) Hey Shoot me an email anytime Whitmerfootball12@yahoo.com, or ToledoWeatherSpotter@yahoo.com talk to you later! :)
-Brandon,Weather Spotter

[Peyton]

Ur show is all some reed timmers is awsome

[ELi]

Hey you want a vehicle to go down any road any condition you need a jeep. I think you should rebuild the tiv make it all wheel drive. Use the tiv2 for parts. Pull out the engine in tiv put a big catapiler engine or a detroit deisel in it manual trans, transfer case and dana front differently. Check out freightliner they off a large cabbed truck now. the tiv2 was a disappointment. Dodge lol. Go back to a ford strongest frame you can get and awesome rear ends.

[michael]

good morning guys
you are going to think i'm crazy but if you want tiv to do what you want it to i would get with some one like grave digger who has beed building monter trucks for 30 years . i don't mean have him build a monster truck but every thing about a monster truck is built about weightr and disstruction just a thought

[mike]

ronan everyone is telling you how to build the tiv with road travel at high speeds and distance in mind your answer to all the breakdowns is to trailer it. same type of trailer you see with a backhoe. mititary does it with their tanks till they need them. back the tiv on and when you need shoot right off. buy a international like the doctors 350hp diesel a crew cab and utility box to tow it. i want to see that IMAX FILM! i'm a tractor trailer driver and i feel this setup would be perfect for you. i want to see the inside of a tornado not road repair email me if you get this i hope mike

[peter]

hey ronan
i just left an coment on the show poster whis the tiv 4 u guys that will maybe help u guys!
just look 4 that mail and think for 2009 about it
peter