Team Polizei Updates

OFFICAL POLIZEI GUMBALL UPDATE – #1
15:02 / 3:02p.m. (G.M.T.)
London Time: 4:02p.m.

Team Polizei, this year in a highly modified Bentley Continental GT with much of the same equipment as the Polizei M5, has taken up position #5 at the start of the 2006 Gumball3000. Alex Roy and Michael Ross, the two Team Polizei drivers for this year’s event, are sitting on the Formula 1 style grid behind such celebrities as Bam Margera and Tony Hawk who are in a purple Lamborghini Gallardo. The rally is set to begin at 4:30p.m. local time.

More information on Team Polizei’s new vehicle as well as their progress will be published within the next few hours.

OFFICAL POLIZEI GUMBALL UPDATE – #2
17:13:32 / 5:13:32 p.m. (GMT)

Team Polizei was the first to arrive at the channel crossing. The team successfully passed the leading cars in the short hour drive to the south of England. In second place was the camoflash-painted Rolls Royce and in third was the purple Acura NSX.

OFFICAL POLIZEI GUMBALL UPDATE – #3

Team Polizei is still currently in first place heading towards the Chateau Beloeil Checkpoint. Team Polizei had one close call with the police in northern France which resulted in the police officer just waving them on.

OFFICAL POLIZEI GUMBALL UPDATE – #4
21:11:16 / 9:11:16 p.m. (G.M.T.)
Sunday, April 30th

The unofficial arrival order at the Chateau Beloeil Checkpoint:

#1: Team Polizei

#2: Purple Honda NSX – Car #011

#3: Silver Porsche Carrera – (Unknown Car #)

#4: Nick Morley – Carrera RUF Turbo – Car #096

#5: Ant&Pete – Car #097

OFFICAL POLIZEI GUMBALL UPDATE – #5
15:02:18 (p.m.) (G.M.T)
Monday, May 1st

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.

The arrival order in Budapest and Vienna is still uncertain and will be clarified in the next update. What is known though is that the first three cars to arrive at both checkpoints were Team Polizei, the #11 purple NSX, and Ant&Pete in car #097.

OFFICAL POLIZEI GUMBALL UPDATE – #6
Tuesday, 2 May 2006
04:41:58 (a.m.) (G.M.T.)

Unofficial Results Checkpoint Vienna:

1st: Team Polizei
2nd: Team NSX (Honda NSX)
3rd: Pete (Team Ant&Pete – BMW 3-series D2)

Unofficial Results Checkpoint Budapest:

1st: Team Polizei
2nd: Team NSX (Honda NSX)
3rd: Pete (Team Ant&Pete – BMW 3-series D2)
4th: Team 3ezer

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.

OFFICAL POLIZEI GUMBALL UPDATE – #7
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: Red 1999 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.

OFFICAL POLIZEI GUMBALL UPDATE – #8
Tuesday, 2 May 2006
22:29:51 (G.M.T.)

Team Polizei have successfully made it to the Belgrade Airport. They were about 6th or 7th to arrive at the airport from City Hall even after being delayed from Budapest due to the vandalization of the Bentley GT. Alex expressed just how fun the drive has been in the country – The police were asking them to drive faster! They received several escorts from Budapest to Belgrade, one time by a Russian security detail from the Russian Embassy. The team was running with police lights and sirens the entire drive; the real police were loving every second of it!

Alex wants to announce that if this was a real race with a point system, Team Polizei has already dominated and won. There is no way any other team can beat Polizei’s record of coming first at so many checkpoints.

Currently, Team Polizei with the rest of the teams that made it to Belgrade Airport, are on a 15 hour flight to Thailand.

OFFICAL POLIZEI GUMBALL UPDATE – #9
Wednesday, 3 May 2006
05:42:21 (a.m.) GMT

The Gumball3000 has reached the halfway point in 2006.

Unofficial Overall Checkpoint Leaders for 2006 Gumball Rally:

1st: Team Polizei
2nd: Team NSX
3rd: Team Ant&Pete

These overall leaders have consistently been the first three to arrive at nearly every checkpoint this year.

Team Polizei also would like to announce that Team NSX should receive the Virgin Gumballer Award for being one of the hardest driving and most enthusiastic Teams of this year’s Rally

Stories and comments from Alex Roy and Michael Ross.

Three of the McLaren SLRs have broken down, all with the same alternator problem. Team Polizei would like to point out that only one SLR has ever finished a Gumball. Alex and Michael are disappointed in the performance of the cars; they aren’t posing a big enough threat to the VW built Polizei Bentley!

