<![CDATA[Jalopnik: Rallying]]> http://cache.gawker.com/assets/base/img/thumbs140x140/jalopnik.com.png <![CDATA[Jalopnik: Rallying]]> http://jalopnik.com/tag/rallying http://jalopnik.com/tag/rallying <![CDATA[ Gumball 3000 Rally Still Heading To North Korea, Bringing Tony Hawk, "Jackass" Cast And David Hasselhoff ]]> Despite last year's deadly early ending, Gumball 3000 founder "Mad" Maximillion Cooper's dropped yet another press release announcing his intentions to include North Korea as a one-night stopover on this year's "10th Anniversary" Gumball 3000 rally. But now he's also providing a list of attendees he plans to bring on his little merry-go-round-the-world adventure. Expect to see such luminaries as the entire crew of MTV's "Jackass," Tony Hawk and David Hasselhoff brought on for the ride. Good god, will the madness ever end? Full press release below the jump.

GUMBALL 3000 CELEBRATES ITS "10th ANNIVERSARY RALLY"

San Francisco to the Beijing Olympics, August 9-16, 2008

LONDON, ENGLAND (June 17, 2008) — Superstars and supercars converge on San Francisco, Saturday, August 9 for the "10th Anniversary" Gumball 3000 Rally. 120 of the most amazing cars, driven by film stars, musicians, sports stars, billionaires, and the cast of "Jackass," will set on an incredible eight-day drive to the Beijing Olympics - incorporating one night in North Korea. This ladies and gentlemen is Gumball 3000 - and is certain to be nothing short of spectacular.

From San Francisco, the 3000 mile route incorporates overnight stops in Los Angeles, San Diego and Las Vegas, with VIP parties each night. Upon reaching Las Vegas, all participants will be flown directly to Pyongyang, North Korea, to spend an unprecedented night in this undiscovered city to watch the incredible 'Mass Games' (their spectacular annual display of arts and sport) as part of a global "friendship" initiative. (And you thought Gumball was just another Cannonball Run - this one's more likely to get the Nobel Peace Prize than Burt Reynold's version - that's for sure!)

Following the Mass Games and the "first ever" western music performance in Pyongyang promoting peace and friendship, all participants will be flown on to Hangzhou, China to be reunited with their vehicles. From there the Rally then heads north to Shanghai and Xuzhou, before crossing the finish line in Beijing's Tiananmen Square on Saturday, August 16, just in time for the Gumballers to watch a week of Olympic finals.

Entrants already include David Hasselhoff driving the legendary K.I.T.T. car from Knight Rider, famous drummer Travis Barker, MTV's Rob Dyrdek (Rob & Big) in a fully customized '69 Camaro as well as Johnny Knoxville and the rest of the "Jackass" guys...driving everything from Ferrari Enzos to Bugatti Veyrons, Rolls Royces, old Cadillacs, low riders and even a few electric cars. This rally is nothing short of stunning - closing city streets and boulevards throughout the entire route to make it Gumball's most spectacular event to date.

For more information go to www.gumball3000.com bringing you the latest news, reviews, videos, products and celebrity blogs - the social network for the Gumball generation; incorporating art, apparel, music, films, events, street culture and everything automotive.

About Gumball 3000
The first Gumball 3000 took place in April 1999, when British creator Maximillion Cooper invited 50 of his friends to take part in a 3000-mile party around Europe to bring together the music, film, fashion and sport industries. Ten years later, and things have certainly grown, with crowds of more than a million people attending the start last year in London, and a televised and online audience that reached more than 60 million in more than 150 countries around the world.

Gumball 3000 consistently hits the headlines as "Cool Britannia's" most unique addition to pop culture, described by Vanity Fair Magazine as "the most rock 'n' roll car rally ever staged" and famed for its exploits and celebrity participation. The event annually attracts stars including Oscar-winning star of the "Pianist" Adrien Brody, "Jackass's" Johnny Knoxville, Hugh Hefner, supermodels Jodie Kidd and Caprice, "Kill Bill's" Daryl Hannah, action sports legends Tony Hawk, Matt Hoffman, Carey Hart, and rock stars including Snoop Dogg, Blink 182, 50 Cent, The Fun Lovin' Criminals, The Happy Mondays, Placebo, Jamiroquai and even Ms. Minogue.

Incorporating a new 3000-mile route each year, the attraction of the Gumball transcends social barriers, appealing to the adventurer in everyone, regardless of status or wealth; combining grease, glamour and guts in equal measures, stretching the experiences of travel and entertainment - just that bit further. Over the past nine years, Gumball 3000 has been hosted by kings and presidents, partied with Snoop Dogg, appeared on the "Jay Leno Show," raised awareness for testicular cancer, chartered the world's three largest aircrafts, created untold amount of "Jackass's" fuelled mayhem, hung out at Hugh Hefner's mansion, and most recently has been invited to work with the United Nations, all through the language of the motor car.

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Jalopnik-396413 Wed, 18 Jun 2008 08:20:00 EDT Ray Wert http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=396413&view=rss&microfeed=true
<![CDATA[ Ove Andersson, Rally Hero: 1938-2008 ]]> Ole Andersson, the Swedish-born racer best known for his Toyota-based European rally teams, died yesterday when his 1957 Volvo crashed during a vintage rally event in South Africa. Mr. Andersson began his racing career as a driver in 1963, and by the early 1970s he was running his own team, racking up plenty of podium time (including the 1975 Safari Rally, which he won at the helm of a Peugeot 504). It's a tough blow for all of us to lose this master of rally hoonage, who piloted such Jalop-approved machines as the Celica, Alpine, and 504. [Reuters, The Guardian]

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Jalopnik-395908 Thu, 12 Jun 2008 08:00:00 EDT Murilee Martin http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=395908&view=rss&microfeed=true
<![CDATA[ PCH, Vintage Baja Racer Edition: Peugeot 404 or 1957 Baja Bug? ]]> The recently-exhumed Lancia Scorpion takes the win over the electrical-system-challenged Merkur XR4Ti by a 60/40 ratio in yesterday's Choose Your Eternity poll, preserving Italy's status- for now- as a PCH Superpower. And, speaking of PCH Superpowers, we have some unfinished business from Wednesday; it seems that a German car managed to beat a French one (albeit by a margin thinner than a typical Hell Project owner's wallet), which casts some doubt on France's status as the world's lone PCH Omnipower. Was it a fluke, caused by the Peugeot's Chevy running gear? Let's see how another Peugeot-VW matchup plays out today, with a couple of sand-in-your-teeth desert heroes vying for your vote!


