Let’s face it: if you’re a guy, you could look at giant, bouncing Tatras all day long. In fact, it’s really hard not to stare, and to call them “distracting” is a vast understatement. After all, who wants to get work done when you could be watching ten minutes of jiggling Tatra action on You Tube?

Tatra, in case you don’t know the brand, is a Czech manufacturer of heavy duty trucks and military vehicles. A subset of the population, namely those with a strong death wish, finds racing these giant, lumbering beasts in the farthest corners of the globe to be good fun. Perhaps the only people crazier than the drivers are the fans, who crowd the course to get a better look at something the size of a Miami Beach condo, coming towards them at speeds normally associated with aircraft.

The video below gives you highlights of the Loprais Tatra Team’s exploits over the past five years. I guarantee you’ll see more Tatras that you ever though possible, and I guarantee you’ll want to watch the video over and over again. Go ahead and stare: we won’t think any less of you.

Source: You Tube

It’s summertime here in the U.S. which means that the Bullrun Rally is getting ready to kick-off another 3,000 miles of driving mayhem. There are new participants, new celebrities and of course, more police watching over America’s highways. Over the years the Bullrun Rally has given us some of the most amazing automobiles and events the rally world has ever seen and this year looks to be no different. I recently had an opportunity to sit down with Andy Duncan, the rallies creator and ask him a few questions about what we can expect from this years run.

Q1. This years 2011 Bullrun Rally takes place from July 8th – 15th and is set to run from Las Vegas, NV to Miami, FL. After running the rally for 7 consecutive years now, how in the hell do you guys manage to keep the route fresh and exciting for your participants?

A. Bloody good question. Well, there are some places that people always like to go to and we repeat visit quite often (like Vegas!) but on the whole we’re planning routes 2 years out and trying to find towns and cities that we haven’t done for a while or just haven’t done. There’s a bunch of amazing towns actually that are really great fun that few people ever here about – we research these quite far in advance and then pull them out when we need them! The other important factor is that Bullrun is really about the people on it and not the cities we go to and THAT’S what really makes this event interesting and hold up to scrutiny year after year.

Q2. Over the years Bullrun has amassed quite a cast of characters as well as celebrity clientele. Any celebrities returning to this years rally, and if so, can you give us any hints as to who they are?

A. Ice-T and Coco came along last year, they we’re so cool and fun to hang out with and are coming back again this year. You caught me at a bad time, we’re about to announce a bunch of other names but can’t right now which is killing us, needless to say there will be more faces!

Q3. For those that don’t know, and aside from the rally itself, you’ve also delved quite deeply into reality television not only producing 3 successful seasons of the “Bullrun Reality Show”, but “Inside West Coast Customs” as well. Will you continue to expand upon this facet of your business and if so, what projects do you have in the pike?

A. Yep, absolutely. This year we’re obviously producing ‘Cops, Cars and Superstars’ for MTV but we have around 16 further TV projects we’re developing right now,. One we’ve just sold as a format to co-produce with a big global TV production company which hopefully we’ll be able to talk about very soon. We’re continuing to focus on auto-lifestyle shows but we’re also developing non auto related TV for guys too which we’re excited about.

Q4. I’ve read announcements that this year’s rally is going to be filmed by MTV. How did this deal come about and what kinds of show can we expect to see for the final product?

A. Well we’ll be making the show as normal with our production team and then delivering the finished article to MTV – scheduled air date is November this year. We’ve always felt ‘Cops, Cars and Superstars’ would have a home here on US TV but we held off for 7 years because we wanted to make the reality version of Bullrun for Spike/Speed and didn’t want to dilute the brand with two shows. Back at the end of last year we started in earnest to sell the ‘Cops, Cars ‘show and started speaking to MTV and finally got round to sealing a deal a few weeks ago.

Q6. In the past the rallies have covered the better part of 3,000 miles. How would you rate this year’s rally in terms of terrain and events, and what surprises do you have in store for the participants?

