The boys over at Fast Lane Daily invaded the SEMA show this week with gusto and came out with some killer content. First off, the super sweet Ashley Van Dyke has her way with Chip Foose and learn a little TV show secret. Next up, friend of The Garage, Alex Roy talks video games with the inspirational Alex Zanardi, who uses real world knowledge to take advantage of Grand Tourismo. You gotta give Herr Roy credit for asking some less than typical questions. To finish things off, Matt Farah from the New York Motor Club learns about the incredible Hartge M5 powered BMW M3 from Herbert Hartge.

Great show guys!
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As a pimply faced preteen, I sought out any and every shred of automotive knowledge I could get my hands on. With “childhood” memories of cruising the Tyrol in a Dino and having a best friend that lived in an air cooled mecca, I had to get more knowledge. I had to know everything about cars and the people who built and drove them. I would scour the local library for anything automotive that I could get my hands on. One day, I picked up a plain white book that changed my life. It was called Sunday Driver.
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So you want to set a transcontinental driving record huh? Thought you’d just gas up the car, grab some maps and drive like hell did ya? Well, that might have worked in the early days when Brock Yates organized the Cannonball Baker Sea to Shining Sea Memorial Run, but it won’t cut the mustard in today’s world. North American police forces are equipped with some pretty serious high tech stuff, all aimed at making sure you won’t succeed in setting that record.

The modern record chaser has to put some serious thought into car prep, otherwise it will just be a joy ride. In the video after the break, Alex Roy outlines all the upgrades that were made to the infamous M5 Interceptor. Everything you see was absolutely necessary. Well, ok maybe the lights were there for show, but aren’t flashing lights a good thing?
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With all the hype regarding his upcoming book, The Driver, Alex Roy has chosen now to release details of his secret transcontinental record attempt that happened over a year ago. Just one thing. This wasn’t an attempt, it was an all out assault, planned with the military precision one might expect from Herr Roy and Team Polizei. The Result? The largely contested Rawlings/Collins record of 31 Hours, 59 minutes was obliterated by almost an hour! Roy and codriver Dave Maher made the trip from New York City to Redondo Beach, California in 31 hours, 4 minutes. That is no less than 2795 miles and 13 states in the Team Polizei BMW M5 interceptor.

As with other records, this one will be subject to all manner of doubters. I can say this though. Either Roy is a great actor or I’m a very poor judge of character, because I find the guy to be completely genuine. If Alex and the others involved say they accomplished this, I believe them. Besides, some of the stories told in the book could potentially get them in very hot water with the po po, so why would they make this stuff up?

Thanks to Spinelli for breaking this one and recounting the story of the departure. Now head over and order your copy of The Driver.

While things here in The Garage are heating up as Gary Faules prepares to do battle at La Carrera Panamerica, friend of The Garage Alex Roy has some stuff heating up in New York City. First off, Alex has launched a series of new wallpapers of the infamous number 144. Now the obvious reason is to build hype for the launch of Alex’s new book, The Driver, which launches on October 16.

Perhaps of more covert interest is news of a new Interceptor. That’s right, Roy’s mystical, magical M5 is being retired. The big question is, what is the replacement? Hmmm… Let’s take stock of things here. We have an international playboy with access to what may be one of the world’s most impressive fleet of exotic cars. What are the options? Bugatti? Naw, no back seat for extra passengers to share the escapades. Audi RS4? Nope, VW electronics are way too finicky. CTS-V? Too common.

I’m betting that Interceptor 144B will be something offbeat, like a Cayenne S that’s paid a visit to our friends at Ruf or some such super fast, super reliable shaggin’ waggon so AR can keep up with that playboy image!

After the break, see the original Interceptor in action as Team Polizei gets a police escort through Florence.
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