Reflections of the Drive » Motorsports

Dustball Rally 1500: The Experience

Trent Landreth — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 02:23:22 +0000

First off, I think a quick description of the Dustball Rally event is in order. The 2010 Dustball Rally, in its fifth iteration, is a 1500 mile event. The 1500 miles are covered over three days…two 750 mile driving days with a ~~party~~ rest day in the middle. A great part of Dustball is it being a gimmick rally. A gimmick rally is basically a road rally where the object is to find answers to clues, which sometimes even direct you along the appropriate route. The gimmick portion, while being a lot of fun, serves a bit to keep the speeds in check. To describe the Dustball Rally best, it is a cross between the Cannonball Run movie and a scavenger hunt.

Some more background might be in order too. A little over a year ago, I had never heard of the Dustball Rally. I helped a friend, of Team Hall & Nass fame, apply the Dustball decals to their Corvette prior to the rally. That day I was hooked. His experience last year brought about the genius idea of purposely running in a pack of cars this year, all with a method to communicate while on the road. So that’s what we did. Team Hall & Nass labeled us the Hamthrax Avoidance Alliance. Our mascot…Pirate Pig.

After a Thursday night drivers’ meeting in El Paso at La Terraza Mexican Restaurant, Friday morning began with taking some photos, receiving the gimmick packet, and hitting the road having no idea where we would end up that night or the route to get there. After many calculations, finding many gimmicks, and not finding a few, we arrived at our checkpoint that afternoon in Santa Fe, Only then did we discover the Warwick Denver Hotel was the destination. I couldn’t have been happier, as I absolutely love Colorado. After a (too) long break, we were back on the road and the hunt. Our alliance arrived toward the back of the pack and after midnight in Denver. From this tremendous first day of driving, I learned two things for (hopefully) next year. One, gas and gimmick stops need to be just that, gas and gimmick stops…not social hour. Also, unless part of the event planning, never ever sit down with a group for a meal. However, aside from a few people making a donation the Colorado highway fund, there were no problems. It was one of the best days I’ve ever spent in a vehicle.

Saturday, some attended a scenic mountain drive. Some had leisurely lunches and dinners. All participated in enormous amounts of bench racing. We even discovered that Cyprus Hill was staying with us at the Warwick Hotel while in town for the Mile High Music Festival. That night was an all-out exclusive party at a Denver night club. While quite eventful, Saturday was a much needed day of rest before another full day and another 750 miles hunting gimmicks back to El Paso.

Sunday morning we met in a local park and started off again after receiving our gimmick packets for the return trip. I was a bit bummed to see we’d head straight out of Colorado, with no back road aside from Raton Pass over the state line. However, the brilliant route through the New Mexico mountains easily made up for it, and those who had hamthrax encounters Friday night were happy to get out of the state. Sunday the Hamthrax Avoidance Alliance was much better about taking less time at gas and gimmick stops. We even were completely successful at our primary goal of Hamthrax avoidance! While a downpour of rain toward the end of the day slowed us down and motivated many of us to skip over a good portion of gimmicks, we made much better time. Let’s just say the open ~~runways~~ roadways of New Mexico really were quite helpful in having a higher average speed for the day. Our new-found diligence served us well that day, and the HAA comprised most of the top 10 cars getting to the finish line. Let me remind you Dustball is a rally and not a race. So obviously our finish order had no importance whatsoever. It’s all about the gimmicks. Needless to say, we didn’t win the gimmick portion. Maybe next year.

I knew I’d enjoy Dustball, however I didn’t expect to immediately be addicted and craving next year’s event before I even got home. All in all, my car covered over 2800 miles in four days of driving. It was an honor to participate and an honor to meet the grandson of Willie Williams, the legend behind the idea and spirit of the Dustball Rally. Team Prostin, without a doubt, deserved the spirit of Dustball award. Also, kudos to Team Hazmatt for winning the gimmick portion and being the overall rally winners. The Dustball Rally organizers, Andy and Lea, did a superb job planning and implementing such an event. My many thanks to you both and all involved as well as to my co-driver Rob. We had a great time and you were an invaluable asset, even if you never wore pants.

And for the record, no, I was not passed by a Prius!

Click an image to see the entire gallery:

Dustball Rally: A preview

Trent Landreth — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 10:47:17 +0000

Just to give you a taste of what is to come over the next few days. Make sure to follow along at http://www.twitter.com/apexphantom.

Dustball is near!

