Breaking 2010 Bandit Run News

5.25.10

Bill Kotsatos (AP Photographer) has set up a web site to view all the pro shots he took on the run. Have a look there are some great pictures !
Password for the site is "bandit"

Bill AP Photo Web Site

5.23.10

Here's the picture Burt took by his Trans AM for the Bandit Bash.

Bandit Run 2010News Video Links

Click on the logo links

Bandit Bash 2010

5.23.10

Here's group photo's from Disney Speedway & the Bandit Bash.
Just click on the picture and a high res version will open.
Download (right click and save) to your computer or thumb drive.
You can take that to any office, walgreens or kinkos store to
print a large high quality print.

5.21.10

Here are a few links to media stories about the bandit run....

Palm Beach Pulse

tcPalm

Daytona Beach News

5.13.10

Tyler has Snowman's Rig Ready to go for the 2010 Bandit Run.
Right down to every last detail !

5.11.10

Check out a few media articles about the Bandit Run 2010

www.associatedcontent.com

Tifton Gazette

Ocala.com

Open.Salon.com

4.27.10

Bandit Run making the evening news

4.27.10

Bandit Run Bash-Burt Reynolds Museum - Jupiter, FL

This event will run from 5-10pm on Wednesday, May 19th. There will be a Bandit Run car show and the Smokey and the Bandit replica truck will be on display - Also, memorabilia auction- Burt look-a-like contest - live bands - food vendors and admission to the Burt Reynolds Museum.

Everyone is invited to attend the celebration! The admission charge for this event is $5 for Bandit Runners (Bandit Runners will need to wear their official lanyards for discount and possible group picture) and $15 for the general public. Only registered Bandit Runners will be allowed to park in the car show parking area. (Security will be checking for the official Bandit Run window decals.) The Bandit Run is open to all makes of cars. You do not have to drive a Trans Am to register for the Bandit Run. If you want to register
REGISTER NOW

4.25.10

New Testimonial from HAL NEEDHAM (Director)

Hal Needham - "Just think, it all started with a truck load of Coors and a black Trans Am. Burt, Sally, Jackie, Jerry & Fred – who would have thunk it would amount to this? Have a blast on Bandit Run 2010!”

4.20.10
Watch This New BURT REYNOLDS interview !!

Click Here To Watch !!

4.1.10
Bandit Run 2010 Promo Video 2

Bandit Run Testimonials...
and yes the 1st one is from Burt Reynolds.......

BANDIT RUN TESTIMONIALS
Mar 25, 2010
Burt Reynolds of Jupiter, Fla. - "I am flattered and honored that so many Bandits are still around. I wish Jackie and Jerry were here to see the Bandit Run and I sure hope you all have as much fun as we did making the films!" 

Hal Needham - "Just think, it all started with a truck load of Coors and a black Trans Am. Burt, Sally, Jackie, Jerry & Fred – who would have thunk it would amount to this? Have a blast on Bandit Run 2010!" 

The Jerry Reed family of Nashville, Tenn. – "When our family heard what Tyler, Greg, and Kevin [the owners/restorers of Snowman’s trailer] were doing to honor dad on the 2009 Bandit Run, we were completely blown away. The Bandit Run is such an amazing group filled with some of the most caring and friendly people we have ever met! Fun? That doesn't even touch it! We had a ball! The Bandit Run created some amazing memories that our family will never forget. 2009 may have been our first Bandit Run, but it certainly won't be our last! 

Dave and Nancy Betz of St. Joseph, Mo. - "We did the Bandit Run last year and met so many wonderful people that became friends. We celebrated our 32nd wedding anniversary last year on the run and this will be our 33rd and a chance to be with everyone again. It is one of the best times we have ever had." 

James and Debra Buie of Diana, Texas - "The Bandit Run carries us back to a better time and allows us to celebrate it with a great bunch of people."

Mark Ciepiela of Rock Hill, S.C. - "I was 19 when I ordered my 1976 Trans Am from the dealer, and the Bandit Run is the most fun I’ve ever had in my car."

Clint Clausing of Milwaukee, Wis. - "This will be my second Bandit Run, and the people you meet along the way are second to none."

Stan and Pam Farlow of Columbus, Ohio - "It’s great to know a group of folks that get together every year just to celebrate a passion for Trans Ams, a belief that ‘Smokey and the Bandit’ is a documentary and the need to answer the question ‘Does this thing move?’" 

Ron Franks of Cumming, Ga. - "The Bandit Run is like the Super Bowl of polish and cruise! It is indescribable. You have to do the run to experience it."

Brian G. of La Salle, Ill. - "There is no other feeling that compares to the high I get from driving with such a big group of Firebirds! It’s all about the birds and the passion I have for them and the people I meet on the way – such a cool group of guys and gals!"

Brenda and Gary Gregory of West Palm Beach, Fla. - "The Bandit Run is a vacation that everyone enjoys. You travel through parts of the country you may have never seen before and you meet great people that remain your friends forever."

Tyler Hambrick of Newnan, Ga. - "The Bandit Run is about celebration, family, adventure and fun. It’s not about the destination but the journey, and rolling down the highways leaving only the breeze and smiles behind us."