How much do you have to pay for a rare European rally car steeped in 1960s and 1970s racing history from one of the most famous races in North America? More than you could ever afford, of course. But wait! An unaccountable distortion in the Vintage Race Car Reality Field (VRCRF) has produced this 1963 Peugeot 404 Baja 1000 veteran. How can we tell the VRCRF was involved? The $1,200 price tag. No, really- just barely over a thousand bucks; in fact, the seller states "No Reasonable Offer Will Be Refused!!!" so you might be able to get it for under a grand! Of course, you'll have a Sisyphean ordeal somewhat challenging road in front of you with this project, since the car has been sitting for 34 years and the engine is long gone. That shouldn't stop you, however- it's a rear-wheel-drive car, so the junkyard is overflowing with suitable engines that could be swapped right in without too much trouble. BMW M10? Toyota A? Is the suspension good? Probably not! Is anything on this car good? Who knows? Once you've got it running, however, it'll be time to head to the desert for some vintage dirt-eating adventure! Thanks, once again, to PCH ÜberTipster LTDScott.

When you're going racing in Baja California, don't you want a vehicle with "Baja" in its name? Ah, the ol' Baja Bug! Remember when you used to see them doing daily-driver duty all over the Southwest? The air-cooled Beetle in stock form is no slouch off-road- no radiator to boil over, most of the weight over the drive wheels, and so on- but put nerf bars, roll cage, and big tires on it and you'll be ready to leave tire tracks across the backs of the most elusive endangered species in the desert! To be vintage, however, you need an oval-window Beetle for your Baja Bug project...and have you priced 1953-57 Beetles lately? Fortunately for you, we've managed to find this '57 Beetle that's already well on its way to Baja-ness. You get a significant fraction of a 1776cc engine and "many other parts," and all for just $1,400! Old VWs have the dubious distinction of being the only cars that manage to get terrible rust in Southern California, so you have to figure on some pan rot to deal with. While you're shopping for your great big wheels, roof-mounted oil cooler, sixer of Primo Beer, and lid of Acapulco Gold, you'll have plenty of time to contemplate stuffing a Roots-type blower on the engine, just like yesterday's PCH Beetle!

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Jalopnik-395220 Fri, 06 Jun 2008 17:20:00 EDT Murilee Martin http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=395220&view=rss&microfeed=true
<![CDATA[ 2008 Subaru Impreza WRC Comes Together In Front Of Our Eyes ]]> We've always been big fans of the yellow and blue, and the 2008 Subaru Impreza WRC entrant is no exception. And if you were curious, there's a decent amount of work needed to take your stock 2008 WRX and convert it into a rally monster. See above. After all that work it's nice to see the result isn't this, though the Impreza could use 800-inch chrome rims. [SWRT]

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Jalopnik-394067 Thu, 29 May 2008 16:00:00 EDT Matt Hardigree http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=394067&view=rss&microfeed=true
<![CDATA[ What Would You Convert Into A Rally Car? ]]> The photos today of the Ferrari 308 GTB rally car combined with the VW Thing (which rallied against the Allied Forces) got us thinking again about rally cars. Anything can be a rally racer, whether AWD/FWD/RWD or even 6WD. From the diminutive Kia Rio to the insane Suzuki Escudo, anything can be rallied. Anything...

Just look at today's DOTS retrospective. Would we rally a Porsche 356? Yes. 1977 Olds Custom Cruiser? Yes. 1987 Starion? You see where we're going with this. Assuming unlimited classes, and most rally series have many classes, what would you convert for dirt-ice-mud-roading?

[Photo: SpecialStage]

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Jalopnik-388047 Wed, 07 May 2008 11:40:00 EDT Matt Hardigree http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=388047&view=rss&microfeed=true
<![CDATA[ Minnesota, February 1967: Let's Go Racing! ]]>
Those crazy Minnesotans aren't going to let a little 20-below weather stop them from taking their Saabs and MGAs out for some racing, you betcha! My grandfather, a proud St. Paul native, was serious about rally madness and ice-racing lunacy back in the 50s and 60s, and he'd probably still be doing it today at age 91 if his eyesight were a little better and he still had the ol '356 (or the Corvair... or the Dauphine...). He's handed over some of his racing memorabilia to me, including his Curta Peppermill and some of his old Twin Cities Sports Car Club newsletters. Here's the February 1967 TCSCC newsletter, which shows how those tough-guy Minnesotans pretended they weren't freezing their nodules off in ludicrous weather conditions. Uff da! Yeah, it's not as cool as the 8mm movie film I have of actual races, but I haven't had a chance to get them digitized yet.