A. It’s a motherf*cker….LOL. No, like every year, there’s some bits that are tough and there’s some bits that are relatively easy…we have this year however thought of a couple of things to really screw with people…we’ll be getting some annoyed texts from drivers I’m sure by day 2-3 of the rally….we like nothing more than enjoying the misery of our drivers sometimes, but it never lasts for too long, we always revert back to doing something nice for them too…it’s got to be pleasure AND pain so when these guys reflect back on the rally after the 7 days they feel like they’ve had an amazing experience.

Q6. Last year the cast of cars that showed up at the Pier in New York City was pretty damn impressive. Any rides coming this year that you’d consider to be super exotic or worthy of a mention by the rally creator?

A. We have got some really cool cars, Gumpert Apollo, Koennesegg, Trucks, Movie Cars….that’s all I can say for now!

Q7. For those that don’t know, each checkpoint on the rally is kept secret until the participants receive their route card the morning of their departure. What, in your opinion is the best piece of equipment for a participant to bring with them in order to help them find their way?

A. A clear head… not easy considering EVERY night is a party. GPS is obviously great but we DO pick routes deliberately off the GPS. A large, empty open neck container helps too… just sayin…

Q8. Simple question – what are you driving this year?

A. Drive in this thing? Are you mental? LOL! It’s the tour bus for me mate or a private jet, I’ll have the Bullrun Mustang there though and something else special to drive just in case…

Q9. If memory serves, just about every rally but one was run through the continental U.S. with a few starting in Canada. Since you’re from the UK do you have any plans to take the rally over seas at some point for a European Bullrun?

A. We get asked to go back to Europe all the time so it’s always possible, we’ll see what happens with the MTV deal and you never know. We organized rallies in Europe before we came over to the USA so we obviously know it inside out and we actually did a Bullrun from London to Ibiza back in 2004… a long time ago!

Q10. What people don’t seem to realize is that aside from the cars, outstanding hotels and events, the best part of the rally is the people you meet. Why, in you’re opinion, do you think that the participants form such close bonds to those they’ve only met 7 days earlier?

A. It’s always about the people you meet! When you’re in a closed environment with people, it makes you get on with each other and helps bring you all together… and that’s what Bullrun is, it’s kind of a rock and roll road trip where we all come together and hang out then make our way across the USA. I had a similar close environment when I was back in boarding school in the UK (less the cars) which is kind of like prison… only it’s more expensive to send someone to prison than it is to send them to boarding school… lol!

Well, it’s that time of year again. Time to inflate the tires and get the bags packed for another edition of the One Lap of America. Some of you may recall that I ran this event last year in my 1968 Dodge Charger, a car that was too big, too loud and that, at the end of the day, drank WAY to much fuel (10 mpg sucks). Don’t get me wrong, we had an absolute blast of a time, but trying to compete against Nissan GT-R’s and Porsche 911 Turbo’s in a 42 year old muscle car probably wasn’t the best idea. This year however we’ve upped the ante the little bit and are now prepared to run with some of the best cars and drivers that this country has to offer.

For those of you that don’t know, the Tire Rack One Lap of America starts and finishes at the Tire Rack headquarters in South Bend, Indiana. This years event will cover over 3,600 miles in 8 days and take us through 12 states to some of the best race tracks in the country. It’s by far one of the toughest, most demanding open road events out there and will test not only your car, but your constitution as well. This year both myself and Kurt will be tackling the One Lap, but in two vehicles that couldn’t be more different.

I have the privilege of piloting a 2011 Porsche GT3 RS courtesy of my buddy Todd and Mr. Kurt will be rolling heavy in a 450 hp Dodge Magnum SRT8 with buddy Basil. It seems crazy, but at this time next week, we’ll both be on the open road, eating road food, and racing from dusk till dawn. Don’t worry though, we’ll post up from time to time to let you know that were still alive, just cut us some slack if our grammar and spelling are a little off.

Yuck.  Photo courtesy of The Hookups.

There are few things in life more frustratingly debilitating for an auto enthusiast than motion sickness.  This mercilessly vile condition is caused by a disconnect between motion sensed by your inner ear and a lack of motion perceived by your eyes (often due to reading).  This confuses the brain which causes many of us to go green in the gills and then inevitably become the subject of an embarrassing story.

