One Last Hurrah [FINAL RESULTS]

Community Challenges & Competitions
357

Pit Stop Team

Nathan is driving after their fun tour and stop at the AEA Headquarters. The old ElGovnor wagon was taken on the shake-down track… And Failed Miserably in all handling, bump, and stopping tests. However it was competent enough to just pass the acceleration tests. This is where a nice chunk of the episode will focus as well.

The team is driving through, passing through the rest of Minnesota and headed into Iowa. This is relatively uneventful, outside of fuel fill-ups. Then when traveling in the middle of Iowa, tragedy hits.

The car suddenly start revving a lot in waves as the speed they are traveling at slowly spirals down. Then the trans tries down shifting, causing even more revving and loss of speed until they finally let the car coast to a stop on the side of the road.

The torque converter has failed. The team laughs it off, morale high from the previous events of the day, and the episode finishes with them promising to feature the “Wagoneer” (as it’s been dubbed by now) in another episode, hinting at more power for smokey burnouts and drifting the boat-sized wagon.

4 Likes
358

Gran: OK David, it’s getting close to 10 so I think we need to look for somewhere to stop.

Spanners: Couldn’t agree more Mrs E.

Mopey: Can I have a beer tonight?

Gran and Spanners: NO!

Mopey: Fine…didn’t want one anyway… sigh

2 Likes
359

Team Thunder Taxi, Part 23

St. Louis, Missouri

The Thunder Taxi continued its relentless march southeast towards the finish line, with an increasingly upbeat crew on board. Despite considerable fatigue, Jack boldly pressed on past the Gateway Arch, leapfrogging anyone who had chosen to take a rest stop there. So far, it seemed that his brave approach to this cross-country race was working wonders; nobody, not even themselves, expected the Thunder Taxi to make it this far, let alone challenge the frontrunners.

That’s when Chris suggested a possible place for a rest stop. “We might want to make our next rest stop in Cape Girardeau. I reckon the Holiday Inn off I-55 would be an ideal location for it. All in favor, please say ‘Aye’, and if two or more of you do so, we’ll stop right there for the night.”

His teammates all replied, “Aye”, having realized that an imminent rest stop would be a great idea.

“So, Holiday Inn it is, then. We’ll stick to our plan as before.”

And so the Thunder Taxi continued to charge on through the night, unhindered by adverse weather or an overly conservative strategy as it had in the past.

2 Likes
360

Legend of Terms:

POI NOTE: Blah blah blah you know the drill by now.

BD: Block Distance. This is the amount of mileage covered during the current 2 hour period.
OD: Overall Distance. This is the total distance that the team has covered since the event started.
AT: Ambient Temperature
FS: Fuel Status. Approximate fuel reading. May also include other fuel related concerns.
MRL: Morale modifier
FTG: Fatigue Level
Last Town: Last town of note that was passed (will not include tiny villages)
Next Waypoint: Should be self explanatory.
Notes: Any notes I have for your team during this time block. Including POI results, car issues, etc.

SUNDAY, 10PM - MIDNIGHT

@Madrias
BD: 0 mi OD: 2317 mi AT: 50 F FS: LOW MRL: +0 FTG: -9 Last Town: St Louis, MO Next Waypoint: Mississippi River Museum, Memphis, TN
Notes: Ongoing issue: Check Engine Code: P0420. TEAM MORALE IS HIGH. Team is asleep at the Magnolia Hotel St. Louis.

@Jaimz
BD: 9 mi OD: 2602 mi AT: 52 F FS: FULL MRL: +2 FTG: -5 Last Town: Memphis, TN Next Waypoint: Vicksburg National Military Park, Vicksburg, MS
Notes: TEAM MORALE IS HIGH. Waypoint completed: Mississippi River Museum. Team has refueled in Memphis, TN. Team has stopped for the night at the Sheraton Memphis Downtown.

@BobLoblaw
BD: 0 mi OD: 2437 mi AT: 50 F FS: 2/3 MRL: +0 FTG: -9 Last Town: Cape Girardeau, MO Next Waypoint: Mississippi River Museum, Memphis, TN
Notes: TEAM MORALE IS HIGH. Team is asleep at Candlewood Suites in Cape Girardeau, MO.