Mike Hudgins of Madison, Miss. - "The Bandit Run is the ultimate fountain of youth! I bought my first Trans Am in 2008, 24 years after driving a friend’s. I found the Bandit Run info online while searching anything Trans Am related … The Bandit Run is a must for every Trans Am enthusiast’s bucket list." 

Robert Kern of Plano, Texas - "There’s an old saying that true wealth is not measured in the accumulation of money but rather in the friendships built during one’s life. If that’s the case, then Bandit Runners are rich indeed."

Sam Lewis of Russiaville, Ind. - "The Bandit Run starts out with the cars and our love for them, but that quickly changes to the people you meet along the way. The cars are the glue that puts us together, but I cherish the friendships I have made most of all."

Heidi, Frank and Tony Martin of Gastonia, N.C. - "There have been movies in the past that featured cars and trucks, but none have ever left as indelible a mark on Americana as ‘Smokey and The Bandit.’" Doing this Bandit Run symbolizes how the simple things in life can be kept alive!"

Mark Miller of Kennesaw, Ga. - "The most important thing to me about doing this trip with all of you is the friendship and respect that we have toward each other. No one is out to outdo the other; we are all a family of strangers brought together by a single name: ‘Trans-Am.’"

Ric Rodriguez of Sarasota, Fla. – "All you have to do is look at the pictures from previous Bandit Runs to know why people love the event. You won’t find a picture of a face without a smile on it. Bandit Run fever is infectious!"

David Thomas of Greer, S.C. - "Rarely will you find such a diverse group that encompasses so many differences into ONE. We come from different places, economic backgrounds, races, creeds, professions, ages and cultures. Our camaraderie is akin to that of those who have served in battle with one another and made bonds that last a lifetime."

Dennis Wilson of Marietta, Ga. - "The Bandit Run has become one of those events where you begin a yearlong anticipation hours after completing that year’s run. I honestly go through Bandit Run withdrawals when it is over. The Bandit Run is just plain addicting!"

3.15.10

Order your
2010 Bandit Run Tee Shirt today.

3.15.10

Wayne will be driving the Smokey and the Bandit semi this year !

3.6.2010

BIG Announcement / Read Below

The Smokey and the Bandit - MOVIE TOUR '2010 by Tyler H.
Watch the video.

Together again, like Fred and Ginger and Lester and Earl

Many have asked. . . "Ok, I know you got something up your sleeve for this year, What is it??" so here goes . . . 

We are pleased to announce that the replica of the Kenworth driven by Jerry Reed in Smokey and the Bandit and originally owned by Shannon Crenshaw which hauled the matching replica trailer on the 2009 Bandit Run has been purchased through the generous donations of an anonymous Bandit Runner and is currently scheduled to be part of the 2010 Bandit Run.

The intention is to use the Kenworth to carry forward the charitable work for the Wounded Warrior Project which was Jerry Reed’s passion in the last few years of his life. Although this purchase is a separate effort and not tied to the original trailer team, there is a commonality of purpose among all parties concerned to work together for this noble cause.

As was done last year, t-shirts will be sold to help offset the operational costs associated with the SATB trailer. A portion of those proceeds will be given to the Wounded Warrior Project. Direct donations will also be accepted for the Wounded Warrior Project and all collected funds will be sent in full to the WWP. 

The Kenworth will be located with the SATB trailer in Newnan, Georgia. I have found a suitable location for storage which meets the insurance requirements. Insurance with adequate liability and maintaining the truck and trailer is under my management. I have several, local drivers who have volunteered to help. Any Bandit Runner with a clean CDL who is interested, please contact me privately.

Most of you remember from last year, Shannon paid all of his expenses: diesel fuel, hotels and meals. I do have several drivers who are interested in driving for us on the Bandit Run 2010. They understand hotels and meals are their responsibility. 

Diesel fuel, is another matter. I know we are all struggling with the economy, and feeding a thirsty Trans Am, hotel and meals are hard enough. Donations are not only appreciated, but needed. Small donations add up. . . that’s how the SATB trailer was built. . . . The link below will direct you to my website where you can Donate (write a note that you’re a bandit runner) or Buy a $20 T-shirt (please give me your size on the drop down). 

http://www.sm...n_s_Truck.php <http://www.smokeyandthebanditmodels.com/Snowman_s_Truck.php>

There are several Bandit Runners who have worked hard behind the scenes, helping with this project and keeping it secret. Thank you for your hard work and your silence. I have been about to bust for months and now we can all hoop and holler. Snowman’s rig is for all to enjoy. The legend continues. . . .it’s not the destination. . . it’s the journey. 
Please contact me for any questions or concerns. 
Here is link to pictures:

http://www.mo...42/i/kenworth <http://www.motortopia.com/album/view/p/cars/t/garage/a/23642/i/kenworth>

2.1.2010

ALL Bandit Run 2010 info you need.
Hotels, Events, Maps, Registration and more!

Click Here

1.1.2010

New for 2010! Click the twitter links below and follow The Bandit Run. This year we are going to use twitter to update all Bandit Runners on the run. As all of the previous runners know things can change fast, from the route to other special updates. We will contine to always use the CB's but this is another to reach everyone instantaneously..

Recap 2009 Video

Click here for previous years news.