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 is still a year away. 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:

• Oct. 3rd – Race begins at ALL Power Labs in Berkeley, CA. End and overnight in Parkfield, California, the Earthquake capital of the world.
• Oct. 4th – 2nd leg start at Parkfield. End and overnight at El Mirage dry lake.
• Oct. 5th – 3rd leg start at El Mirage. End at Salton Sea, California State Recreation Area.
• Oct. 6th – 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