Yep. 
Good, so we’re a team now 
6 Likes
I’m still here 
no, you’re missing. stay rip.
team 1'); drop table participants; --
(@koolkei and @FrankNSTein)Frank, age 20, Austrian
computer nerd, network security student
has theoretical knowledge about how cars work but barely anything practical
somewhat sceptical in modern technology
generally good driver, sometimes a bit overconfident
knows how to use google maps
can get along with almost any style of music, but prefers no music while driving
Hwang Da Wei, age 22, Singaporean
also a computer nerd, spends his days of work around rack and racks of server computers
likes to work with both 2 wheeled and 4 wheeled vehicles. not an impressive mechanic, but is super witty when it comes to fixing stuff. although sometimes doing it too brazen and ended up making things worse.
is quite a meticolous guy planning and the over-preparing type.
LOVES punk, rock and basically loud music. and seems to always listening to something whatever he’s doing.
we both met up at a gadget and tech expo a few years back. when we were looking at the same newfangled FANCEH STUFF and found ourselves to connect instantly at everything, well except about our music taste.
Da Wei : hey Frank. i found this cheap rally event you MAY want to check out
Frank : sounds interesting, what is it about?
Da Wei : you deft? i said it’s a rally event. Basically, we get a cheap shitbox. Get it fixed, or at least running enough and “race” them through a set route against other teams.
Frank : Oh, so it’s similar to that ‘Roulette Runner’ thing I’ve heard of a few months ago?
Da Wei : yeah. They’re doing a different theme, but the route, or at least the start point is much closer to us this time. Think you may wanna join??
Frank : Well, you got me. Let’s look for a suitable car then. Got anything in mind?
Da Wei : nope. It’s got a suggested a budget limit of $500 though. Although for the car only. Not for repairs and the spare parts we might have to carry, and the food for us both so i’ll make the budgeting and you go on the net. Sounds like a plan?
Frank : Sounds like a plan. I’d try to find some 80s or 90s sedan in good condition. Opens his laptop.
(20 minutes later)
Frank : I’ve found a few cars now. First is an ‘87 Frankenstein Traveler for $400. It’s got the more powerful 1.6L engine doing 95 horsepower, but it’s quite small for fitting all our luggage.
Second, a 1982 Roviro Clarion. Even more basic of a car, some more luggage space, but 66hp will barely be enough for highway driving I think.
Da Wei : okay stop right there. 1980s. 66hp. No even with 95hp. all the stuff we need to haul.
Plus the power loss from age. I don’t think either one of those could drive on the highway with “confidence”. Also i finished the rough draft of our budgeting here. ]
If we both pitch in $500 each, we should be able to afford up to the full $500 car price limit. Even after the fixing shit that has to be done. Anyway, find something with a bit more grunt.
Frank : Well, there’s this other one I stumbled upon. A guy wants $650 for his Scela Moto that sat for a few years. 213hp Inline-6. And it even comes from your home country.
Da Wei : why then. Send him a lowball-ish offer. Like $370. Give him excuses why he should drop the price down. Just softly “pressure” him. You can do that, right?
Frank : I’ll try at least. Would be a cool car to show up at the event. And I love the sound of high-revving inline-6s.
(Two phone calls later)
Frank : Got him down to an offer of exactly $500. We’ll show up there tomorrow to inspect the car. I also got my mate Daniel, who’s a mechanic, informed about this. He might do some overtime hours this weekend for us.
Da Wei : let’s just hope you picked right and we can actually drive that thing to the shop, and not pay extra for towing. That’d be an ugly start for us. Right, i’m registering us into the competition first
The Car
That Scela Moto is - quite literally - a barn find. It wasn’t on the road for several years, thankfully the previous owner left it in an old barn where it wasn’t exposed to the elements. Rust isn’t a big problem due to the good rust protection that Scela were using back in the 80s. It seems to have once had an accident, some damage has been fixed. The overall condition of the car is quite good, considering the price we got it for.
