To the Border not over the Border

[Jess]

Hello,

So we have re-thought the border crossing and it has become
significant enough that we are not crossing the border this year. We
will race to the border and not over it.

Below is the latest press release from the Escape From Berkeley team.
Feel free to spread it far and wide.

Also we are social networking this year. Find us on:
Twitter: http://twitter.com/escapeberkeley
or Become a Fan on Facebook: http://tinyurl.com/dxyflg

See you racing!
love,
Jess, and the rest of the Escape from Berkeley Team
_________________________________________________________________________________
PRESS RELEASE:

Escape from Berkeley (by any non-petroleum means necessary)

A road race to Mexico, no fuel allowed
June 12-16, 2009

Berkeley, CA - “Escape from Berkeley (by any non petroleum means
necessary)” is a road rally of alternatively powered vehicles from
Berkeley, California to the US-Mexican Border. Part engineering
problem, part artistic opportunity, the rally challenges contestants
to start their “engines” on something other than petroleum based fuel,
and by any means necessary, cause their “vehicles” show up at the
border five days later - using only fuels/power/motive force scavenged
for free along the route.

Last years inaugural race took us from the DIY oasis of ALL Power Labs
in Berkeley, CA, to the consumptive excess of the Strip in Las Vegas,
Nevada. Returning to compete for the second running of the race will
be 1st Place Rally Winner Jack McCornack from Cave Junction, OR and
Runner Up Wayne Keith from Springfield, AL. Registration for new
racers is now open.

All types of vehicles are welcome. All schemes for non-petroleum based
transport are encouraged. In short, everything is permitted – just as
long as your “fuel” is from a non-petroleum based source, your
acquisition of it does not require money, and you start the race with
no more than 10kwh of it on board. The full field of power generation
and conversion is open for scavenging and creative power hacking.

DARPA had a Grand Challenge. . . the rednecks a Cannonball Run. . .
and the Auto X prize continues to be delayed. So now, NASA scientists
and junkyard fabricators will go head-to-head in a no holds barred
battle of engineering prowess and creative excess. Hanging somewhat in
the balance are bragging rights for saving the world. That, and a
grand prize of $10,000.

Schedule:

* June 12th – Race begins at ALL Power Labs in Berkeley, CA. End
and overnight in Parkfield, California, the Earthquake capital of the
world.
* June 13th – 2nd leg start at Parkfield. End and overnight at El
Mirage dry lake.
* June 14th – Day off at El Mirage dry lake for landspeed trials.
Some EFB racers to run speed trials.
* June 15th – 3rd leg start at El Mirage. End at Salton Sea,
California State Recreation Area.
* June 16th – 4th leg start at Salton Sea. End at the beach where
the fence goes into the ocean at the Border Fields State Park, US
Mexico Border.

“Some entries will arrive at the start line with extreme technical
innovation. Others will arrive with only creative excess. The best
entries, as well as the likely winners, will need to arrive with
both.” - Jim Mason

A production of ALL Power Labs and The Shipyard.

For more information about Escape from Berkeley contact Jessica Hobbs
jess [at] escapefromberkely [dot] com