Here's a quick clip of what HKG 20,000 (US $2,666 - company offering $2,700) will get you ...
Hong Kong Apartment http://youtube.com/watch?v=JVtSvNTecvY
If you listen up, you can hear her say "540 sq. ft., 20,000". She later cut off the video, saying prior permission of the owner was needed. So, there's your freaking "luxury", folks ... note only 2 burners on the stove, mini-microwave, mini-fridge, kitchenette (and that's a stretch).
Can you hear me now?
You have to put up three months' rent in advance, PLUS pay the agent's commission of 5% of the annual rent (or 1/2 a month's rent, whichever is less). That's for a lease of over 3 months. For a short-term lease (3 months or less, the commission (out of YOUR pocket, folks), is 10% or 1/2 a month's rent. Did you also note the teeny little glass-top table? That's not a decor item, folks, that's your dining room table. So this is what Webb considers "luxury" digs in a "luxury area"? Spare me. Here's the link to that particular complex: http://conventionplazaapartments.com/ Check it out for yourself.
Examples from that one complex: rent a basic 1-BR, HKG 25,000 (US $3,333/mo.); with any kind of a view that goes up to 38,000 ($5,067/mo.). To buy a 3-BR is HKG 19 million (US $2.5 million), and let's see how far your $1,200 buying allowance goes on that, huh? To rent a 3-BR is HKG 80K (nearly US $10.7K PER MONTH). Two-BR (rock-bottom for most of us) rents for HKG 46,000 (US $6,100+), for 1,200 sq.ft.
So, to move into a 3-BR, you're coughing up $32,000, PLUS the agent's fees, right up front. How's that $10K seed money look now? More than just a little anemic, isn't it?
Sorry if you've seen this on other threads, but we're trying to get the word out to as many people as possible. Thanks for your patience.
First off, NASCAR used to be a redneck sport. But it isn't that way anymore. Most of the crew chiefs have engineering degrees, some from well known schools like Virginia Tech. Some of the younger drivers also have engineering degrees, Ryan Newman (#12) has his from Purdue. NASCAR isn't for everyone but it is the largest spectator sport in the country and is a VERY powerful advertising/media outlet.
Back to the topic. FDX's total package may be close to $43M including advertising and all the frills. I would bet a lot of lettuce that they don't throw $43M at Joe Gibbs Racing and the #11. It simply doesn't cost that much to run a 1st class Nextel Cup team. It can be done with $25M-$30M. For comparison, Ferrari, which I know is actually in the fast car business, has a $250M annual budget for their Formula 1 team.