Once we had the brakes restored to usable condition, vacuumed the interior, replaced the dead alternator and got the fluids swapped out it actually ran pretty well. It also got new tires, as the previous ones were 9 years old and not in too good of a condition.
Known Problems :
I think it got into some incident where the left of the car was damaged pretty noticeably so. Rear left Suspension arm is slightly bent, was hammered as straight as much as hammer could make it straight.
Brakes made awful noise and weren’t too effective. Fixed by taking them apart and properly cleaning them.
The alternator was dead. We had to replace that one.
AC only has 3 modes. Off, on(cold), on (hot). The controls are broken. Either freezing, or sweating. Pick one.
Temp gauge is broken. I hope the cooling system still works well
Rear left taillight likes to blinker or go dead randomly
Lower front left frame seems to have been repaired at one point.
Glove box lock is stuck. Glove box now stuck closed with duct tape
Spare tire is flat a 30yo+ spare tire. What did you expect? At least it’s not the space saver type
Left door is very tricky to open, sometimes won’t open at all
Rattling. RATTLING EVERYWHERE!!!
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I am personally offended that your teammates were not named Frank and Stein…
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I saw what you did there, little Bobby Tables.
AND DON’T FORGET TO SANITIZE YOUR SPREADSHEETS EVER AGAIN
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For a car from 1965, and an engine from 2005, what are we allowed slider-wise?
Your engine must conform to 2005 sliders (no more than what is allowed there), and overall your car+engine combo must conform to the older year.
Our car is coming soon!
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Team BAGS
The team:
Brian King - An experienced mechanic in his late 40s from Los Angeles, CA. Was enlisted to help the team sort out any mechanical issues their car might have.
Gary Watts - The primary driver for this team is a motoring journalist in his mid 30s and hails from New York, NY. He loves the idea of a V8 manual RWD wagon such as the one he entered into this challenge.
Stephanie Garcia: She is in her early 20s and serves as the team’s navigator. Born and raised in Miami, FL, she considers the KGT to be a challenge worthy of her skills.
Amy Girardi: A fabricator in her late 30s from Austin, TX who relishes the lure of long-distance drives such as the KGT. She prefers to seek out older, well-maintained cars for the sake of reliability, but will sometimes drive newer cars if it gives her team an advantage - as long as repairing it is worthwhile.
##The Car: 1982 AMP Oswego 5.7 Wagon
This silver station wagon was bought in Denver, CO for exactly $500. Why was it so cheap? Simple - although it had been well-maintained for the past 35 years, it has covered a whopping 200,000 miles during that time. There are exactly three issues with it, though. The passenger side rear window is stuck in the raised position, and the 8-track player is inoperable (although the radio is in good working order). Finally, the five-speed manual gearbox is starting to feel slightly vague, and the team could not pin down the cause before departing.
And so Team BAGS - in which the letters stood for the team members’ first names - was ready to go on what could turn out to be the trip of a lifetime… or an utter nightmare. For now, at least, they could enjoy the benefits of cruising down their favorite roads in what was, and still is, considered a Q-car - unassuming on the outside but packing a punch under the hood.
7 Likes
200,000 over 35 years is babying it. My 2004 Volvo S60 had 200,000 on it when I sold it a little over a year ago. (I learned a few months later that the kid who bought it totaled it… I cried)
But I like the RWD station wagon non-the-less!
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@Nomade0013 I hope you don’t mind me going ahead to post without telling you but we have to!
Nomade
My grandma’s '93 Odyssey was stolen some time ago and the police finally found it these days, the interior was completely stripped, the wheels and the trunk door were missing and some windows were broken, but for some strange reason the engine was untouched still mounted.
For her luck she had some money stored and already bought a newer version of the Odyssey, she really likes this model, so she gave me the car to make whatever I wanted.
