Thanks to the guys over at nixCraft I've got the what I belive to be the last piece of scripting done for my project until I get the gumstix which will mainly be configuration type stuff like cron jobs, paths, and permissions. Alas that part of the project is still serveral weeks or longer out.

I consider the project a 3 parter.
Stage 1 Development. This is where i am now. Still figuring out how I will do things and testing.
Stage 2 Fabrication. Putting things together, mounting switches and building connectors for sensors and switches, wireing up power.
Stage 3 Installation. Putting it in my car and making it work.