Trent Landreth — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 18:58:53 +0000

It’s just a little over a week away, and I’m really getting excited. Stay tuned here and especially at www.twitter.com/trentor_drive for updates on the Dustball Rally 1500. However, during the rally itself, we’ll be live-tweeting the entire event on the team account, www.twitter.com/ApexPhantom.

Stay tuned!

Trent Landreth — Wed, 19 May 2010 05:36:22 +0000

Don’t go far, as there are some great things in store for Reflections of the Drive. Check back over the next few weeks for new car reviews and photography from across the globe!

NASCAR Dickies 500 at Texas Motor Speedway

Trent Landreth — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 18:59:00 +0000

While visiting the Chevy Experience at the Texas State Fair in September, my wife and I were fortunate enough to win tickets to the NASCAR Dickies 500 race at Texas Motor Speedway. While I’ve never been a big NASCAR fan, a legitimate car guy should be excited about free tickets to any race. I was very excited. Part of the package included tickets to the Chevrolet Hospitality Chalet in the Village of Champions as well as a pit tour. Sweet!

I must say, the NASCAR experience is a unique one. I’ve been to both IRL and Grand-Am races at Texas Motor Speedway, and neither will prepare you for the seriousness of NASCAR fans. The people-watching there is world-class. I’d highly recommend attending a NASCAR race to any gear head/auto fanatic. After all, it’s a race, and it’s a lot more fun to watch in person than on TV. What makes it even better is having a scanner. You can rent one there for $30 or so, or if you have your own, $5-$10 will get yours re-programmed with all the driver/crew chief frequencies. It’s a blast to hear the driver and crew chief discuss track conditions, engine performance, and car dynamics. This is an absolute MUST HAVE for any NASCAR race.

Check out my race day gallery and comments by clicking on a photo.

Thanks again to General Motors for the tickets! We had a great time!

Attacking Pikes Peak

Trent Landreth — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 02:44:27 +0000

Frustration. That has been the word which came to mind every summer when visiting family in Buena Vista, CO. It must be the 9 (soon to be 10) crazed munchkins under the age of 11 converging on my parents’ home for daily meals and outings. Nope. My family is wonderful, and we have a great time in the mountains hiking and fishing. Then what is it? It’s a feeling that arises every year because the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb organizers refuse to plan the race around my vacation schedule. This year, however, was different. They listened to my pleas. I could finally make it happen. I was a little bummed I could not attend Fan Fest on Friday and that I didn’t plan ahead enough to camp out on Saturday night, but the prospect of watching competitors risk it all for 12.42 miles and 156 turns was enough.

Caffeine is the order of the evening as I fill up in Buena Vista aiming to arrive on Pikes Peak around 1am early Sunday morning. I fully expect to sleep a bit in the Explorer until the gates open at 4am. Yeah right. My excitement won’t allow it. Plus, the line already forming was one long tailgate party, and at around 3am the officials and race teams were heading up the mountain.

3:55 am. The line is getting anxious. People are getting in their cars, ready to drive up into the darkness. I’m not kidding about it being dark up there. I spotted a mountain lion using a flashlight. It took a 30 second exposure to get a smidgeon of light for a skyline photo.

Off we go. I’m one of the first 20 or so to the toll gate where they are checking tickets. They’re flagging people by so fast I don’t have time to get a picture. I go by the race team pits and starting point even faster. I’m heading for Devil’s Playground above the timberline at almost 12,800 ft. I want the good view and to be exposed if the lightning and hail comes. My metal camping chair, tripod, and a couple bags of electronic camera gear should keep me safe.

Halfway Picnic Grounds goes by in the darkness, then Glen Cove, and then the 16 mile marker. I pass each landmark moving a little more slowly than the last as the elevation increases and my V6 struggles for air. One more turn. Finally. Devil’s Playground. I park and claim my tiny spot on a frighteningly thin, slippery ridge. It’s dark, but pair after pair of headlights zigzagging through the darkness indicate I’ve picked a good spot. Finally, just before 5am, some shadows begin to emerge. As the mountain begins to come out of darkness, the view of the course is impeccable. I can follow the course 4.5 miles to the Ski Area and beyond. It’s getting bright surprisingly quickly. My view of Glen Cove is remarkable. I’ve chosen well. I’m directly above the 16 mile snow drifts.

9 am seems to be taking forever. It’s barely 5:30 am. I feel like I’ve been here for weeks, grown a beard, and need to find fresh water. Instead, I grab a Gatorade from the cooler. Since I have some time to burn, I explore the hillside a little. It’s absolutely gorgeous. Some people have come quite prepared to enjoy the day.

