BIG BEND CHARITY RALLY
SAN ANTONIO | MARFA | BIG BEND
FEBRUARY 23RD – 25TH, 2024
A picturesque three-day West Texas charity drive to support children battling cancer.
#DRIVEFORACAUSE
#DRIVEFORACAUSE
Marfa and Big Bend. An iconic small Texas town and a legendary national park with breathtaking landscapes and amazing roads. Come join us on a three-day charity drive across Texas to support children battling cancer. Event will include driving, hiking, stargazing and other activities! Route is from San Antonio, Marfa and Big Bend. Availability will be limited to 75 exotics.
3
DAYS
75
EXOTICS
1+
MILES HIKING IN BIG BEND
300+
MILES DRIVING IN BIG BEND
PEDIATRIC CANCER
Squadra Foundation is a public non-profit charity committed to helping children fight life threatening diseases. Donations collected from the Big Bend Charity Rally will go to helping Squadra, researchers, hospitals, technology companies and/or families in the battle against pediatric cancers. Join us, make a donation and take part in helping pediatric oncology patients find solutions to their most pressing issues.
RESEARCH
Provide funding to research companies that help develop pediatric oncology solutions to help children fighting cancer.
TECHNOLOGY
Provide funding to technology companies that help develop pediatric oncology solutions to help children fighting cancer.
FAMILIES
Provide direct financial support to families whose children are fighting against cancer and are unable to support the related healthcare costs.
* Approximately 35% of the event event fees are a donation.
LET’S FIGHT TOGETHER
Join us in helping children fight against cancer.
#DRIVEFORACAUSE
MARFA | TEXAS
Marfa. A remote place that everyone wants to visit. Once you get there, you’ll get it. Marfa is an iconic and historic Texas town known for its mysterious Marfa lights, quaint restaurants, shops and exquisite art galleries. Marfa was visited by James Dean when he filmed the movie Giant in 1956 and No Country for Old Men was also filmed in Marfa. Marfa is small and space is limited.
JW MARRIOTT HILL COUNTRY | SAN ANTONIO
FEBRUARY 22ND
A Luxury Hill Country Resort in San Antonio, Texas
HOTEL SAINT GEORGE | MARFA
FEBRUARY 23RD – 25TH
A Modern Boutique Hotel in Marfa Texas
* Hotel Saint George only has 55 rooms.
HOTEL PAISANO | MARFA
FEBRUARY 23RD – 25TH
A Historical Hotel in Marfa Texas
* Hotel Paisano only has 42 rooms.
EVENT TRANSPORT | BALMORHEA
Participants may transport their exotic from Austin, Dallas, Houston or San Antonio to Balmorhea. Outbound pick-up is also in Balmorhea. Balmorhea is located just east of our beautiful drive through the Davis Mountains leading into Marfa. We are organizing exotic car transport for the event. Please let us know if you are interested in this service, which is provided by a third-party auto transport company. Members of volunteer technical and diagnostic support team will be at the delivery location to ensure your vehicle is safely unloaded.
* Please note that event transport is separate from the emergency on-demand transport that is included in the event fee. Event transport is at driver’s cost.
EVENT TRANSPORT
Transport your exotic to the event.
* Event transport is at driver’s cost.
MCDONALD’S OBSERVATORY STAR PARTY | FORT DAVIS
We will be visiting the McDonald’s Observatory in Fort Davis, TX, near Marfa. Given the low light pollution from the remoteness of the area and waxing moon conditions at the time of our visit, we should be able to have an amazing view of the milky way galaxy!
STARGAZING
View night sky constellations through a telescope!
MARFA LIGHTS VIEWING CENTER | MARFA
Since 1883, the Marfa lights have been an unexplained mystery. They have gained some fame as onlookers have attributed them to paranormal phenomena such as ghosts, UFOs and will-o-the-wisp. Scientific research suggests that most, if not all, are atmospheric reflections of automobile headlights and campfires. Campfires, maybe but cars weren’t around in 1883. Guess we will have to figure this out when we get there!
MARFA LIGHTS
What are they?
CHINATI FOUNDATION | MARFA
Chinati is an internationally known contemporary art museum founded by minimalist artist Donald Judd. It features paintings, sculptures, poems, installations, drawings and other works by renowned artists Donald Judd, John Chamberlain, Claus Oldenburg & Choose van Bruggen, Dan Flavin, Ilya Kabakov and Roni Horn.