Motion sickness is especially, and understandably, tough on rally co-drivers who are responsible for navigating a car from their pace notes in daytime and at night, through twists and turns, and across jumps, gravel and other gut-churning terrain.  And even some of the best drivers on this planet are susceptible to the need, the need to heave.

Sadly, motion sickness can strike at any time, as people who could usually write a dissertation in a speeding Caterham Seven can suddenly and surprisingly become deathly ill while reading a map of the interstate.  But don’t let a weak stomach hold you back from your competitive dreams – fear not, I have you covered.  Whether you’re just starting out as a co-driver in a stage rally, competing in a TSD, or are the designated navigator on a lengthy road trip, these tips from experienced rally co-drivers will help you keep the bile down.

SUPPLEMENTS / MEDICATION

**Please note that I am not a doctor.  If you’re interested in pursuing the following suggestions, please consult with your doctor first about any possible side effects or drug interactions.**

Many co-drivers recommend ingesting some form of ginger before and during a rally to prevent and alleviate any nausea (even Mythbusters concurs).  Ginger supplements (pills) are easily found at stores like Whole Foods, although chewing raw ginger pieces – if you can stand it – seems to be the purest and most effective option.

If you don’t like the taste of ginger, besides the pills, some grocery stores also sell crystallized ginger coated in sugar that you can eat without incinerating your mouth.  Ginger snaps, ginger candy and ginger ale are also recommended but since most varieties contain trace amounts of ginger, the other alternatives mentioned are a safer bet.  My favorite way to consume a lot of ginger is to make ginger tea.  Just boil up a good amount of thinly sliced ginger in water for 10 minutes and add honey to taste.

Now would be an acceptable time to puke.

Other OTC recommendations are Children’s Benadryl and Bonine, which is like a non-drowsy Dramamine.  A commonly used prescription motion sickness preventative is a scopolamine patch.  You put it on behind your ear several hours before your event starts, and it lasts for several days.

Keep in mind that whichever medication or treatment you decide to use, make sure to test it out well in advance of your event.  You never know if it could make you drowsy or affect you in other negative ways.

FOOD

Limit your greasy food intake the evening before and definitely just prior to your event.  However, don’t be afraid to eat altogether as you want to keep your blood sugar level from dropping to the point you get a headache or feel general malaise.  Eat small, preferably bland meals before the drive and bring healthy, innocuous snacks along like granola bars, crackers, and bananas.  Smells can trigger a headache or nausea so don’t eat anything pungent while traveling.

Keeping yourself hydrated with plenty of water (bottled or via CamelBak) will help stave off headaches and nausea.  Note that some people advise against carbonated drinks, claiming that they can upset stomachs, while others encourage their consumption.  I leave it up to you to decide.  But everyone agrees that alcohol is a big no-no – even on the night before.  Sorry!

GEAR

Dress as comfortably as you can.  Tight clothing can induce headaches and increase your discomfort.  If you’re feeling restricted, try to reduce the feeling safely (without removing any safety gear).

One accessory that is popular among co-drivers, sailors and airline pilots to prevent motion sickness is an acupressure wristband.  There’s a type called Sea-Band that is commonly used.  It basically applies direct pressure to a certain point in your wrist, which supposedly alleviates nausea.

OTHER TIPS

If at all possible, avoid being navigator if you’re coming down with something.  Even if you’re lucky enough to possess an iron stomach, a cold can easily invite motion sickness.

If you’re starting to feel queasy, get as much ventilation as you can.  Letting in cool, fresh air will help bring your temperature down and eliminate any smells that could be triggering your nausea.  Breathe slowly and deeply.  Also, looking up at the horizon whenever possible will help your body resolve the disjunction between the motion you sense and the lack of motion being registered by your eyes.

However, if you’re downright certain that, despite all of the above, you will be tossing your cookies, bring some Ziploc bags along so that you don’t have to stop the driver to yak.  Ziploc bags keep it all safely in one place, and they’re see-through too so you can gross out your driver (or the passengers).  For maximum effect, drink something brightly colored beforehand to weird out everyone in the car.

Finally, if you’re prone to vomiting, consider an open-face helmet!