@Zabhawkin
BD: 116 mi OD: 2486 mi AT: 52 F FS: FULL MRL: +2 FTG: +10 Last Town: Memphis, TN Next Waypoint: Vicksburg National Military Park, Vicksburg, MS
Notes: TEAM MORALE IS HIGH. Waypoint completed: Mississippi River Museum. TEAM IS EXHAUSTED. Team has stopped for a short sleep at Tom Sawyer Campground just outside of Memphis.

@HighOctaneLove
BD: 17 mi OD: 2317 mi AT: 50 F FS: 1/3 MRL: +1 FTG: -5 Last Town: St Louis, MO Next Waypoint: Gateway Arch, St Louis, MO
Notes: TEAM MORALE IS HIGH. Team is tired. Team has stopped for the night at the Hyatt Regency St Louis (and will do the waypoint in the morning)

@DoctorNarfy
BD: 0 mi OD: 2317 mi AT: 50 F FS: 2/3 MRL: +0 FTG: -8 Last Town: St Louis, MO Next Waypoint: Mississippi River Museum, Memphis, TN
Notes: Team is asleep at the Magnolia Hotel St. Louis.

@Mythrin
BD: 0 mi OD: 2317 mi AT: 50 F FS: FULL MRL: +0 FTG: -7 Last Town: St Louis, MO Next Waypoint: Mississippi River Museum, Memphis, TN
Notes: TEAM MORALE IS HIGH. Team is asleep at the Magnolia Hotel St. Louis

@abg7
BD: 87 mi OD: 2437 mi AT: 50 F FS: 1/2 MRL: +0 FTG: +2 Last Town: Cape Girardeau, MO Next Waypoint: Mississippi River Museum, Memphis, TN
Notes: TEAM MORALE IS HIGH. Team has stopped for the night at the Holiday Inn Express is Cape Girardeau, MO.

@LordLetto
BD: 0 mi OD: 1999 AT: 58 F FS: FULL MRL: +0 FTG: -9 Last Town: Dubuque, IA Next Waypoint: Gateway Arch, St Louis, MO
Notes: TEAM MORALE IS HIGH. Team is asleep at Holiday Inn Dubuque.

@cpufreak101
BD: 0 mi OD: 2317 mi AT: 53 F FS: FULL MRL: +0 FTG: -8 Last Town: St Louis MO Next Waypoint: Mississippi River Museum, Memphis, TN
Notes: TEAM IS EXHAUSTED. Team is asleep at the Magnolia Hotel St Louis.

Vehicles that are traveling in packs:

Note: vehicles within ~5 miles of each other are within CB range.

5 Likes
361

Team Thunder Taxi, Part 24

Cape Girardeau, Missouri

As the Thunder Taxi pulled into the parking lot at the Holiday Inn, a wave of relief swept over Jack and his teammates. He was as shocked as any of them to find out that they were now running joint third with another team, but had one more announcement to make before going to bed.

“Today was easily the best day we’ve had so far on this cross-country race. Tomorrow promises to be even better. We’ll make sure it is by pushing hard all the way to Memphis and beyond.”

It was not long before all four team members were asleep, but they knew that they’d have to start driving again in a few hours’ time. They were now hoping they would close the gap on the few teams still in front of them… But they wouldn’t know for certain until sunrise.

2 Likes
362

V6 Vandals - D4 6p-Midnight - “Rest for the Wicked”

(No RP this session, the team is asleep)

MRL: +17 (+1)
FTG: +9 (-21)
WAY: +7
GAS: LOW
FST: 7
OIL: 1 quart

4 Likes
363

Team Mountain Pass

Team Bio
Day 4, 8 - 10PM

Day Four, 10PM to Midnight

I’m really glad we decided to stop at St Louis tonight. For the first time on this trip we’re sleeping in a swanky, four star, hotel! We’ll check out the arch tomorrow morning and then it’s Andrew’s turn to drive, so I’m really looking forward to what we’ll be able to achieve by the end of tomorrow.

But that can all wait as all I want to do right now is have a long hot shower, hit the hay and dream about anything but driving, bacon or burnt wiring!

TO BE CONTINUED

Distance covered: 17 miles
Overall distance: 2315 miles
Fuel state: 1/3rd of a tank
Overall fuel used: 9 and 2/3rds tanks
Morale: +1 (+14) Four stars, FOUR STARS!!! Super luxury for us both! :heart_eyes::money_mouth_face::heart_eyes:
Fatigue: -5 (+21) Hot luxurious showers are great for relieving stress! (As is sleeping, :smiley:)

4 Likes
364

Legend of Terms:

POI NOTE: Blah blah blah you know the drill by now.

