Bullrun 2008 by Ashley van Dyke

Ashley van Dyke send us her experiences from the time she spend on the Bullrun earlier this year. The Bullrun started in Calgary and finished in Scottsdale, Arizona 7 days later. Ashley joined up with the pack in Las Vegas. We hope you enjoy her writeup:

Another season of Bullrun started for me in Vegas when I met up with the gang coming down from Calgary. My Z06 was accompanied by the Destination X team with Wu in the Hummer and a Jeep of camera personnel. We hit our first check point at Spring Mountain Ranch, my personal sponsor and good friends, with breakfast and track time. We spent 2 hours on the road course while the Hummer was dealing with over heating issues. I was also taken out in a Radical for some pretty insanely fast lap times. Pushing on through the hot temps we left Spring Mountain heading straight through Death Valley. We were worried about the Hummer and especially our Street Fire buddies as they were in an open top Cobra. Richard Rawlings was the one with the worst luck as a fuel leak line left him on the side of the road but lucky for him the Destination X Jeep and Wu in the Hummer stuck it out to provide help. They later made it to the Sofitel Hotel in Beverly Hills around 9pm at night after I had long had dinner was on my way to the 944 party.

In the morning Car-Parazzi came and captured shots as we headed to West Coast Customs. Upon arrival we were greeted by the famous cast of the show and given tours of the shop. Just before we left the Z06 did a smoke show but the winner of the most smoke went to Wu for blasting me with his smoke screen on the way out to the freeway. We were heading for our next check point in Arizona. I was pulling away with the front cars when I decided to keep the pace a little harder and push for a solo P1 run. When 2pm hit I had to call into Gregg Kielma at KGKI radio for an in car interview and report. I had tried calling Gregg the day before but there was no service for anyone’s cell phone in Death Valley so the call was impossible. “Gregg how ya doing? I’m mashing on the 10 right now. Just hit Arizona.” I was so happy not to have had any issues yet and was keeping a steady 130mph just when I see lights coming up behind. With the phone ear piece still in my ear I can’t believe I’m getting pulled over while on a national radio interview. What do I do?!? I mention to Gregg about the cop and he insists I stay on the line. I hear,” Ladies and gentleman Ashley Van Dyke is being pulled over in Arizona live on the Bullrun!” The officer walks to the passenger window and tells me to turn off engine and get out. I can hear everyone on the phone line getting very excited. As soon as I come around the back of the vehicle I was advised to turn around as I’m being placed under arrest. The female officer was convinced this Z06 was a racecar due to the flashy decals on the outside doors and hood. After extensive blabbing I am able to get her to understand this is a factory GM car perfectly street legal, unlike other cars I’ve rallied like the 350Z Nismo by Sage Motor Company on the Joyride, and she takes me to the back of the cop car. No AC with the cuffs on for over 30 mins. I finally convince her that I am not going to run and she lets me stand outside. After an hour she decides to let me go with the excessive speed ticket fine of $650 and a mandatory court appearance as in Arizona my speeds were criminal.

Limping on the excitement only gets greater as the Arizona cops are on an all alert for Bullruners. Larry in the R8 was also reportedly taken to jail and speeding was near impossible as the radar was going off nonstop. For a second time the Z06 gets pulled over but this time for having a Nevada dealer plate. The officer was just looking to bust a Bullruner. His Sargent showed up as back-up to warn us about a Hummer who is filming this Bullrun event and they are looking to seize not only the Hummer but the cameras and tapes as well! I quickly call Wu and crew and advise they pull off and remove decals! Guess what…he did! Right after the call Wu takes a direct dirt route off the freeway to an Indian reservation. They remove the decals and follow fire roads using a topographical map all the way to the Tucson Resort for the final check point of the day.

Day three the final driving day was another track event this time at Firebird Raceway. We had a beautiful scenic drive but the temps were still more than hot to handle. The dessert heat made the track day a bit of a challenge. It was so hot sitting and waiting to go out so everyone did about 3 or 4 runs and were off the pool at the Valley Ho in Scottsdale. What a finish!

Ashley

For more Bullrun check out our Bullrun archive or visit our Bullrun forum!