From 1933 to current day: The entire historical past of the unofficial — and official — transcontinental race throughout the U.S., together with all of the media and group round it.
The Cannonball Run is an unparalleled road race with one purpose: drive from New York to California within the least period of time. Let’s dive into all issues Cannonball and look into the Cannonball Run document books.
- Present Cannonball Run Document: 25 hours and 39 minutes by Arne Toman and Doug Tabutt in a 2016 Audi S6 in Could 2020
- Present Double Cannonball Run Document: 74 hours and 5 minutes by Chris Clemens and Mark Spence in a 1999 Mercedes SL500 in Could 2020
- Present Solo Cannonball Run Document: 25 hours and 55 minutes* by Fred Ashmore in a (rented) 2020 Ford Mustang GT in June of 2020 (*proof supplied for this run is contentious)
- Present Electrical Automobile Cannonball Run Document: 42 hours and 17 minutes by Ryan Levenson and Josh Allan in a rented Tesla Mannequin S Lengthy Vary in October 2021
Once you first hear of an unlawful and unsanctioned race throughout your entire United States, maybe chaos and carelessness come to thoughts. Possibly you’ve even seen the 1981 movie, “The Cannonball Run” which fictionally showcases the drive with the “All-American” glitz and recklessness of road racing. Though the race is against the law, it’s something however chaotic or careless.
The truth is that the racers of the Cannonball Run are methodical, attentive, and diligent, which is maybe much more baffling. Brock Yates, who created the race within the Nineteen Seventies, wished to show that you could possibly “drive shortly throughout the nation in regular site visitors with out disrupting anybody or being unsafe.”
The run historically begins on the Crimson Ball Storage in Manhattan and ends on the Portofino Resort & Marina in Redondo Seaside, Calif. To at the present time, there are only some individuals each loopy and decided sufficient to aim the coast-to-coast run, particularly with the purpose of a brand new Cannonball document.
Originally of the 2019 documentary, “APEX: The Secret Race Throughout America” which covers the true story of how the Cannonball Run document was damaged in 2006, the viewers is posed with three questions: “What could possibly be extra pointless? What could possibly be extra harmful? What have been these individuals considering?”
The tip of “APEX” doesn’t present any solutions, however, as a substitute, leaves the viewers with much more questions: “Why did Cannonball Baker do it? Why did Alex [Roy] and David [Maher] do it? Had been they chasing one thing?”
Ultimately, the documentary doesn’t try to untangle the complexities of the 89 years of the Cannonball Run, merely stating, “These questions can’t be answered.”
Coast-to-Coast Racing
On this Cannonball Run article, you will see an entire historical past, rundown of all of the data, and an inventory of films and books in regards to the run.
Historical past of the Cannonball Run
Let’s discuss in regards to the historical past of this race that spans from 1933 to now — how this race got here to be and the way it withstood the take a look at of time, scrutiny, and nicely, the legislation. In an fascinating twist, with the intention to keep away from authorized ramifications, all data of the people who set the brand new data are sometimes not launched till no less than a yr after the actual fact, as soon as the statute of limitations has expired.
Paving the Street for the Cannonball Run
All of it started with a person named Erwin George Baker, whom everybody knew as “Cannon Ball” Baker. Earlier than setting the coast-to-coast document for driving a automotive throughout the nation from New York to Los Angeles in 1933, Baker spent nearly all of his profession prepping for it by using transcontinentally on a motorbike. On the time, the roads he drove have been fully unpaved.
In Could 1914, he set out on his Indian motorbike to interrupt the transcontinental document, beginning in San Diego. The newspaper accounts from the time revealed that he meticulously prepped for this experience — he “laid out his routes forward of time, planning what roads and cities to journey by way of and even planting tanks of gasoline forward of him in distant areas to keep away from gasoline hassle.”
Baker efficiently set the document and arrived in New York after 11.5 days of using. The endurance Baker wanted to finish this feat is the endurance that has carried by way of all the Cannonball Run makes an attempt that adopted.
53:30 — A Document That Stood for 38 Years
In 1933, Baker tried his final coast-to-coast drive throughout the US, finishing the journey in 53 hours and half-hour. To grasp how spectacular this time was, do not forget that simply 19 years earlier, it took him almost 12 days to do the identical factor.
Behind the wheel of a Graham Car, Cannon Ball Baker made historical past. In fact, on the time, this drive was not referred to as the Cannonball Run. It wasn’t even a race. It was a singular, momentous drive that impressed the Cannonball Run as we all know it.
After his demise, Baker was inducted into quite a few motorsports halls of fame. The Motorsports Corridor of Fame Of America remembers Baker’s unmatched affect: “Within the American lore of Roaring Twenties bravado, mud-splattered willpower over horse tracks and nation roads and the relentless quest for brand new data, none will ever evaluate to the one and solely Cannon Ball.”