BD: Block Distance. This is the amount of mileage covered during the current 2 hour period.
OD: Overall Distance. This is the total distance that the team has covered since the event started.
AT: Ambient Temperature
FS: Fuel Status. Approximate fuel reading. May also include other fuel related concerns.
MRL: Morale modifier
FTG: Fatigue Level
Last Town: Last town of note that was passed (will not include tiny villages)
Next Waypoint: Should be self explanatory.
Notes: Any notes I have for your team during this time block. Including POI results, car issues, etc.

MONDAY, MIDNIGHT - 2 AM

@Madrias
BD: 0 mi OD: 2317 mi AT: 48 F FS: LOW MRL: +1 FTG: -9 Last Town: St Louis, MO Next Waypoint: Mississippi River Museum, Memphis, TN
Notes: Ongoing issue: Check Engine Code: P0420. TEAM MORALE IS HIGH. Team wakes up at 2 am and will be on the road at 3 am.

@Jaimz
BD: 0 mi OD: 2602 mi AT: 50 F FS: FULL MRL: +0 FTG: -7 Last Town: Memphis, TN Next Waypoint: Vicksburg National Military Park, Vicksburg, MS
Notes: TEAM MORALE IS HIGH. Waypoint completed: Mississippi River Museum. Team is asleep at the Sheraton Memphis Downtown.

@BobLoblaw
BD: 0 mi OD: 2437 mi AT: 48 F FS: 2/3 MRL: +0 FTG: -12 Last Town: Cape Girardeau, MO Next Waypoint: Mississippi River Museum, Memphis, TN
Notes: TEAM MORALE IS HIGH. Team is asleep at Candlewood Suites in Cape Girardeau, MO.

@Zabhawkin
BD: 0 mi OD: 2486 mi AT: 50 F FS: FULL MRL: +0 FTG: -4 Last Town: Memphis, TN Next Waypoint: Vicksburg National Military Park, Vicksburg, MS
Notes: TEAM MORALE IS HIGH. Team has stopped for a short sleep at Tom Sawyer Campground just outside of Memphis.

@HighOctaneLove
BD: 0 mi OD: 2317 mi AT: 48 F FS: 1/3 MRL: +0 FTG: -7 Last Town: St Louis, MO Next Waypoint: Gateway Arch, St Louis, MO
Notes: TEAM MORALE IS HIGH. Team is tired. Team is asleep at the Hyatt Regency St Louis (and will do the waypoint in the morning)

@DoctorNarfy
BD: 0 mi OD: 2317 mi AT: 48 F FS: 2/3 MRL: +0 FTG: -10 Last Town: St Louis, MO Next Waypoint: Mississippi River Museum, Memphis, TN
Notes: Team is asleep at the Magnolia Hotel St. Louis.

@Mythrin
BD: 0 mi OD: 2317 mi AT: 48 F FS: FULL MRL: +0 FTG: -9 Last Town: St Louis, MO Next Waypoint: Mississippi River Museum, Memphis, TN
Notes: TEAM MORALE IS HIGH. Team is asleep at the Magnolia Hotel St. Louis

@abg7
BD: 0 mi OD: 2437 mi AT: 48 F FS: 1/2 MRL: +0 FTG: -6 Last Town: Cape Girardeau, MO Next Waypoint: Mississippi River Museum, Memphis, TN
Notes: TEAM MORALE IS HIGH. Team is asleep at the Holiday Inn Express is Cape Girardeau, MO.

@LordLetto
BD: 0 mi OD: 1999 AT: 52 F FS: FULL MRL: +0 FTG: -11 Last Town: Dubuque, IA Next Waypoint: Gateway Arch, St Louis, MO
Notes: TEAM MORALE IS HIGH. Team wakes up at 2 am and will be on the road at 3 am.

@cpufreak101
BD: 0 mi OD: 2317 mi AT: 51 F FS: FULL MRL: +0 FTG: -11 Last Town: St Louis MO Next Waypoint: Mississippi River Museum, Memphis, TN
Notes: TEAM IS EXHAUSTED. Team is asleep at the Magnolia Hotel St Louis.

Vehicles that are traveling in packs:

Note: vehicles within ~5 miles of each other are within CB range.

