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A biodiesel run
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Atlantan Nik Bristol is a man who comes up with harebrained ideas. His friend Brian Pierce usually knocks him down.
But when Bristol suggested a nonstop “Cannonball Run”-type drive from New York to Los Angeles using biodiesel, Pierce didn’t flinch.
They hooked up with Willie Nelson’s BioWillie biodiesel company, and will start the tour in Manhattan on Sept. 22 in a Volks-wagen Jetta diesel. The pair plans to drive to Los Angeles in under 40 hours with zero fuel stops.
“With the current fuel crisis, we want to highlight the fact diesel is more fuel efficient than regular gasoline,” Bristol said, noting the Jetta can get 45 mpg.
They will carry 75 gallons of fuel, with the ability to refill from inside the vehicle while driving. The duo will stop only to switch drivers, eschewing bathroom breaks.
And no, they won’t be wearing diapers. Instead, they plan to go on a liquid diet featuring Ensure, chicken broth and juice five days before the trip. During the drive, they’ll use catheters feeding urine into a repository that solidifies the liquid into gelatinous bricks.
Neither man has talked to Nelson directly, though they’ve exchanged e-mails. They hope the singer can show up when they start their run, since he’ll be in the vicinity doing a concert.
For more info: www.willierun.com.
CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS
Radio personality Paul Harvey is 90. Singer Merald “Bubba” Knight of Gladys Knight and the Pips is 66. Drummer Martin Chambers of The Pretenders is 57. Actor-comedian Damon Wayans is 48. Actress Ione Skye is 37. Actor Wes Bentley (“American Beauty”) is 30. Singer Beyoncé Knowles is 27. Actor Trevor Gagnon (“The New Adventures of Old Christine”) is 13.
OVERSCENE
Actor Wesley Snipes (right) sitting on the patio at W Atlanta Midtown. Members of the R&B group Danity Kane were also spotted in the hotel lobby.
ATLANTA’S OWN
With the Braves 19 games out of first place, Jeff Francoeur batting .232 and their playoff hopes scotched, here’s an incentive to take in a remaining game or two at Turner Field in the next two weeks: $1 hot dogs! Yes, Braves reps announced Wednesday that beginning tonight and for all remaining Thursday night games, hot dogs will be a buck at several concession stands in the park. At deadline Wednesday, Buzz could not confirm a report that the park would begin offering an open bar if Chipper Jones (above) injures one more body part this season.
Contributing: Rodney Ho and news services
If you have a tip, call 404-526-2749. Or fax 404-526-5509. Or e-mail: buzz@ajc.com.
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