Photo courtesy of Race-Dezert.com

Got any tips of your own?

** Special thanks to pro rally co-driver Dave Shindle for several invaluable suggestions. **

That's not going to buff right out...

Travis Pastrana has left the world of rally and RallyCross racing behind to drive in the NASCAR Nationwide Series. Or has he? The former rally driver made a last minute decision to run last weekend’s Hundred Acre Wood rally. How ironic is it, then, that his race-ending crash on day one came on a left hand corner? It seems to me that left handers should be easy for Pastrana, since that’s all he’s been practicing for the past few months. Joking aside, props to Pastrana for putting in some overtime in the Rally America event. His decision to run it was last minute, and his post race schedule sounds as busy as Ken Block’s. If you ask me, this was about giving something back to the fan base who supported him over the years, and that’s worth a thumbs up.

Speaking of Block, it’s pretty damn funny that he texted Pastrana immediately following his crash. It’s equally funny that Pastrana called his get-off a “Ken Block style” event, since Block has a reputation for going big when he bins a car. Let’s hope that we see Pastrana drive more than just a NASCAR Nationwide car this season, and let’s hope he has a bit more success in his next event. Or at least crashes in a right-hander.

Two-time, first ever back-to-back title champion for one of the most popular racing events of the decade, and as one of the most recognized drivers to the sport, Tanner Foust, is temporarily saying goodbye to Formula D. After standing on the podium five times last season during seven events, he has proven undoubtedly that he is a force to be reckoned with. He holds the highest score in both Formula D and D1 and was also voted to be the “Best Representative of Drifting” by his former competitors. He is indisputably one of the best drivers for precision and car control. Since Tanner is saying goodbye to his former crew at Papadakis Racing, it will be interesting to see last years Rookie of the year, Fredric Aasbo, who has since partnered with Papadakis and Team Need For Speed to step up and take the wheel for the upcoming season.


*Photo Courtesy of: TannerFoust.com

Known as the “Ryan Seacrest” of automotive racing, Tanner is prepping for one of the busiest years he has had to date. Focusing primarily on the hit TV show, Top Gear on History channel, he will be filming new episodes along with Rutledge Wood and Adam Ferrara which will debut later this year. His primary focus for 2011 will essentially be on U.S. and European Rally Cross. He is scheduled to make an appearance later this month alongside other world class competitors in Abu Dhabi at the UAE Invitational. Tanner will also be back for X-Games XVII to reclaim his title. Last year he won both gold medals for Super Rally and Rally Cross events at the LA Coliseum.

*Photo courtesy of: autoeclectic.com

For more information and upcoming event schedules check out the following sites:
• European Rally Cross
• US Rally Cross

Catch live video feed from the UAE Invitational on February 25, 2011 at: FormulaDrift.com

Image: Monster World Rally Team

The WRC season kicks off this weekend with Rally Sweden, and here’s two minutes of Ken Block trying to keep his Ford Fiesta WRC car pointed in roughly the right direction during shake down testing. Despite studded tires and AWD, Block seems to spend a surprising amount of time sideways, scrubbing off speed. It looks like the new Ford Fiesta may prove even more challenging to drive than last year’s WRC Ford Focus. Block knows what he needs to do to improve in 2011, and a lot of that is dependent upon creating better pace notes with his co-driver, Alex Gelsomino. More below.

New for the 2011 Season, the Monster World Rally Team Ford Fiesta uses a 1.6 liter EcoBoost turbocharged four cylinder engine. I can’t seem to find how much horsepower it’s putting out, but in Block’s own words, “I’m absolutely loving the new WRC car. It’s amazing. At first I wasn’t sure what to expect out of the 1.6 liter turbo, but it actually feels faster than the WRC Focus with its 2-liter turbo engine. The Fiesta is just a great chassis for rally.” Here’s wishing Ken and Alex much success in 2011.

