What are your thoughts on this? There are a number of events like it (Gumball Rally, Bull Run, etc). On the surface I like the thought. But I've been watching clips from the Cannonball Run Europe (04 one I think) and honestly it's made me mad. Why? Because some of the drivers are driving recklessly, and don't think there's any problem with it. Are these events being spoiled by a few bad apples, or are they overall bad for the car world?
I think you have to take each event on a case-by-case basis. At the end of the day, I hold the drivers responsible for their actions, even if the event encourages hooligan driving.
I've said before I really would like to do a Bull Run event (the TV kind, not the rich guy party kind) because the competitive driving events look like a lot of fun.
Winning $200,000 for autocross/rallycross/tsd type competitions is pretty sweet, no matter how ridiculous the TV antics might get.
What Tom said....^^^
Im building a car just for cross country road endurance, and there are more than a few events that cater to this type of thing. When its done, ill find one to enter that discourages the stupid antics and encourages the silly (but safe) ones 
I just want the ambulace from the movie.
I think GRM'ers should get together and run one. Besides, total car value if we do it would be less than a single car that the rich boys run in
One Lap comes close, but doesn't have a payday like that! This year they ran an autocross, and tracks like Sebring, and even Little Taladega, quite a variety. Of course you need money to run fast, but a lot of people compete in inexpensive cars.
A friend was in 6th this year when his 600hp STI melted down at Sebring on the warm up.
Still want to do one-lap. Honestly, that was me and my brother's intent when we built our first car together. Then a buddy said "E36 M3 man, sounds like a $2000 challenge car to me." Still want to do it...badly. Just need to find a way to justify the coin!
poopshovel wrote: Just need to find a way to justify the coin!
The world is goin to end in 2012, "the Gov. Jesse Ventura said so last night on conspiracy theory! Well that and if you wait you'll just be another year older when you finally do...
I've thought about a cannonball run/gumball type event. But keep it low key and reasonable so actual people could take part. None of the unrealistic parties at the top of the world or $1000+ dinners, etc... Try and coincide it so you could run some track days with either Nasa TT, or SCCA PDX/time trials, auto-x, ect. in different venues. Then compare all the times added together road+fasted track lap and you have a winner. And the winner gets ohh I don't know a shoe box full of marbles or something. Basically an open road event between the One Lap and the Babe.
Hey lets keep the idea going and it may just turn into something.
I really like the idea of a cross country run like this. But what I hate about the big name ones is the attract rich idiots who needlessly put peoples lives in danger for a good time. But the events never seem to distance themselves from those rich idiots (probably because it helps get people to watch). But a low key GRM event? Just plan it sometime after April of this year and I'm in!
Porsche 928 strikes me as the perfect car to do it in.
My practical side would say Accord V6 hybrid with a suspension and maybe brake upgrade. Think range.
It's something I'd LOVE to try, but my practical side (that doesn't want to end up in prison) prevents me from doing so.
That, and I don't have the money for it.
I've done one lap, it was one of the greatest experieneces ever! Even though I was in he econo car class, and slow, it was still awsome. Just find away, you'll never regret it! Build for reliability, not speed. You need to be a top notch driver with a big big wallet to win. But anyone one can play and have fun. No one ever looked down on our cheap entry, (1985 X-11) and everyone helped anyone who needed it. Open road events, like the Silver State classic, are a blast too, and much less expensive.
Gearheadotaku wrote: No one ever looked down on our cheap entry, (1985 X-11)
How dare they?! That is an awesome entry. 
The GRM crowd would be ignoring the F430 and would all be crowded around the X-11!!!
I've had the crazy idea of trying to organize a (very)low budget cross country event for some time, and it keeps coming back. I figure good scenic routes, cheap motels or even camping out, with some "scavenger hunt" type challenges should do the trick... get back to me in a year for more details.
Count me in, I would also help out on the organizing team
I would also be in on it. let me know what you need me to do!
gamby wrote: My practical side would say Accord V6 hybrid with a suspension and maybe brake upgrade. Think range.