Ram
I was up late at night browsing Facebook. A little 1 in a red circle popped up on the notification panel icon. Hm. Someone had posted to the Gamma owners Facebook group. Now, I didn’t and never had owned a Gamma but I always found these groups and forums to be goldmines because there was so much firsthand expertise and know-how here. So what was this post?
–
The next day
'Alright man, I’ll be on my way. Take care." I said, putting down the phone. Turning around, I called out “Hey, Nomade. I’m going to be gone for an hour and I’ll be back with my friend’s pickup. We’ve places to go.” He mumbled assent which I assumed was just him eating.
Now back at the door I honked. Nomade stuck his head out the door. “Get my phone, please!” I shouted. He disappeared to bring out a bag of tools and a battery as well as our phones a few minutes later. We set off as he closed the door. Turning to me he asked, “where to?” I pointed at the address displayed on my phone screen. “That’s, uh, a shady district, you know?” Nomade replied hesitantly. “Yep. I’m pretty sure the guy we’re meeting is legit though. Let’s find out. We’ll be safe even if a zombie apocalypse starts in this pickup anyway” I joked.
–
“Aight I just want you to know that this real, I ain’t playin,” he said bending down to grab the handle of the roller shutter to what was presumably his garage. “Car first, everything later.” The door creaked and screeched at the metal on metal. Once it was up he strode in. “Here she is. My baby. 1996 Gamma Surge. I was a fool and dint know how to care for her. Wild in love with Gamma I got this thinking I could live with it but the engine gave after 6 years with me. I couldn’t let her go, so my bud who works in a garage said he’d swap in a different engine if I could manage 2000. I didn’t have the money back then anymore so I thought I’d let her sit but I really don’t have the money anymore. I’m desperate. With the Facebook group I knew the car would find a good home, so I’m feelin blessed you guys turned up. This is my deal. $500.”
We looked around the car a little more then went on his house and spoke for longer. There would be no other way to find a great shell like this at this price anywhere else. This was it. I gave him the $500 for the car and an extra 500 out of genuine concern, he looked really banged up. As we loaded up the car on the trailer, I couldn’t help but chuckle. “He thought the car would get a good home, eh? Hopefully he doesn’t see what we’re about to do to this!” I laughed. Nomade grinned. “Lots of work to do though.”
To be continued tomorrow.
10 Likes
There are a couple of people who have posted intros but not sent in their files, like @ramthecowy and @FrankNSTein. 23 hours left to get them in!
I and Ram are figuring out the Aggressiveness Factor and Cargo Loading Factor, so we should send ours in some hours.
1 Like
Also, those of you who want to partake in your Day 0 (or early morning Day 1) RP, go ahead and do it now. Day 0 is considered to be a Thursday, and Day 1 is Friday, with the driver’s meeting at 11 am and the cars being lined up and let loose at noon… all in a group.
Note: Every place in this event is a REAL-WORLD location. It will start at Birch Bay State Park near Bellingham, WA USA, and end at Coronado Beach in San Diego, CA USA. The route is the coastal one, predominantly along US Highway 101. There are a handful of required waypoints, which I will try to announce before anyone gets to them. This is set in late May, so the sun rises around 5:30am and sets at about 9:00pm.
Team Greasy Lightning, Day 0, 10:20pm
Rick smiled and drained the last of his beer. The Ardent Chancellor sparkled in the light of the fire; it seemed more brilliant now than ever before. Its cosmetic flaws hidden by the shadows of the night.
“I’ve got a good feeling about this,” he grinned.
Jen nodded, a wry smirk on her face. “As long as Fuzz didn’t screw anything up putting the engine in.”
“We’re good,” the young cop cut in. “There’s no way anything could go… oh, shit!” He quickly yanked his skewer out of the fire, the marshmallow impaled at the end completely aflame. Fuzz blew it out quickly, but not before it developed a scorched outer husk. He shook his head and slapped it on the chocolate and graham cracker bed. With a swift move, he shoved the entire s’more in his mouth. “Jack and Terry know their stuff,” he muttered, sending graham cracker crumbs flying.