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Jalopnik-373270 Fri, 28 Mar 2008 16:00:00 EDT Murilee Martin http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=373270&view=rss&microfeed=true
<![CDATA[ Woodland Creature Costs Pastrana Victory At Sno*Drift Rally This Weekend ]]>
You're all well aware that we think racer Travis Pastrana is a bad ass. Sadly, superior driving skills don't exempt you from bad luck. This Pastrana learned during the last stage of the Sno*Drift Rally. All that stood between the Team USA WRX STI and victory was about 11 miles of icy Michigan roads and one adult deer. Christian Edstrom may be a talented co-driver, but there's no navigating around that at high speed, in the dark. Better luck next time guys. [Break.com and Sno*Drift]

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Jalopnik-350950 Thu, 31 Jan 2008 10:30:00 EST Matt Hardigree http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=350950&view=rss&microfeed=true
<![CDATA[ Waving to the Masses: Driver POV From Rally de Wallonie 2005 ]]>
There's nothing like a good rally driver-POV video clip to kick a lazy Tuesday into the troposphere. This, from Belgum's Rally de Wallonie in 2005 shows a Porsche GT3 996 being piloted by a driver unafraid to wave back at the crowd following tricky cornering maneuvers. That's what we call rally spirit. Oh, and no crap Euro synth pop to ruin the whole thing. [Thanks to Travis for the tip.]

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Jalopnik-321954 Tue, 13 Nov 2007 09:15:00 EST Mike Spinelli http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=321954&view=rss&microfeed=true
<![CDATA[ Group N Spec Mitsubishi Evo X: To Be Course Cars for WRC Japan ]]> Tis the season for the new Mitsubishi Evo X to invade our consciousness like a reoccurring yen for BBQ-flavored potato chips. Whatever your vice, Mitsubishi's latest news is its latest evo, in Group N rally spec, will be pressed into duty as course cars for the upcoming WRC rally stop in Hokkaido, Japan later this month. The cars are fitted with a full roll cage, purpose-built running gear, brakes and close-ratio gearbox from Ralliart. The new Evo will be properly homologated for FIA World Rally competition (naturally), with the first rally models to hit the international circuit by the second half of 2008 or early 2009. Click through for press release.

Press Release:

Press Release

Mitsubishi Motors Corporation has announced that their new-generation high-performance 4WD sedan, the Lancer Evolution X (10) is to be used as the course cars for the Japanese round of the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC). Rally Japan is also the 6th round of the FIA Production Car World Rally Championship (PWRC) and will run in Tokachi, Hokkaido from Friday 26th to Sunday 28th October 2007.

As official the Course cars for Rally Japan, the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X will be the vehicles that run though the route and all the demanding stages of the event ahead of the competitors to check track conditions making sure that everything is ready for the 14th round of the WRC. The Course cars, often referred to as the 'Double Zero' and 'Zero' cars, travel through the course before the competing vehicles, 30-minutes for the Double Zero car and 15-minutes for the Zero car.

The Lancer Evolution X will run on Rally Japan in Group N specification and include various new features that have been developed in close collaboration between the Motor Sport Division / Technical Development Department of Mitsubishi Motors and Ralliart Inc.
Included in these new developments is the integrated of the roll cage into the body of the car with extensive reinforcements resulting in the cars strength and stiffness being drastically upgraded from the normal road-going version. Purpose-built components have been used for the running gear and brakes with drive-train components specially developed by Ralliart featuring a constant-mesh close-ratio gearbox.

The exterior of the Lancer Evolution X Group N will use accessories usually found on all high-performance vehicles and familiar to all rally enthusiasts including sump-guard, floor guard with fuel tank protection and mud flaps. In the cockpit additional safety features have been added including five-point safety harnesses for the crew with bucket seats and a competition steering wheel.
As Course cars on Rally Japan, the Mitsubishi Lance Evolution Xs used will have revolving roof lights as well as a siren and loudspeaker to warn the many thousands a of spectators expected on the stages that the competitors will be arriving shortly.

The Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X is scheduled to obtain the Group N homologation from the Federation International de L'Automobile (FIA) next summer with the new rally challenger taking part in international rallies during the second half of 2008 or 2009. Registration with the Japan Automobile Federation (JAF) will be applied this year, allowing competitors to participate in JAF-sanctioned events with the new-generation Lancer Evolution X.

The development of the official reconnaissance vehicle plays a leading role when it comes to supplying competition parts/components to the customer early on. Also, the participation as course car will allow the automobile manufacturer and the rally specialist to technically verify the potential of rally cars prepared by customers who use these special components. Mitsubishi Motors and Ralliart are fully committed to making maximum use of the know-how and expertise learned through various motor sport activities to support future customers and for the development of the production model.

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Jalopnik-308255 Mon, 08 Oct 2007 13:45:19 EDT Mike Spinelli http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=308255&view=rss&microfeed=true
<![CDATA[ A Tribute to Colin McRae ]]> With the magnitude of this weekend's loss becoming clearer with each passing news story, we kept busy by cutting together some footage from Colin McRae's career into a Jalopnik tribute clip. We only wish there could be more.

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Jalopnik-300422 Mon, 17 Sep 2007 08:08:35 EDT Mike Spinelli http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=300422&view=rss&microfeed=true
<![CDATA[ Polizei on the Londino ]]> Herr Roy and his compatriot Mister Ross are off to galavant about the Old Country again, this time in an unmarked, mystery-Polizei vehicle (we're guessing that it might be a Continental GTC, but have no conformation from Ross nor Roy on that at this point). The event? The Londino, a transnational treasure-hunt/tour of sorts where men and women of a certain stature travel from London to Portofino merely on a series of hints. If one of the tasks is to bring back Jeff Ott, a la Paul Curran's legendary Benicia treasure hunt immortalized in Cometbus, we'll poop. We'll poop twice if they actually pull it off. [Team Polizei]

