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Dustball Rally 1000

"It's about the drive." The Dustball Rally 1000 starts Aug. 25 in El Paso, TX and ends there a day later. This is a "gimmick" rally where teams solve puzzles and avoid being tricked as they find their way to mystery locations. They earn points along the way. Nobody knows where the Saturday overnight location is. Me (Rick) and my sister (Liz) are Team MINI Dust Mites (#77). We'll be sharing driving and navigating responsibilities. We'll be competing against no more than 50 teams for the $1500 1st prize. This is not a race, but we'll be carefully following directions and navigating the MINI Cooper within 500 miles, we think, of El Paso. We'll be followed and monitored by sponsors, photographers, video and others. Find out more at http://www.DustballRally.com .
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  • Dustball Rally 1000. Aug. 25-26, 2007 starts and ends in El Paso, Texas, only 700+ miles from home.

    Dustball Rally 1000. Aug. 25-26, 2007 starts and ends in El Paso, Texas, only 700+ miles from home.

  • We are Team MINI Dust Mites! The setting is just south of the Denver metro area, a couple of weeks before the rally.

    We are Team MINI Dust Mites! The setting is just south of the Denver metro area, a couple of weeks before the rally.

  • The MINI, shortly after I applied the multiple layer event and sponsor graphics. A cool day in Colorado, but we'll be heading into hot country soon.

    The MINI, shortly after I applied the multiple layer event and sponsor graphics. A cool day in Colorado, but we'll be heading into hot country soon.

  • We're ready for the Dustball Rally 1000!

    We're ready for the Dustball Rally 1000!

  • Fast forward 725 miles from Denver to El Paso. The Friday before the Rally is the tech (safety) inspection. No. 77 passed with no issues. Notice the new wheels and tires on the MINI.

    Fast forward 725 miles from Denver to El Paso. The Friday before the Rally is the tech (safety) inspection. No. 77 passed with no issues. Notice the new wheels and tires on the MINI.

  • All rally cars are inspected for common safety items.

    All rally cars are inspected for common safety items.

  • Rally Day 1. Just outside of El Paso, atop Transmountain Dr. The rally has two MINIs among the field dominated by Subaru WRXs, Corvettes, Porsches.

    Rally Day 1. Just outside of El Paso, atop Transmountain Dr. The rally has two MINIs among the field dominated by Subaru WRXs, Corvettes, Porsches.

  • The weather is cool and wet, early in the morning. Hopefully we'll not run into the heavy rain that pounded the area just days earlier.

    The weather is cool and wet, early in the morning. Hopefully we'll not run into the heavy rain that pounded the area just days earlier.

  • Rally participants patiently wait for the final briefing.

    Rally participants patiently wait for the final briefing.

  • Just a little more waiting then we'll be on the road to who knows where.

    Just a little more waiting then we'll be on the road to who knows where.

  • This team, inspired by an infamous astronaut figured they'd avoid wasting time with bathroom stops.

    This team, inspired by an infamous astronaut figured they'd avoid wasting time with bathroom stops.

  • The threat of rain finally gave in.

    The threat of rain finally gave in.

  • The rain didn't last long, but it made the rally cars sparkle.

    The rain didn't last long, but it made the rally cars sparkle.

  • The cars are released every two minutes. Twenty three of the estimated twenty five registered rally cars begin the journey by heading to downtown El Paso, where the ride packet will be distributed exactly 30 minutes after the start time.

    The cars are released every two minutes. Twenty three of the estimated twenty five registered rally cars begin the journey by heading to downtown El Paso, where the ride packet will be distributed exactly 30 minutes after the start time.

  • One of the first rest areas where answers can be found for a couple of rally questions. Looks like we're heading east and staying in Texas.

    One of the first rest areas where answers can be found for a couple of rally questions. Looks like we're heading east and staying in Texas.

  • Since we're only two minutes apart, we'll probably encounter fellow rallyists at the first few stops. Not all potential rest areas, historic markers, etc. necessarily have usable information.

    Since we're only two minutes apart, we'll probably encounter fellow rallyists at the first few stops. Not all potential rest areas, historic markers, etc. necessarily have usable information.

  • For most, a logical place to stop for fuel is Van Horn, east of El Paso on I-10.

    For most, a logical place to stop for fuel is Van Horn, east of El Paso on I-10.

  • Further east on I-10, this nondescript school building holds the answer to a rally question.

    Further east on I-10, this nondescript school building holds the answer to a rally question.

  • Fort Stockton, TX in I-10. The billboard for this restaurant held the key to several questions, but wanted to find the establishment just in case.

