Cannonball One Lap Of America 2003

[Chief]

If you're not familar with One Lap it is an annual event that has occured since 1984. ?Yes folks, this is the legendary Cannonball Run that has gotten a lot more legal through the years. ?With exception to 1991, with a war shortened route, One Lap is approximately 9,000 miles covered over nine days in which you drive a lap around America. ?During these events you stop at various tracks across the United States to do time trial driving on autocross, drag race, oval, and road courses.

So here is the question. ?With almost 4,000 members is there any interest in entering an Avalanche and forming a team to represent CAFCNA? ?They have a specific SUV/Truck class so we wouldn't have to compete against the likes of exotic wonder rockets. ?Last years SUV/Truck class winner was a Ford Lightning. ?Points and staging are based on potential, so the Avalanche would probably be handicapped on autocross and road courses.

Entry fee is $2,100 - which if there was serious interest could easily be subsidized. ?This of course doesn't even come close to covering the additional expense of fuel, oil, spare parts, hotel stays (yes, despite the grueling challenge you have a couple) and flying to the event start and then flying home from the event end. ?No to mention a willing party to pound about 10K miles on their Avalanche.

OK, so maybe it's a crazy idea. ?I know if others are interested I would be in to be a co-driver. ?I have been to racing school and meet the qualifications.

Reviewing the rules I can see one disadvantage for the Avalanche. ?The rules state that only four auxilary forward facing lights are allowed, and factory OEM fog lamps etc. etc. count. ?So you won't be able to mount and big Hellas up front between the DRL's and the fogs on the Avalanche. ?Otherwise I see only huge advantages. ?Mega comfort in the cabin, a spacious cargo area to carry the required gear and more - not to mention stretch out and sleep in laying down in comfort during long haul overnight stages.

Anyway, I think it would be very cool if we could get a team together. ?Fantasy or possible? ?Who knows. ?If you want to read more here you go. BTW, the rules also state that all mods, as long as they are in the spirit of the event and legal are allowed. I'm thinking a supercharged Avalanche could give those Fords a serious run for the money.

http://www.onelapofamerica.com

 

[gandolphxx]

That Watkins Glenn course is a killer, specially for a big a** truck

 

[Jake]

Come on GXX, you've already got the S/C. Just do the bushing mod (as if that is all that is needed) and go for it!!!

 

[gandolphxx]

Yeah, right, new tires 285/65's, sway bars, shocks, ...

And a booster for the power steering would also be nice.

 

[Skidd-au]

Now if you can find an nice dealer or manufacturer who will donate the vehicle, I'd be willing to ad some international flavour and jump right in. I'll kick in toward the entrance fee, may airfare and expenses.

Any takers?

 

[steelheadchaser]

Since your Av is still here Skidd, me boy, why don't we just use it for the Cannonball? That way you can have a nice ocean voyage home with you, the misses, and the Av?

 

[NJAV]

Sounds like a very cool time...wish I could have the time to participate in something like that...nothing like kickin' up some dust and getting buck wild....

 

[Blueruck]

This would be fun - I wonder if GM and aftermarket Mfg's would donate $ to build an AV for this run.

While a stock AV would be OK - a Z66 tricked under the hood and suspension would be more fun

 

[EarthQuake]

I think this would be a ton of fun! Or in our case, a couple tons of fun! I'm sure that my pretty much stock z-71 wouldn't be the best option for this race. I could see our fuel economy being a little problem, but considering some of the other cars involved, their's may not be any better.
I don't have any type of driving school experince as recommended (aside from devensive driving school), but I'm really kinda interested in this.
It would be a BLAST! Interested too to see what sort of other interest is out there.

 

[Kevalanche]

This is a direct quote from my wife after I told her about this thread:

"Y'all are nuts...I wanna drive!"

 

[blackthree4me]

lets see thats 9000 mi / 15 mi per gallon avr.= 600 galons of fule x 1.50 per gallon = 900$ for gass 30$ for at least one oil change. not to bad. it would take some chevy dealers to get involved for sponsorship.
or a donation of all avfans. with a donation fund of 10 to 20 dollars 4,000 x 20.00 = 80,000$ that would be one hell of an avalanche. maybe we could put it up as a raffel ticket and give the av away at the end of the run 20.00 ant bad for a 60,000 dollar super street av.
it might be posible if the cash was put up.
Im willing to go ask my local dealer if the correct sponsorship package was put together
get to work my 2 cents blackthree4me

 

[AvaLance]

This sounds very cool but I allready have 34,600 miles on my AV and another 9K might not be the best mabe some year (when I get a new one)

 

[NJAV]

uhhh yeah will this void my warranty sir?....j/k....better off building a rally truck...maybe we can get Tommi Makinen to drive for us....

 

[luv2boat]

I think we should use a 2 wheel drive 2500. The 8.1 will be a little rougher on gas, but the heavier drive train may come in handy. I was thinking...Whipple or Kenne Bell supercharger, upgraded brakes, TOG headers, Corsa Exhaust, rebuilt transmission, wheels and tires, etc. If we could get funding and good prices from site sponsors it would be cool. Since the truck seats 4 we could have three drivers and 1 full time support/mechanic person. Might have to install a second gas tank though. Sounds fun.

 

[NJAV]

Don't forget we would have to get the graphics and the paint job for the CAFCNA truck....how cool would that be...added on to the mods that Luv2boat had mentioned....Wow..

 

[NJAV]

Butch would make for a fine specimen....but just like in Nascar we would need to have back-up vehicles on hand...engines..parts...and heck some extra drivers.....then what?..