You want range:
Think of the comfortable air ride seats too. 
don't forget the BABE Rally, where claptraps loosely defined as vehicles clog up America's main interstate arteries during the height of vacation season. We're reckless in our disregard for vehicular sightlyness and reliability!! Anyone can drive fast, but you have to be a special kind of jackass to drive a tire blowing, coolant spewing, smoke pouring '73 Lincoln Mk. IV across the US. We can only hope that we come across those rich idiots in their spercars and coat them in a nice film of oil and and grease as they pass us at speed.
924guy wrote: I've had the crazy idea of trying to organize a (very)low budget cross country event for some time, and it keeps coming back. I figure good scenic routes, cheap motels or even camping out, with some "scavenger hunt" type challenges should do the trick... get back to me in a year for more details.
Greg just said it, but you just described the BABE rally.
Come along and see for yourself, its a great time :)
Dont like the idea of doing it in a "banger" The organizers would probably be accepting of an "open" class (its been discussed before) if there was enough genuine committed interest. The problem is noone really seems interested in bringing a normal car.
And dont let the price cap fool you, as Im sure we all know folks around here can do alot with a $500 car. And unlike most events there's no budget cap on pre rally repairs so you can have a little fun with the prep.
RossD wrote:gamby wrote: My practical side would say Accord V6 hybrid with a suspension and maybe brake upgrade. Think range.You want range:
Anything that can outlast your bladder is a waste.
Unless you rig up a catheter.
jstein77 wrote:RossD wrote:Anything that can outlast your bladder is a waste. Unless you rig up a catheter.gamby wrote: My practical side would say Accord V6 hybrid with a suspension and maybe brake upgrade. Think range.You want range:
I participated in an event of this sort a few years ago (The Great American Run). A friend invited me to do so after his wife decided she wasn't really that enthused about driving across country in a Porsche 997 with a half cage and fixed back GT3 seats. I would say that the general stereotypes of the folks who participate in these events are true. Even though the point of this event was to average as close to 61mph, virtually no one adhered to that and treated it as a chance to drive like lunatics on public highways. I was really turned off by that and would never do a similar event again.
Now One Lap would excite me though!
You can sort of see the car (silver) in this picture.
The BA-BE rally sounds really cool to me...but I'd spend more time driving two the start point and from the finish point than in the actuall rally, I'm afraid. That's a lot of extra miles on a junker ;).
I'd love to see it branch out to other areas (Have someone else do something similar).
However, I know what happens when I'm driving a really cheap car in proximity to other really cheap cars...and many won't appreciate that...I'd have to have serious willpower (or the positive influence of a level-headed co-pilette).
Clem
I have my babe project coming along just nicely.
Think Post Apocalypse
ClemSparks wrote: The BA-BE rally sounds really cool to me...but I'd spend more time driving two the start point and from the finish point than in the actuall rally, I'm afraid. That's a lot of extra miles on a junker ;). I'd love to see it branch out to other areas (Have someone else do something similar). However, I know what happens when I'm driving a really cheap car in proximity to other really cheap cars...and many won't appreciate that...I'd have to have serious willpower (or the positive influence of a level-headed co-pilette). Clem
Think of the pre-drive as part of the adventure.
GregTivo wrote:ClemSparks wrote: The BA-BE rally sounds really cool to me...but I'd spend more time driving two the start point and from the finish point than in the actuall rally, I'm afraid. That's a lot of extra miles on a junker ;). I'd love to see it branch out to other areas (Have someone else do something similar). However, I know what happens when I'm driving a really cheap car in proximity to other really cheap cars...and many won't appreciate that...I'd have to have serious willpower (or the positive influence of a level-headed co-pilette). ClemThink of the pre-drive as part of the adventure.
First, they did try to branch out with RMR (Rocky Mountian Run) a whopping 5 people signed up for it. Kinda reminds me of the GRM west coast challenge. If you can get 20-30 teams to commit (with actual money) Im sure they would reconsider, if not I'll run it myself ;)
Second, save the before/after drive and work with someone on the east coast to either partner with you or just set you up with a car. Many teams have flown out, picked up a car and gone, only to donate it in New Orleans and fly home. Normally I'd offer to assist with this as I can grab you a car in NJ and you can come out and get a 20 day temp tag for $20 and an insurance card. But with the Wartburg build I have 0 time to do any inspection or safety prep (which I normally do for visiting teams) so you'd really be living the spirit of the event with a complete unknown.
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