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BULLRUN 2013: Team Oh! Canada prepares for another wild ride!

Since 2006, a team of drivers from up North has been regularly attending the Bullrun rally. Kevin and Christine Andrews, known as Team Oh! Canada, have driven more rallies than most and are one of Bullrun’s most loyal teams.

Kevin recalls his foray into the rally world and his first footsteps into the world of Bullrun.

“A long time ago in a country far, far away, a lonely driver searched for excitement, and found it on the web in the name of Bullrun,” Andrews began. “I could go on but seriously, I had done another rally in Europe in 2005. My first rally with my brother Dwayne, as a birthday present. I really had a great time but it’s a big hassle having to ship a car overseas so I went looking for something closer to home, and found Bullrun.”

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In 2006, surrounded by nearly 1000 supercars in Times Square, New York, Kevin and his wife Christine eagerly anticipated what would become of their first North-American rally. Their weapon of choice? Kevin’s red 1987 Porsche 928.

The race-tuned 928 survived the 2006 rally, but when Kevin and Christine entered their beloved Porsche in the Montreal to Key West rally in 2007, they hit a very memorable snag that will live on in Bullrun folk-lore. As the husband and wife team set off from the Canadian border en route to Boston, Christine started smelling smoke. Kevin pulled the car over quickly and they soon realized that the engine had caught fire. Needless to say the Porsche did not finish the rally. Instead, Kevin and Christine drove a Ferrari 360 for the remainder of the rally.

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Kevin recalls the fire as a memorable Bullrun moment, but for him there were plenty to recall.

“I’ve certainly had a few memorable breakdowns – on fire outside of Boston; blown head gasket on the way to Park City, Utah; being arrested and hauled away with 10 other Bullrunners in a paddy wagon in Georgia,” he explained. “My favourite Bullrun moment however was having an Ohio State Trooper give me a 30 mile escort at 120 mph sirens blazing, while listening to him on the police scanner explaining to his colleagues that he lost me.”

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In 2008 the Porsche, known as Lazarus to the Bullrun crowd, returned, but as Kevin mentioned, a head gasket broke while en route to Park City, UT. For 2009, Kevin and Christine returned with a red Ferrari F430 and in 2010 Kevin brought a silver and black Maserati GranSport that sounded like the world was about to end every time he started it.

In 2012 Kevin and Christine returned in their wacky plaid-wrapped Ferrari 360 armed with the latest electronics.

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For the 10th Anniversary rally, Kevin says he’s bringing something top secret.

“I’m fortunate to be able to select from a large inventory of cars from the leasing operation I own in Canada, so I usually leave it until late to decide,” he said. “That being said I have decided what I’ll be driving for the 2013 rally and operations are underway getting it ready, but like Andy, you will have to wait and see, although I have provided him with a few clues!! Needless to say it will be FAST!”

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In terms of rally strategy, Kevin says he enjoys being competative and keeping up with the pack, but equally enjoys the scenic drives that Bullrun teases its drivers with.

“I’ll take the long way if it’s a better road, like last year when we drove the PCH on the first day, after all how many times would I have a chance to drive that highway on a beautiful sunny day in a Ferrari Spyder?”

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For 2013, Kevin will be joined by his brother Dwayne, who Kevin did his first ever rally with.

“I’m sure there will be some fireworks with him, he’s a real car guy like myself, and loves to have fun,” Kevin said. “Although I fear he will want to drive more than Christine does, which means I will be navigating more, ugh!!

Stay tuned for the adventures of Team Oh! Canada as they take on the 10th Anniversary Montreal to New Orleans rally!


Q&A with Kevin Andrews:

1. How did you originally hear about Bullrun?

A long time ago in a country far, far away, a lonely driver searched for excitement, and found it on the web in the name of Bullrun… I could go on but seriously, I had done another rally in Europe in 2005. My first rally with my brother Dwayne, as a birthday present. I really had a great time but it’s a big hassle having to ship a car overseas so I went looking for something closer to home, and found Bullrun.

2. Looking back at past Bullrun rallies, what’s the experience that sticks out the most?

So many rallies and so much fun, I’ve certainly had a few memorable breakdowns – on fire outside of Boston; blown head gasket on the way to Park City, Utah; being arrested and hauled away with 10 other Bullrunners in a paddy wagon in Georgia; my favourite however was having an Ohio State Trooper give me a 30 mile escort at 120 mph sirens blazing, while listening to him on the police scanner explaining to his colleagues that he lost me

3. What are you looking forward to most on this year’s Bullrun?

I love the drives, I always look forward to the great routes Andy and David plan, and of course getting to see all the friends again that we’ve made throughout he years 4.

4. Team Oh! Canada has driven many different vehicles on the rally before from the infamous Porsche 928 to the plaid-wrapped Ferrari 360. What vehicle have you chosen to drive on the 2013 rally?

I’m fortunate to be able to select from a large inventory of cars from the leasing operation I own in Canada, so I usually leave it until late to decide. That being said I have decided what I’ll be driving for the 2013 rally and operations are underway getting it ready, but like Andy, you will have to wait and see, although I have provided him with a few clues!! Needless to say it will be FAST!

5. How are you looking to partake in 2013’s 10-year anniversary? Will you be competing for the Navigator Award or will you be lying low and enjoying the driving?

It’s always nice to be competitive, and we are usually somewhere in the hunt, but for me I prefer the low key approach, and the fun is in the adventure. I’ll take the long way if it’s a better road, like last year when we drove the PCH on the first day, after all how many times would I have a chance to drive that highway on a beautiful sunny day in a Ferrari Spyder?

6. Who will be on your rally team this year? Tell us a bit about your team.

Traditionally my wife Christine joins me and acts as social organiser, navigator extraordinaire, and hangover driver, unfortunately she can’t get away this year, so my brother Dwayne is coming with me, as he did on my first rally in Europe. I’m sure there will be some fireworks with him, he’s a real car guy like myself, and loves to have fun. Although I fear he will want to drive more than Christine does, which means I will be navigating more, ugh!!

7. What do you consider to be your team’s strongest asset?

Nothing beats experience, it’s always important to know where you are in relation to the group and your destination. Being old enough to know how to read a paper map also helps.

8. What does your rally preparation involve for the rally? Are you going all out this year? Or are you just along for the ride?

I’ve started a rigorous workout schedule, in order to be in shape for the long days sitting in a car seat, I’ve also upped my alcohol intake to ensure I can handle driving the next day with a hangover, and of course I have been refraining from peeing in order to stretch the time between pitstops – very important when you don’t need to stop for gas, and of course there are the annual top secret mods to the car, for instance I added a new power outlet so I can run a fan this year.

9. If you could give the Bullrun newbies some advice, what would it be?

The roads can be very busy and you need to be respectful so don’t drive stupid!

10. Other than yourselves, who do you think are the best drivers on the rally? Why?

The best drivers are the guys who do it on the track- Frankl, Drake , Green

11. What’s the thing you enjoy most about Bullrun?

It’s a great way to disconnect from work and the world for a week and spend it doing what you enjoy with a bunch of people you enjoy being with.