New Orleans isn’t known as a place of refuge for Bandits, but for two Bullrun veterans, it’s the perfect cover for reclaiming Bullrun’s most sought-after award.
The Big Easy Bandits are well known to the Bullrun crowd. Ricky Chancey and Billy Blatty have reunited! Last time we saw these guys together was as Team Big EZ in 2009 - When they left their mark assisting their good friend, Richard Rawlings, to claim the Navigator Award. On the New Orleans leg, they paid off the local police to give them a motorcycle escort out of the city and another group of officers to take the rest of the rally 30 miles the wrong way. This move essentially solidified Richard Rawlings’ 2009 victory over Claus.
In 2010 Billy took off to travel across Europe with DJ Tiesto. In his absence, Ricky formed Team Luckynutz with Dudley Geigerman and in 2010 and captured the coveted Navigator Award, narrowly beating Claus Ettensberger.
In 2011, Ricky and Dudley teamed up again to defend their 2010 title with no success. On day one they suffered their first devastating blow, or blowout to be precise.
This year Billy is back, and he and Ricky Chancey are out to prove that together, they are the best duo Bullrun has ever seen!
According to Ricky, he's making room on his wall for his second belt. This time under The Big Easy Bandits flag!
“Well, Ricky Chancey and Billy Blatty are more than a ‘Team!’ Bullrun for us is not only about winning, which we will do, but the parties, the practical jokes, the camaraderie and the competition,” Ricky said. “Big Easy is another name for New Orleans, a city we both dearly love, and "Bandits" is a polite warning to our competition to watch their asses!”
As the name suggests, Ricky and his driver, Billy Blatty, will stop at nothing to prevent defending champs, Seth Rose and Tony King from taking home the Navigator Award twice in a row. These bandits are outlaws, and much like those in the Wild West, operate in areas with no defined rules. Remember, there are no rules on Bullrun!
"I’d say the significance of the Big Easy Bandits is that we are a band of New Orleans marauders, who live outside the rules, have virtually no morals, are easy going," Billy said. "Our code is simply bounty, booty, and plunder– all in the name of a good time!"
These Bandits won’t be riding on horseback, but they will be packing some serious horsepower! Their stallion of choice - top secret! Their mission - to capture the Bullrun Navigator Award and take home the title this year!
“I've done An SL55, a BMW M6 and a CL600 over the last 3 years,” Ricky said. “This year, let’s just say, the decision was well thought out and probably the most strategic option we have ever decided on!”
In terms of strategy, Billy says that "Big-Easy has no strategy, we have magic! They call Ricky the magic man. My sorcery has no name, it derives from a very dark dark place!"
In order to claim the prize they desire, it's important for the Big Easy duo to understand what must go righ tin order for them to navigate to victory.
“I've learned, There are five things a day that have to happen perfectly to guarantee a victory” Ricky said. “It's been very clear to me that no one has been able to master these very important strategies. We will master them this year, and we will unrelentingly agitate and disappoint all those who attempt to take the belt from its rightful owners.”
Together, these New Orleans natives will be taking Bullrun by storm! Get ready for the Bandits, because they’re ready for Bullrun 2012!
Q&A with Ricky Chancey:
1) You've been Bullrunning now for three years, with this being your fourth year. What have you learned from previous Bullrun rallies that you will use to your advantage this year?
All of the years I have been on Bullrun, have been completely different. In 2009 Billy and I finished in the top 5 almost every leg. We were 100% committed, had many many hours of strategy sessions.. But, when that flag came down, it was 6-8 hours of intense focus. That was a bit tough, because we were also the last one to leave the party every night! If it weren't for the fact we had to leave the rally to throw the party with our buddy Vanilla Ice, we'd definitely finished in the top 3. One thing for sure, is we know how to win. But, if I had to narrow it down to what I consider to be most important - check the damn air in your tires before every leg! Driving on a spare for 4000 miles in 2011 definitely put us at a disadvantage!
2) Tell me about your team name? The Big Easy Bandits. What is its significance? Will you be wearing costumes that go well with your team name?
Well, Ricky Chancey and Billy Blatty are more than a "Team." Bullrun for us is not only about winning, which we will do, but the parties, the practical jokes, the camaraderie and the competition. Big Easy is another name for New Orleans, a city we both dearly love, and "Bandits" is a polite warning to our competition to watch their asses...Costumes? a girl doesn't want to show everyone her prom dress before prom! Where’s the fun in that!
3) It seems that every year you bring a new car to Bullrun. What car will you be driving this year? What makes it the ideal Bullrun 2012 car?
I've done An SL55, a BMW M6 and a CL600 over the last 3 years.This year, let’s just say, the decision was well thought out and probably the most strategic option we have ever decided on.
4) Obviously you are going to be very competitive this year, but how far are you willing to go to take home the Navigator Award?
I've learned, There are 5 things a day that have to happen perfectly to guarantee a victory. It's been very clear to me that no one has been able to master these very important strategies. We will master them this year, and we will unrelentingly agitate and disappoint all those who attempt to take the belt from its rightful owners.
5) Who do you feel is your biggest competition on the rally?
