Doc1647545523

Many thanks to Jordan (2highpsi) of Jet Auto Group for your generous donation. You and the other CR sponsors have been consistently supportive of the Rally North America charities. :thumbup: I'll proudly display the JET logo on the Benz. Look for it when MAVTV airs the documentary this coming spring.

Chandler (RoboChan), thanks for your kind contribution to C.O.P.S. Wish you could co-pilot on this one!

Brad, you're not late at all. I don't leave for the Rally until July 5. Right now I'm just travelling north to the Hudson Bay with some Rally veterans. As the connections on the road aren't the best, I'm having some difficulty keeping up with the donations, but I'll be sure to recognize everyone who contributes to the Charity. By Sunday I'll be pretty much off the grid for a few days as we cross Cree Indian land on the James Bay Road then go north of the last road, off roading to arctic waters. At least, that's the plan. Thanks for your kind contribution, Brad.

Jim Rose (clone), you've been a great friend and resource over the years, and your steadfast support of the Rally charities is much appreciated. :thumbup: I'm hoping to be back from the Arctic in time to see you at the CR Track Day.

Many thanks, Bob (DTA09). Your contribution is much appreciated.

I hope so, too. We'll miss having you and Nikki along for this one. Thank you both so much for your considerable donation to the Rally charity in Team Mercedes's name. It is much appreciated.

I appreciate the large donation, Mike (tdyguy2k). You repeat givers have me spoiled. :masturboy:

It does. This is my third CL600 and my newest one (still 15 years old, LOL), but it's prolly the best driving grand tourer I've had. That Euroflash sure wakes it up. All these Benz V-12's have so much left in them that their conservative factory tuning suppresses. I think it will be the perfect car for a super long, hot, high speed run like this one. http://i355.photobucket.com/albums/r445/martyr65/dyno%20jpeg_zpsdfwhqgiz.jpg

Thanks for the kind words. I'm fortunate to be able to take the time out and to be able to spend the money to enjoy these great events. Lots of CR folks have had these opportunities, too. But I notice that as those CR team members have aged, and their other responsibilities (family, career) increase, they don't participate as much. I guess I just never grew up, or maybe I've started on my bucket list.

Vince (nurkvinny), Thank you for your generous donation. :thumbup: That was very kind of you.

Joe (Mojoe), Thanks for kicking off the campaign with such a generous donation. You're such a great supporter of the Rally and its charities.

The members and sponsors of Columbus Racing have been great at supporting our teams in every Rally North America event since the beginning in 2010, when the three rookie CR teams took three of the top four awards in the Route 66 Rally. Since that time, Rally North America has raised over $900,000 for selected charities, supporting veterans' groups, children with terminal diseases, and medical research. Not bad for an all-volunteer organization formed by CR's own Scott Spielman (Spieldawg on CR). Read more about Rally North America here: http://cops.dojiggy.com/ng/index.cfm/a9209fe/regPages/pages/?p=b512c20c In July, the annual rally will be US 50 West http://i355.photobucket.com/albums/r445/martyr65/Loneliest%20Road_zps6txvevzb.jpg covering the "loneliest road in America" with stops in Pueblo Colorado, Salina Utah, and both Ely and Carson City Nevada. http://i355.photobucket.com/albums/r445/martyr65/salina%20utah_zpselqw1e5g.jpg http://i355.photobucket.com/albums/r445/martyr65/Lonely%20Road%202_zpsbejlcvli.jpeg I'll be driving it alone as Team #1, Team Mercedes in my 2003 V-12 CL 600: http://i355.photobucket.com/albums/r445/martyr65/hood_zpsv0m3u36i.jpg http://i355.photobucket.com/albums/r445/martyr65/rally%20car_zps6g8ffttu.jpg With Euroflash V2 it made 502 wheel hp and 724 lb-ft of torque on the Carlyle Racing dyno this spring. Our charity this year is the Concerns of Police Survivors, which supports the families and close co-workers of the 150 police officers who die in the line of duty each year in the U.S. Charity Navigator rates COPS as 4-star because of their accountability and transparency, and Charity Watch gives COPS its top rating as well. You can learn more about the charity here: https://www.nationalcops.org/ Events include hot laps at Pueblo Motorsports Park and racing on the Western Colorado Dragway. We'll be traveling through many landmarks including Arches National Park: http://i355.photobucket.com/albums/r445/martyr65/Arches%20National%20Park_zpspmgbifbx.jpg 82 teams will be competing, including such notables as professional driver/drifter T.J. Fry and retired race car driver Boris Said whose accomplishments include: 24 Hours of Daytona winner 12 Hours of Sebring winner Rolex Sports Car Series GT Class Champion 24 Hours Nürburgring winner 2 NASCAR Cup Series Poles & 8 Top 10's 10 Rolex Sports Car Series wins Our exploits will be made into a six-part documentary to be aired in the Spring of 2019 on MAVTV. I would really appreciate your support for this Rally. I pay all entry fees, gas, food, and lodging expenses. In contrast, your donation in support of Team Mercedes goes directly to the Concerns of Police Survivors, and you receive a letter verifying your donation for tax purposes as they are a 501 © 3 non-profit organization. Even ten dollars will make a difference in the lives of those whose loved ones are lost while serving their communities. Please click on this link and click on the red DONATE NOW button at the right side of the page. https://cops.dojiggy.com/ng/index.cfm/a9209fe/reg-pages/pledge/mercedes Thanks for your friendship and support!

Do we know if any vending/concessions will be open? If not, is cooking with a propane stove allowed?

The answer is so simple: Mike, get a bigger truck.

I, for one, didn't, but I Googled it. :fuckyeah:

If I were only going to be out once a year, I think I'd pick a drier night to do it. Just sayin'

I'm hitting the patio around 5:30. Looks as though it may stay dry at least part of the evening.

I don't see it making it to Bring A Trailer, but good luck with the repairs.

Yep, dat wuz me.

My 15 seconds of fame at 7:47, running with the top down. :fuckyeah:

Yep, that car has YOU written all over it. I wish you many trouble free miles.

Well, you beat me to it. You're still Chasing Amy. And who's to say that insanity is such a bad thing .....

http://i355.photobucket.com/albums/r445/martyr65/10a_bw_zpshagjy2qt.jpg

At 8:30 the Street Creepers will meet in Springfield at the Kroger's on Bechtel, then we'll likely head over to New Carlisle by 9:30 or so.

I would, but already have dinner plans. It's forecast to be rainy Saturday, but if not, we could get a group together then for dinner.