3 Likes
365

TEAM OUTRIDERS

18:00

Blake: What’s the matter? You look down.

Zach: I’m fine. Really, I am.

Blake: You don’t look fine.

Zach: Well, it’s just… you guys are a little rough.

Marc: Aw, does the widdle baby need a safe space? Is he gonna cry?

Blake: Knock it off Marc.

Marc: Whatever.

Zach: Banter like that, it can hurt.

Luigi: Oh give me a break!

Blake: Luigi’s right, your generation is too thin-skinned.

Zach: How does that not get to you?

Marc: Because we’re guys! We’re men! That’s what men do. We give you shit, you give it right back at us.

Zach: I don’t know if…

Marc: Sure you can, come on you pansy! Give me your worst!

Zach: You’re all a bunch of… rude… brutish… cock men!

Luigi: …

Marc: …

Blake: Well, it’s a start. Work on it.

(Time passes)

Luigi: We’re here. Candlewood Suites.

Blake: Temperatures getting higher, I think this will be our last hotel.

Marc: (looks at wallet) Yeah, I’m good with that.

Zach: You would be happy with not spending money at a hotel. Dumb Jew!

Marc: Whoa!

Luigi: That was uncalled for!

Blake: Seriously.

Zach: But I… You said…

Blake: There are rules!

Zach: I was only…

Blake: Not another word out of you young man! Now off to bed!

Zach: (sigh)

(The men head up to their rooms, Luigi and Marc sharing a subtle grin that Zach could not see.)

5 Likes
366

Why did I just have a mental of picture Cartman from South Park?

1 Like
367

Legend of Terms:

POI NOTE: Blah blah blah you know the drill by now.

BD: Block Distance. This is the amount of mileage covered during the current 2 hour period.
OD: Overall Distance. This is the total distance that the team has covered since the event started.
AT: Ambient Temperature
FS: Fuel Status. Approximate fuel reading. May also include other fuel related concerns.
MRL: Morale modifier
FTG: Fatigue Level
Last Town: Last town of note that was passed (will not include tiny villages)
Next Waypoint: Should be self explanatory.
Notes: Any notes I have for your team during this time block. Including POI results, car issues, etc.

MONDAY, 2 AM - 4 AM

@Madrias
BD: 49 mi OD: 2366 mi AT: 48 F FS: FULL MRL: +1 FTG: -9 Last Town: St Louis, MO Next Waypoint: Mississippi River Museum, Memphis, TN
Notes: Ongoing issue: Check Engine Code: P0420. TEAM MORALE IS HIGH. Team has refueled in St Louis.

@Jaimz
BD: 0 mi OD: 2602 mi AT: 50 F FS: FULL MRL: +0 FTG: -9 Last Town: Memphis, TN Next Waypoint: Vicksburg National Military Park, Vicksburg, MS
Notes: TEAM MORALE IS HIGH. Waypoint completed: Mississippi River Museum. Team is asleep at the Sheraton Memphis Downtown.

@BobLoblaw
BD: 0 mi OD: 2437 mi AT: 48 F FS: 2/3 MRL: +0 FTG: -14 Last Town: Cape Girardeau, MO Next Waypoint: Mississippi River Museum, Memphis, TN
Notes: TEAM MORALE IS HIGH. Team is asleep at Candlewood Suites in Cape Girardeau, MO.

@Zabhawkin
BD: 0 mi OD: 2486 mi AT: 50 F FS: FULL MRL: +0 FTG: -7 Last Town: Memphis, TN Next Waypoint: Vicksburg National Military Park, Vicksburg, MS
Notes: TEAM MORALE IS HIGH. Team has stopped for a short sleep at Tom Sawyer Campground just outside of Memphis.

@HighOctaneLove
BD: 0 mi OD: 2317 mi AT: 48 F FS: 1/3 MRL: +0 FTG: -10 Last Town: St Louis, MO Next Waypoint: Gateway Arch, St Louis, MO
Notes: TEAM MORALE IS HIGH. Team is tired. Team wakes up at 4 am and will be on the road at 5 am.

@DoctorNarfy
BD: 0 mi OD: 2317 mi AT: 48 F FS: 2/3 MRL: +0 FTG: -8 Last Town: St Louis, MO Next Waypoint: Mississippi River Museum, Memphis, TN
Notes: Team wakes up at 4 am and will be ready at 5 am.

