We’ve been a part of and associated with the New England Motor Press Association for around two decades. NEMPA, as we like to call it, is a group of about 50 regional automotive journalists located in the New England Area. One of our yearly traditions is a group road trip from Boston to Kennebunkport, Maine each summer. During the road trip we change cars, chat with media representatives from major automakers, and eventually eat tons of lobster while overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. It’s a tough day at work that we call The Ragtop Ramble and Crustiesean Crawl.
But with the pandemic preventing group gatherings and interstate travel this year, the Ramble was just not in the cards to hold in person. So NEMPA moved it virtually, made up points and a hashtag and turned it into a contest. Four groups of “challenges” that have points values ranging from 10 to 40 points were drawn up. You can see what the challenges are and our response for each below. Our vehicle of choice for this year’s ramble? A sweet 2020 Cadillac XT6.
For points to count, Ramblers must point their response to each challenge on social media with the hashtag #NEMPARagtop. Search your favorite social media source to see other NEMPA members submissions!
So what do we win if we have the most points? Delicious Blueberry Pies from the Colony Hotel in Kennebunkport, Maine. Which, trust us, is worth all this effort.
So without further delay, this post is our entry into the 2020 NEMPA Ragtop Ramble Points Contest!
2020 NEMPA Ragtop Ramble 10 Point Challenges
Travel 144 miles – which is the normal Ragtop Ramble distance.
Introduce your vehicle and talk about some of its features
For this year’s #NEMPARagtop Ramble we are driving a 2020 @Cadillac #XT6! This crossover has an MSRP of just under $70k and is packed with technology. pic.twitter.com/xVZlZBeOuw
— GM-Trucks.com (@gmtruckforum) August 11, 2020
Wear a NEMPA Ragtop Ramble t-shirt from any past year
View this post on Instagram
Zane is sporting a 2016 vintage NEMPA Ragtop Ramble tee. #NEMPARagtop #Cadillac
Take a picture of yourself having a snack at a rest area.
We drove a @Cadillac #XT6 to a #RestStop in Maine for the #NEMPARagtop pic.twitter.com/kVp8SO2FL9
— GM-Trucks.com (@gmtruckforum) August 11, 2020
Share your favorite Ragtop Ramble story
2020 NEMPA Ragtop Ramble 20 Point Challenges
Fuel Economy: Hypermiling for 30 miles and presenting the results
Technology: Discuss one of the technology features of the vehicle
Safety: Talk about some of the safety features of the vehicle.
Share your favorite thing about the vehicle you are driving
2020 NEMPA Ragtop Ramble 30 Point Challenges
Share your visit to an auto museum.
Didn’t know this.. but the #WellsAutoMuseum closed…. at least the sign was still there! #NEMPARagtop pic.twitter.com/8gimHdNQoC
— GM-Trucks.com (@gmtruckforum) August 11, 2020
Share your visit to a dealership of the brand of vehicle you are driving.
Share a billboard with the brand of vehicle you are driving.
This was the only challenge we could not complete. Cadillac does not have any billboards in New Hampshire or Maine.
Share your visit to a food truck of any kind.
What happens when you take an XT6 to a food truck for the #NEMPARagtop? You have a great lunch! #MamasOnTheRun pic.twitter.com/V4P3wV3FYO
— GM-Trucks.com (@gmtruckforum) August 11, 2020
2020 NEMPA Ragtop Ramble 40 Point Challenges
Share a picture of a large body of water with your vehicle in front of it.
Two beautiful things. The #AtlanticOcean and the @Cadillac #XT6 #NEMPARagtop pic.twitter.com/SG8Kr7vvCW
— GM-Trucks.com (@gmtruckforum) August 11, 2020
Share a picture of yourself with a lobster of any kind
The GM-Trucks.com Points Total
Out of a total 330 total points possible, GM-Trucks.com was able to secure 300 points!! We were able to crush out every single points challenge but one. We just could not find a billboard with a Cadillac on it.
Thanks to the New England Motor Press Association for coming up with and hosting this year’s virtual event.
We also want to thanks Cadillac for providing us with a brand new XT6 to use for the challenge.
Hopefully next year things will be back to normal and we can ramble in person once again.
After Ramble Update
So, after the lobster butter settled, Josh and I came out in the top 3! We got that pie after all. Our effort and time enjoying the XT6 was 100% worth it.
For those who want a the best Wild Maine Blueberry Pie you could ever imagine, head on over to the Colony Hotel in Kennebunkport, Maine.