Being a car guy, I can’t resist exploring the Devil’s Playground parking lot as well. Obviously a 4×4 is the spectator vehicle of choice. There is a respectful showing of WRXs and Evos too, although they are completely dominated by rental cars wheezing what seemed like their last breaths to get into the lot.

SIRENS! It’s the race safety vehicles clearing the course. Not much compares to the beauty of standing on the side of a mountain above the timberline aside from doing so while the National Anthem plays. Then we wait. Some drink. Some have been drinking for hours. The drunken commentary is quite funny at times as spectators cross the course for one last visit to the port-a-potty. A good portion of the morning is spent people watching and listening to one particular drunk guy who obviously retired from Mystery Science Theater 3000.

Finally. The distinct, quiet sound of a flat six reverberates up the mountain. I’m excited, but MST3000 guy might have actually peed himself a little. Here comes Max Papis in the Porsche 911 Carrera 4 pace car. It’s a bit sad to see the AWD beauty struggling at this altitude and Papis using the handbrake generously to give the crowds a little tire smoke action. Was a 4S or Turbo not available? Porsche, are you listening? We know now it’s just a matter of time now before the Vintage Racers start up the mountain. The vintage cars are amazing. And by amazing, I mean slow. They are beautiful cars though and still a lot of fun to watch.

Next up is Mark Rennison in the Mach 2 Racing Ford RS200. Wow! Talk about jumping right to the big boys! This car is fast…stupid, silly fast. Compared to the vintage cars, it absolutely flogs each straight only to immediately beat each turn into submission. 2300 lbs. 950 bhp. 750 lb-ft torque. It gets better. Three minutes worth of nitrous is good for another 200 bhp. Those numbers make me giggle like a little girl. He runs a 12 min 11 sec time, good for 3rd place in Unlimited.

I know something good is coming as we watch the helicopter following along the course. The next thing I know, Marcus Gronholm is closing fast in his Ford Fiesta. I thought Rennison was fast, but this Fiesta definitely picks up the pace. The Fiesta is one good looking car too. Gronholm clocks 11 min 28 sec, good for 2nd place in Unlimited.

Now the moment even the marmots have been waiting for. Nobuhiro Tajima. His name alone frightens Chuck Norris. It’s obvious he is on his way up. Helicopter? Check. Dust clouds wafting through the W’s far below? Check. The crowd roars as he approaches and blows by 16 mile? Oh yeah! The man is a machine. It’s truly an unbelievable thing to watch. Unfortunately a really slippery course this year prevents a new record on the mountain, but he still tackles the mountain in 10 min 15 sec, easily taking the overall win and 1st place in Unlimited.

Here comes an old-school motorcycle with a sidecar. It may be the only point in the day when I have the urge to try and dive in or on a vehicle. The opportunity passes by as I realize the attempt wouldn’t end well. Many other quads and motorcycles follow and are quite impressive to watch negotiate a tight, paved turn.

Now there are some Exhibition cars and then Time Attack. All are great, but as I hear each car coming, I hope each time it is Rhys Millen in his new Hyundai Genesis Coupe. Something echoes up the mountain. It’s definitely the loudest I’ve heard today. It’s Randy Schranz in his propane powered ’66 Shelby Cobra (#17). Next, I don’t hear a car but the distinct blat, blat, blat of helicopter blades once again. It has to be Millen. The next thing I know he’s counter-steering the Genesis Coupe, rear wheels spinning wildly, all the way by me. It’s fast. It’s beautiful. In fact, Millen wears a tires down to the cords. He sets the 2WD record up the mountain with a 12 min 9 sec time. Next, I watch as the Open, Super Stock, Open Wheel, and Pro Truck vehicles slip and slide their way to the peak.

Now it’s time to start loading up as I wait for the progression of brave souls to parade their vehicles back down the mountain. It’s a beautiful sight seeing them all in line, high-fiving the crowds as they descend. Fans, family, and friends often stop drivers/riders to congratulate them. Many express relief that the drivers and riders didn’t end up at the bottom of a cliff or gulch.

It’s been an amazing day. There has been sunshine, clouds, rain, sleet, and lightning. There have been countless gallons of fuel burned. Most succeeded in attacking Pikes Peak but unfortunately some did not. Another year has passed, and the mountain has yet to allow a sub-10 minute ascent. Maybe the Peak will be more kind next year. I hope to be there.

===========================================
Click Here to browse my photo gallery for this event.
===========================================

After no sleep for 30 hours or so and hiking around with camera gear at 13,000 feet all day, there’s nothing like a flat tire to brighten the mood! A spare with really low tire pressure is even better!