Though the 1933 document has been crushed many instances over, it stays true that Cannon Ball Baker’s affect won’t ever be forgotten.
The First ‘Official’ Unsanctioned Races: Brock Yates & the Cannonball Baker Sea-To-Shining-Sea Memorial Trophy Sprint
In 1971, 38 years after Baker’s document, Brock Yates made the race a family title. He referred to as it the Cannonball Baker Sea-To-Shining-Sea Memorial Trophy Sprint. Yates — the senior editor for Automobile and Driver Journal on the time — Brock Yates Jr., Steve Smith, and Jim Williams set out from New York Metropolis in a 1971 Dodge Customized Sportsman van, generally known as “Moon Trash II.”
Identical to when Cannon Ball Baker made the journey, this drive was not but a race, nevertheless it grew to become the blueprint for the inaugural race that Yates would put collectively later that yr.
This unsanctioned road race was held in 1971, 1972, 1975, and 1979. It started in New York Metropolis — and Darien, Conn., as soon as — and ended on the Portofino Inn in Redondo Seaside, Calif. Within the perplexing spirit of the Cannonball Run, this race was each framed as a celebration of the U.S. Interstate Freeway System and a protest towards strict site visitors legal guidelines, particularly the 55 mph pace restrict enforced on main highways.
The foundations have been that you just made your individual guidelines. In a March 1972 Automobile and Driver function, Yates stated that the parameters of the Cannonball Run have been as follows: “All opponents will drive any automobile of their selecting, over any route, at any pace they choose sensible, between the place to begin and vacation spot. The competitor ending with the bottom elapsed time is the winner.”
A Day to Keep in mind: November 15, 1971
The primary race occurred on November 15, 1971. A function from the March 1972 concern of Automobile and Driver Journal, written by Brock Yates himself, sums it up: “These rattling fools, they went and did it.”
The fools in query? Nicely, that may be Dan Gurney and … Brock Yates. Six automobiles left the Crimson Ball Storage in New York Metropolis, all headed west towards the Portofino Inn in Redondo Seaside. A couple of hours in, two extra automobiles joined in, making for a fleet of eight automobiles crammed with “23 lunatics.”
On November 15, 1971, Dan Gurney and Brock Yates co-drove a Kirk F. White Ferrari Daytona coup to the end in 35 hours and 54 minutes — notably, solely 53 minutes quicker than the second-place group. On this race, Gurney and Yates beat seven different groups who have been all making an attempt to win. Of the eight groups, half of them received dashing tickets.
Funnily sufficient, a big motor van participated on this race. Invoice Broderick, alongside Pal Parker, drove a 27-foot Travico motor residence. Unsurprisingly, they completed final at 57 hours and 25 minutes.
Yates determined to each host and take part in such an occasion as a “whimsical gesture of defiance of the routine of up to date site visitors legal guidelines.” On the finish of Yates’ personal 1972 function, he wrote, “Nobody who ran, not Gurney, not Adamowicz, not anyone, received a dime for the race, making it some form of milestone in fashionable automotive annals.”
1972 & 1975 Cannonball Baker Sea-To-Shining-Sea Memorial Trophy Sprint
On November 13, 1972, Steve “Yogi” Behr, Invoice Canfield, and Fred Olds received the Cannonball Baker Sea-To-Shining-Sea Memorial Trophy Sprint with a time of 37 hours and 16 minutes. Whereas this group beat the opposite racers, they didn’t beat Gurney and Yates’ 1971 document. They raced in a Cadillac Coupe DeVille — the primary American automotive to win the Cannonball Run.
Nonetheless, the document didn’t stand for lengthy. In 1975, Jack Could and Rick Cline drove a Ferrari Dino in 35 hours and 53 minutes, at a median pace of 83 mph, to assert the brand new document.
‘Closing’ Cannonball Run in 1979
Within the 1979 Cannonball Baker Sea-To-Shining-Sea Memorial Trophy Sprint, Dave Heinz and Dave Yarborough beat the document by 3 hours and a pair of minutes. Driving in a Jaguar XJS, the group achieved a time of 32 hours and 51 minutes with a median pace of 97 mph. Notably, in contrast to any of the opposite makes an attempt, this run started in Darien, Conn.
Automobile and Driver contributing editor Fred M.H. Gregory gave an account of The Final Cannonball in a 2002 article. He revealed that on this race, there have been a whopping 46 groups concerned, all taking off at 10-minute intervals.
Apparently, Yates’ automobile for this run was a Dodge ambulance with a Magnum 440 engine. Inside moments of departure, the ambulance broke down and wanted repairs that took greater than an hour. Nonetheless, Yates nonetheless accomplished the race however was nowhere close to beating the document.
And whereas Yates used the guise of an ambulance, one other group (Lou Sellyei and Gary Arentz) merely put a cooler inside their Jaguar XJ-S. When pulled over for dashing, they stated, “We’re dashing to save lots of a toddler’s sight, officer.” They have been each physicians, however the contents of the cooler, nicely, have been pig’s eyes.