    Fort Stockton, TX in I-10. The billboard for this restaurant held the key to several questions, but wanted to find the establishment just in case.

  • We needed a phone number for Sarah's Cafe, but which one? We ended up going back to the billboard near the entry to into Ft Stockton. Answers we developed to the questions now tell us to exit I-10 and head north on US-67.

    We needed a phone number for Sarah's Cafe, but which one? We ended up going back to the billboard near the entry to into Ft Stockton. Answers we developed to the questions now tell us to exit I-10 and head north on US-67.

  • We've been off of I-10 for a few hours and lots of miles. Now we're in Brady, the geographical heart of Texas. The bottom of the monument reads: "Brady designated as heart of Texas in 1923. Geographic center of Texas in McCullogh County, 20 miles North 14 1/2 degrees East of this point."

    We've been off of I-10 for a few hours and lots of miles. Now we're in Brady, the geographical heart of Texas. The bottom of the monument reads: "Brady designated as heart of Texas in 1923. Geographic center of Texas in McCullogh County, 20 miles North 14 1/2 degrees East of this point."

  • Making it to Brady was harder than expected. Some teams thought that they were not on the right track and turned around too early. In Brady, we also had a short video interview, part of the instructions we've been following all day long.

    Making it to Brady was harder than expected. Some teams thought that they were not on the right track and turned around too early. In Brady, we also had a short video interview, part of the instructions we've been following all day long.

  • Right in the heart of Texas, Brady held the answers to a few, well-worded questions. US-87 seems like more of an east-west highway than a north-south. This far out of El Paso and on the way to the still-unknown overnight location, every sign has to be read and understood.

    Right in the heart of Texas, Brady held the answers to a few, well-worded questions. US-87 seems like more of an east-west highway than a north-south. This far out of El Paso and on the way to the still-unknown overnight location, every sign has to be read and understood.

  • Other teams find the heart of Texas and provide their required video interview. There was a clue behind the monument.

    Other teams find the heart of Texas and provide their required video interview. There was a clue behind the monument.

  • Now we're in the town of Mason, where we've got to find a few answers in the town square, we think. Talking to locals can be very helpful, even if it costs some time. Very few answers to the questions were obvious. Many questions were related to other questions, so it was wise to recheck everything. The navigator (co-driver) is probably more important than the driver.

    Now we're in the town of Mason, where we've got to find a few answers in the town square, we think. Talking to locals can be very helpful, even if it costs some time. Very few answers to the questions were obvious. Many questions were related to other questions, so it was wise to recheck everything. The navigator (co-driver) is probably more important than the driver.

  • The MINI gets a much needed rest in the hotel parking garage. We've driven 664 miles in about 12 hours. Now we're on Central time.

    The MINI gets a much needed rest in the hotel parking garage. We've driven 664 miles in about 12 hours. Now we're on Central time.

  • Fast forward to Sunday morning. We've arrived in San Antonio, taken to the downtown hotel, just blocks away from the famous Alamo. The River Walk is very beautiful and serene. On Central time, we had a little more time in the morning before the rally was to resume.

    Fast forward to Sunday morning. We've arrived in San Antonio, taken to the downtown hotel, just blocks away from the famous Alamo. The River Walk is very beautiful and serene. On Central time, we had a little more time in the morning before the rally was to resume.

  • Taking a morning stroll along the River Walk in downtown San Antonio, TX. The rally resumes in about an hour and a half. The hotel stay was quite welcome after driving about 664 miles in about 12 hours.

    Taking a morning stroll along the River Walk in downtown San Antonio, TX. The rally resumes in about an hour and a half. The hotel stay was quite welcome after driving about 664 miles in about 12 hours.

  • River Walk in downtown San Antonio, TX, location of the mystery overnight stay.

    River Walk in downtown San Antonio, TX, location of the mystery overnight stay.

  • Sunday (8/25) at the River Walk in downtown San Antonio, TX, several blocks from the Alamo.

    Sunday (8/25) at the River Walk in downtown San Antonio, TX, several blocks from the Alamo.

  • The Alamo. It's Sunday morning and we're milling about, waiting for our official start (resume) time to come. We'll get our instructions at our designated time (and not a minute sooner) and we'll be on our way. Plenty of time to snap a few photos.

    The Alamo. It's Sunday morning and we're milling about, waiting for our official start (resume) time to come. We'll get our instructions at our designated time (and not a minute sooner) and we'll be on our way. Plenty of time to snap a few photos.

  • The other MINI (Team Two MINI) arrives. They'll be waiting with everyone else for their own start time.

