The Torque Tube: Peter Ladas and Yuppie Racing

Peter Ladas from Yuppie Racing is a self-proclaimed gearhead of the highest order—a diehard fan of the mad vehicles created by  Mercedes-Benz’s AMG tuning division and owner of brilliant cars like the BMW E46 M3 and Toyota Supra. Ladas’ mission with Yuppie Racing was to create a close knit automotive community and re-create the public’s  perception of car enthusiasts in a positive way by raising money for different charities. Ladas spent some time talking to TDC about Yuppie Racing and the upcoming Yuppie Rally.

What is Yuppie Racing?

“Yuppie Racing was founded about 10 years ago by two guys who weren’t able to find a car community in New England to fit their lifestyles… it evolved into an online car enthusiast community of similar minded individuals but from very different backgrounds.”

Yuppie’s website is dominated by forums with thousands of threads on everything from drag strip events to fine cigars to detailing and car care.

“We have members who are just getting their licenses and other members who have been national champion club racers, we have Ferrari owners, and we have Prius owners. We are a very diverse group… it’s not uncommon to see members grabbing a bite to eat, hitting up a car show, going for a drive near the coast or buzzing around a track. In 2009 when I took over, I wanted to make it a point to change public opinion of car enthusiasts.  In 2011, we made just over $10k in donations to various charities through our events as a way to give back. It’s amazing to see how the car community rallies when it comes time to help a worthy cause.”

Last year marked the first year of the Yuppie Rally, an epic road trip involving over a dozen high performance cars and some sensational driving. This year’s Rally promises to be even bigger and better, and all for a good cause—part of the money raised will benefit Bruce and Linda Ledoux over at Guardian Angel Motorsports.

What is the Yuppie Rally? How did it start and what was the inspiration behind it?

“Yuppie Rally was the next logical step for Yuppie Racing… I presented the idea of a multi-day rally to a small group of folks back in 2009, but never really had time to put it together. Finally in October of 2010, [we] looked at the route I had and we started retooling it. I think the only things that were left from the original route were the destination and the starting point.”

How many cars took part in last year’s Rally? What cars where there?

“Last year we had just under 20 cars… It’s tough to not mention every car on the rally, because they were all cool cars. We had some Porsche Turbos, a supercharged Audi R8, Shelby Mustang, several M3s, an M6, Lotus Exige S, a Noble, an RS4, a Maserati Coupe… I am forgetting a whole bunch, but none I would kick out of my garage.”

The guest list of vehicles registered this year reads like an A-list Hollywood event: GT500, supercharged R8, E55 AMG, turbocharged 350Z, and a pair of 911 Turbos to name a few.

Most epic moment from the 2011 Yuppie Rally?

“Pulling in to the first hotel (which was a castle) and getting directed in to a private gated underground parking garage for rally cars only… The last night in Quebec City, being noticed by a club owner… and [having him set] up a table for Rally participants like a scene out of a mob movie… Another that I think everyone loved – after disembarking from Nova Scotia and being back on the main land, there was a very open road with no traffic where everyone got to hit some Autobahn like speeds for over an hour straight. There was also the night Chris got engaged… but the response on that was a mixed bag.”

The 2012 Rally heads for the infamous southern road nicknamed the Tail of the Dragon in Tennessee, then up to Atlantic City for a special celebratory bash, then back to Aston Martin of New England in Massachusetts. Interested in driving this year? Visit the registration website HERE for all the details.

How does the Rally compare to something like the Gumball 3000? Did that play a part in inspiring the Yuppie Rally?

For the uninitiated, the Gumball 3000 is basically the daddy of all rallys. Several have featured cross country blasts, some have run the roads of Europe, and all feature some of the most exotic machinery on earth. And some of the most ridiculous parties. And speeding tickets.

“I think everyone that puts together a rally like this would be lying if they didn’t say the Gumball gave them inspiration. It’s stuff like the Gumball and Alex Roy’s Team Polizei 144 that has spawned those ideas for us. While it would be cool to take part in an event like that, the police attention and astronomical entry fees make it only a dream for many. We take the Gumball 3000 spirit and make it an affordable trip for most while still doing our part to help the community.”

What is something you learned from last year that you’ve applied to making the 2012 Rally even better?  

“Last year we put the event together quickly and didn’t think about all the small details. We found ourselves getting hammered with… a lot of unaccounted for costs and some sponsors that promised and didn’t deliver. It didn’t change anyone’s experience, but it also made it hard for us to do that little bit extra that folks have come to expect from [Yuppie Racing] events. For 2012 we have certainly pulled out all the stops partnering up with a ton of quality companies and organizations. I know what’s packed in to the 2,200 mile journey and still have a hard time believing it.”

What does the future of the Yuppie Rally look like?

“It’s tough to say what the future has in store for Yuppie Rally but… we are hoping to become one of those events that people look forward to every year. We would certainly love to branch out to include more folks from New York and New Jersey as the culture and cars of that area are so different than what we have in New England. We have spent a lot of time and energy this year building a secure foundation for the event for years to come. Maybe we’ll be taking a page out of Gumball’s book and start flying cars around? Only time will tell.”

– Many thanks and much respect to Peter Ladas for his time and energy on this interview. Be sure to check out Yuppie Racing’s Facebook page HERE, as well as their website HERE.