Crazy BABE seeks bangers to mash from Big Apple to New Orleans
National road rallies are nothing new for North American enthusiasts. Brock Yates' Cannonball Run
offshoot, the One Lap Of America has been plugging away in earnest for
decades now. But for those without big budgets, trans-continental automotive hooliganism has remained somewhat less
accessible.
Enter the BABE, or BigApple2BigEasy. Basically, it's a 'run
whatcha brung' event from NYC to New Orleans on public roads. The catch? Competitors can only spend the princely sum of
$250 on a vehicle. In other words, expect a parade of bangers, heaps, jalopies, junkers, and the stray basketcase. The four-day event will be interspersed with 'challenges' which will likely take the form of scavenger hunts and
the like. The event is not a race (Gumballers need not apply), but it is scored, and there are awards. The top
team takes home $1,500, with the second place team netting $350, and the third-place finishers putting a $150 dent in
their gas receipts/future chiropractor bills. Trophies to be awarded will include 'Team to Hitchhike the Farthest' and 'Most Creative Repair Job.' Participating
hoopties must be Sounds like fun to us. [Sources: BABE and IMCDB.org]forklifted registered by April 30th, and the BABE requires a $250 entry fee.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Noah 12:44PM (4/06/2006)
Does anyone know of an event like this on the West coast or midland?
--Noah
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Jeffrey 12:54PM (4/06/2006)
Hmm... just what New Orleans needs. As if the mess from Hurricane Katrina wasn't enough to clean up, now they'll have a bunch of abandoned cars at the end of this trip.
Nice photo, Chris! A bear in his natural habitat, a Studebaker. :)
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Dave in MI 1:03PM (4/06/2006)
$250 doesn't even buy tires.
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Dustin Tarditi 1:57PM (4/06/2006)
Maybe they subscribe to the "monster garage" mentality where gifted items are "free" or "$0"
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Scott 2:20PM (4/06/2006)
The April edition of Outside Magazine had an article about a similar race from Plymoth England to Dakar Gambia. The article indicated that the 100 limit was a rule ment to be broken. I've already started scouting vehicles on Craigslist and Ebay. Strong possiblity- '88 Lebaron Convertible Turbo with dry root top and fuel line leak. RUNS!!
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Nate Wesley 2:55PM (4/06/2006)
If I were about 50 times more mechanically proficient as I am now, this would probably be fun. But a $250 vehicle? I could probably find something running $500, but for half that price...it's probably deader than the do-do bird.
I'd hope to either stumble upon a late 80s four-banger like a Toyota Tercel or Nissan Sentra...or perhaps an old tech Chevy or Ford which I could find cheap parts or implement duct tape & chicken wire repairs.
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Tim Porter 4:30AM (4/07/2006)
This has been tried in europe and it seems to work however, having old heaps of junk on the roads needs to be considered safety must be considered nowadays .
Try the Great American run [July 29th 2007]
www.cannonballworld.com
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