Autoblog

2012 One Lap Of America starts today

Chris Paukert — Sat, 05 May 2012 07:02:00 EST

Yes, it's spring time in Indiana, and although Jim Nabors won't be singing ahead of the drop of the green flag, it's time for another One Lap of America.

Having been part of the timing and scoring team for well over a decade, we tend to see a lot of the same faces and sheetmetal year in and year out, though there's always a steady stream of newcomers. Every few races, however, there seems to be a bumper crop of new cars that show up as old ones get tired and drivers find something different to play with. This is clearly one of those times, perhaps brought about by the dominance of the Nissan GTR over the last several years. As a result, there are a glut of the Japanese supercars in the fold, along with other noteworthy new models including an Audi TT RS, a BMW M5 and 1 Series M Coupe, not to mention a factory-prepped Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8. As ever, there's a brace of Porsche 911 and Chevrolet Corvette models of various vintages, along with a Dodge Viper or two and a Ferrari 430. There's even an E-Series ambulance and an incredible sounding Honda Odyssey, also running with factory support.

Unfortunately, one key classic will be notably absent from the paddock this year: Brock Yates. Father of One Lap Of America and the legendary Cannonball Run that spawned it, Yates' health has been deteriorating due to Alzheimer's. Yates' son, Brock Jr. has been ably running the event for many years, but this is the first time that Senior won't be in attendance.

As has become the usual, this year's event kicks off in South Bend, Indiana at title sponsor Tire Rack's massive headquarters with a wet skidpad event. The motley crew of madmen and their motors will then jog down the road a few miles to the South Bend Motor Speedway (a paved oval) before hoofing it over to Autobahn Country Club's road course in Illinois. After that, it's off to a string of road courses starting with scenic Pacific Junction, Iowa, for the Mid America Motorplex, then on to Oklahoma's Hallett Motor Racing Circuit before heading to High Plains Raceway in Colorado. After that, it's off to Motorsports Park Hastings in Nebraska followed by a trip to Brainerd International Raceway in Minnesota. Then it's over to Wisconsin's legendary Road America before the sleepless and bedraggled horde stumble back into South Bend next Saturday, May 12 for a final dry skidpad event. Got all that? If you don't, you can check out a map here.

As we'll be working the event, we won't have the ability to give you daily updates on the rally's progress, but if you're interested in keeping tabs on the action, check out One Lap Of America's official website and Facebook page, both of which figure to have live updates as the race gets underway this morning. In the meantime, you can check out our massive gallery above. It doesn't have every one of the roughly 75 that are scheduled to race, but if you are new to One Lap, it'll give you a good idea of the automotive diversity on display.

We'll see you in 3,300 miles or so, if not sooner...

2012 One Lap Of America starts today originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 05 May 2012 07:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Alex Roy and Team Polizei in "The Battle of Rome"

Zach Bowman — Wed, 19 May 2010 19:25:00 EST

Filed under: Europe, Videos

Team Polizei and the Battle of Rome - Click above to watch video after the jump

It's been five years since Alex Roy and Team Polizei took on the infamous 2005 Gumball Rally in their equally sinister BMW M5. Through the blessed passage of time, the statute of limitations on most of the infractions the team accumulated during the race have lifted, meaning that the rest of the world can now safely enjoy/be enraged by Roy's battle with a blue Porsche 997 X50 as they race toward Rome. The video after the jump is the first part of a multi-part series that covers the 100 mile race at speeds of better than 120 mph.

Now, here's the thing. We've been known to push on a vehicle a time or two and we have plenty of faith in Roy's driving skills, but the clip after the jump should serve as a blatant reminder of just how stupid races like the Gumball are. As easy as it is to get your car on a proper race track, there's zero excuse for engaging in this kind of lead-follow on public streets. We know Roy's a folk hero among those who prefer putting the skinny pedal down and that we aren't going to be gaining any friends by denouncing his former activities, but those that participate in racing on public streets are playing the worst kind of numbers game. Avoidable tragedies like what happened in the 2007 Gumball Rally are why Roy himself abandoned the sport in favor of sanctioned events.

Hit the jump to see the video. Thanks for the tip, Jason Bordeaux!

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading Video: Alex Roy and Team Polizei in "The Battle of Rome"

Video: Alex Roy and Team Polizei in "The Battle of Rome" originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 19 May 2010 19:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Crazy BABE seeks bangers to mash from Big Apple to New Orleans

Chris Paukert — Thu, 06 Apr 2006 11:56:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Trends, Etc.

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 ~~forklifted~~ registered by April 30th, and the BABE requires a $250 entry fee.

Sounds like fun to us.

[Sources: BABE and IMCDB.org]

Crazy BABE seeks bangers to mash from Big Apple to New Orleans originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 06 Apr 2006 11:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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