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Jalopnik-291828 Tue, 21 Aug 2007 14:00:00 EDT Davey G. Johnson http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=291828&view=rss&microfeed=true
<![CDATA[ Herr Roy Goes to E-Town ]]> During Alex Roy's long association with Jalopnik, we've come to regard his M5 as something of a piece of folk art; a snot-beat, pricey machine that's likely done more of what it was designed to do than just about any other E39 built. Herr Roy, of course, is a showman, and while his steed of choice is generally considered one of the finest cars of the last three decades, it's still a seven-year-old blue sedan. But somehow with the addition of antennae, stickers and Albanian goat-track dust, it becomes something else. It's almost a parody of the CSL Batmobiles in a way, but just as deadly in its own right. Alex and our pals Jeff Musical, Emil Rensing and Rob Ferretti took the M5 and a few other chips of the Bruce block down to Englishtown for the VW/Audi show at Waterfest over the weekend. It was bad enough that Roy showed up in a Bimmer. Worse? Rensing brought his F430. [Team Polizei]

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Jalopnik-282396 Wed, 25 Jul 2007 15:20:00 EDT Davey G. Johnson http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=282396&view=rss&microfeed=true
<![CDATA[ Some Stratos Goodness ]]>

The Lancia Stratos, of course, is one of the most completely, totally and amazingly stupid-rad cars ever built. We have no idea what the narrator is saying besides "Lancia, "Stratos" and "Bertone," but in the end, it matters not. Just look at the goldurn thing and feel warm, fuzzy and altogether too happy that humanity managed to build such a device. Also, scope the Stratos show car in motion. Jeepers!

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Jalopnik-279561 Tue, 17 Jul 2007 23:00:00 EDT Davey G. Johnson http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=279561&view=rss&microfeed=true
<![CDATA[ Hoontastic XL7 Seeks Pikes Peak Pwnage ]]> Mister Rod Millen, Monster Tajima has your 1994 Pikes Peak Hill Climb record in his sights and he's picked one of the most astonishing Suzukis this side of a turbine-powered Gixxer to make his run at your 10:04:06 time. Featuring a whole bunch of race-spec equipment, not the least of which is its twin-turbo, thousand-horsepower GM V6. We're ascared of this machine. Incredibly ascared. [Suzukisport via Autoblog]

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Jalopnik-279537 Tue, 17 Jul 2007 20:45:00 EDT Davey G. Johnson http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=279537&view=rss&microfeed=true
<![CDATA[ Clarkson vs. Herbert vs. McRae ]]> Here's an obviously old bit we'd never run across before — Clarkson arranges three Ford products on the starting line at Silverstone — a Cougar, Colin McRae's WRC Focus and Johnny Herbert's Stewart F1 machine — and gives himself a flying head start with Herbert leaving in the tail-end position. Watch and get stoked. ]]> Jalopnik-279072 Mon, 16 Jul 2007 20:45:00 EDT Davey G. Johnson http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=279072&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[ Volvo is Latin for 'I Roll' ]]> Somehow we think that when the good people at SKF launched the Volvo brand eighty years ago, this sort of rolling wasn't exactly what they had in mind. Nevertheless, the stout Swede handles this spill with aplomb.

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Jalopnik-279046 Mon, 16 Jul 2007 19:30:00 EDT Davey G. Johnson http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=279046&view=rss&microfeed=true
<![CDATA[ Two-Stroke Screaming Song of the Saab ]]>

The best thing about two-stroke Saab rally cars, besides the Scandanavian dung-beetle styling, is that they sound like they're moving at roughly five to eight times the speed of light when they're well, not exactly going that fast.

Saab 96 2-stroke singing [YouTube]

Related:
La Carrera Panamericana: Mothers of the Pearl [Internal]

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Jalopnik-277489 Wed, 11 Jul 2007 19:45:00 EDT Davey G. Johnson http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=277489&view=rss&microfeed=true
<![CDATA[ The Majesty of the Safari Rally ]]>

When we were at the Detroit Auto Show last January, we marveled at the Lancer GSR that'd carried Jogander "The Flying Sikh" Singh to victory on the '74 Safari Rally, wondering how on earth somebody would bomb across Kenya in such a machine. But bomb to victory he did, as have many others since 1953. Sit back, relax, gape in awe and play spot-the-Stratos.

Related:
Flying Sikh Begats 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer [Internal]

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Jalopnik-273858 Fri, 29 Jun 2007 18:45:00 EDT Davey G. Johnson http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=273858&view=rss&microfeed=true
<![CDATA[ It's the Ken Block Monster Air! ]]>

A bit over six months ago, we ran a shot of Ken Block's 171-foot insane-o Subie-leap for the Stunt Junkies television programme. After watching this clip, we would not want to be the man's spine. Even if you've already caught the episode, this flight — exceeding the Wright Brothers' first powered trip into the air by 51 feet — is totally worth watching again.

Related:
Eight Miles High: Ken Block's Subie Leap [Internal]

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Jalopnik-272576 Tue, 26 Jun 2007 20:00:00 EDT Davey G. Johnson http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=272576&view=rss&microfeed=true
<![CDATA[ Jalopnik Flickr Finds: Motor Racing in Angola, Africa ]]> Building a race track in Angola seemed like a smashing good idea back when dashing playboys and ne'er do wells cashed in on the benefits of colonialism by way of fancy motor cars. Racing around public Angola roads and the purpose built street circuit was a welcome sunny holiday from the usual drab weather euro-fare. Engine overheating was a minor annoyance compared to eventual decolonization. Ensuing civil war has prevented the return of motor racing to the sandy dunes, but the imagery from the past lives on thanks to a photoset from Nite Owl.

Car Racing in Angola from the '50s thorugh '70s [flickr.com]; African Motor Racing History [grandprix.com]

Related:
Oh, Group B, How We Miss You [Internal]

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Jalopnik-270304 Tue, 19 Jun 2007 17:00:00 EDT Mike Bumbeck http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=270304&view=rss&microfeed=true
<![CDATA[ Beat on the Berlina 2000 ]]> While looking for a parking space in order that we could make a stop at Rockaway Beach our favorite store full of robots and the like, we spied this well yet exquisitely worn Alfa Romeo Berlina. Melee and other badges indicate road rally action. The miles look as if they have been, and will continue to be a heap of fun. Bonus points for the blue tape racing stripe.