Brock Yates, the organizer of the unique Cannonball Run, doesn’t formally acknowledge any data after 1979. Yates commented, “I finished the race as a result of I knew eventually that someone was going to get killed.” However Yates left the Cannonball floodgates open. “If individuals need to attempt it, the roads are open,” he stated.
Cannonball Run Below a New Title: The U.S. Specific
The U.S. Specific was held from 1980 to 1983. Whereas the race was tried for 4 years, the document was not crushed till Doug Turner and David Diem beat it in 1983.
Within the documentary “APEX”, one of many interviewees famous, “By the point you bought to the U.S. Specific, it was solely essentially the most hardcore individuals.”
Inaugural 1980 U.S. Specific
Simply because it did previously, the race started in New York and resulted in California. Within the case of the 1980 U.S. Specific, it started in Brooklyn and resulted in Santa Monica. The winners of the 1980 race have been Rick Doherty and Will Wright coming in at 33 hours and 9 minutes. That point, as spectacular because it was, didn’t beat the 1979 document of 32 hours and 51 minutes held by Heinz and Yarborough.
Apparently sufficient, the co-driver, Will Wright, was a well-known recreation designer. Wright’s experience in know-how translated nicely to the preparation wanted for a Cannonball document try.
1981 U.S. Specific
In 1981, although they didn’t beat the document, David Morse and Steve Clausman drove a Porsche 928 on a route that was totally on I-80 to take residence the win. This race started in Lengthy Island, N.Y., and completed in Emeryville, Calif. The automotive was geared up with an enormous gasoline tank. Clausman was an expert driver and Morris was a businessman.
When reflecting on their experiences within the documentary “APEX,” they spoke of how essential it was for the motive force and co-driver to enhance each other. Clausman, each critically and jokingly, stated, “It’s in all probability the stupidest factor I’ve finished in my life.”
1982 U.S. Specific
Data relating to the 1982 U.S. Specific appears to be almost nonexistent. With that, we have been unable to seek out who was concerned, a lot much less who received the race.
In a video interview of David Morse, the 1981 winner of the U.S. Specific, stated, relating to the 1982 race, “Every little thing that might go flawed did go flawed. The freeway patrol of varied states had been notified not solely in regards to the race however about our automotive particularly. The officer would know me by title.”
He recounted what the police stated to him: “We’ve been informed there’s an unlawful automotive race taking place, and we’re right here to gradual you down, or, arrest you.” Morse gathered that somebody had alerted the authorities about his automotive particularly as revenge for his successful the 1981 race.
1983 U.S. Specific
In what would develop into the ultimate U.S. Specific, Doug Turner and David Diem beat the Cannonball Run document, taking the win in 32 hours and seven minutes. Their document stood for over 20 years till 2006.
Turner and Diem have been the primary individuals to make use of a aircraft as a scouting instrument throughout their drive. Due to that, their try was met with some scrutiny as many individuals noticed the usage of a aircraft as dishonest. However whereas many individuals have been unsure if a small aircraft or perhaps a helicopter may make it throughout the US in 32 hours, Turner and Diem managed to get a automotive throughout the US in that point.
Apparently, a documentary titled “32 Hours 7 Minutes” was created however by no means launched. You possibly can view an unofficial trailer. There have been and are many lawsuits and disagreements surrounding the discharge of this documentary, and it was in the end by no means launched to the general public. It’s technically obtainable on DVD however goes for upward of $100 on Amazon.
The Finish of the U.S. Specific
The 1983 U.S. Specific ran right into a little bit of a roadblock — a literal police roadblock. When the “Cannonball Run” film was launched in 1981, the police have been immediately very conscious of the underground race. Any time a automotive could be dashing, in keeping with the documentary, “APEX”, police would assume, “Wow, it could possibly be Cannonball coming by way of!”
So, why did the race finish simply as a group lastly broke the document? Because the race grew to become publicized, legal responsibility elevated. Thus, the Cannonball Run below the title the U.S. Specific ended for good, and the document of 32 hours and seven minutes stood for over 20 years.
Extra Cannonball: Completely different Names
After the U.S. Specific ended, the legacy of organized transcontinental races continued. Within the spirit of Cannonball, drivers continued with transcontinental occasions together with One Lap of America, The 2904, and the C2C Specific.
The 2904
Also called the Transcontinental Motorized Vehicular Match of Effectivity and Endurance, The 2904 is an unofficial race that goes from, you guessed it, New York Metropolis to California that was began by John Ficarra.
The catch? It’s important to do the race in a automobile that prices not more than $2,904. This contains the automobile, gasoline, meals, tolls, repairs, and tickets. If you are going to buy extra security tools, that doesn’t depend towards you within the finances.
