Big Apple to Big Easy 2012 - Who's in?

The time is upon us again, the Big Apple to Big Easy (BABE) Rally sign ups open up tomorrow.

So who's in this year? Any thoughts to what you may bring? Who's going to sit here like all the previous years and say "next year"? ;)

This will be my 7th year on the event and while its always similar, its never been the same 2 years in a row. This year promises to have some fun new additions.

In keeping with Rule #1 a brief history of my BABE rally rides.

2006 1982 G20 Conversion Van - $200

2007 1973 VW Bug (won 1st place) - $250

2008 1986 Mustang GT Convertible (won 2nd place) - $250

2009 1968 Olds Delta 88 Convertible - $400

2010 1958 Wartburg - $free

2011 1993 Mercury Capri XR2 - $400

I think Wes's schedule is going to be too much for him to make it again. I'll be there if my wife can get off work.

2011 Entry, and Spirit of the Event award winner(otherwise known as we felt bad for you since you were too slow to do any challenges):

1970 VW Westfalia

Is there an official website for the rally? I searched "big apple to big easy rally" on google and the first link led to a VERY not work safe site!!!

I was trying to see what the dates, entrance requirements, etc. was.

Bryce

Hey, I want that 88 vert! I'm a little ignorant of this rally. I assume you have to drive a really cheap verhicle? What else?

In reply to bravenrace: $500 vehicle, from Staten Island to the French Quarter. Challenges each day, including a costume day. Previous challenges include Most number of license plate photos(can't duplicate states), Photo poker, MPG challenge, etc.

bravenrace wrote: Hey, I want that 88 vert! I'm a little ignorant of this rally. I assume you have to drive a really cheap verhicle? What else?

www.baberally.com or www.streetsafari.com

tpwalsh left out Nightly parking lot games (to be greatly expanded this year)

The 88 ended up looking like this for the rally

parking lot games

I really enjoyed the parking lot games..... when we weren't fixing st...stuff. I love how the organizers decided to announce the tire rolling contest... after half the field was good and sloshed. And some from beer that they received in exchange for their van that afternoon.

tpwalsh wrote:

parking lot games

I really enjoyed the parking lot games..... when we weren't fixing st...stuff. I love how the organizers decided to announce the tire rolling contest... after half the field was good and sloshed. And some from beer that they received in exchange for their van that afternoon.

I have designed most of the parking lot games to be done while inebriated....let's face it, most people are drunk in the parking lots. Gives a small advantage to the teams who keep their sensibilities about them.

You'll love the torturous one I have planned for 2012.

And no, Im not part of Street Safari, but I've been trying to get them to do parking lot games for a few years but they didnt get the concept so they gave me some leeway to design some games as a test on 2011, it seemed to go over well and now that they understand the concept they want to do more :)

In reply to JThw8:

btw did the failvan's videos ever make internet? Either the spectacular smoke, or the "business transaction" with the good ol' boys from AL?

tpwalsh wrote: I think Wes's schedule is going to be too much for him to make it again. I'll be there if my wife can get off work. 2011 Entry, and Spirit of the Event award winner(otherwise known as we felt bad for you since you were too slow to do any challenges): 1970 VW Westfalia

I'm back up for the rally, but not in a VW bus. That bus was sold as soon as I got back to NC. The kicker is tpwalsh's wife, something tells me that my wife may not be back up for another rally.

For those that haven't been. Imagine a Top Gear UK special.. minus the safety nets and film crew. That's mostly what BABE is like.

tpwalsh wrote: In reply to JThw8: btw did the failvan's videos ever make internet? Either the spectacular smoke, or the "business transaction" with the good ol' boys from AL?

I don't think they have, I'll have to harass some of the folks with the footage and see what I can turn up.

Here's a picture (that may work) from the Tail of the Dragon failvan rescue party; http://www.129pix.net/jps/store.jsp?t=0&clid=3001&eid=112&gid=1003&act=preview&iid=300101712538441937

In for the rally. Ms Mental made that decision when everyone stopped to fix the failvan at the bottom of the Dragon.

Last year's disaster;

Right now my ride looks remarkably like this one; Actually it is EXACTLY like that one unless we can trade it for what she wants (big station wagon).

Despite not starting, not finishing, trading the van for a case of Dos XX, and blowing the head gasket on the replacement car coming home, it was just too damm much fun.

