Car Rally???

[tfeb]

Hi everyone!

Just wanting to put the feelers out who would be interested in participating or co-ordinating a car rally sometime?

Obviously we have all heard about Gumball and BullRun and whilst these are truly epic and amazing events they also have price tags to go with them. Gumball for example has a 30 grand entry fee.

I'm also aware of all the banger rallies which again are cool but what about the ones inbetween.

I mean what about an event for people who cant afford a £30k entry fee but at same time dont want a banger for £250 to take accross europe.

I'm talking about the vast majority of people here at piston heads. Drivers, racers, enthusiasts even the bib.

Reply to this post if you think you would genuinly like to get involved, have any ideas or are aware of any brands who would like to sponsor such an event.

[Harsh]

you mean something like this?

http://www.petrolheadnirvana.com/

[drpep]

Something run at reasonable cost, volunteer organised/coordinated/policed... i'd be interested in a euro-rally - or at least part of it.

[tfeb]

Harsh said:

you mean something like this?

http://www.petrolheadnirvana.com/

Cool never seen these guys before but thats a top site. Maybe it would be worht organinsing a trip through them for PH ppl

[Harsh]

You mean like this?

Scotland tour
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

Viking tour
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

Wales
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

Ventoux and Millau
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

Alpine
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...


so we are around!
We've already filed this years Alpine tour but I'm more than happy to help with organising something bespoke if there are enough people who want to do something similar.
We're always happy to help with routes, hotels, even bookings if you want.

just let us know

[tfeb]

lol yep just like that. I'll keep my eyes peeled for future events and start saving up then!

Cheers

[tfeb]

As much as i really, really, REALLY want to do this there is no way I could afford 6 grand entry fee, plus car, plus expenses. You would need a good 10k budget for this at least. lol thats 40% of my annual salary!

One day maybe

[Jaykaybi]

I think I might start my own.

Call it "YourMumBall" or "BumBall" or something like that. All these "(something)Ball" things really are starting to seem a bit dinosauric these days.

I've been directly involved in that particular sector as some of you may know, and my personal opinion (now I'm back outside it again) is that the IMAGE - and make no mistake, it is ALL image - is getting worse and worse, with the pseudo-celebrity glitzy £40 a drink 'exclusivity' and shoddy organisation, compounded by the proliferation of the aforementioned wannabe acts.

Sure, the kids like 'em and in the heyday when the Jackass guys were on MTV on the GB3K there was a lot of interest and marketing going on, it was 'cool,' but cool don't last. I concede that for the public to watch these rallies can be pretty good fun, and that's the part I like the most. When I closed Ocean Drive in Miami and spent the whole night in a green and purple feather wig, dancing on the roof of an RV and winding up the crowd through a loudspeaker, it was an experience and I freely admit I enjoyed the attention - but it was a SHARED experience, the people outside the barriers were as much a part of it as those inside and I enjoyed including them in the party. Anyone at the GB3K launch in London this year probably had a good day, I know I did, but I'm not sure I could put up with all the "look-at-how-hard-I'm-trying" glamour for a whole week whilst on the rally itself. The self-serving "we're more important than you because of how moneyed we are" attitude of a lot of the people involved is just plain unpleasant.

It's time to be a bit more subtle again, IMHO. Actually, not just IMHO. I know first hand that I speak for a large proportion of the people on last year's GB3K.


And to the OP, you have no idea what a top chap Harsh is, and what a great outfit Petrolhead Nirvana are. They are the answer to your questions.


Just my 2p's worth.
Jay

Former Global Sales and Entrance Manager, Gumball 3000

[RallyRider]

You're thinking to small with all the 'ball's, why not try for something a bit bigger i.e. global

There are actually a few more discreet rallys that go on without the hype and 'look-at-me' attitude but if all you are after is some decent roads to drive on with some like-minded people than Harsh is the guy to speak to

[Lordbenny]

Jaykaybi said:

All these "(something)Ball" things really are starting to seem a bit dinosauric these days.

There are 84 people on this year's Cannonball who will disagree with you entirely, run by a WOMAN with 25 years in corporate events, every finest detail is catered for. From the amazing roads to the F1 track day (we hired Monza for the day!) AND we stayed in 5 star and 5 star deluxe hotels! Call that dinosauric if you want, but NO other run can touch it.