The 2904 started in 2007 and has occurred eight instances since then, up till 2017. In 2015, the document for The 2904 was set at 32 hours and 5 minutes in a 2002 Mercedes S55. In fact, Ed Bolian was behind the wheel and he cataloged his total expertise. You possibly can take a look at the total checklist of The 2904 occasion winners right here.
C2C Specific
The C2C Specific is a Cannonball Run particularly for traditional automobiles that began in 2016. Ed Bolian participated within the inaugural race in a “Bluemobile.” In January 2020, Ed Bolian posted a video titled New Yr’s Particular: The Closing Working of The C2C Specific.
The Washington Publish describes the C2C Specific as, “5 automobiles, 13 guys, numerous power drinks and a pair of,900 miles of asphalt: Welcome to the C2C Specific.”
New Period of Particular person Cannonball Runs
With the top of the U.S. Specific, the Cannonball Run grew to become a person endeavor with single groups making the run to attempt to break the general document. And whereas many makes an attempt have gone unpublicized over time, the groups which have damaged the document have principally been extraordinarily vocal about it — after the statute of limitations is up, after all.
2006 Cannonball Run Document of Alex Roy & David Maher
In 2006, Alex Roy and David Maher beat the Cannonball Run Document with a time of 31 hours and 4 minutes in a BMW M5. The small print of their feat weren’t launched till Roy launched his memoir, “The Driver,” in 2007.
In 2019, the documentary “APEX” was launched with actual footage and interviews surrounding each the 2006 run and the 1983 U.S. Specific race.
Utilizing an immense quantity of know-how, Roy and Maher determined they’d masquerade as climate watchers in the event that they have been pulled over.
This win didn’t come with out its struggles. Alex Roy’s first try in April 2006 was lower brief when his M5’s gasoline pump failed in Oklahoma. However that didn’t cease him from making an attempt the run once more, leading to his 2006 document.
2013 Cannonball Run Document of Ed Bolian, Dave Black, and Dan Huang
Ed Bolian, together with Alex Roy, is maybe essentially the most outspoken participant of the Cannonball Run. If there have been to be an honorary skilled on this matter, it could seemingly be Bolian.
In 2013, Bolian, Dave Black, and Dan Huang drove a 2004 Mercedes-Benz CL55 AMG throughout the nation in 28 hours and 50 minutes, an astonishing feat to interrupt the 30-hour mark. Bolian selected this automotive due to its understated appears, making it extra prone to go unnoticed, which is precisely what a Cannonballer desires. Their common pace was 98 mph, and the automotive had 67 gallons of gasoline capability. In complete, the group solely stopped for 46 minutes.
Bolian mirrored on the preparation of the 28:50 drive and what the drive meant to him personally in his video, 5 years in the past we set the Cannonball document. He talked about how, as a excessive schooler, he was given the chance to interview Brock Yates for a challenge in automotive journalism.
Bolian informed Yates, “In the future, I’m going to beat the Cannonball Run document.” When he stated that, Yates admitted that he didn’t assume that it could possibly be finished. Since that second, Bolian had got down to uncover what it could take to beat this document.
When talking in regards to the expertise of the drive itself, Bolian stated, “Every little thing went in addition to it may.” Bolian additionally commented that he “hopes that he shattered Roy’s document by such a stark margin that it discourages would-be Cannonballers from making an attempt to interrupt his document, and it’s not only a matter of his personal legacy.”
2019 Cannonball Run Document of Arne Toman, Doug Tabutt, and Berkeley Chadwick
Regardless of Bolian’s hope, it wasn’t lengthy earlier than the document was lowered once more. On November 10, 2019, Arne Toman, Doug Tabutt, and Berkeley Chadwick drove a 2015 Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG sedan throughout the nation in 27 hours and 25 minutes. This new document was just a bit over one hour quicker than the 2013 document.
Within the video We broke the Cannonball Document, Arne Toman says, “To me, Cannonballing is the final word expression of freedom. As a child, I noticed the film, I learn the articles, and it was one thing that was without end on my thoughts. In 2006, we had finished the One Lap of America, which is the occasion Brock Yates turned Cannonball into as soon as he stopped doing the cross-country runs.”
Toman stated that when he heard of Bolian’s 2013 document, he was “each excited and gutted.” He noticed Bolian’s time as unbeatable. However Arne didn’t get discouraged, as a substitute deciding to organize for his try. A lot of Toman’s time went into researching the absolute best gasoline switch system to attenuate time.
Doug Tabutt remarked, “Don’t simply meet your heroes, beat your heroes.” And, Arne and Doug did simply that. The co-drivers really met by way of Bolian. The remainder is historical past.
You possibly can learn extra about their journey within the Street & Observe article, These Guys Simply Drove an E63 AMG Throughout America in a Document 27 Hours 25 Minutes.
COVID-19 Pandemic Cannonball Run Period
Many individuals hunkered down and stayed residence in the course of the COVID-19 pandemic that hit the U.S. in March 2020. However, others took to the street. Is {that a} good or truthful concept? Nicely, one would possibly ask, has any of this ever been a “good” or “truthful” concept?