This;

sporkfan wrote: Here's a picture (that may work) from the Tail of the Dragon failvan rescue party; http://www.129pix.net/jps/store.jsp?t=0&clid=3001&eid=112&gid=1003&act=preview&iid=300101712538441937

...sums up the whole spirit of the BABE. I knew 2 teams when we entered, but all of these folks stopped and either rendered assitance or provided support to those who did. In the middle of a Tennesee summer for 3 hours.

When it came in on the flatbed that night, they made it run again, and swapped the headgasket on another car. When it died again the next day, 2 other teams gave us a ride to the Big Easy. It was a blast. I have a lot of great events with some real gearheads, but the BABE, thats a whole different world.

and yes, the failvan vids did make it; Ole Smokey

Chris! I can't believe you hid these for 5 months! 3 views!? REally!

Hopefully I will be able to make it this year.

JThw8 wrote: The time is upon us again, the Big Apple to Big Easy (BABE) Rally sign ups open up tomorrow. So who's in this year? Any thoughts to what you may bring? Who's going to sit here like all the previous years and say "next year"? ;)

I vaguely remember (perhaps a wee bit tipsily) promising at the $2010 Challenge to do this with you guys...what are the dates? Work is intense; no time to do a car and run this, but maybe I can pop out to the finish line and wave you guys in or something. :D

Yeah, I was looking at the website, but couldn't find any info on dates and cost to register. Also, to anyone who has done it, about how much did it cost to do the event?

That looks like so much fun. Any idea what the dates are for the next one?

I'm going to have to find a car with working A/C if it's in the middle of the summer. Or do something like this:

Mine should finally be running for 2012, needs tires and tune....and a little rust repair. I stated to Jim it would run in 2011, but it was one of many projects not sorted as planned.

ZAV themed, FTMFW

I will win no fuel economy stages

Car was free...

dollraves wrote:

JThw8 wrote: The time is upon us again, the Big Apple to Big Easy (BABE) Rally sign ups open up tomorrow. So who's in this year? Any thoughts to what you may bring? Who's going to sit here like all the previous years and say "next year"? ;)

I vaguely remember (perhaps a wee bit tipsily) promising at the $2010 Challenge to do this with you guys...what are the dates? Work is intense; no time to do a car and run this, but maybe I can pop out to the finish line and wave you guys in or something. :D

First week in June. No need to worry about a car, you want in just get to NJ/NY and we'll get ya a ride. Misfit Toys fields at least 3 cars each year, we have seats to spare.

aussiesmg wrote: I will win no fuel economy stages

There was a misconception that the fuel measuring we were doing would award a prize for the BEST fuel economy. The numbers we were looking at were much different. Unfortunately we only ran 100 miles between checks, not a large enough sampling to get the data we needed.

mw wrote: Yeah, I was looking at the website, but couldn't find any info on dates and cost to register. Also, to anyone who has done it, about how much did it cost to do the event?

Registration is $300, there is usually an early bird price of $250 (or sometimes $200).

The rest of the cost is purely up to you. Camp in your car and cook out on the engine and do it for cheap. Or throw caution to the wind and blow loads of cash.

Hotels average $60 a night, slightly higher in NYC and New Orelans. Gas is whatever your car requires, food and booze are the rest.

GPS not required, CBs highly encouraged just for the fun factor.

What CB is OK for this use? Any recommendations, I will probably use it in the bus also.

Rebuilt trans going in

aussiesmg wrote: What CB is OK for this use? Any recommendations, I will probably use it in the bus also.

The CB is not a requirement but if you are caravaning with a group (you're stuck with us) its great to communicate.

We started with the cheap midland 20s and whatever cheap whip antenna we could find. Since you are thinking of something for long term use in the bus I'll say both our primary cars have upgraded over the years to use Cobra 29 CBs and Wilson 1000/5000 antennas. The antenna is key and the Wilson 1000 is the best bang for the buck you can get. I have a 5000 only because it was a gift from another team for helping them out. If you have a local CB shop get the 29 peaked and tuned, doesnt cost too much but gets the most out of it.

With the midland units it was almost line of sight only, we couldnt put much distance between the cars without loosing signal. With the new setups we can put miles between us and still keep contact.

So I'm contemplating this jewel for next years ride. It's not local so I'm awaiting the status report from a friend that lives in the area.

1968 Toyota Crown wagon, I like the obscure!