[tfeb]

lol thought id add a couple things here.

Someone mentioned cannonball which is why i replied about the 7k entry fees etc and the exclusivity element of them is out of my pay bracket unfortunatly.

First things first I'm a massive rally fan. I have all the gumball dvd's, seen all the bullrun series and I audtioned for a tv show a few yr ago so I could win money to enter the usa cannonball event run by Tim Porter. I think Alex Roy of Team Polizei is practially a legend, along with Brock Yates, Burt Reynolds and Maximillion Cooper. Big respect to all them guys and I def dont want to start bashing the other rallies because if i had the money I would be on all of them every year.

But I havnt been on contributing on Piston heads long and despite knowing all these rallies the petrol head nirvana guys are new to me.

But yes that is probably the most realistic chance I have of doing anything close to gumball unless I win the lottery or Maximillion Cooper becomes my best mate. lol

So yeah i would seriously consider it just need to sort out a car first as while I like my ford focus its just not the car to drive accross europe. My price range would be more used 350z or crossfire or i persuade my mate who has an m3 to come.

[Jaykaybi]

Lordbenny said:

corporate events, every finest detail, amazing, 5 star and 5 star deluxe hotels!

Where's the adventure?

[lewea]

I've completed the Ramshackle Rally the last two years.

Just returned from Pamplona. Last year we did the Valencia Rally.

http://www.ramshacklerally.com

Great fun and great organisation...

Cheers
Mark

[K17LER]

Jaykaybi said:

the pseudo-celebrity glitzy £40 a drink 'exclusivity' and shoddy organisation, compounded by the proliferation of the aforementioned wannabe acts.

I'm not sure I could put up with all the "look-at-how-hard-I'm-trying" glamour for a whole week whilst on the rally itself. The self-serving "we're more important than you because of how moneyed we are" attitude of a lot of the people involved is just plain unpleasant.

That's exactly how I feel about the Gumball/Cannonball style events. They hold no appeal to me what-so-ever.

I tried the opposite extreme with banger rallies to Africa on the Plymouth - Banjul challenge and to Mongolia on the Mongol rally. www.getchamotorrunning.co.uk
More adventure than anyone could want, crossing minefields, drinking fermented yak milk in Gers in outer mongolia etc. The plymouth - Banjul was excellent value for money and well organised. BUT on the Mongol Rally I just felt like I paid someone a load of money and then organised everything myself, visa's, route, permits etc That made me realise that I could actually do a better job myself, so I did, with the mother of all rallies: www.ozrally.org

There's also a thread and loads of photos on the Petrolhead Nirvana who offered me their support:
http://www.petrolheadnirvana.com/torque/showthread...

I don't just do Banger rallies though. This year I went on the PH Viking tour organised by Petrolhead Nirvana. I found it more like a group of friends on a driving tour and nothing like the Gumball style events where everyone seems to be out to prove something. Hotels were a high standard but more geared towards comfort and relaxing after the days drive than glitz, glamour and showing off. Not that there weren't opportunities for partying/clubbing though and we also had a fabulous meal in a candlelit monastery for which most of us donned our suits and posh frocks. The price at under £2k a head for 11 days was very reasonable. I've looked into touring Norway independently in the past. It's one of the most expensive countries in the world and just getting there involves several pricey ferries so I can only assume they negotiated some heavy group discounts.

I think what I like best is that everyone is made welcome. Whether you drive a supercar or a hot hatch, there is none of the snobbery and one-up-manship that some other events seem to attract. There was a huge mix of cars on the tour 5 ferrari's, E46 M3, Elise, 911, Golf R32 and guess what a Focus RS. So, no reason why you can't join in with your focus.

NB: They also organise plenty of runs and meets in the UK which cost nothing so you can still join in even if you can't afford a tour yet

Edited by K17LER on Wednesday 14th July 17:18

[Lordbenny]

Jaykaybi said:

Lordbenny said:

corporate events, every finest detail, amazing, 5 star and 5 star deluxe hotels!

Where's the adventure?

You want adventure, how about the fact that the route isnt declared and that you dont know where you're going until you wake up and get you're mission pack every morning. You have to be up for an 'adventure' if you dont even know where you're going to be driving each day!

[K17LER]

Lordbenny said:

Jaykaybi said:

Lordbenny said:

corporate events, every finest detail, amazing, 5 star and 5 star deluxe hotels!