The Cannonball Run’s record-breaking makes an attempt have by no means ended. Cannonball data have been damaged at an unimaginable fee in the course of the peak of the pandemic.
The feelings behind this race have all the time been that of immense preparation, innovation, and endurance. What, then, does it imply when drivers are making the most of an unprecedented time? Does that match the spirit of the Cannonball Run?
The primary confirmed new Cannonball document in the course of the pandemic occurred in April 2020. Then, the document was damaged once more in Could. Then, the solo document was set in June, and on the time regarded as the general document.
April 2020 Cannonball Run Document of ???
Ed Bolian introduced a brand new Cannonball document on April 9, 2020. When Bolian mentioned whether or not or not the rumors have been true of this preliminary document being damaged amid COVID-19, he stated, “Sure, it’s true … type of.” He then went on to say, “I’m saying proper now that it wouldn’t be me. And I’m saying proper now, it was not me.”
Bolian spoke of the group that held the brand new Cannonball Run document in April. He recounted, “A group had gone from the Crimson Ball Storage to the Portofino Resort and Marina in a 2019 Audi A8 with a time of 26 hours and 38 minutes, an UNBELIEVABLE time that beat the November 2019 time of Arnie and Doug of their E63.”
When talking in regards to the group, Bolian famous, “They didn’t need to be generally known as the important thing violators of all of those shelter-in-place rules. No person wished to be on the market placing anybody’s lives in peril.”
However buddies of theirs didn’t get the memo, and considered one of them posted a photograph of the Audi A8L with the gasoline tanks in view. In fact, the photograph acquired quick consideration.
Could 2020 Cannonball Run Document of Arne Toman & Doug Tabutt
Quick ahead to Could 2020. The April 2020 Cannonball Run document was as soon as once more crushed. In response to Bolian, the brand new document was below 26 hours, the automotive averaged over 120 mph for many of the drive, and the group had over 30 spotters. Bolian believed this document was the top of the “COVID-19 Cannonball Period.”
It was later revealed that this was Arne Toman and Doug Tabutt’s new 25-hour and 39-minute outright document.
On Bolian’s well-known YouTube Channel, VINwiki Automobile Tales, it was introduced on Could 14 that there had been one other New Cannonball Document. Ed stated, “Take into account that it took six years and dozens of extraordinarily well-prepared occasions for anybody to beat 28 hours, 50 minutes. Within the span of 5 weeks, it was simply crushed seven instances.”
In the course of the 5 weeks from April to Could 2020, Cannonballers took benefit of open roads because of the international pandemic. Is it truthful? A tough query to reply, because the “equity” of an unsanctioned road race might be questionable to start with.
June 2020 (Solo) Cannonball Run Document* of Fred Ashmore
Whereas the premise of the Cannonball Run normally is unfathomable for most individuals, doing the drive utterly alone is much more unbelievable. Street & Observe refers back to the solo drive as “so silly, it’s good.”
In response to Angelo Melluso of Street & Observe, Fred Ashmore made this solo try in a document time of 25 hours and 55 minutes, a time scarily near the 24-hour mark. In a mind-boggling feat, Ashmore rented a Mustang GT, loaded up quite a few gasoline tanks, and solely stopped one time for gasoline on the standard Cannonball Run route from the Crimson Ball Storage in Manhattan to the Portofino Resort & Marina in Redondo Seaside.
You learn that proper — a rental automotive with a single occupant simply set the quickest recognized Cannonball Run time (recognized on the time)!
*This document run has been deemed questionable by the Cannonball group, as applicable proof of the run has not been supplied by the motive force.
The place Does the Cannonball Run Go From Right here?
Most of those new general Cannonball Run data have arisen throughout a time when, fairly actually, your entire world was shut down. Does this imply the brand new Cannonball Run data will probably be unbeatable? Does that imply it’s the finish of an period? ”It may destroy the pursuit,” Bolian stated.
Once more, Bolian acknowledged that, on the finish of the day, “There aren’t actual guidelines” in the case of the Cannonball Run. How may there be?
That is additionally the issue with speculating about the way forward for the Cannonball Run — as its historical past has proven, the occasion is difficult and unimaginable. The way it evolves from right here is anybody’s guess. It’s additionally as much as people to form, versus any governing physique.
The Place That First Popularized the Cannonball Run Now Thinks … It’s Not Cool Anymore
Eric Tingwall described the Cannonball Run as a “feat of nothingness” within the Automobile and Driver article, Cross-Nation Cannonball Velocity Data are Dumb. Within the headline, he acknowledged that Automobile and Driver initially popularized this race, as Brock Yates was the senior editor for the journal when he created the race in 1971.