That's a tough one... and all for very different reasons... But I'll try, Claus has got the experience, Dave Pearsall got the balls, Seth and the Wu's have the equipment, Robbie Gordon is a professional, and the Big Easy bandits have Experience, The Balls, The Equipment and are professional... assholes!
6) Bullrun is about camaraderie, but it's also about having fun! Who are you looking forward to seeing again this year?
Honestly, everyone on Bullrun knows I love them....I love all those brain-dead motor-heads.. and I miss the shit out of everybody all year. Living in New Orleans ,i get to see my Bullrun family often throughout the year... I've seen Stevie, Andy, Malcolm, David, Pearsall, Seth, Team Texas, Arkansas, Greg, and Veteran Rawlings. All my peeps I haven't got to see, it's just that much better when we have our yearly reunion.
7) What's your winning strategy this year? How will you ensure your victory?
It ain't gonna be driving balls to the wall....
8) Last year you and Dudley were quite the pranksters. I recall hearing about an alligator being placed in the Dudesons' hotel room in NOLA! Do you plan on messing around with Bullrunners again this year?
You have no idea....It will be epic. Those with a low tolerance for mayhem should just say home. And if you’re easily offended, hide in your hotel rooms!
9) What's the most memorable Bullrun moment from last year's rally?
Last year was eventful to say the least....Couple of great memories, like, The launch party with my buddy Vanilla Ice, Pranking the Dudesons with an alligator in the room, and getting Robbie Gordon and The Dudesons pulled and cuffed as a joke...BUT, also had the worst luck of any previous year, like, Flat tire in the first 5 minutes out of Vegas, and a go cart accident that landed me in an Orlando hospital for 3 days, causing me and Dudley to miss the end of the rally and messing up one of the best endings Bullrun has ever witnessed..
10) What are you looking forward to most this year?
I'm really excited about the L.A. to L.A route this year - and looking forward to trying on the belt at the end. Oh and making Drake wear a wedding dress!
Q&A with Billy Blatty:
1) You were Ricky's co-driver for the 2009 Bullrun rally. What have you learned from your Bullrun experience that you will use to your advantage this year?
I think the most important lesson learned is to get some sleep and avoid caning the alcohol every night –unfortunately, I won’t be using this to my advantage.
2) Tell me about your team name? The Big Easy Bandits. What is its significance? Will you be wearing costumes that go well with your team name?
The Big Easy references the gentle pace of life and somewhat lax morals for which New Orleans is known, and subsequently, is also our home-town. A bandit is defined as an outlaw who lives by plunder. I’d say the significance of the Big Easy Bandits is that we are a band of New Orleans marauders, who live outside the rules, have virtually no morals, are easy going, and our code is simply bounty, booty, and plunder– all in the name of a good time.
3) Obviously you are going to be very competitive this year, but how far are you willing to go to take home the Navigator Award?
If you’re asking me if I’m willing to give Mr. Duncan a foot massage, I’m 100 % committed in forcing Ricky to massage Andy’s toes with lavender aroma oils. Besides that, I’m not willing to put anyone’s life at risk, so you won’t find me clocking ridiculous speeds. Our goal is to have the best time possible at everyone else’s expense….if we can claim the Navigator Award in the process, the only greater Bullrun miracle would be Ricky’s ability to win in 2010….with Dudley at his side.
4) Back in 2009, you and Ricky weren't chasing down the Navigator Award - you guys were in it to have a good time. How are you expecting this year's adventure to differ?
So you’re implying we must either chase down the Navigator Award, or have a good time? The two aren’t mutually exclusive.
5) Who do you feel will be your biggest competition on the rally?
Ourselves, well, specifically me. This bandit puts a good time over everything else, and this priority will undoubtedly hurt us physically morning after morning. Sorry if you puke again Ricky.
6) Bullrun is about camaraderie, but it's also about having fun! Who are you looking forward to seeing again this year?
Wu is always fun. I love Asians.
7) What's your winning strategy this year? How will you ensure your victory?
Big-Easy has no strategy, we have magic. They call Ricky the magic man. One stop voodoo shop : 150 voodoo dolls, 450 pins, 2 gris-gris bags, 1 bottle of lavender oil, 8 ounces of triple strength road-opening incense. My sorcery has no name, it derives from a very dark dark place.
8) What's your most memorable Bullrun moment from 2009?
I think it was at the Bullrun Awards ceremony, watching Richard Rawlings take credit for the diversion stunt with the NOPD we set up out of New Orleans, which actually led him to winning the entire rally over Claus. We owe the Schweinsteiger of Bullrun a massive debt.
9) What are you looking forward to most this year?
Watching Ricky massage Andy’s toes.
10) With you and Ricky being such good friends, what is the team dynamic like inside the car?
Ricky is probably one of the nicest and most genuine people you will ever meet. It should have pained me to constantly berate him for things such as a missed pass or for vomiting in the mountains of West Virginia, which is why he referred to me as the “Navi-Nazi” in 2009. But I’ve learned I have a bold sadistic streak, and I strongly suspect he’s a masochist – a marriage made in heaven.