Where's the adventure?

You want adventure, how about the fact that the route isnt declared and that you dont know where you're going until you wake up and get you're mission pack every morning. You have to be up for an 'adventure' if you dont even know where you're going to be driving each day!

Hmm, now you see adventure for me is making your own route. Finding your way across the Middle East without any kind of support. Fording a river in Pakistan because the bridge has fallen down and cracking the sump on an unseen object underwater; then having to find help to fix it when you're a white woman alone, a stones throw from the Afghan border. Being the first person to drive a Beetle to Mount Everest. Following telegraph poles to find your way between towns because you can't get satnav files for Mongolia and where the GPS shows a road is a dirt track that runs out at a long gone Ger camp. Partying with Chechen cowboys. Driving through the Sahara in a sandstorm then finally reaching the sea and a chance to cool down and wash the sand off! Giving your car away to someone who's need is greater than yours. Being invited to stay with a family in Iran and see real life behind the headscarves and Chadors. Getting a massage from a prostitute when in Tibet we discovered that the "spa" was actually a knocking shop.

These are the things which make life an adventure for me but, I suppose if you are a Pseudo-celeb wannabe used to having your arse-wiped for you, then not knowing what road you're going to take between one luxury hotel and the next might constitute adventure. It's all relative

Don't get me wrong, each to there own and if Gumball/cannonball type events float your boat then good luck to you. Just think it's a bit rich trying to make out that a luxury trip, staying in luxury hotels, attending corporate events and getting your hand held all the way is in any form an adventure. It's an overpriced driving holiday for people who want to show off their wealth.

Edited by K17LER on Wednesday 14th July 19:37

[Lordbenny]

K17LER said:

Lordbenny said:

Jaykaybi said:

Lordbenny said:

corporate events, every finest detail, amazing, 5 star and 5 star deluxe hotels!

Where's the adventure?

You want adventure, how about the fact that the route isnt declared and that you dont know where you're going until you wake up and get you're mission pack every morning. You have to be up for an 'adventure' if you dont even know where you're going to be driving each day!

I suppose if you are a Pseudo-celeb wannabe used to having your arse-wiped for you, then not knowing what road you're going to take between one luxury hotel and the next might constitute adventure. It's all relative

It's about each to their own, we provide an amazing run for 'adventurous' people not wanna be 'pseudo-celebs'. This year we had a council tip worker, a met police detective chief super-intendant and a professional GT3 racing driver to name just a few. The problem we have at Cannonball is our name....since we purchased the company/trademark we have realised that ALOT of people tarnish us with the Gumball brush which we are nothing like. Yes, we do offer a more upmarket run which isnt everyone's cup of tea but we believe that it is the best out there. I totally understand that some people want more of an 'adventure' but we believe that we've got it just right and we had a 25% return rate from last year which ain't bad!

We hired Monza for the day this year which was incredible, guys were given the chance to lap this incredible circuit in a Porsche Carrera Gt. That's like a football fan being given the opportunity to play at Wembley! Have a look at this vid (I'm not trying to advertise mods!!!) you'll see that it's not Gumball and never will be!

http://vimeo.com/13250122

I'm sure the Haymarket runs are great, Petrol Head Nirvana probably cater for the more hardcore car enthusiast but yes, your right, it is all relative.

[tfeb]

K17LER said:

Jaykaybi said:

and guess what a Focus RS. So, no reason why you can't join in with your focus.

Edited by K17LER on Wednesday 14th July 17:18

haha mine is only a 1.8 petrol. lol

Like I say If im going to do anything like that its got to be in something that is at least fun to drive. Thats why i'd be looking at an ST at best but tbh id prefer a 350z or crossfire purly because on the second hand market you really struggle to find a cheaper sports car.

[Jaykaybi]

tfeb said:

K17LER said:

and guess what a Focus RS. So, no reason why you can't join in with your focus.

haha mine is only a 1.8 petrol. lol

Like I say If im going to do anything like that its got to be in something that is at least fun to drive. Thats why i'd be looking at an ST at best but tbh id prefer a 350z or crossfire purly because on the second hand market you really struggle to find a cheaper sports car.

I didn't say the above, I'm just tidying the quotes up.

[tfeb]

lol thanks!