Related:
1968 Alfa Romeo Ambulance at Fantasy Junction [Internal]

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Jalopnik-268187 Tue, 12 Jun 2007 15:00:00 EDT Mike Bumbeck http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=268187&view=rss&microfeed=true
<![CDATA[ Morley Family Releases Statement Post-Gumball Verdict ]]>

The Morley family has a released a statement of facts regarding the Macedonian trial of Nicholas Morley, which seems to jibe with what we've sussed ourselves about what went down the day before the 2007 Gumball 3000 came apart at the seams. According to the original accident investigator on the scene, as well as an investigator from nonprofit British organization TRL, Morley was traveling at or under 47 mph and would have had 1.6 seconds in which to stop from the point that Vladimir Cepuljoski pulled out in front of his Porsche. The full statement after the jump.

Nicholas Morley car accident, Macedonia, May 2nd 2007

STATEMENT OF FACTS


According to two expert crash investigators, the vehicle driven by Nicholas Morley was travelling at no more than 47mph (76kph) at the time of the accident.

The initial accident investigation was carried out by a professional Macedonian investigator. His findings were reviewed and confirmed by Dr Richard Lambourn, an established expert in the field.
Dr Lambourn was an accident reconstruction specialist at the Metropolitan Police Forensic Science Laboratory for 23 years (1973-1996) and is currently a principal consultant at TRL, an independent, not-for-profit transport research firm and consultancy. It was the firm that reconstructed the car crash that caused the death of Diana, Princess of Wales.

The cause of the crash was a second vehicle pulling out of a minor road without warning and into Nicholas's path. The cause of the crash has not been disputed by the prosecution.

According to the defence expert witnesses, Nicholas had 1.6 seconds to respond to the second car's sudden appearance, causing him to react reflexively and swerve violently to the left. The defence experts concluded that the accident would have been unavoidable at 30mph (50kph).

The court declined to hear the evidence of the defence expert witnesses, although the testimony of the prosecution expert witness was heard.

Macedonia is party to the European Convention on Human Rights, Article 6 of which provides a detailed right to a fair trial. Under the Macedonian Criminal Code, the defence has a right to submit evidence.

The prosecution's accident investigator is not a professional in this field. He admitted in court that he is currently unemployed. He further admitted in court that the police sketch of the crash site on which he based his findings is inaccurate.

Dr Lambourn concluded that the accident investigation report relied on by the prosecution is "fundamentally flawed in its physical and mathematical reasoning." He further concluded that it was "quite impossible" that Nicholas's car was travelling at the 100mph (161kph) alleged by the prosecution.

The family of the Mr and Mrs Cepunjoski, who were tragically killed in the crash, have called for the court to release Nicholas.

Following the accident, Nicholas and his passenger, Matthew McConville, attempted to disentangle the vehicles and offer what assistance they could. They only left the scene after the injured persons had left the scene in local vehicles. Nicholas and Matthew then travelled to the border to alert the police.

Nicholas Morley and Matthew McConville spoke to the investigating judge at Qafasan, on the Macedonia/Albania border.

Nicholas Morley did not try to flee the country. He was released on bail, with no conditions or restrictions attached. He was free to leave the country.

Nicholas Morley, 30, is not a millionaire; he does not work in property.

Morley Family Gumball Accident Statement of Facts [Team Polizei]

Related:
Nick Morley Convicted in Gumball Crash, Gets Suspended Sentence; Trial Of Gumball 3000 Driver Expected To Wrap Up Today; Gumball 3000 Driver Forgiven by Victims' Family; Gumball 3000 Death Trial to Begin Friday; Fast As a Shark: East of Eden: The Fall of the Gumball 3000; Morley Released On Bail, Tries To Flee Macedonia In Private Jet, Arrested Again; Gumballers Nick Morley And Matthew McConville Arrested After Hit-And-Run Fatality [Internal]

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Jalopnik-267750 Mon, 11 Jun 2007 12:45:00 EDT Davey G. Johnson http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=267750&view=rss&microfeed=true
<![CDATA[ Isle of Manly, Isle of Manta ]]>

Besides siring the legendary Colin, Jimmy McRae was quite a rally artist in his own right. His weapon of choice? The Opel Manta 400. The course? The Isle of Man. Rally geeks and Mantafarhrer unite!

Related:
Strap On Your Best Hat! Manta Hoons! [Internal]

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Jalopnik-266582 Wed, 06 Jun 2007 16:45:00 EDT Davey G. Johnson http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=266582&view=rss&microfeed=true
<![CDATA[ Trial Of Gumball 3000 Driver Expected To Wrap Up Today ]]> Despite the family of the victim reportedly forgiving driver Nick Morley for causing the deaths of Vladimir and Margit Cepuljoski, the trial is soldiering on, pitting defense forensics expert against prosecution forensics expert. According to Macedonian internet news agency makfax,

"Court's expert Mile Popovski, whose report served as a basis for the indictment, reiterated his findings that Morley exceeded the prescribed speed limit thus causing the accident in which Chepunjoski spouses were killed.

Court's expert reiterated that Morley was speeding his Porsche with 161,1 km/h and crashed with 158 km/h into the Chepunjoski's Golf that had already entered the left lane of the Struga-Qafasan local road with 70 percent of its length. After sighting the Golf at 88 meters of distance, the Porsche's driver failed to hit the brakes but turned to the left and collided with the Golf, said Popovski, a traffic engineer commissioned by the Struga District Court to compose a report on the traffic accident that occurred 2 May near Struga."