The orange Ultima GTR has broken down.

The Bentley air suspension proved highly valuable while traveling over train tracks and hard shoulders.

The Serbian Police and fans were amazing. Fans lined the roads for miles and even helped with a few Gumballers who needed directions. Team Polizei was lucky enough to get such directions through the streets of Belgrade from a fan. This fan though got a bit too excited as he plowed into another car trying to lead the Bentley GT down a side street. Moments later, the car the helpful fan hit while trying to lead Team Polizei, got hit by a bus. The accidents were very minor and there were no injuries.

The huge CB radio antenna on the white Lamborghini Murcielago ripped off at 200mph somewhere in Serbia. The antenna barely missed a few cars which were following close behind.

The Team Polizei Bentley GT was almost hit by a small airplane on the main highway leading to Belgrade. The small aircraft was no more then 20 feet above the highway as it flew by and its passengers took photos.

It has also come to Team Polizei’s attention that many of the European Gumballers are ill equipped for the American leg of this year’s Gumball. Team Polizei has been inundated with questions by non-American drivers over how the police will handle speeding fines. Such news can only mean one thing: The State Police will fill their quota for the month all in one day in such states as Utah, Nevada, and California.

The drivers have reached Thailand and are waiting for their cars to arrive. Most of them are using this time to rest while others continue to party.

OFFICAL POLIZEI GUMBALL UPDATE – #10
Wednesday, 3 May 2006
16:33:48 / 4:33:48 p.m. G.M.T.

Two updates/Corrections:

One of the McLaren SLRs that had broken down has been fixed and is now back in action.

Correction: Team #29 in the orange Ultima GTR has NOT broken down.

The rally is set to begin the Thailand stage in only a few hours!

OFFICAL POLIZEI GUMBALL UPDATE – #11
Thursday, 4 May 2006
04:46:48 (a.m.)

This just in – 2 hours into the Thailand Stage II of the Gumball, there has been an accident involved a few cars.

Two Lamborghinis, one white, one purple, unknown teams so far, have crashed. The Polizei Bentley GT following behind, ran over debris in the roadway and is damaged as well.

OFFICAL POLIZEI GUMBALL UPDATE – #12
Thursday, 4 May 2006
14:54:15 / 2:54:15 p.m. (G.M.T.)

It is now confirmed that the purple Lamborghini involved in the accident in Thailand was of the “Flash‿ Team. The white Murcielago involved was able to continue the rally with its damage. On the other hand, the purple Murcielago Roadster looks to be totaled after hitting a tree at a high rate of speed. Luckily their were no injuries.

Running in the middle of the pack as previously planned, Team Polizei received damage to their Bentley after running over debris in the roadway from the Lamborghini accident. The Bentley began to immediately leak oil so Ross&Roy made the decision to pull over. The Team remained on the side of the road for two hours examining the extent of the damage. It was decided that the Team would continue at a “limp‿ speed.

In order to take advantage of their opportunity to drive freely in Thailand, Ross&Roy decided to take a side trip on their way up to Bangkok. Team Polizei made an unexpected stop to the Former Socialist Republic of Burma. Ross and Roy made it to the border where they were greeted by military soldiers who were confused to see a Bentley Police car. Ross and Roy, acting as representatives of Gumball, make the acquaintance of the border crossing agents. They spoke for a few minutes, took some pictures, handing out Team Polizei hats and shirts, and then stole some military border documents to prove their story. Continuing at a very slow pace to Bangkok, Team Polizei was astonished to find out they made it to the final checkpoint in Thailand in 18th place, even with their little side adventure. The Bentley is currently receiving repairs from Bentley of Bangkok mechanics.

Team Polizei would also like to congratulate the stage winner today, Team COT7ON. Alex wanted to also mention that this team deserves a lot of credit for their amazing driving.

Also, despite the breakdown and visit to a Socialist Republic, Team Polizei is proud to announce that they are still the point leaders in terms of arrival order at checkpoints. Ross&Roy invite any team who started in London and will complete the rally in Los Angeles, to try beat Team Polizei in the final, more difficult U.S. Stage.

OFFICAL POLIZEI GUMBALL UPDATE – #13
Saturday, 6 May 2006
21:53:40 / 9:53:40 p.m.

“This is stressful‿ – The only sign of emotion yet this week from Team Polizei member Michael Ross.