    The other MINI (Team Two MINI) arrives. They'll be waiting with everyone else for their own start time.

  • Might as well play tourist. We'll be on the road soon enough. The start location was a half block away from the Alamo. We didn't know that ahead of time. The instructions just brought us here.

    Might as well play tourist. We'll be on the road soon enough. The start location was a half block away from the Alamo. We didn't know that ahead of time. The instructions just brought us here.

  • Other Dustball Rallyists milling around, waiting for their time.

    Other Dustball Rallyists milling around, waiting for their time.

  • Even the rally organizer Andy, needs to check the map.

    Even the rally organizer Andy, needs to check the map.

  • More rallyists arrive and attract a little attention and questions from curious onlookers.

    More rallyists arrive and attract a little attention and questions from curious onlookers.

  • Rallyists waiting for their start time. Due to the late arrival of almost everybody the night before, we were all given an extra hour the next morning before setting out.

    Rallyists waiting for their start time. Due to the late arrival of almost everybody the night before, we were all given an extra hour the next morning before setting out.

  • Rally officials get ready to begin handing out the instructions at the assigned two-minute intervals.

    Rally officials get ready to begin handing out the instructions at the assigned two-minute intervals.

  • The longer we linger, the more attention we attract. We have to explain that this is a gimmick rally, not a race to almost everybody we encounter.

    The longer we linger, the more attention we attract. We have to explain that this is a gimmick rally, not a race to almost everybody we encounter.

  • Team Two MINI rocks out. They carried their food and drink in a cooler, thus avoiding some of the time-wasting stops.

    Team Two MINI rocks out. They carried their food and drink in a cooler, thus avoiding some of the time-wasting stops.

  • Now on US-90 heading west and into the town of Uvalde, where we obtained an answer and asked the locals a question pertaining to the next town. At this point, we tended to meet up with fellow rallyists Team Chingon from Las Cruces, NM. We're both trying for the grand prize, so we're understandably evasive but friendly toward each other.

    Now on US-90 heading west and into the town of Uvalde, where we obtained an answer and asked the locals a question pertaining to the next town. At this point, we tended to meet up with fellow rallyists Team Chingon from Las Cruces, NM. We're both trying for the grand prize, so we're understandably evasive but friendly toward each other.

  • We arrive at a major geographical landmark, the Pecos River crossing, north of Del Rio, TX. We're within sight of the US-Mexican border. Answers to this question required getting off the main road to a nearby rest area/overlook.

    We arrive at a major geographical landmark, the Pecos River crossing, north of Del Rio, TX. We're within sight of the US-Mexican border. Answers to this question required getting off the main road to a nearby rest area/overlook.

  • The Pecos River crossing (we'll be traveling from right to left (east to west) in this photo. The Pecos River (coming from the north) meets the Rio Grande River (toward the lower left) near this spot, northwest of Del Rio, TX.

    The Pecos River crossing (we'll be traveling from right to left (east to west) in this photo. The Pecos River (coming from the north) meets the Rio Grande River (toward the lower left) near this spot, northwest of Del Rio, TX.

  • A short distance off the main road is historic Langtry, along the Pecos River. This is where Judge Roy Bean lived and held "court." Bean called himself "The Law West of the Pecos." There were numerous displays of the colorful history, with several answers to buried in the tourist information. This stop was an oasis, compared to the rest of US-90.

    A short distance off the main road is historic Langtry, along the Pecos River. This is where Judge Roy Bean lived and held "court." Bean called himself "The Law West of the Pecos." There were numerous displays of the colorful history, with several answers to buried in the tourist information. This stop was an oasis, compared to the rest of US-90.

  • The driver's view for much of the lonely two-lane highways in south Texas. The average temperature was about 95 degrees. The MINI's A/C worked very well, even during times of high humidity.

    The driver's view for much of the lonely two-lane highways in south Texas. The average temperature was about 95 degrees. The MINI's A/C worked very well, even during times of high humidity.

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    We've been off of I-10 for a few hours and lots of miles. Now we're in Brady, the geographical heart of Texas. The bottom of the monument reads: "Brady designated as heart of Texas in 1923. Geographic center of Texas in McCullogh County, 20 miles North 14 1/2 degrees East of this point."
    Making it to Brady was harder than expected. Some teams thought that they were not on the right track and turned around too early. In Brady, we also had a short video interview, part of the instructions we've been following all day long.
    Right in the heart of Texas, Brady held the answers to a few, well-worded questions. US-87 seems like more of an east-west highway than a north-south. This far out of El Paso and on the way to the still-unknown overnight location, every sign has to be read and understood.