As you'd expect, the "facts" from the prosecution-hired rubber-band shooter aren't the same "facts" presented by the defense-hired English double-barreled shotguns. Makfax continues:
"The reports of the independent expert Vinko Gaica and of British company TRL Limited, non-compliant with the one composed by Mile Popovski, say that Morley's Porsche was moving with 70 to 76 km/h and the Golf failed to halt at the STOP sign before entering the main road from a byroad.

Morley's defense had several remarks on the Popovski's manner of conducting the forensics procedure. They complained that the speed at which Golf had been moving was not taken into consideration when calculating that of the Porsche, and that Popovski's reconstruction outline was incompliant with the actual situation."

Final statements are expected to come later today.

Opposing forensics reports confronted at Morley's trial [makfax online]

Related:
Gumballers Nick Morley And Matthew McConville Arrested After Hit-And-Run Fatality; Morley Released On Bail, Tries To Flee Macedonia In Private Jet, Arrested Again; Fast as a Shark: East of Eden: The Fall of the Gumball 3000; Gumball 3000 Death Trial to Begin Friday; Gumball 3000 Driver Forgiven by Victims' Family [internal]

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Jalopnik-265680 Mon, 04 Jun 2007 12:45:00 EDT Ray Wert http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=265680&view=rss&microfeed=true
<![CDATA[ Gumball 3000 Driver Forgiven by Victims' Family ]]>

The UK's Daily Mail is reporting, with typical Fleet Street flair, that the Cepuljoski family has forgiven Gumball 3000 participant Nicholas Morley, who as y'all likely recall, crashed into a MkII Golf driven by Vladimir Cepuljoski that had pulled out in front of his TechArt Porsche 911, resulting in the death of Cepuljoski and his wife. According to a statement released by the family during Morley's trial:

"We ask this court to release young Nicholas. It was ill-fate that made our son and father make that fatal mistake and join the main road without stopping his vehicle. We have experienced a terrible tragedy, but we feel that it would be another tragedy to keep this young man in prison. We think he has suffered enough and his conviction would offer no comfort to our grief."
Morley's trial should conclude Monday. If convicted, he faces 14 years in jail.

Let death race Briton go, says victims' family [Daily Mail, UK via Team Polizei]

Related:
Fast as a Shark: East of Eden: The Fall of the Gumball 3000 [Internal]

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Jalopnik-265382 Fri, 01 Jun 2007 23:30:00 EDT Davey G. Johnson http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=265382&view=rss&microfeed=true
<![CDATA[ Rally Ho! Peking to Paris Motor Challenge ]]>

Today is day four of this year's Peking to Paris Motor Challenge, and participants are winding their ancien régime racers along the foothills of the Grand Tetons Altay range. They're heading along a dusty trail from Erenhot, China to Sainshand in southeastern Mongolia, on a route that would choke a Lamborghini to within a kilometer of its life. Thanks to the intrepid colinjmbrown, we can get a look at some of the old iron horses as they were preparing to set off on the nearly 12,000 mile trek. If they don't meet with some catastrophe or other, the cars will pull into Paris's Place de la Concorde on June 30. Here's hoping they have plenty of yak dairy products and axle grease.

[Peking to Paris Motor Challenge]

More at Flickr]

Related:
Peking, Duck!: Spyker Unveils New SUV Concept [internal]

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Jalopnik-264506 Wed, 30 May 2007 12:41:35 EDT Mike Spinelli http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=264506&view=rss&microfeed=true
<![CDATA[ The Clamp Came Down in Georgia: Bullrun Lunch at the Cop Shop ]]>

Pal of the Jalop and the first woman ever to be arrested on Bullrun, Annabelle Frankl was taping and riding shotgun when a whole gang of the the ralliers (including their #144 Z06) were pulled over with the drivers taken off in the paddywagon. While Annabelle and Nick aren't paddies (rather Brits of Hungarian extraction), Miss Frankl went and picked up some burgers with all beef patties for the jailhouse rockers. Vomitation was not reported, although we imagine there was a bit of nausea involved. Traffic stop before the jump, aftermath after.

Related:
Bullrun Update: Baby Out of Jail [Internal]

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Jalopnik-263718 Fri, 25 May 2007 15:30:00 EDT Davey G. Johnson http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=263718&view=rss&microfeed=true
<![CDATA[ The Mongol Rally! ]]> mongol_rally.jpg

We sense the tension around here regarding pricey rallies like Bullrun and Gumball, but here's one everyone down the the spirit of tha Jalop should be able to get behind. The recipe? London to Mongolia, pick your own route, the relatively-inexpensive entry fee benefits charity, cars are limited to 1 liter of engine displacement, and you're encouraged to sleep in your car. Herr Roy, start shopping for Isettas now — we hear Rawlings has got a Reliant Robin with a lift kit and 33-inch tires in the works. Tispol to have fit.

The Mongol Rally 2007; Team Daihatsu Jet Set One (2006 Participants)

Related:
European Authorities to Crack Down on Rallying [Internal]

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Jalopnik-263465 Thu, 24 May 2007 19:30:00 EDT Davey G. Johnson http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=263465&view=rss&microfeed=true
<![CDATA[ European Authorities to Crack Down on Rallying ]]>

Following the death of a Macedonian couple earlier this month on the Gumball 3000, European cops are urging a ban on Gumball 3000, Carbon Black and Cannonball Europe. Tispol-affiliated officers plan to share information about the rallies and their routes with each other in order to stop the events, much in the way German Police officers halted the Gumball in Germany. It'll be interesting to see what effect the coordinated effort has on this summer's Cannonball, scheduled for July, as well as its impact on rallies run in the United States. If we needed any more evidence that the Golden Age of Rallying is kaput, Tispol's clampdown is it.

