Eastbound and down
Be on the lookout for muscle cars when Bandit Run returns to Texarkana
“This coincides with the actual 40th anniversary of the movie.” —Ric Rodriguez
Put the Coors on ice and get ready to ride: the Bandit Run returns to Texarkana soon to kick off a special trip to Georgia.
Presented by Nebraska-based business and muscle car enthusiasts Restore a Muscle Car, the Bandit Run comes to town for a third visit to Texarkana. Expect to see hundreds of iconic Trans Ams, many of them painted black just as they were in “Smokey and the Bandit,” descend upon Texarkana the weekend of June 17 and 18.
Bandit Run 2017 includes a 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. welcome party that Saturday at the Four States Auto Museum with Trans Ams, a couple of semis, live music, barbecue and more. The Pines Country Club Reunion Band will perform. The museum encourages people to bring lawn chairs.
Then on Sunday morning, witness an escorted departure starting on State Line Avenue near Interstate 30. The “bandits” will drive south along State Line, run past the museum and head out for an “eastbound and down” trip to the next destination, Greenville, Miss. The Bandit Run ends June 24 in Jonesboro, Ga.
The Bandit Run came to town in 2007 for its initial run and again in 2012, but this year the annual traveling car show arrives at a special time.
“This coincides with the actual 40th anniversary of the movie,” said Ric Rodriguez, event coordinator, who noted the popularity of the event and those black Trans Ams steered by Burt Reynolds in the movie have both grown. Upwards of 300 cars have registered this year.
Combine the 40th anniversary with the legendary Texarkana-to-Atlanta drive from the film and you have an even bigger party this year. “We’re doing the iconic route that’s true to the movie, and that also draws a lot more people,” Rodriguez said.
Rodriguez says the popularity has exploded since they started the Bandit Run, which really isn’t a road race or a treasure hunt. “It’s kind of a traveling car show,” he said. The Bandit Run is open to all cars but the majority are Trans Ams of all types and colors. Many folks dress up as characters from the movie.
They aim to drive a couple hundred miles per day and hold an event at each city they visit. This year’s destinations include Tupelo, Miss., Birmingham, Ala., and Atlanta, Ga., before putting on the brakes for Bandit Run 2017. Bandits will even take laps on the Atlanta Motor Speedway and recreate a movie scene along the way.
Here in Texarkana, that Saturday car show and welcome event will be “kind of a big street party,” Rodriguez said. Once that winds down, a local Corvette club will take the Bandits out for a scenic tour around town. Then the Bandits will head over to Scottie’s Grill for dinner, live music and more fun that night.
“Most runners will be there Friday and Saturday,” Rodriguez said. They’ll be in town for a couple days, mostly, so locals will see Trans Ams all over
town. Then on Sunday morning, law enforcement will escort the line of Trans Ams out of town, parade style.
“That will be our departure,” Rodriguez said, noting their suggested eastbound route to Greenville includes going via back roads.
What’s made “Smokey and the Bandit” so popular during the years? The Universal Pictures hit was actually the second highest grossing film of 1977 after “Star Wars” and one slot higher than “Close Encounters of the Third Kind.”
“The movie was a sleeper hit, so it just connected with audiences back then,” Rodriguez said. The simplicity of the story made added to its grassroots appeal, while the film also contributed to the popularity of the black Trans Am, a Pontiac Firebird.
“Fast forward to now and these cars are bringing $100,000 at auction,” said Rodriguez. After all, people are passionate about their classic cars, another appealing aspect to the event and the movie.
This will be the Bandit Run’s third time in town, and the event coordinator says Texarkana has been a great host to their visits.
“We are always excited to go back,” Rodriguez said.
(The Bandit Run Saturday celebration will be located at 3rd and Hazel streets behind the Four States Auto Museum. More info: TheBanditRun.com.)