@Mythrin
BD: 0 mi OD: 2317 mi AT: 48 F FS: FULL MRL: +0 FTG: -11 Last Town: St Louis, MO Next Waypoint: Mississippi River Museum, Memphis, TN
Notes: TEAM MORALE IS HIGH. Team is asleep at the Magnolia Hotel St. Louis

@abg7
BD: 0 mi OD: 2437 mi AT: 48 F FS: 1/2 MRL: +0 FTG: -9 Last Town: Cape Girardeau, MO Next Waypoint: Mississippi River Museum, Memphis, TN
Notes: TEAM MORALE IS HIGH. Team is asleep at the Holiday Inn Express is Cape Girardeau, MO.

@LordLetto
BD: 71 mi OD: 2070 AT: 49 F FS: 3/4 MRL: +0 FTG: +0 Last Town: Dubuque, IA Next Waypoint: Gateway Arch, St Louis, MO
Notes: TEAM MORALE IS HIGH. WEATHER CONDITION: Light rain

@cpufreak101
BD: 0 mi OD: 2317 mi AT: 51 F FS: FULL MRL: +0 FTG: -13 Last Town: St Louis MO Next Waypoint: Mississippi River Museum, Memphis, TN
Notes: Team is asleep at the Magnolia Hotel St Louis.

Vehicles that are traveling in packs:

Note: vehicles within ~5 miles of each other are within CB range.

5 Likes
368

V6 Vandals - D5 Midnight-4a - “Well Rested”

Not much happened up until 3 in the morning when the Vandals piled into the little Ishu Truckling. Amy was all hopped up on coffee, Luke was, well, being Luke, and Cody and Jake settled into the back seat for the short drive to the gas station.

At the gas station in St. Louis, Amy got out and filled the gas tank with the usual Premium fuel, while Luke opened the hood, checked the dipstick, and added another quart of oil. With the gas paid for, a full tank, and a few bags of chips and some energy drinks purchased, the Vandals hit the road hard.

“So, what do you think of our chances, Luke?” Amy asked.

“I don’t like making guesses. And I have insufficient data for a proper educated guess.” Luke replied. “However, I know we’ve hit the road pretty damn early, so we’ll make up some miles while other teams sleep it off.”

“I’m just glad we’re doin’ to them what they’ve been doin’ to us.” Cody said. “Means we might pull this off. Or we’ll break the car trying.”

“Let’s try to avoid breaking the car. After all, we’ve made it this far, let’s at least cross the finish line.” Jake said.

Amy nodded, though seemed intent on traveling at the pace she set the night before.

MRL: +18? (+1 confirmed, +1 possible. Needs Clarification. Alt Value +19)
FTG: 0? (-9 confirmed, -9 possible. Needs Clarification. Alt Value -9)
WAY: 7
GAS: 3/3
FST: 8 (+1)
OIL: 2 quarts (+1)

4 Likes
369

can i still enter even though its started?

370

The deadline for entries for this challenge was several months ago… so it’s safe to say that entries here have been closed for a very long time.

1 Like
371

Not only that, but we’re somewhere around 2-4 time periods before the whole thing is finished. You’re waaay late, dude.

372

Legend of Terms:

POI NOTE: Blah blah blah you know the drill by now.

BD: Block Distance. This is the amount of mileage covered during the current 2 hour period.
OD: Overall Distance. This is the total distance that the team has covered since the event started.
AT: Ambient Temperature
FS: Fuel Status. Approximate fuel reading. May also include other fuel related concerns.
MRL: Morale modifier
FTG: Fatigue Level
Last Town: Last town of note that was passed (will not include tiny villages)
Next Waypoint: Should be self explanatory.
Notes: Any notes I have for your team during this time block. Including POI results, car issues, etc.

MONDAY, 4 AM - 6 AM

@Madrias
BD: 153 mi OD: 2366 mi AT: 49 F FS: 1/3 MRL: +0 FTG: +0 Last Town: Cape Girardeau, MO Next Waypoint: Mississippi River Museum, Memphis, TN
Notes: Ongoing issue: Check Engine Code: P0420. TEAM MORALE IS HIGH. NEW ISSUE: Blue smoke is no longer just coming from the tail pipe, but small wisps from the engine bay as well.