However Tingwall says, “We’re older and wiser at present — not that very same journal that after campaigned towards making automobiles safer. Driving throughout the nation is completely different now, too.” And he does have some extent. The ’70s and ’80s have been a special animal when it got here to driving than the current day.
On the finish of the article, Tingwall requested a tough query: “If proper now isn’t an excellent time to jeopardize harmless lives by indulging in a egocentric and hole pursuit of notoriety, what makes that acceptable in higher instances?”
Notably, this opinion, so staunchly towards the Cannonball Run, got here immediately because of the numerous makes an attempt made in the course of the COVID-19 pandemic. Although Tingwall speaks of the race, no matter COVID-19, as a “egocentric” and “hole pursuit,” maybe his emotions wouldn’t have been as intense if these makes an attempt weren’t made throughout this unprecedented time.
How Do You Determine the Guidelines When There Are No Guidelines?
Ed Bolian mentioned the professionals and cons of making an attempt the Cannonball throughout a pandemic in a video posted on March 24, 2020. For instance, Waze, a navigation instrument generally utilized by the groups, isn’t working as nicely as a result of fewer individuals are on the street. With that, an apparent professional is that there’s much less automotive site visitors on the street.
“Groups have determined now’s the proper time to chase their hopes and desires,” Bolian stated. He acknowledged the benefit of making an attempt the Cannonball Run throughout this time however expressed combined emotions on the “okayness” of it.
With all this being stated, Bolian acknowledged that it could make no sense for him to sentence any of those drivers. “That may be like a cocaine vendor telling a heroin vendor that he’s only a horrible, horrible particular person,” he stated.
“Don’t Break the Regulation Whereas Breaking the Regulation” — Molly’s Sport
Bolian went on to interrupt down the complexities surrounding the record-breaking makes an attempt and success throughout this unprecedented time of COVID-19. He stated, “The thought of driving quick throughout the nation is considerably redeemed by the nod to historic precedent — the truth that this can be a factor that basically occurred. There have been some entertaining films about it, and it’s a part of American automotive tradition.
“The truth that we get away with one thing deviant and law-breaking hinges upon the precept that folks assume it’s okay as a result of these individuals are including their names to the historical past of Cannonball. I don’t assume the general public urge for food is able to conceive that indulgence.”
The complicated nature of qualifying these new instances for the Cannonball Run boils all the way down to the concept that data are each goal and subjective, Bolian concluded. The circumstances surrounding driving throughout COVID-19 will in all probability — hopefully — by no means be the identical circumstances for anybody sooner or later.
Ed outlined all of the controversy in his movies relating to the current data. Then, he ended on a optimistic observe. “Crucial factor to me is to acknowledge that the most important and most crucial a part of the pursuit’s historical past is that previously fifty years, there have been no accidents involving different automobiles and no vital accidents.”
He continued, “And that has not occurred in any of those current drives.” Bolian completed by saying two phrases relating to the current data: “They depend.”
You will discover all of Ed Bolian’s movies on VINwiki relating to the Cannonball Run on the video playlist, Cannonball Run Associated Automobile Tales.
The Unofficial Cannonball Run Document E book
Whereas there are not any guidelines, there are just a few parameters. The entire drivers started in New York and resulted in Los Angeles. Sometimes, the race begins someday after midnight.
On this part, you will see a full checklist of the Cannonball document holders. Throughout the checklist, you will see their instances, their names, and the automobiles they drove. If the knowledge was obtainable, now we have additionally outlined how every automotive was arrange, any distinctive strategies that have been used, and any main points with the runs.
The one different unofficial Cannonball Run document checklist is a spreadsheet printed by Ed Bolian of VINWiki fame. You will discover his checklist right here.
The Drive That Began Every little thing (1933)
53:30 Erwin George ‘Cannon Ball’ Baker
Higher generally known as Cannon Ball Baker, Baker is, you guessed it, the person behind all of this. In 1933, Baker drove a Graham-Paige mannequin 57 Blue Streak 8 from New York to Los Angeles. He accomplished the drive in 53 hours and half-hour. This grew to become the document time for driving throughout the US. Baker’s time held for almost 4 a long time.
Cannonball Baker Sea-To-Shining-Sea Memorial Trophy Sprint (1971-1979)
35:54 Dan Gurney & Brock Yates
On November 15, 1971, Dan Gurney and Brock Yates co-drove a White Ferrari Daytona coupe in 35 hours and 54 minutes. On this race, Gurney and Yates beat seven different groups. Notably, Gurney and Yates by no means exceeded 175 mph and had a median pace of 80 mph.
On March 1, 1972, Automobile and Driver Journal launched a function on the Cannonball Baker Sea-To-Shining-Sea Memorial Trophy Sprint. The article described intimately the automotive that received the race: “This group left at 12:32. Their Ferrari was entered by exotic-car impresario Kirk F. White, of Philadelphia. It was completely inventory (what could possibly be modified?) … no additional tools was carried.