MODERN ART
A contemporary art museum located in Marfa.
STELLINA RESTAURANT | MARFA
Intimate, sparsely-decorated eatery for home-cooked & rustic Italian plates plus wine & beer.
* Please book reservations well in advance.
COCHINEAL RESTAURANT | MARFA
Sleek, intimate spot for an ever-changing menu of New American fare, cocktail bar & outdoor seating.
* Please book reservations well in advance.
DAY ZERO
FEBRUARY 22ND
DECAL PARTY (LOCATION TO BE DETERMINED)
6:30pm Registration | Install decals
9:00pm Party ends
9:00pm Party ends
AUSTIN: Departing from location and time to SA disclosed to paid participants
DALLAS: Departing from location and time to SA disclosed to paid participants
HOUSTON: Departing from location and time to SA disclosed to paid participants
DALLAS: Departing from location and time to SA disclosed to paid participants
HOUSTON: Departing from location and time to SA disclosed to paid participants
* Times are subject to change. Participants needing a San Antonio hotel can book rooms at JW Mariott Hill Country. All participants must have their vehicle decals installed prior to the day one of the event. We will have professional installers available to install your decals at the party.
DAY ONE
FEBRUARY 23RD
HIGHWAY ROUTE FROM SAN ANTONIO TO MARFA
8:00am Registration/Driver’s meeting (Location disclosed to paid participants)
9:00am Drive starts
3:00pm Check-in to hotel
3:30pm OPTIONAL: Visit Prada art installation *
6:30pm Depart for McDonald’s Observatory Star Party
9:00am Drive starts
3:00pm Check-in to hotel
3:30pm OPTIONAL: Visit Prada art installation *
6:30pm Depart for McDonald’s Observatory Star Party
* Times and routes are subject to change. The Prada store/art installation near Marfa is a highly sought after photographic backdrop. Please be cognizant of others waiting in line to take their photos. Everyone needs to plan on eating dinner prior to departing for the McDonald’s Observatory.
DAY TWO
FEBRUARY 24TH
BACK-ROADS ROUTE & HIKING* THROUGH BIG BEND
7:45am Driver’s briefing
8:00am Drive begins
10:30am Hiking to “The Window” & Lunch
12:30pm Drive continues
1:30pm Hiking to “Santa Elena Canyon”
2:15pm Drive continues
5:00pm Arrive back at hotel
7:30pm OPTIONAL: Visit Marfa Lights Viewing Center
8:30PM Cocktail party
8:00am Drive begins
10:30am Hiking to “The Window” & Lunch
12:30pm Drive continues
1:30pm Hiking to “Santa Elena Canyon”
2:15pm Drive continues
5:00pm Arrive back at hotel
7:30pm OPTIONAL: Visit Marfa Lights Viewing Center
8:30PM Cocktail party
* Times and routes are subject to change. Hiking is optional.
DAY THREE
FEBRUARY 25TH
HIGHWAY ROUTE FROM MARFA TO SAN ANTONIO/AUSTIN
9:00am OPTIONAL: Visit Prada art installation
10:00am OPTIONAL: Visit Chinati Foundation/Marfa art galleries
11:30am Drive starts
4:30pm Arrive back in San Antonio
5:30pm Arrive back in Austin
10:00am OPTIONAL: Visit Chinati Foundation/Marfa art galleries
11:30am Drive starts
4:30pm Arrive back in San Antonio
5:30pm Arrive back in Austin
* Times and routes are subject to change.
EVENT FEE
TBD
COVERS ONE CAR & TWO PARTICIPANTS
Approximately 35% of the event fees will be a donation. We encourage additional donations so that we can further support our cause. Event fee includes the following:
Access to Event | Federal Park Special Use Permit Fees | Federal Park Entrance Fee for Each Vehicle | Packed Lunch for Two (Hiking Day) | LeadNav File for Navigation* | McDonald Observatory Star Party Tickets For Two | Luggage Concierge | Technical & Diagnostic Support During Drive | Emergency On-Demand Enclosed Auto Transport* | Law Enforcement Security (3-Days)* | Access to On-Site Auto Detailing | VIP Treatment | Welcome Kit | Wristbands For Two | Car Decals | T-Shirts For Two | Hotel & Vendor Discounts | Event Sales Taxes
* All donations are appreciated. Donations are tax deductible pursuant to Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code upon approval by the IRS. The non-donation portion of the event fees are not tax-deductible. LeadNav file will be provided that gives audible turn-by-turn and caution points. LeadNav must be purchased separately on iTunes ($19.99). Luggage concierge will transport your luggage to hotel. Enclosed transport will be available on-demand for entire event with any transport at driver’s expense. Local law enforcement will provide route escort, overnight security and security of vehicles during hikes.