“I’m not worried about it,” Rick soothed. “The Kaminari’s engine was in really good shape to begin with, and the guys went over it with a fine-toothed comb before they put it in. And this car’s not quite the rust bucket that the last one was.”
Jen leaned her head on her husband’s shoulder and gazed into the fire. “I can’t believe Uncle Steve let this one go to us. I don’t think we could have picked a better car ourselves. We’ll make it alright.”
“Just remember, you promised not to break this one!”
Jen shot a dagger’s glare at her brother. “Shut it.”
Fuzz laughed and cracked open a beer. “Did you see the field this time? A bit different than last time.”
“A bit,” Rick agreed. “It’s nice to see the Team South End guys again, and Team Mountain Pass. You notice those guys in the Enforcer are back too? That thing’s tough as nails. It survived the Roulette Runner and is back in this one.”
“And those wagons, dude. Did you see them? That Oswego was killer!”
Jen rolled her eyes. “How can you miss them? They’re only a mile long.”
Rick chuckled. Jen and Fuzz had grown up in a station wagon, and yet their views on the matter could not be any more different. When their team had gone to Steve’s home to look at the cars taken from the estate, Rick could actually smell the hatred his wife had for wagon as they passed a old Ardent Sentinel. It was vaguely reminiscent of ozone and maple bars.
Just gotta make sure she doesn’t play demo derby with any of them come tomorrow, Rick mused.
The night passed with many beers consumed under the stars, the sound of waves lapping at the bay shore not far away.
7 Likes
##Apex Predators; Day 0
Original Post
Arriving early on day 0, The Apex Predators (It was Blisk’s idea) decided to set up on the very far side of the camp area.
Viper: The Tasman isn’t as bad as I expected it to be. Was very capable of holding speed, but who knows who will show up.
Slone: You talk too much, Vipe.
Blisk: Oi, you two shut up. Help me and Ash set-up the tent and fire pit.
S: Sorry, Sourpuss. Why’d we need to set up the tent, the Tasman’s a Wagon, and it’ll be warm.
Ash: Because the human body needs proper warmth. If I read the entry list properly, we should be graced by the presence of a well-known android…
V: Ash, do you really want to talk with him?
A: Yes, I’ve missed my chances in the past. Wouldn’t want to miss an opportunity.
Blisk, Viper, and Slone drunk through the night, while Ash went and met with each team as they arrived, semi-hiding her frame.
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##Team Artiseros : Day 0
Car Status: Normal
_Arriving at the said venue of the challenge,the team has been in a good mood thinking that they can finish this challenge._
Ernie: This seems to be the place.
Aldren: What made you join this tour?
Ernie: Oh nothing,just out of boredom.Besides,we bought enough supply to sustain ourselves in the journey
(opens supply box)
Ernie: We got meat,chips,and beer,though Ateri doesnt want beer.
Ateri: Dont worry,I bought couple of Japanese rice wine.
Aldren: So we are all set,but where do we sleep?
Ernie:There are a couple of checkpoints where we can rest but mostly 2 will sleep and 1 will guard.
(Ateri drinking sake in the background)
Aldren: Wait,you didnt bring any tents?
Ernie: Don’t worry,the car is just spacious enough.Besides,the only little niggle is the fact that the car is slow.
Aldren: Like you say that isn’t a bad thing.Anyways,let’s just hope we dont break down somehow.
And so,the trio happily awaits the day the tour will start and will mark the beginning of a friendship.
Day 1 chapter coming soon
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Team Twin-Snail
Chicago, Illinois, Day -2
As the four members of Team Twin-Snail rushed around, packing the last things into the Minerva Midnight’s rather spacious trunk, it became rather obvious that this time, they were starting out a lot smoother than they had for the Roulette Runner. However, they had a different issue, and that was the very long drive to get to their starting gate, and thereby, they’d have to rush it in a damned-right-hurry.
“Luke, you’re sure she’ll survive 2,100 extra miles doing this?” Linda asked.