Police seek ban after Gumball Rally deaths [Times, UK via Team Polizei]

Related:
Fast as a Shark: East of Eden: The Fall of the Gumball 3000 [Internal]

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Jalopnik-263139 Wed, 23 May 2007 21:45:00 EDT Davey G. Johnson http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=263139&view=rss&microfeed=true
<![CDATA[ Wacky Hatch! MG Metro 6R4 ]]>

We admit it. We never met a gonzoid hyper-rally car we didn't like. And while we're complete and utter suckers for purpose-built, design-the-thing-and-homologate-it-later machines like the Ford RS200 and Lancia Stratos, any car with the stones to compete in Group B earns our respect. As such, we've never had a whole lot of love for the Austin/MG/Whatever Metro, but the 6R4 is entirely different pot of meat. Built by Williams, it featured a hybrid construction of plastik und schteel, a midship-mounted V6 instead of a turbo mill with fewer cylinder and well, is simply one of the most gonzoid hatchbacks ever built. We would be proud to call it friend, even if its roadgoing relatives were an affront to the dignity of British motoring, as well as its progenitor, the fabulous Mini.

Related:
Lanca Stratos: A Wedge, Not a Sphere; Oh Yes, It's the RS200 [Internal]

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Jalopnik-263106 Wed, 23 May 2007 20:15:00 EDT Davey G. Johnson http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=263106&view=rss&microfeed=true
<![CDATA[ Lancia Stratos: A Wedge, Not a Sphere ]]>

There is on only one rally car that could possibly compete with the RS200 for our affections. That, of course, is the mighty Lancia Stratos. The Ferrari-Dino-powered beastie was capable of pumping out over 550hp from its turbo'd mini-prancer, and well, Christ — just look at the thing. Now look at it on the Monte Carlo and Safari Rallies.

Related:
Oh Yes, It's the RS200! [Internal]

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Jalopnik-262586 Tue, 22 May 2007 15:30:00 EDT Davey G. Johnson http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=262586&view=rss&microfeed=true
<![CDATA[ Oh Yes, It's the RS200 ]]>

Okay, it never won Le Mans. It didn't even do all that well in Group B, as the FIA killed what may stand as the manliest class ever to exist in the history of motorsport before FoMoCo engineers really got the machine exactly right. But just look at it! It's a fabulous kitbash with a body built by freaking Reliant of all people. Plus, even though it was heavier than other cars of the era, you can tell by watching the footage that it still weighs like eight pounds. And somehow, while the ferocious Bruceosity of the 959 cannot be fronted upon, the RS200 is still cooler.

Related:
Porsche 959 at the 1986 Paris Dakar; 650hp? Ford Sierra Taillights? Why, it's the RS200!; Oh Group B, How We Miss You [Internal]

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Jalopnik-262234 Mon, 21 May 2007 17:30:00 EDT Davey G. Johnson http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=262234&view=rss&microfeed=true
<![CDATA[ KAMAZkaze! Tatar Hoon Trucks Galore! ]]>

Dakar rally trucks never cease to amaze us. Neither do vehicles from the former Soviet Bloc. In that spirit, we present to you footage that involuntarily made us giggle. Seeing a beefcake brick drift a dirt-road corner like that indicates the driver's testes must sport an atomic number somewhere in the transuranic range. That said, given the rigors of Dakar, we're not entirely sure their half-life is exactly within the realm of accurate prediction. Oh, and avoid the soundtrack of this vid. Pick a song of your choice with a high BPM quotient, mute the clip and enjoy. We recommend Black Flag's Nervous Breakdown. Or something by Boyzone. Anything but this.

Related:
Double-Radder Than Anything You Could Possibly Imagine: The DAF Turbo Twin II!!! [Internal]

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Jalopnik-261837 Sat, 19 May 2007 00:45:00 EDT Davey G. Johnson http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=261837&view=rss&microfeed=true
<![CDATA[ Rawlings and Collins on their Transcon Record Attempt ]]>

Richard Rawlings and Dennis Collins sit down with Bullrun's Rory Camangian for the first segment of what's apparently a four-part interview. They cover the issue of fatigue, their bet with Jay Riecke and prepping the car. Interestingly enough, although Bullrun has posted the methods used to prove that Rawlings and Collins indeed did sprint from Manhattan to Redondo in 31:59, they still haven't answered our question: what was the mileage covered? Along with airing the actual proof, it's the other piece in the puzzle required to tell if they incontrovertibly beat 32:07 by eight minutes or not.


Rawlings & Collins Break Coast-to-Coast Record — Bullrun 2007 [Bullrun2007.com]

Related:
Did Rawlings and Collins Break the Transcontinental Record [Internal]

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Jalopnik-261121 Wed, 16 May 2007 21:30:00 EDT Davey G. Johnson http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=261121&view=rss&microfeed=true
<![CDATA[ It's Not a Rally, It's a Race: Spinelli Chats With Alex Roy Regarding Transcon Hijinks ]]>

Herr Roy is getting pretty popular around the FastLane Daily studios, having spoken yesterday on the need for independent verification of the Rawlings/Collins transcontinental record(?). Today, he and Spinelli sat down for part one of a two-part powwow on the ins and outs of the legality of rallying, as well as the inherent supralegality of traveling from New York to Los Angeles at a high rate of speed.

Related:
Transcontinental 144: Alex Roy on the Rawlings/Collins Record Attempt; Top Gear's Thoughts on the TransCon Completion [Internal]

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Jalopnik-260736 Tue, 15 May 2007 19:15:00 EDT Davey G. Johnson http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=260736&view=rss&microfeed=true
<![CDATA[ Morley Released On Bail, Tries To Flee Macedonia In Private Jet, Arrested Again ]]> gum5-1.jpgOh god, not more Gumball news...ok, let's try to give you a recap. Nick Morley, the driver of the car which reportedly fled the scene after causing an old Macedonian man to have a "heart attack" and die, thus causing his wife to die of grief (look, we're romantics, so let us romanticize, k?), thus causing the Gumball 3000 organizers to try to cover up the shameful display of emotion, was released on bail earlier today. Morley, the brother of a big UK real estate developer, then tried to snag a private jet back to the UK despite being told not to leave the country. Luckily, the Macedonian border guards knew to be looking out for the always-on-the-go Brit, and snagged him before he boarded the plane. Morley's now back in jail. The saga continues... [Hat tip to Thomas!]