“A blinding blue paint job, full with beautiful pinstriping plus a patchwork of sponsor decals, made the automotive about as inconspicuous as Hugh Hefner’s DC-9. Nearly everyone was satisfied the automotive could be a large favourite with legislation enforcement officers.”
Whereas the seven different automobiles racing all took an analogous route, Dan and Brock took a special one.
Yates wrote, “Slightly than run Interstate 78 from northern New Jersey to the intersection of the Pennsy Turnpike at Harrisburg, its crew lower northward throughout New Jersey’s Route 46, by way of Netcong and Hackettstown, to Interstate 80 due west throughout Pennsylvania. From there, they lower southwest throughout Ohio from Akron to Columbus, intersecting with the standard route.”
35:53 Jack Could & Rick Cline
Within the 1975 Cannonball Baker Sea-To-Shining-Sea Memorial Trophy Sprint, Jack Could, and Rick Cline beat the document held by Dan Gurney and Brock Yates by one single minute. They drove throughout the US in a Ferrari Dino 246 GTS in 35 hours and 53 minutes.
32:51 Dave Heinz & Dave Yarborough
Within the 1979 Cannonball Baker Sea-To-Shining-Sea Memorial Trophy Sprint, Dave Heinz and Dave Yarborough beat the document by 3 hours and a pair of minutes. Driving in a Jaguar XJS, the group achieved the time of 32 hours and 51 minutes with a median pace of 87 mph.
Notably, in contrast to any of the opposite makes an attempt, this run started in Darien, Conn.
The U.S. Specific (1980-1983)
32:07 Doug Turner & David Diem
In a Ferrari 308, Doug Turner and David Diem completed the run at 32 hours and seven minutes, 44 minutes quicker than the quickest Cannonball Run on the time. This was the “official” cross-country document till 2006.
The Ferrari 308 was designed to be refueled shortly and had put in kill switches for brake lights. Turner and Diem spent months strategizing the absolute best route. Their common pace was 89.89 mph, however they typically drove over 125 mph.
The Cannonball Run Document Holders (2006-Current)
31:04 Alex Roy & David Maher
In 2006, after 23 years, Alex Roy and David Maher set out in a 2000 BMW M5 and beat the document, working 31 hours and 4 minutes. The BMW M5 had a high pace of 155 mph however could possibly be pushed to 190 mph with a software program improve. Whereas at instances they exceeded 150 mph, the typical pace of the run was 90.1 mph.
The automotive was armed with three massive antennas, GPS navigation models, police scanners, evening imaginative and prescient so they might drive with out headlights, a number of cameras, and a 16-gallon gasoline cell. Additionally they had a small airplane following them your entire time with a radio communication system to maintain a watch out for police and different obstacles. No person slept, and so they made six gasoline stops all through your entire run.
28:50 Ed Bolian, Dave Black, and Dan Huang
In 2013, Ed Bolian and Dave Block drove a 2004 Mercedes-Benz CL55 AMG throughout the nation at an unimaginable time of 28 hours and 50 minutes. Their common pace was 98 mph and the automotive had 67 gallons of gasoline capability. In complete, the group solely stopped for 46 minutes.
27:25 Arne Toman, Doug Tabutt, and Berkeley Chadwick
On November 10, 2019, Arne Toman, Doug Tabutt, and Berkeley Chadwick drove a 2015 Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG sedan throughout the nation in 27 hours and 25 minutes, just a bit over one hour quicker than the 2013 document. The automotive was detuned to 700 wheel horsepower.
That they had many devices to help them together with radar detectors, a police scanner, a aircraft crash avoidance system, and brake/tail mild kill switches. Together with that, they used a thermal scope mounted on a gimbal on the roof which, in keeping with the group, proved to be fairly unhelpful.
26:38 Unnamed Drivers
In April 2020, two unnamed drivers drove a 2019 Audi A8 sedan throughout the U.S. in 26 hours and 38 minutes. Notably, their automotive was geared up with a pair of pink plastic marine gasoline tanks ratchet-strapped within the rear storage. The run’s common pace was 106 mph.
25:39 Arne Toman & Doug Tabutt
In Could 2020, the group of Arne Toman and Doug Tabutt drove a 2016 Audi S6, disguised as a Ford Taurus Police Interceptor, to a brand new document of 25 hours and 39 minutes. A 110 mph common pace for your entire run was achieved, with most speeds reaching simply shy of 175 mph. Over 30 spotters have been used to attain this run. The group left Manhattan at 6 p.m.
The automotive was modified to place out about 600 horsepower by way of modified turbos, an upgraded warmth exchanger, and a customized tune. A trunk-mounted 67-gallon gasoline cell helped present the wanted vary and diminished gasoline stops.
A number of police-evasion modifications have been additionally put in on the automotive. These included radar detectors, laser diffusers, a CB radio, and a brake mild kill swap. To high it off, a roof-mounted thermal digicam was used to identify wildlife and police on the edges of the street forward.