“It should. Amy’s been through the entire DOHC block, and it’s been running like clockwork since then.” Luke replied.
“So… We’re gonna cannonball 32 hours, plus a little extra, just to get there?” Scott questioned.
“Consider it a shakedown run for our lucky find. If it’s going to do anything, it’ll throw a fit on the way there and we’ll know what the problem is.” Amy replied, before they got in the car.
With everything checked off the list, they started up their mostly-trouble-free Minerva Midnight and headed out, with Luke driving.
Somewhere in North Dakota, Day -1
A quick hotel stop for the night followed by more driving to make it.
Luke grew impatient with highway traffic, deciding to belt the poor old car and slammed the gas pedal to the floor. However, instead of the usual aggression it’d shown on the first day, the Midnight bucked and shuddered, flashed an angry amber light once, then twice, then finally ignited the “Maintenance Required - Engine” lamp before charging off down the highway.
“The fuck was that, Luke!?” Linda yelled.
“Felt like she couldn’t get air.” Luke replied.
“Parts store, now.” Amy demanded. “We’ll pick up two Minerva throttle body gaskets and some throttle body cleaner.”
“I’ll pay for a box of bloody gaskets.” Luke grumbled out. “Long as we get this fixed when we can.”
They roared along the highway, despite the glowing amber warning light.
“Luke, don’t you have an OBD-II connector?” Scott asked after some time.
“I do, but it’s packed in my bag, in the trunk, probably underneath all of my spare clothes and my maintenance gear. We’ll put up with it for now. Besides, I’ve driven a Storm Surge nearly 8,000 miles with the DynamIQ Warning light on the dash glowing. Long as we know what’s going on, we’ll be fine. And this feels like a lack of throttle response due to either a sticking throttle body or a fouled up Mass Air Flow sensor. Hoping it’s one of those, personally. If it’s an air leak, we’re likely going to have issues.” Luke said.
Birch Bay State Park, Washington, 1:30 PM. Day 0.
The dark purple Minerva Midnight settled smoothly into the camping area, engine purring quietly as Luke looked for a good parking spot.
“How about next to that big red wagon?” Linda asked after they’d spent the better part of 10 minutes cruising around the parking lot at idle.
“Could work. Everyone else seems to have given it a lot more space than it needs.” Luke replied, before swinging the car around and aiming for a parking space, leaving a respectful empty spot between the two of them so that they weren’t at risk of banging doors.
The instant the engine was shut down, Linda, Scott, and Amy set about building the camp, while Luke watched the team he’d parked next to. After a few minutes, Luke opened the driver’s door, stepping out of the car.
Of the four of them, Luke was the one who stood out the most, and made no effort to blend in. His Twilight-Blue paint reflected the sunlight as well as his silver accents, and had decided that combat boots and camouflage pants were the right thing to wear while going without any shirt.
“Luke, where’d you put the matches?” Amy asked.
“I didn’t bring any.” he said, before walking over to Amy, Scott, and Linda, who had filled a firepit with sticks and twigs, only to find they didn’t have anything to light it with.
“Well, there goes our plan to cook some S’mores.” Linda said.
“Scott, give me that filthy shop rag you’ve got in your pocket.” Luke said.
“I spilled oil, I cleaned it up.” Scott said. “Thought you’d appreciate that.”
“I do. But I can’t make fire without something with a low flash point.” Luke said, accepting the oily rag. He touched the red-hot tip of a soldering iron to it, igniting the oil-soaked rag, then carefully placed the burning mess in the fire pit.
“Give that a few minutes to burn off, then make your campfire snacks.” Luke then said, retracting the soldering tip and moving to look around their car.
(And I’m open for RP. And yes, I figured that was the best available opportunity for our major malfunction to happen, that we’d have our check engine and intermittent hesitation during the 32 hour, 2,146 mile drive to get here. Plus, it gives us the excuse that if the car fails during the drive, it’s because it already drove quite the distance already.)
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