Robin Hood Rally 'TV reality race show' - I'm IN!!!!!

[fasthonda]

hey fellas!

i've been keeping mum about this for about a month now;  i applied for the TV reality race show 'Robin Hood Rally' about a month ago:   http://www.robinhoodrally.com   i filled out the application and sent in the deposit.  i spoke to many of the people in charge;  exchanged emails and phone calls concerning my credentials and driving experience and vehicles, etc.  on went the process, and this last tues and wed i drove to stamford, CT (i had been invited as one of the 'finalists' to be screened in an interview by a panel of 'specialists').  i proceeded up to the Marriot in stamford and was placed in a staging room with some of the other folks;  that was cool all on its own, they had a top flight driving simulator system for us to play with (super cool machine;  about 1000x cooler than a video game;  and about $30k to start, without all the options (they had sales reps there!)).   after waiting a bit, i was ushered off to the interview room.  wow;  not what i expected!  room was full of cameras, lights, sound mic booms -- really intimidating.  you sat down in a race seat, and had a huge camera right in your face, with several other cameras circulating around while the interview proceeded.  at the table in front of me were the panelists, and they asked tons of questions (mostly racing oriented, but some personal character stuff).  i breezed through that stuff, and was told it was over -- and i was in!      the next day was a nice cocktail party where we chatted with the other participants and met the producer, Michael Noval; he produces the Amazing Race and Pinks All Out.  it was a nice time (John Fitch was a scheduled guest speaker, but it seems that he might have been feeling ill and couldnt make it).  i had a great time, but left a little early cause i had to drive back late at night and be up early the next morning for work!!!

so, i'm in this crazy race now.  the way it works is that i'll be racing at ten different venues, in different states all over the east coast (only your five top finishes count towards the final tally).  all are to be on closed public roads, very twisty back country roads, with the courses ranging in size.  there will be no practice allowed on the courses;  we get to make 6 timed runs;  they'll be starting us in staggered intervals.  it sounds very similar to the 'targa newfoundland' way of running things (run in any weather, too.  come on rain!!!!).  drive flat out, as fast as you dare, but don't crash out!   the cars are all to be handicapped by power to weight.  they are dynoing us out, and then will weigh us.  thus, a slower, weaker car can still 'win' even if its raw time is slower than a big bad honking fast car (and most of the entrants are big and bad;  lots of vipers, STIs, 911s, Vettes, Camaros, Mustangs, BMW M cars, etc etc).  i am certainly the underdog entrant in this field;  the Probe is really gonna stand out like a sore thumb (or, if you like, it'll stand out like a white Probe in the Red run group at RTR!).

out of my stable of three, the PERFECT choice would be the Honda Civic Turbo;  unfortunately it's still crunched on the drivers side to the tune of about $3k-$4k (plus it needs to be retuned and set up again).  no way i am going to risk the Lotus Super Seven in this race (way too big a chance of a wreck to risk my 'nice vintage' car).  that leaves the old Probenstein;  i plan on having it's body straightened out (it only needs about $1200 worth of fixin').  then change the fluids and put on a nice set of good Toyos and fresh brake pads and good to go!

i am thinking of trying to find a local business in the area to sponsor my honda civic;  help me get it fixed up and ready to race, and i'll in turn give them the real estate on the front fenders and the hood for advertising purposes....  this program should reach millions of viewers -- i figure that should be some very inexpensive promotional expense for such good exposure?   i plan on trying it out on some of the local honda/acura dealerships, and maybe some local bodyshops/parts houses.    if any of you have any good ideas on who else to try, can you please pass them on to me?  i have to make haste, as the certification/dyno day is in mid april in NY;  and the week after that is a mandatory track day at NJMP (i guess they will observe us and see our driving capabilities;  i'm sure there will be alot of filming going on there too!).

well, thats the story up til now!  i can't wait for this to get rolling, and for May to be here!  check out the website link above for details and info;  it has additions and changes fairly regularly.

i am deferring all other racing activities (except for driver coaching and support) til i see this race through;  i am diverting all my 'normal' yearlong race funding into running this one special series of races....

 

[ninjabones]

Congrats Todd... I heard rumors about this television show and thought it was a sham. Glad to hear it's actually going to be produced, and even better that they selected you to compete.  Good luck and keep us posed with ReidSpeed reports during the season. I know you'll do us proud.

