Bullrun Rally 2008 Co-Driver Needed

[SPhwoarr]

Some friends are driving it again this year and want me to run a car with them. It's the 20th to 27th of June starting in Calgary and ending in Phoenix. I've got to find a co-driver this week if I am to do it. I'll be in my S4 unless my co-driver wants to volunteer something better. If you're interested please contact me ASAP. Below are some of the details.

I've done two one day rallies in Europe and I am hoping my co-driver will have some or more experience rallying/racing. It's a lot of driving and some of it is at speed so safety is got to be a priority. I am also doing the 24 Hours of Lemons in December in a '83 BMW 528e that I bought a couple weeks ago.

Costs:
Co-driver needs to put up a portion of the event costs and vehicle shipping. This includes all accommodation and entertainment for the week. I will make up the rest. We will split the fuel and other running costs. You also need to get to Calgary and back home from Phoenix.

Equipment:
2006 Audi S4 Avant. It's stock but I am getting intros to sponsors this week for wheels/tires, brakes and sways. All need to go on by the 11th before the car is shipped to Montana but none are necessities. As for countermeasures, I am adding a Bearcat 996 digital trunking scanner, a Midland CB, Whelen HHS-2100 siren with amber grill flashers (just for kicks), a Chasecam digital video recorder, and of course a V1. All will be completely stealth installed in the glove box and arm rest. The V1 will go in a plastic enclosure secured to the headliner next to the Chasecam in the rear of the car with a remote display below the dash. Therefore, the only thing visible will be the two antennas on the back.

Strategy:
Stealth. It's a gray avant and I firmly believe that I have been able to avoid speeding tickets because it doesn't draw attention. Many of the Bullrunners get nabbed time and again because they're driving cars that while they look and perform amazingly, they also scream to be pulled over. And their stickered like crazy whereas I will only sticker the S4 on the hood and the roof to avoid attention. I don't want to run too hard either. On my trips to the desert I average 90-100 and sometimes top 120 when it is clear enough. I don't want to do much more than that during the rally. There will be exceptions I am sure.

Sorry for the long post. Anyway, if you're interested and can commit pretty quickly, please contact me.

Bullrun site

[khyber]

Damn I wish I could.

[TonyD]

I'd like to thank you for me purchasing a Whelen 295SLSA1. Haha. Good job man! I was curious from what you said, so I looked it up and bought it.

[SPhwoarr]

I'd like to thank you for me purchasing a Whelen 295SLSA1. Haha. Good job man! I was curious from what you said, so I looked it up and bought it.

I have to admit, it's good fun but you have to use discretion as to when to use it. BTW, I had a hard time finding a good place for the siren. Here's where I put it in the end (note I had to cut the bottom of it off to get it to clear the bottom of the bumper):



Here's the controller:

[SoCalS4Avant]

Damn I wish I could be involved in this...I'd love to do something like this someday. Good luck to you...and best of luck with your 24 LeMans race. If you haven't already, watch the Top Gear episode where they raced their diesel BMW in a 24 hour race - pretty sweet.

[TonyD]

That's awesome. Where and how much was the speaker? I just found out that I bought everything but the speaker.

[nadroj81]

8k, plus fuel, plus not even really driving. Uh, yea.

[asurugger]

dude i would love to...i live in phoenix, know az like the back of my hand but i'll be outa town. good luck bro

[SPhwoarr]

That's awesome. Where and how much was the speaker? I just found out that I bought everything but the speaker.

This is the one I have:

http://www.sirennet.com/whsa315p.html

[SPhwoarr]

8k, plus fuel, plus not even really driving. Uh, yea.

It's not for everyone but I am not sure what you mean about the "not even really driving" part. This is real rallying. Co-driver gets to drive 50% of the time. The cost includes a week of 5 star hotels, meals, parties, etc.

[pijokS4]

It's not for everyone but I am not sure what you mean about the "not even really driving" part. This is real rallying. Co-driver gets to drive 50% of the time. The cost includes a week of 5 star hotels, meals, parties, etc.