EVENT CHECKLIST
PRE-EVENT INSPECTION
To promote safety amongst our event participants, we recommend that all participants to perform a pre-event inspection of their exotic vehicle if theIr vehicle has not be inspected for some time or after track use. If so, please contact your local exotic car dealers to schedule a pre-event inspection.
WALKIE TALKIE
We will be driving in some very scenic yet remote routes will little to no cellular service. To ensure communication is available in these remote areas, we recommend you bring a walkie talkie so that you can communicate with other participants.
PAINT PROTECTION FILM
We have carefully selected our driving routes to ensure the best experience on the back-roads. To better protect your vehicle on rural country roads, please ensure that your vehicle has paint protection film. If you do not have paint protection film, please contact your local installers.
COMFORTABLE SHOES
We plan on optional hikes that total 0.25 to 5 miles in several areas. We recommend that you bring tennis or hiking shoes so you are able to traverse the terrain safely.
BACKPACK
We recommend that you bring a backpack to carry some essentials. Snacks, water, pocket knife, jacket, first aid kit and any other items you would like to bring.
SNACKS & WATER
We are doing some relatively short hikes in Big Bend National Park. These are very remote areas. Please be sure to bring some water and snacks.
ROUTE PLANNING
Discover new places and explore open back roads with utmost safety — all to support a cause with those that share a common vision. Accomplishing this involves an extremely time intensive route reconnaissance process. On average, over 150 hours are donated to route planning for each event. We run the route, search for the best roads and identify caution areas using military-grade software with satellite-based functionality. With Squadra Foundation, you can experience the open back roads in a safer and more enjoyable manner.
CAUTIONARY MARKERS
To promote event safety, you will receive audible 15-seconds and 5-seconds out satellite-based caution markers, at any speed. Alerts may include uneven roads, dips, bumps, potholes, hairpin turns and blind areas. No cellular or internet service needed. Cautionary markers use your cell phone’s built-in GPS.
AUDIBLE GUIDANCE
To ensure that you do not lose your way on the open back roads, you will receive audible 15-seconds and 5-seconds out turn-by-turn navigation guidance, at any speed, to each waypoint. No cellular or internet service needed. Route guidance uses your cell phone’s built-in GPS.
OFF-GRID MAPS
Most of our routes are designed for adventure, allowing you to view maps and explore open back-roads were internet and cellular service often do not work. In order to view maps in areas of no cellular or internet service, you must download off-line maps prior to loss of such service.
GROUP TRACKING
Many participants drive at different paces, sometimes breaking up the group. Group tracking allows you to geolocate other participants so that you can reconnect with them. Tracking only works when cellular or internet service is available unless you have an Iridium Go! satellite service.
DISCLAIMER: All routes are driven at your own risk as all possible caution points cannot be and have not been identified. Routes and caution points are subject to change and are for informational purposes only. In order to access the above features, third-party navigation software must be purchased ($19.99) separately from event tickets. Routes, navigation files and software installation instructions are provided to fully registered and paid participants via a secure online portal.
#DRIVEFORACAUSE
COVID-19 PREPAREDNESS
While COVID-19 is an inherent risk in any public location where people are or have been present, Squadra aims to implement the following protective measures during the event. Regardless of any protective measures implemented, Squadra cannot guarantee that you will not be exposed to COVID-19 as a result of your participation in the event, including in any event activities.
FACE MASKS
As required by city, county or state ordinances and CDC guidance, all participants will be required to wear face masks during the event except when drinking, eating, driving or in their hotel room.
SOCIAL DISTANCING
Whenever possible, all participants will be required to practice safe social distancing measures by maintaining at least 6 feet distance between other persons not your passenger or driver.
TEMPERATURE SCREENING
Event organizers may conduct temperature screenings at irregular intervals during the event, including at any large meetings or gatherings. Any participants with a fever may be asked to leave event.
PRE-REGISTRATION FORM
DONATION FORM
SPONSOR FORM
VOLUNTEER FORM