[betegh9]

Todd,
Congratulations, and you have a great chance for exposure. the web site says that you will have a track day at Monticello, while you say it is at NJMSP. Monticello (long course) is a great track, but it takes the major part of a day to get up to speed and feel comfortable...... been there, done that. NJMSP either lightning or thunderbolt should be great for you sinice you know them like the back of your hand.
What did they ask you in the interview? Personal or rather racing/ driving questions? what criteria did they use for selection? Personality had something to do with it, right? (you have a good personality besides being a GOOD racer. Are they covering any of your expenses, since you have to provide your own car?
Hope that you'll have a great time with this series of races.

[Tony356993]

todd,

congrats! they found the perfect candidate - a people person and a no fear excellent racer.

will they allow sponsorship on your car that is being filmed? has the show been sold to a network yet?

might be interested in helping you out with sponsorhip if the conditions were right.

tony

[Brian Minkin]

Congrats on making the cut.  You are going to be a celebrity and some of us can say I once drove with this guy at _______!  

[TwentySix]

  WOW!!! How awesome is that dude!!   

Todd in a Ferrari!  Bet Pep Boys doesn't carry brake pads for that!!    

Prizes:

First Prize  - a Ferrari F430, approximate worth $250,000
Second Prize - a Porsche 911 Turbo
Third Prize - a Corvette Z51 Convertible
Fourth Prize - your very own set of Steak Knives


Good Luck and be safe!!

[bobt993]

Cool Todd.  Now let's work on a your racing attire.  You need a spin on your image that keeps you in the spotlight.  Why not "Devo" Garb...

[fasthonda]

hey guys!  thanks for the support!  lets see;  i'll try and answer all the questions posed so far:

- i won't be able to give updates on whats going on; i had to sign a confidentiality agreement that said basically that i can't say how the races are going -- its kinda like 'Survivor' in that all the races and episodes will be filmed;  then they'll show the TV show starting at the very end of 2010 or beginning of 2011.

- the track day was originally to be at Monticello, but at the screening they told us that it had been moved to NJMP, Thunderbolt.

- mostly driving competition questions with me.  i told alot of stories of various races (both with positive and negative outcomes!).  a little bit of personal stuff, but mostly all business with me.  i told them i'd be trying 110%, and that even though i'm driving a heap, that i'd be tough, and fast.  and i told them i'd be praying for rain!  (they didn't understand that, so i had to explain that i run best in the slippery stuff!!!)

- they cover no expenses.  in fact, the total entrance fee is $5k.  that sounds like alot, but you have to remember that is for 10 races.  and there is a huge possible payout (around $500k split between the three cars).  the cost benefit scenario for me is a no brainer, when compared to my usual club racing.  (a year of NASA club racing will cost about the same or a little more for me to do).

- i asked specifically if they will allow sponsorship graphics on the racecars.  the answer was a definite, resounding 'yes!'.  tony, thanks so much for the offer!  please feel free to contact me anytime at 410-441-0201 or d15b7@aol.com

- thanks brian!  and beth, i might have to order the brake pads in 'special' from Pep Boys!  lol!

- hey bob!  they asked us to bring our race gear with us to the interview (suits, helmets, shoes, etc).  in the waiting area, guys were walking around in brand new unused suits (Sparco, etc.  real nice stuff).  i didn't have the heart to take out my 12 yr old 'Gforce' suit and put it on (it looks pretty shabby after hundreds of races, and to tell th truth, it never was very fancy as it was on special for $139 when i bought it!). i did the interview in my street clothes, which was fine (lots of other guys did too).  anyway, i think my 'schtick' will be to be the guy with the home built racecar and the well used gear that much of the viewing public will be able to relate to.... i guess maybe i'll be an 'underdog' kinda competitor (but i expect to run up front, which might surprise some of the big dawg high $$$ entries!).  even in the Probe, i can run strong with some much faster cars.  and if i had the Honda running?  well, you've seen it in action - my honda can match a 997 (even a GT3, if i'm 'really standing on it');  i think that most of the guys in this race would be incredulous if they saw me push the honda hard!

i'm REALLY excited and can't wait to get started RACING!

 

[michael lang]

Tony356993 wrote:

might be interested in helping you out with sponsorhip if the conditions were right.

I had a feeling when I read Todd's story about selling some real estate on his car that Honey Brook Pharmacy should get in on this . That would be a great story line... small town guy in a beat up Ford Probe with just one local pharmacy as a sponsor goes out and kicks everyone's ass. The producers will eat that up.

Todd, I can see it now, this is your big break, I wish you well.

[George3]

 

Todd........  I just KNOW you will win it !!!!!!!!  :dude:

And, you'll be dancing in the street !