While we’ve been having a pretty traumatic time today here in The Garage, the stress has been broken up by the continued arrival of text messages from Team Polizei’s Interceptor 144B as it makes it’s way across the continent.
That’s right, the Chief Piloto of Team Polizei has gone completely freakin’ mad and is taking readers/viewers on a run from the Big Apple to San Fran. Live! With the usual cast of co pilotos, including an Autoblog scribe, Roy is following the entire length of Interstate 80 and broadcasting live from the car along the way.
How the hell are they going to evade every trooper along the way when they are sending out a live feed is beyond me. Perhaps the new electronics on board include Harry Potter’s invisibility cloak!
Be sure to check the view below on a regular basis. If the feed is down, check back in a few minutes, as they are just in a dead zone.
Over at Team Polizei Headquarters, Matt Farah from New York Motor Club and Garage419 had the rare opportunity to test drive Alex Roy’s infamous BMW M5, now known as Interceptor 144A. He very nicely has chosen to let us in on his impressions of the Bahn Stormer. As we’ve come to expect from these boys, it’s a well written review. Matt answered the call from Roy, who needed a Co-Piloten for a quick jaunt to Miami. It sounds like they had a blast in the process, Farah’s stained shorts being the sole exception. Get that headlight fixed will ya? Continue reading →
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? Continue reading →
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. Continue reading →
The upcoming, 18th Annual Robb Report has chosen the Maserati Quattroporte Sport GT as the winner of the Best of the Best sedan competition. The car won over some pretty spectacular machinery, including the Bentley Continental Flying Spur, Maybach 57S, Audi S8 and BMW M5.
This is the 2nd time the Sport GT has won the prestigious award (the first time being in it’s first year of production, 2004) making it the first ever two time winner.