@Jaimz
BD: 0 mi OD: 2602 mi AT: 50 F FS: FULL MRL: +2 FTG: -5 Last Town: Memphis, TN Next Waypoint: Vicksburg National Military Park, Vicksburg, MS
Notes: TEAM MORALE IS EXTREMELY HIGH. Team wakes up at 5 am and will be ready at 6 am

@BobLoblaw
BD: 0 mi OD: 2437 mi AT: 48 F FS: 2/3 MRL: +2 FTG: -3 Last Town: Cape Girardeau, MO Next Waypoint: Mississippi River Museum, Memphis, TN
Notes: TEAM MORALE IS HIGH. Team wakes up at 5 am and will be on the road at 6 am.

@Zabhawkin
BD: 0 mi OD: 2486 mi AT: 50 F FS: FULL MRL: +1 FTG: -5 Last Town: Memphis, TN Next Waypoint: Vicksburg National Military Park, Vicksburg, MS
Notes: TEAM MORALE IS HIGH. Team wakes up at 5 am and will be on the road at 6 am. Team is slightly fatigued.

@HighOctaneLove
BD: 71 mi OD: 2388 mi AT: 49 F FS: FULL MRL: +2 FTG: +0 Last Town: St Louis, MO Next Waypoint: Gateway Arch, St Louis, MO
Notes: TEAM MORALE IS HIGH. Waypoint completed: Gateway arch. Team has refueled in St Louis.

@DoctorNarfy
BD: 69 mi OD: 2386 mi AT: 49 F FS: 1/2 MRL: +1 FTG: +0 Last Town: St Louis, MO Next Waypoint: Mississippi River Museum, Memphis, TN
Notes: TEAM MORALE IS HIGH.

@Mythrin
BD: 0 mi OD: 2317 mi AT: 49 F FS: FULL MRL: +2 FTG: -5 Last Town: St Louis, MO Next Waypoint: Mississippi River Museum, Memphis, TN
Notes: TEAM MORALE IS HIGH. Team wakes up at 5 am and will be on the road at 6 am.

@abg7
BD: 0 mi OD: 2437 mi AT: 48 F FS: 1/2 MRL: +0 FTG: -11 Last Town: Cape Girardeau, MO Next Waypoint: Mississippi River Museum, Memphis, TN
Notes: TEAM MORALE IS HIGH. Team wakes up at 6 am and will be on the road at 7 am.

@LordLetto
BD: 144 mi OD: 2214 AT: 49 F FS: 1/3 MRL: +0 FTG: +1 Last Town: Peoria, IL Next Waypoint: Gateway Arch, St Louis, MO
Notes: TEAM MORALE IS HIGH. Team is slightly fatigued.

@cpufreak101
BD: 0 mi OD: 2317 mi AT: 51 F FS: FULL MRL: +2 FTG: -4 Last Town: St Louis MO Next Waypoint: Mississippi River Museum, Memphis, TN
Notes: Team wakes up at 5 am and will be ready at 6 am.

Vehicles that are traveling in packs:

Note: vehicles within ~5 miles of each other are within CB range.

8 Likes
373

V6 Vandals - D5 2-4a - “Guesswork”

The Vandals were screaming down the highway, their twin-turbo V6 singing the whole way, with the blue-cloud still trailing the little Truckling for nearly a quarter mile. The music was up loud, some rock-and-roll radio station running a two-hour commercial-free rock-block.

Amy was focused, staring down the road, planning every pass, every weave more than several seconds in advance. They were in sixth gear, but the turbos were still singing, still making boost, pushing their tiny little micro-truck through traffic.

Cody and Jake had finally had enough of the long drive, the lack of entertainment, and getting told off by Luke for trying to start a chant of “99 bottles” again, and had broken out the handheld game consoles and the link cable, and were now engaged in furious battle after furious battle of monster brawling.

Luke, however, was keeping watch on the car. And he spotted something that, at first, he thought was just a fluke. But it happened again. And again. And the fourth time, he brought it up to Amy.

“We’ve got smoke. Blue wisps, from under the hood. Nothing huge, but it could get worse. I’d like to make a quick stop, check for loose hoses, a loose oil cap, or if I spilled some on the exhaust.” Luke said.

“Fine. We’ll stop at the side of the road, then. Do a quick check. If it’s something that we can’t fix right now, we’ll just live with it.” Amy said. “So much for our plan to catch up.”

“Mom, you’re a racing driver. Making up time is easy.” Jake said from the back.

