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Bandit Run To Tour America's Heartland With Stop In Brown County

Last updated on Thursday, May 19, 2016

(UNDATED) - Memorial Day Weekend will see more than 100 classic Pontiac Trans Am cars hit the open road for the 2016 Bandit Run presented by Restore a Muscle Car (RAMC).

The 10th annual Run will go through four states in America's Heartland, beginning in Sandusky, Ohio and ending in Le Claire, Iowa.

The Bandit Run originated in 2007 when RAMC owner, Dave Hall, and Trans Am enthusiast David Hershey decided to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the film "Smokey and the Bandit," by reenacting the quest to drive Coors beer from Texarkana, Texas, to Atlanta, GA. Subsequent Bandit Runs have traversed different parts of the country in the South, Midwest and East Coast. The Run features a large number of black and gold Trans Ams like the one featured in the movie, but also Trans Ams from almost every year from 1969 - 2002. In addition to the cars, the "Snowman's Dream" truck, a replica of the rig driven in the movie by Jerry Reed, and a replica of the Buford T. Justice police car are also along for the fun.

This year's event will begin its week-long journey Monday May 30th from beautiful Sandusky, Ohio. Bandit Run participants will enjoy the parks and museums in the area for the weekend before heading down to Dayton Monday for a tour of the National Museum of the United States Air Force. The group will continue on to West Chester, OH (just outside of Cincinnati) to stop for the night.

Tuesday morning May 31st, the Bandit Run will wind through the small towns and backroads of Ohio and Indiana heading for an overnight stay in the iconic Nashville, Indiana.

On June 1st (Wednesday) the stream of Pontiac Trans Ams will roll into Pontiac, Illinois where the Runners will participate in a parade through town ending at the Town Square for a barbeque.

And on Thursday June 2nd, the Bandit Runners - with likely more than 100 Trans Ams and other vehicles in the group by this time-- will roll into their final stop of Le Claire, IA and parade through the town. The Quad-Cities area will also be the setting for the Bandit Run's annual Awards Ceremony and Wrap Party.

The Bandit Run is open to everyone, including those who do not drive a Pontiac Trans Am. This annual traveling car show offers an opportunity for gear heads, Trans Am enthusiasts, fans of "Smokey and the Bandit" and others to embrace an American-flavored, unique travel event. This year's Run will also be raising money for Camp Quality USA. Camp Quality serves children with cancer and their families by providing year-round programs, experiences, and companionship at no cost. Camp Quality promotes hope and inspiration while helping children foster life skills and develop their full potential.

If you'd like to join us, registration is now OPEN!

For more information on our event, to become a sponsor, or to register for the event, please visit http://www.thebanditrun.com/.

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