Road Rally Odds Released!!

July 18, 2007 :: After much contemplation, head scratching and many beverages, the 2007 Island Pond Road Rally odds. Let the discussions begin...

5:2 - Akina Speed Stars (David, Patrick, Robert, Steve)
Two-time defending champs...'nuf said.

3:1 - Popped Biscuits (Greg, Joe, Katie)
To use a football analogy, it's almost like this team was red-shirted for two years. They did the Rally in The Thing and were never really in the game, but learned valuable lessons along the way. "Put me in coach, I'm ready to play...today." Watch out!

4:1 - Big Red (Chris, Darren, Jessica, Joanna)
There's always turmoil on this team in the days leading up to the main event and this year's no different. There's talk of a new driver, new car, etc... We figure they sort it all out at the start line and take off in a cloud of dust. Always a contender.

4:1 - Walker's Walkabouts (Kevin, Jen, Dad Walker, Sis Walker)
Silently going about their business, but when the gun goes off they'll be lunatics (we think). Don't disappoint Dad and Sis...

5:1 - Straight Line (Andy, Jeremy)*
*They haven't even confirmed that they're going to make it to the start line, but their presence is still felt among the other teams. Two-time champs in their own right (with the old lady, of course), we wonder how they'll fare going it alone. America (and New Zealand) wonders with us...

7:1 - 902speed0 (Tim, Dan, Amos, Jackie)
I had a couple of beers with team captain Tim the other night and I reckon they're a serious threat in this, their rookie campaign. He had all the right answers and sounded like someone who had been there/done that. We'll see... I just hope they don't have capes.

10:1 - Rage Against the Bananas (Bizzy, Kachina, Adonis, Yuka)
Still not sure what to make of this team, but they're sure win the prize for Most Interesting Team Member Names. That's quite a car full...

12:1 - Fix Me a Sandwich (Mike, Lauren, Lauren's Bro)
I'm not sure how two social workers and a sandwich maker will fare on the back roads of New England, but I know one thing... they'll have some great stories! I'm looking forward to hearing about all the souls they've saved, because we all know there are a lot of lost (and hungry) ones up there.

15:1 - The Mustang Element (Tom, Phil, Natalie)
(Scratching my head)... ummm... long shot?

18:1 - Regulators (Nikki, Callie, Nate, Kasey, Liz)
The word on the street is that this team is taking the Rally very seriously. I don't doubt they'll be able to get strangers to do almost anything for them, but wonder how far they'll be willing to stretch themselves? Currently they're the only team with five members, which lends itself to the "scatter" technique perfective by Big Red over the last ten years. Surprise me...