:: GUMBALL 3000 BLOG ::

A member from the m5board.com (yourk) is often in contact with Alex Roy with Team Polizei (Continental GT). Here are some updates from the team. Thanks again to yourk, to provide this information!

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Tuesday, 2 May 2006
05:43 (a.m.) (G.M.T.)

- Update from Alex - Word is that there is a road block leaving Hungary

- Team Polizei Just ran out of gas 3 miles from the border

- They are at the border checkpoint. The russian Embasy guys really helped out

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Tuesday, 2 May 2006
05:28 (a.m.) (G.M.T.)

Team Polizei and the VW Camper van are currently receiving a Police Escort out of the city of Budapest by not only Police, but also Russian Embassy Security Personnel.

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Tuesday, 2 May 2006
04:52:51 (a.m.) (G.M.T.)

Update from Alex Roy who is at the starting grid in Budapest: A few cars have been spotted leaving Budapest early in an effort to cheat and get to the final European checkpoint early.

These cars were clearly identified:
Team 85: Black 2003 Mercedes CL 55 AMG
Team 18: Red1999 Ferrari F50
Team 121: Purple Honda NSX

Also, at 6a.m. local time, the Polizei Bentley GT was found to be vandalized and sabotaged. The front air dam of the car needed emergency repairs and the door handles of the car were covered in an unknown substance which had an awful smell. It was discovered that the reason the front air dam came off was because a large fish was pushed up into the engine bay. The front air damn was eventually fixed using Michael Ross’s ingenuity, ten wire coat hangers, and a drill. It is believed that TV personality Ed Leigh is responsible.

In reference to the recent incidents, Alex was quoted as saying, “These people have no Gumball honor” as well, “This just shows the weakness of our enemies

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Tuesday, 2 May 2006
04:41:58 (a.m.) (G.M.T.)

The first stage of the 2006 Gumball3000 has, for the most part, come to an end. The event though has suffered a few losses. Once again, a Dodge Viper (SRT-10) has fallen victim to the Gumball. This incident has once more drawn the obvious conclusion: If you plan on doing the Gumball, do not drive any car that is named or once was named, “Viper”. The first two days have been a success for Team Polizei as they have arrived first at every checkpoint. Tuesday morning, the rally continues as the drivers will wake for a short drive to Belgrade. There, the drivers and cars will board a plane and head to Thailand. In Thailand, it is rumored that the speed limits have been lifted for the Gumball. This is of concern to Team Polizei and other veterans of the event. In light of the 2004 rally which led Gumballers through northern Africa where the speed limits were lifted as well, Team Polizei has accepted a new strategy for Thailand stage.
The African stage in 2004 had the most accidents out of any other Gumball. This was in part due to Gumballers pushing themselves just a bit too far. Team Polizei’s two veteran drivers feel that the same situation may occur in Thailand. In an effort to maintain the Gumball spirit as well as provide immediate help for any accident or emergency, Team Polizei will NOT be pushing for the front at any point in Thailand. The team will remain near the middle of the pack at all times, constantly monitoring the rally status in the hopes to be able to provide any support necessary at any time. This will also provide an opportunity for other teams to concur certain checkpoints without having to worry about the Polizei GT coming up in the rear view mirror. Team Polizei would like to use this update to please ask all teams to drive safely and remain respectful of the host countries.

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Monday, 1 May 2006

Car #144 has successfully made it to Budapest!

After a few incidents with the Belgium Police, Team Polizei fell behind a few cars as the rally entered Germany. Once in Germany, Ross and Roy were pulled over and issued a ticket for speeding. Finally finding their way to the unrestricted German Autobahn, Team Polizei decided to take the southerly route along the A6 corridor. Only a few teams took this route while the rest took the northern A3 Autobahn. The gamble paid off when the two roads met and the southern route cars were ahead. Leaving Germany, Alex Roy commented on the fact that the border checkpoint was peaceful and uneventful; a good sign that they were leading the pack.

Arriving in Budapest, the teams were welcomed by tons of fans and lots of rain. As of this report, there are still 30-40 cars which have yet to arrive. There are rumors that a few Gumballers have been arrested in Belgium and Germany. Also, late last night around 3 a.m. local time, the #72 Dodge Viper was involved in an accident somewhere in Germany on the A3.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, May 2nd, 2006 at 8:38 am and is filed under Generall, Gumball 3000 News, Gumball 2006. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.