Source: Monster World Rally Team

Ken Block may just be the hardest working man in show business. For 2011, he’s piloting the Ford Fiesta WRC car you see above in Sweden, Mexico, Portugal, Argentina, Germany, Australia, France, Spain and Britain. In between, he’s running select Rally of the Americas and RallyCross events, launching a “Gymkhana World Tour” in Los Angeles, Australia and Austria, and competing in the Summer X Games. In his downtime, he’ll film Gymkhana Four and Gymkhana Grid, visit the Goodwood Festival of Speed (again), attend the Weston Festival of Transport and drop in on the Monza Rally Show. Just for fun, he’ll be working on three other, top-secret project and hanging out with scantily-clad blonds. It’s a tough job, but someone’s got to do it. Video below.

Car class champion Nasser Al-Attiyah

For the third year in a row, Volkswagen claimed top honors at the 2011 Dakar Rally, which wrapped up this weekend. In fact, the turbo-diesel Race Touareg 3 utterly dominated the car class of the rally, giving VW the podium for the second time since last year’s victory in the Touareg 2.

The winner, Qatari driver, Nasser Al-Attiyah, became the first Arab driver to win the Dakar Rally. Al-Attiyah is currently a driver for the Barwa Rally Team in the Production World Rally Championship, and was the 2006 PWRC champion in a Subaru WRX STi. He finished second overall in the 2010 Dakar Rally to VW teammate and WRC champion, Spaniard Carlos Sainz, by a nail-biting two minutes and twelve seconds.  Sainz was off to a strong start early in the 2011 race, but his car suffered mechanical problems which hurt his chances at the title. Sainz finished third overall in the car class.

In the motorbike class, the overall winner, for the third time, was Spaniard Marc Coma. Russian Vladimir Chagin swept the truck class for a record seventh time, and Argentine Alejandro Patronelli managed a victory in the quad class despite a broken hand. Es muy macho.

Quad champion Alejandro Patronelli

The 5,900 mile rally-raid is widely considered the most dangerous race in the world, and this year was no exception with one fatality in Argentina resulting from a collision between a farm truck and a Toyota Hilux driven by a competitor. Although many in South America are opposed to the race due to safety concerns, the danger is clearly one of the main draws for spectators. Dakar Rally director, Etienne Lavigne, has hinted that the race may be expanded into other countries in South America next year, in addition to Chile and Argentina.

Results – Car Class

1. Al-Attiyah  -  VW -  45:16:16
2. De Villiers  -  VW  -  46:05:57
3. Sainz  -  VW  -  46:36:54
4. Peterhansel  -  BMW  -  47:00:04
5. Holowczyc  -  BMW  -  49:27:37
6. Miller  -  VW  -  50:10:58
7. Dos Santos  -  BMW  -  52:06:23
8. Lavielle  -  Nissan  -  53:13:34
9. Spinelli  -  Mitsubishi  -  53:39:53
10. Kahle  -  SMG  -  60:28:12

Sources: Yahoo Motorsport; Redbull.com; Dakar.com; Buenos Aires Herald

Europe gets tonnes of awesome iron that, for whatever reason, is verboten on US soil. It’s annoying, especially when said iron is made by THE US car company. The Ford Escort Mark I is one such unobtainable automobile, a nimble little coupe made in the mid ’70s that absolutely killed it on European rally circuits. Britain’s oldest car mag, Autocar, recently made a video review of little bugger so all of us Americans can see what we missed.

Source: Autocar

Ford Escort Mark I RS1600

The Mark I Escort debuted in 1968 at the Brussels Motor Show. It’s just curvy enough coke-bottle body, traditional rear-drive layout, and precise rack-and-pinion steering made it an instant success in the UK. Initially, it was equipped with a range of tiny Kent inline four cylinder engines maxing out at 1.3 liters. But you’re not here to read about those. You want to know about the rip-snorting OHV 98-horsepower Kent 1.6-liter that was dropped into the the 1876-pound Escort Mexico.

In the late ’60s and early ’70s Ford’s rally team and the Escort was practically unbeatable. In 1970 the team won the London to Mexico World Cup Rally in an Escort. To celebrate the victory, they made the special-edition Escort Mexico.

Ford Escort Mark I Mexico

This is the legendary model that Autocar takes for a spin in its video review here. Not surprisingly, they loved it, praising its nimble handling and peppy power. Unfortunately, Autocar forbids embedding, so you’ll have to hop on over there to see it.