Gumball crash driver tried to flee in private jet [Telegraph.co.uk]

Related:
All of our Gumball 3000 coverage [internal]

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Jalopnik-258037 Sat, 05 May 2007 21:54:10 EDT Ray Wert http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=258037&view=rss&microfeed=true
<![CDATA[ Scumball 3000 Absolves Drivers Of Wrong-Doing...May Be Living In Dream World ]]> The Gumball 3000 has finally issued a statement. If you can't get to it — we've also included it here:

STATEMENT FROM GUMBALL HQ - ACCIDENT MAY 2ND 2007

Gumball 3000 is very saddened to announce a road accident which occurred yesterday, May 2nd, involving a participating vehicle and a local vehicle in Macedonia. Exact details are still filtering through, but below are the facts as of midday May 3rd 2007 issued by the Macedonian authorities...

...An adult Macedonian male aged 67 died in hospital from a heart attack following the incident where the two cars collided. The participants in the rally were held in custody last night with a preliminary court judgement expected today.

Organisers of the rally would like to express its deepest condolences to the family of the victim for this tragic accident.

Maximillion Cooper, founder of the Rally says: "It is with extreme sadness I have to make an announcement of this nature in the events nine year history. The event is organised with each local authorities support and permission, and drivers are under strict stipulation to abide by the laws and road regulations of the country they are driving through. It is extremely sad for this unfortunate accident to have occurred. I am informed that the incident was reported immediately by the drivers. Both drivers are extremely traumatised by this occurrence."

Yes, because I know whenever in an accident, the immediate first response of any scumballer is to head straight for the closest border crossing without stopping to administer help to the individuals they've just run over — in order to get help. That's right — the border is the best place to find critical medical supplies, hospitals and you know, safe passage from the authorities.

Statement [Gumball3000.com]

Related:
Team Polizei Withdraws From Gumball 3000 After Deadly Hit-And-Run; Nick Morley Given "30 Days Temporary Detention" In Gumball 3000 Fatal Hit-And-Run; Russian BMW Reportedly Picked Up Morley And McConville After Deadly Gumball 3000 Hit-And-Run; Gumball 3000 Race Organizers Attempting To Cover Up Hit-And-Run; Gumballers Nick Morley And Matthew McConville Arrested After Hit-And-Run Fatality [internal]

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Jalopnik-257602 Thu, 03 May 2007 18:36:55 EDT Ray Wert http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=257602&view=rss&microfeed=true
<![CDATA[ Gumballers Nick Morley And Matthew McConville Arrested After Hit-And-Run Fatality ]]> We've been covering the Gumball 3000 up to this point with good cheer, and we'd hoped it would stay that way. Unfortunately, sometimes when you mix high-powered vehicles with the double dose of stupid — adrenalin and lack of sleep — bad things can happen. Like what appears to have happened with Nick Morley and Matthew McConville who according to a report from Metro.co.uk

...have been arrested in Macedonia after an alleged hit and run incident which left one man dead and his wife fighting for her life.

The 67-year-old died on his way to hospital and his wife was in a critical condition after a Porsche taking part in the super car race crossed the road at speed and ploughed into their VW Golf...

...The drivers of the Porsche 911 Turbo Techart which Macedonian TV station A1 named as Nick Morley and Matthew McConville, allegedly got out of their crashed car and ran off.

The station said they later climbed into another car, a BMW, and tried to leave the country.

But eye witnesses alerted police and the pair were arrested at the border.

[Hat tip to Metha!]

? ? [A1.com.mk via Metro.co.uk]

UPDATE: Gumball 3000 Race Organizers Attempting To Cover Up Hit-And-Run Death

UPDATE: Russian BMW Reportedly Picked Up Morley And McConville After Deadly Gumball 3000 Hit-And-Run

Related:
All our Gumball 3000 coverage [internal]

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Jalopnik-257447 Thu, 03 May 2007 12:52:25 EDT Ray Wert http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=257447&view=rss&microfeed=true
<![CDATA[ Albania! Team Polizei Blows Through Balkans ]]>
After ditching the rented VW Sharan in the birthplace of democracy and retrieving the mighty M5, Herr Roy and Team Polizei chose an alternate and ultimately quicker rock strewn route through the Balkans. Early reports have Team Polizei already sipping Raki in Albania, while the remaining fleet of a 120 or so surviving Gumball entries are currently still on their way up from Athens.

Related: Zeus is Angry: Back to Athens in a Sharan [Internal]

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Jalopnik-257117 Wed, 02 May 2007 13:30:00 EDT Mike Bumbeck http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=257117&view=rss&microfeed=true
<![CDATA[ Zeus is Angry: Back to Athens in a Sharan ]]>
Reports from the Gumball 3000 have the drivers following the proclamation by Herr Alex Roy that air travel is for squares. Instead of waiting for their cars to come by airplane from Athens in Istanbul, Herr Roy, Jarod DeAnda, and Andrew 'Fly' Tipping are driving from Istanbul to Athens in a rented VW Sharan van. Our man Davey is along for the ride, and phoned in from the 700-mile trip to say once the drivers reach Athens they will reunite with their actual rides and press on to Albania. Sharan pictured not representative of actual van in use.

Related:
No Istanbul for You! [Internal]

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Jalopnik-256783 Tue, 01 May 2007 14:30:00 EDT Mike Bumbeck http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=256783&view=rss&microfeed=true