Driving south on I-15 towards Las Vegas, Team Polizei is trying to make time on the front runners who left early from Salt Lake City. Five State Troopers gave chase to a Lamborghini Diablo and a Porsche Turbo Cab. The two were eventually pulled over but there is still no word on what type of penalties they will receive.

It has become well known among all the drivers that driving in the United States is much harder then anywhere else. Only at the end of the day will we find out how many of those drivers found out the hard way

OFFICAL POLIZEI GUMBALL UPDATE – #14
Sunday, 7 May 2006
16:51:48 / 4:51:48 p.m.

As stated in the last update, many of the cars yesterday from Salt Lake City ditched the checkpoints in order to get a jump start on the leg to Vegas. Most cars took the I-15 route south while others took the more direct I-93 route south. I-93 was discovered to be a death trip with the road being plastered with state troopers just waiting for Gumballers. It seems as though the State Police now keep tabs on the Gumball more then some fans do.

I-15 though seemed to be just as bad once the state troopers realized there were two roads that the Gumballers were using. Team Polizei though had their secret weapon in use. Its codename: Birdman. No, not Tony Hawk. Birdman was the secret codename for the spotter helicopter that was following Team Polizei from Salt Lake City to Las Vegas. Its purpose was to mostly capture the rally on film, but it was also used for rally support and trooper detection. Birdman proved to be helpful since Team Polizei didn’t get a single ticket. Notice how I said ticket and not pulled over?

Ten miles east of Las Vegas, it happened. Team Polizei was pulled over by an undercover cop who was hiding on an on-ramp. Only doing about 85mph, Team Polizei was a bit confused. What made it even more confusing was that the undercover cop was driving a Kia. The cop started questioning Alex and Ross, and then the line which will always be remembered finally came out: “You are Alex Roy, aren’t you?‿ The game was up; Team Polizei had finally been caught. This time, it was no undercover cop, but rather a Gumball Fan who traveled 700 miles from Canada just to pull this prank. Everyone always said they would do it, but no one actually did, until now. To the Polizei and Gumball fan from Canada, we thank you. You deserve some sort of prize. We also would like you to please contact us.

Team Polizei finally arrived in Vegas after storming down I-15 past several cars. The team arrived around 5th place out of the cars who actually went to the checkpoints in Salt Lake City. Vegas has been a great welcome to all the drivers but its sad to now know that we are only a few hours away from the 2006 event coming to an end.

One last note: In Vegas, Team Polizei’s Bentley GT was once again vandalized; this time by plastic wrap. Alex said it must have taken Ed Leigh at least an hour to cover the entire car with the plastic wrap.. little did he know that Team Polizei comes equipped with knives which can take it all off in a few seconds.

OFFICAL POLIZEI GUMBALL UPDATE – #15

Hello all!

Team Polizei overcame the sabotage and treachery of our foes to win 1st place overall on Gumball 2006!

An annihilatory death blow was dealt to our foes, none of whom were prepared for our “When Vengeance is not Enough” Strategy for 2006.

Team Polizei was verified to have hit all checkpoints and arrived first at the following:

EUROPE
Belgium (Chateau Beleoil)
Vienna
Budapest

USA
Furnace Creek (Death Valley)
Beverly Hills

Team Polizei arrived in 1st Place at 5 out of 8 checkpoints, dominated the European Endurance and American stages, and overcame two incidents of sabotage (and a visit to the Burmese border) to remain in the top 10 on the Thailand stage.

There are many tales to tell of heroism from other teams, especially Team 3Ezer, TangoSpeed, Torquenstein, Team NSX, Team Debedin, Ant & Pete, Birdman and others, and more information will be released in the coming days.

Of course, as the Gumball is a rally, not a race, these rankings, although verified by onboard camera footage, ALK Copilot tracking and multiple witnesses (both on and off the Gumball), must remain unofficial.

Thanks for all your support. This was the craziest Gumball yet, and it was amazing to meet so many fans on the road!!

I also want to thank JF Musial aka “Yourk”, who spent countless hours tracking our progress and writing updates on the rally on so many Boards. JF deserves a lot of credit for keeping us in touch with our friends and fans.

Of course, we were also very grateful for all the support of our friends at the M5Board, cardomain.com, jalopnik.com and gumball-3000.com.

Please come visit our new sites at:

www.teampolizei.com
www.polizei144.com
www.gumball144.com

We will be posting A LOT more info in the coming days!

Best,
Alex
Team Polizei