Playersrun update

Damn rookie cops

 

How exactly do these cross country runs get done? I first learned of Gumball a few years back, and now they have various long distance rallys such as 'Players Run'. Having seen some of the videos the participants have shot, it's a wonder that there haven't been any fatalities yet (have there?). Since I've never been there in person, I have a few questions that maybe those of you who've particpated can answer:

1. Is there an implied notation for speeding? I would assume that event organizers are out looking for the safety of those entered, but it is plain obvious that the cars reach some incredible speeds on the highways.

2. What do law enforcement officials do about it? Do they ever provide highway escort to move more 'pedestrian' vehicles to the right when the convoy passes? Can contestants be locked up for a night or two and have their licenses revoked over the issue of several high speed tickets?

I'm just curious on how these things have gone on for as long as they have without any serious injury or a public outcry in some towns and cities. It's evident that each rally attracts tremendous attention and is probably a ton of fun for the drivers and passengers, but for me, there's a nagging concern for the safety of the individuals involved. I'm not just talking about the entry cars but non-participants who join up, hoping to go along with the convoy as it passes their locale.

I'll use a video I have as an example. The video is shot from a worked Supra that is trailing a Porsche GT2. For the duration of the video, the Supra is weaving through lanes and speeding excessively in daytime traffic, trying to match the GT2. At the same time, the GT2 isn't really engaging the Supra but on a whim, is able to step on the peddle and pull a few car lengths ahead whenever the Supra gets near. For those of you who have this kind of experience, what kind of feelign does this convey? There's a great possibility that innocents can be harmed... not so much by the GT2 (provided he's a decently skilled driver) but due to the Supra's aggressive actions. Do you do anything about it? Do you just ignore the driver and press on or do you entertain him?

My personal feeling is that it's probably best to slow down and ignore the driver. The more you demonstrate the power of your exotic, the more it seems to attract attention and preclude more reckless driving. Does anyone have an alternate method of dealing? I'd like to hear from some of you guys.

By the way, I am in no way bashing those who participate, but I'd like to remind some about the considerable risk involved. Well, best wishes to those in the Players Run this year and safe driving! (Come to Seattle next year! It's absolutely gorgeous here during the summer!)

 

Ryalex,

Yeah, that Yellow Murci guy is pretty cool. But you shouldn't be busting on Lambo after he gave you an official Player's Run jacket.

Fuhk the Poe-leece

 

I just met some of the guys in front of the Peninsula hotel in Chicago. They were prepping their cars and heading out for breakfast at the Hancock. The cars looked awesome, except for that 911 with the half bird sticking in the front window.

Met Roland and his F40 LM and John Moore with his lovely copilot and their F40.

They have a long day ahead going to Kansas City. Unfortunately they arrived a tad late yesterday to make it to the FCA Ferraris on Oak Street. Would have been nice for both events to come together, but just like the Gumballers who were too late for the Spanish GP.

Will post some pics later today.

 

Yeah the window was going to be fixed at the hotel before they left. The porsche looked good the tires where worn and the front windshield was shatter with a bird wing on the hood. The yellow murci was a nice guy he talked with a few people dado in his M3 took pictures with that face mask from last yr.

 

Oh boy, Ferrarislave you were there too? We could have met. Bummer.

 

Does anyone know of a site with current pictures? The Players Run official site still has pics from last year.

If so please post a link here.

 

Was there yesterday after oak street walked there had no Idea where the hotlel was till I seen the Crysler 300 with all the players run stickers on it. And then heard the murci tear up the streets.

 

From the kickoff on Saturday:

http://ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=20425

 

Answers To Your Questions:

1. There are no known fatalities to my knowledge. As for the speeding, it is not condoned but people will be people and do it. Anyone planning and organizing these runs SHOULD/MUST say that the people have to obey the speed limit so that they are not held liable. I believe people also sign waivers.

2. At some points on these runs there are high speed police escorts. Pretty safe then but most of the time they are alone. I know of SEVERAL people that have been locked up and had their cars impounded for speeding. Highest I have heard was 193 MPH in a F50. With Gumball most of the guys imported their cars and were outside the US so they did not care. The points would almost never transfer to them.

As for safety, it is my number 1 concern. I never do anything STUPID on the roads. It is just not worth it. Innocent people can be hurt and you can get in SERIOUS trouble. I am not one to dodge through a HIGH VOLUME of traffic, it is just stupid.

Hope this helps

 

There should be a large Ferrari Club group in Kansas City on Monday nite...

 

yeah, it did, thanks a bunch!

 

Here some pictures from this morning in Chicago:

Roland Linder's and John Moore's F40. John lost a little nut from his wing and so they had to fix that on the spot. John's copilot was packing the front of the car with the luggage for the trip. Some other Ferraris also part of the Playersrun.

 

Side note: At the kick-off, every player was VERY friendly and cool, if you have the means to join next years rally, I'd highly encourage it...

 

Some more:

 

Roland, John, let me know if you like full res versions or prints of these.
PlayersMarkus, sorry I didn't get a chance to meet you pal. Rock on!

 

Nice pictures. Looks like it is going well so far minus the four cars out.

 

Almost forgot the one shot of Roland. He was very busy working with his staff on some problems that we had barely time to say hello. Nevertheless I feel honored to have met the man in person, a legend just like his car:

 

which cars have dropped out
is the porsche 911TT with the bird in the winsheild out... cuz i would think that they could fix that overnight?!? i dunno

 

DAMN FINALS made me miss the kickoff. DAMN SCHOOL. Sweet pics tho

 

That was actually an interesting site to see. The windshield was cracked up pretty bad and the birds legs were still sticking out of the air intake. Had to be cruzin pretty fast to get that to work out. The guy couldnt find a spot to fix the windshield overnight eather.

 

I have not participated, but here's what I know. You don't have to speed, there is no prize (other than pride) for getting there first. Just as an example, last year's Gumball winner was a ... Chevy Avalanche! Most steady of them all. Of course, in the movies, it appears everyone drives flat out from the beginning to the end. Which I believe is wrong. I'm pretty sure most take it easy 80% of the time (note that takin' it easy doesn't meant under the speed limit).
Law enforcement? Some states have escorts, other fine all the cars in the rally. Some do go to jail and have to be bailed out by their co-drivers ... lol
The example you used is a bad choice. The Supra following them isn't a racer, just a couple of kids with more car then brain (you have to be stupid to drive 180mph with 4 people on board...). I suggest you get ahold of "Gumball: The Movie" or some similar name, shows that most drivers are clever and drive fast, but smart.

 

One of the drivers told me he hit the bird doing 180. The crack on the shield is so huge that it looks like from a massive stone.

 

Read "Cannonball". It had various schemes used, all true stories!
Ambulances, priest costumes, coats and ties with a Mercedes, etc.

The more sedate examples did well, but the event was won TWICE by Ferraris, IIRC

 

We hit a bird in Morocco during Gumball - we were doing about 160 - it made a huge hole in the the left-side mirror on our 575, and sounded like we got hit by a rock...

Birds are pretty nasty to hit at 150+...