“True. But who’s going to pay the speeding ticket?” Amy replied.

Luke looked over, then said, “I’ll cover it. We check under the hood, make sure it’s not something we’ve overlooked, and then we thrash it to within a millimeter of its life.”

Cody looked up and gave a wicked grin. “Blaze of glory?” he asked.

“It very well might be. But it will be a glorious fire if it happens.” Luke responded.

MRL: +18 (NC)
FTG: 0 (NC)
WAY: 7
GAS: 1/3
FST: 8
OIL: 2 quarts

4 Likes
374

TEAM OUTRIDERS

Blake: Good morning Zach.

Zach: Morning Dad.

Luigi: Morning.

Marc: Good morning.

Zach: Listen, about last night.

Marc: Nothing about it, you just better watch your mouth or I swear to God I’ll knock you so flat you’ll have to pull down your socks to shit!

(Marc fixes Zach with an intense stare)

Zach: …

Marc: …

Zach: … You son of a…

Marc: Ha! I almost had you! You’re too easy sometimes!

(Blake and Luigi give Zach a pat on the shoulders)

Zach: Wait, you were all in on this?

Blake: What can I say? All in good fun.

Luigi: Come on, I’m starved. Let’s eat.

(A quick breakfast later and the team is packed up and in the car)

Blake: Now remember, we’re a couple places behind.

Marc: I know.

Blake: Good, then use that cop training of yours and give it Hell!

(The Enforcer once again roars to life)

Marc: It’s morning, we’ve got some catching up to do. We’ve got half a pack of cigarettes for some reason since none of us smoke. 2/3 a tank of gas. And the open road ahead of us.

Blake/Luigi/Zach: Hit it!

6 Likes
375

Team Mountain Pass

Team Bio
Day 4, 10 - Midnight

Day Five, 4AM to 6AM

It seemed like the moment my head hit the pillow that the alarm was going off: Time to leave! Andrew and I hurried through our morning preparations, paid our bill, signed out of the hotel and then we raced over to the arch, took our pics then raced back to the car. Andrew gunned the little Bogliq out of the carpark and we were headed south again.

Andrew was driving with his usual bombastic style so I figured we’d be making up for lost time today. Hopefully the Bogliq’s wiring patch would stay golden and we wouldn’t fall afoul of the law which would improve our chances of finishing by the hour! I hate early starts so I took a nap, Andrew cranked up the K-Pop to cover my snores and the l’il blue Bogliq kept humming along the highway, as if born solely for this moment…

TO BE CONTINUED

Distance covered: 71 miles
Overall distance: 2386 miles
Fuel state: Full tank
Overall fuel used: 10 tanks
Morale: +2 (+16)
Fatigue: -17 (+4)

5 Likes
376

Spanners is outside at 5:10 with a bacon butty and a huge mug of hot tea…

Spanners: OK sweetheart, let’s see how you’re doing today. Hmmm…you’ve taken quite a slug out of the oil but nothing to be really worried about but I’ll just top it up anyway. Your coolant’s fine but you could do with a top-up on the screenwash. I’ll tell you something about this trip, we’ve visited some great places, met great people and seen some spectacular scenery…but the folks around here need a lesson on bacon butties and proper English tea. I can see why they drink so much coffee! According to my calculations we’ve got about 400 miles to go. Then we can all ship back home to proper breakfasts! Mrs E seems to have enjoyed herself but we need to remember not to buy sherry at ANY point in the future and the kid’s been OK too.

Stranger in the car park: Hey buddy…who ya talking to?

Spanners: My car, why?

Stranger: No reason but you Brits are a bit wierd.

Spanners: Says the guy standing the middle of a car park at 5am.

Stranger: What?

Spanners: Nothing, have a nice day and remember, let’s be careful out there!

Stranger walking away: Asshole!

Spanners: OK, where were we? Tyres, well they look fine.

Cop car pulls into the carpark. Officer stops, looks at Spanners and drives off when Spanners sees him and waves.

At 6 Gran and Mopey appear

Gran: Well David?

Spanners: All done Mrs E.

Mopey: Anything to worry about?

Spanners: Nah. She’d taken a glug of oil but it’s all topped up again. Screenwash topped up and tyres checked. Everything looks good. We should hit the finish somewhere this afternoon, teatime by the latest.

They all climbed in the car and hit the road on the dot of 6.

6 Likes