I went to your site and you have an AWESOME job, wish I could go. Good luck and have fun.

[Larson7.62]

I thought using a siren on a car was illegal? Because you're impersonating a cop?

[zachf88]

how are you mounting the V1??

[fitzS4]

I thought using a siren on a car was illegal? Because you're impersonating a cop?

you are right thats why its under the grill...

[SPhwoarr]

I thought using a siren on a car was illegal? Because you're impersonating a cop?

Laws vary from state to state for siren use. Impersonating a cop in any state is illegal. I wouldn't advise it. The unit I have does a lot more than make siren noises. It is hidden not because of any questionable legality, it is hidden because if you read the original post the strategy is that the car looks completely unmodified on the surface.

[SPhwoarr]

how are you mounting the V1??

I am mounting it to the rear of the headliner just in front of the rear liftgate. From there it should have perfectly good visibility both forward and backward.

I will construct a slightly larger enclosure of plastic and cover it with spare headliner material from OEM parts. At the front and back of the enclosure, I am debating if I should put smoked glass or plastic instead of using standard opaque plastic. Not sure what material is best to allow radar signals to pass through unincumbered but I assume glass is OK since all V1s sit behind glass already. I will see how it looks with just the headliner material over the front and back and if that looks good enough, I'll leave it at that.

The unit will wire into a 3 position switch I have already put in under the dash which controls power to all countermeasure systems. I will also put a V1 remote display underneath the ashtray flap.

[Mooneywa]

I've been looking into getting a digital beartracker/trunktracker for a while due to a particular "incident" that couldn't be avoided by a V1 or CB. My only question was where to mount it in the car? Looks a little big to just be parked on the dash? Where are you mounting yours?

[SPhwoarr]

I've been looking into getting a digital beartracker/trunktracker for a while due to a particular "incident" that couldn't be avoided by a V1 or CB. My only question was where to mount it in the car? Looks a little big to just be parked on the dash? Where are you mounting yours?

Glovebox, right next to the CD changer. The Bearcat 996 is DIN sized and even comes with a DIN sleeve. There's also a bracket mount. One of the best aspects of the 996 is it allows you to plug in a GPS which when programmed properly will automatically select which stations to scan based on GPS coordinates and range settings. Very cool! So you can keep it in the glovebox and not have to touch it. Also, you can program POIs and POI warnings, something which I have always wanted on the RNS-E.

The one thing I haven't decided is how to hear it. I am thinking I might try the AUX in on the RNS-E that comes with the new 0260 firmware. Saves on trying to figure out yet another speaker location. I am also hoping, there is a way to set a distinct sound for each POI type so I don't have to open the glovebox everytime to see what type of POI has come into range.

The CB will go right under the 996 and will have its own speaker that I will flushmount into the bottom of the glovebox. That will allow music and CB at the same time which will be when the full countermeasures aren't needed (on the slower sections, traffic, etc.).

[yakendo]

Thanks for an interesting post! Ever since I was a kid participating in something like Brock Yates' Gumball has been a dream.

However, until using your link to the Bullrun I never thought I could ever actually do something like it.

Unfortunately, my surgical schedule precludes my participation this year. Plus, I'll need a year to be able to adequately fund this adventure.

I'm a trauma RN, so, if you hear about the organizers needing people with my skill set please pm me.

Good luck with your adventure!

[cerfus]

where in phx is it ending? I live there and wouldn't mind doing some freeway chases or being at the finish line as well! pm me if its kinda under wraps.

[Dodge2Dub]

You should consider a jammer as well.

[Mooneywa]

Thanks for the craniums up on the 996 - very beneficial info.
Cheers.



-----FLY Navy JETS-----

[covertS4driver]

Sounds like fun. I have some experience in this type of "rallying".
Jammer is a good idea. Definitely back up your GPS with another unit.
One that will give live traffic updates is best.

Have fun and be safe! Contact me if I can be of further help.