Vintage & Diesel Mercedes Road Rally: Thinking of Organizing May-June $1000 prize - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

TylerH860 · #1 12-15-2007, 04:26 PM

What would you all think of competing in a 1,000 mile road rally across the midwest sometime in end of may or early june? I was thinking of starting in SanAntonio, Tx, traveling along the Rio Grand river, going up into Roswell and Santa Fe, New Mexico, through Southern Colorado, including Leadville (highest elevation city) the final leg being Glenwood Canyon (One of the most beautiful stretches of road in the nation) and the finish line in Glenwood Springs. (World Famous Hotsprings) I'm thinking of doing this over a 4 day period in 250 mile or so increments. Map of what I'm thinking.

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&hl=en&geocode=3624107683429564837,29.327510,-100.487490&time=&date=&ttype=&saddr=San+Antonio,+Tx&daddr=US-90+%4029.327510,+-100.487490+to:38.796908,-106.12793+to:Glenwood+Springs,+Co&mra=dpe&mrcr=0&mrsp=2&sz=7&via=1,2&sll=39.119407,-105.982361&sspn=3.621977,6.712646&ie=UTF8&ll=34.849875,-102.414551&spn=15.300123,26.850586&z=5&om=1

It would be a timed rally, NOT A RACE. Whoever can get closest to the goal time while picking up items at checkpoints is the winner. Prize of $1,000 or so.

I've driven most the stretches in Colorado, and the part from leadville to Glenwood Springs will be one of the most beautiful driving experiences of your life.

I've never been to Roswell, but thought it would be fun. I absolutely love San Antonio, I think a row of 100 benzes starting at the Alamo would be great.

Hopefully we would get some volunteers to give people technical assistance if needed along the way.

If I get alot of interest from this, I will do some more planning and start organizing hotels, lunch stops, things like that; try and get a good group discount on decent hotels. This would not be an expensive trip, but I think with the $1000 competition, the fellowship of other mercedes owners, and the scenery would make it fantastic.

I know alot of you live in the midwest, it may be a haul for some of us, (I personally live in Wichita, Ks 8 hours from start or finish line) but it would be worth it.

Please post your thoughts on this thread if you would be interested.

Moderator- perhaps you could make this sticky so people can see it, so I know who is interested.

TylerH860 · #2 12-15-2007, 06:23 PM

oh.. and I forgot to add the great dunes national park in Colorado!!!

Hatterasguy · #3 12-15-2007, 06:56 PM

Could we do a Gumball? We can make it a diesel Mercedes only Gumball, that would attract some attention...

I'll do the SDL in wild decals in the spirit of the original.

#4 12-15-2007, 06:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hatterasguy

Could we do a Gumball? We can make it a diesel Mercedes only Gumball, that would attract some attention...

Might take a while.

Hatterasguy · #5 12-15-2007, 06:58 PM

Well the leaders in the Gumball 3000 average about 150-160, I figure our cars could do half that. So insted of 6 days across the US we might need like 12.

On the plus side we won't have to run from the cops!

We could call it the "Greaseball 3000" Get the WVO crowed in for larger turn out and PR.

Maybe start in DC, end in LA.

Or we can just call it a 1995 and older Mercedes rally, that would attract some good cars and keep the new stuff away.

TylerH860 · #6 12-15-2007, 07:00 PM

I thought it should be diesel only initially... but wasn't sure if there would be enough interest. Open to it though. Gumball Rally?

yeah gumball rally... only 50,000 euros. Through Turkey, India, Amsterdam and germany. lol

Hatterasguy · #7 12-15-2007, 07:01 PM

http://www.gumball3000.com/

We could do a more affordable version.

Naturaly my SDL would beat everyone to the check points. I'd have to spring for a V1 and run balls out.

TylerH860 · #8 12-15-2007, 07:16 PM

That's a huge scale, open to it though... Also agree with the WVO statement. That would silence / add fuel to the fire with the WVO kill your car debate.

I really want this to happen... badly. I researched doing some rallies and either my benzes aren't old enough, or its $5,000 or more to participate in a decent one.

Hatterasguy · #9 12-15-2007, 07:23 PM

Well I think the WVO angle would attract a lot more people. I'm not a fan of the stuff, but if it means more cars running, and maybe some PR to attract even more cars, I'll bite my tounge.

Either way I'm going to seriously try to make it if you put one on. The first route you suggested would be cool.

School is ending and I want to do a big road trip before it does, mechanically my SDL will be ready. I'd prefer to do it before painting it so I won't feel bad about all the chips and crap its going to get.

pitansk · #10 12-15-2007, 07:28 PM

having a class of Diesels that cost less than $1000? i would happily fly to dallas, austin, houston, or san antonio, pick up a dirt cheap benz, and participate. then, when i win, i get a free car!

i think seperate classes for 115s, 110s, oldest diesel to finish, newest, etc. would add some variety and flavor to the rally. then we could challenge the 3.5l 603's into a rod-bending contest.

thoughts?

TylerH860 · #11 12-15-2007, 07:35 PM

lol sounds good... I know of quite a few in the area.

I would want to seperate diesels and gassers most certainly. Its hard to tell about further specialization. If we have 20 cars, probably not, 50 or more.... I'm just curious about how many people would be interested. If I get at least a dozen or so serious cars in, I'd get the ball rolling.

I know I'd put both of my benzes in.

raMBow · #12 12-15-2007, 08:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hatterasguy

Or we can just call it a 1995 and older Mercedes rally, that would attract some good cars and keep the new stuff away.

Dashing my hopes... dern, "my car is too new".

I keep looking for some meet that is actually in the midwest.

Sounds like a blast. Best part would be pitansk's "350 rod-bender contest".

That is quality entertainment.

raMBow · #13 12-15-2007, 08:46 PM

Additional thought. Need to find a large mountain range and do a kind of Pike's Peak 240D Automatic Annihillation (added the extra "l" in annihilation). To save fuel, cut down on traffic etc. They would be required to take 3 passengers

daw_two · #14 12-15-2007, 08:48 PM

I think the Diesel angle is definitely the way to go. And adding the alternative fuel to the mix would bring even more attention to the gumball. Here's an idea. Bonus prize dollars for alternative energy.

And yes, just the older cars......different classes if enough car; if not, combine classes where needed.

TylerH860 · #15 12-15-2007, 10:15 PM

I think their should be an incentive for greasers. Head start perhaps, or reduced entry fee. I still don't think it should be over $100 to enter, including some lunches and race finishing party.

I also think that newer cars can come along if they want (raMBow), just not compete in the same class.

What audience should I market this to. Any paticular magazines/websites?

Know of any businesses that would Sponsor?

(Lovecraft perhaps) just kidding