Different Cannonball Run Data
Together with the standard Cannonball Run general document, there have additionally been quite a few different particular Cannonball Run data. Whereas the primary rule of the Cannonball Run is that there are not any guidelines, these class data have just a few self-imposed guidelines to adapt to the classes.
Solo Nonstop Cannonball Run Document
Jay Roberts set the brand new Solo Nonstop Cannonball Document at 33 hours 45 minutes in September 2022, in a 2017 Toyota Prius. He was impressed by the VINwiki movies, on-line sources, and lots of books on the Cannonball and simply needed to have a go himself.
His first try was in the course of the 2021 Musketball, however that try was a lot slower than was acceptable to him — principally resulting from a semi-truck crash in Colorado that created site visitors.
Roberts Prius was outfitted with three gasoline tanks, for a complete of 90 gallons. He didn’t cease for gasoline on your entire cross-country run and had about 17 gallons left when he arrived on the Portofino. Whereas he did have a radar detector and the JBV1 app working on an Android telephone, he principally relied on a digital group of spotters in a non-public radar detector on-line group to assist him keep out of hassle and on observe. He did get pulled over as soon as — for about 5 minutes — for dashing however wasn’t issued a ticket, one way or the other.
He used a funnel and a small gap within the floorboards to alleviate himself on the run, in order to not make any rest room stops. He did make one cease the place he exited the automobile on the run — which he referred to as a security cease — with the intention to clear the bugs off the windshield.
Roberts says he averaged 84 mph on the run and received 32 mpg. He drove 100-105 mph many of the run, to stability pace with gasoline economic system, in addition to to beat his goal time of a sub-34-hour Cannonball Run.
Coast-to-Coast-to-Coast Cannonball Document
Pierce Plam, John Ficarra, and Alex Richter set a Coast to Coast to Coast Cannonball document of 130 hours and 49 minutes in 2015.
In Could 2020, on the identical weekend because the Toman/Tabutt general document, Chris Clemens and Mark Spence drove a 1999 Mercedes SL500 over 5,600 miles spherical journey from N.Y. to L.A. to N.Y. to set the brand new Double Cannonball document at 74 hours and 5 minutes.
On the drive west, the group was ready to make use of lots of the identical spotters that helped Toman and Tabutt to an general Cannonball Document. The group did, nonetheless, get pulled over as soon as for dashing, and issued a ticket, on the drive West.
Cannonball Run Bike Document
The Cannonball Run motorbike document is the place all of it started all the way in which again in 1914 with Erwin George “Cannon Ball” Baker’s 11.5-day transcontinental run.
Alan “the stalwart Californian” T. Bedell rode a Henderson motorbike from Los Angeles to New York in 7 days, 16 hours, and 16 minutes in 1917 to impressively beat Cannonball’s document.
The document is rumored to have modified arms no less than six instances over time. The present motorbike Cannonball Run document was set on April 20, 2019, by Calvin Cote with a time of 35 hours and 6 minutes, with a median pace of 89 mph. He was using a 2012 BMW K1600 GTL, with a customized 15-gallon auxiliary gasoline tank. You possibly can watch a GoPro video of his total run right here.
Coast-to-Coast Bike Document
A coast-to-coast motorbike document, from San Diego, Calif., to Jacksonville, Fla., was set by Axe Dekruif in a time of 33 hours and 10 minutes. It was finished on a BMW S1000RR with an additional gasoline tank whereas ingesting a Crimson Bull/Gatorade combination in a CamelBak, and utilizing a Flir thermal imaging digicam for evening driving.
Axe averaged 72.6 mph on his cross-country run and produced a documentary (No Limits – No Regrets) on his journey.
Cannonball Run Solo Document
The solo document is held by Fred Ashmore with a blistering quick time of 25 hours and 55 minutes, which was set in June 2020. He drove a rented 2020 Ford Mustang GT crammed with extra gasoline tanks and averaging about 12 mpg and 109 mph. Presumably most spectacular is that this document solely value about $3,000.
Cannonball Run Diesel Document
There’s a diesel document from April 4, 2020, held by Sean G. Petr, Jason Adkins, and Mark Spence. The group drove a 2014 Volkswagen Passat TDI throughout the nation in an impressively quick 28 hours and 40 minutes. A very spectacular common of 25.5 mpg was achieved over the two,852-mile journey, with an equally spectacular 100.07 mph common.
Cannonball Run 3-Wheeled Automobile Document
The three-wheeled automobile document is held by Alex Roy and Zach Bowman is 41 hours and 49 minutes. They set the three-wheeled Cannonball Run document in a Morgan 3 Wheeler in 2015.
Cannonball Run EV Document
The electrical automobile document started in 1968 with the Nice Transcontinental Electrical Automobile Race that was deliberate by college students at MIT and Caltech. In 1986, the Caltech group received with 210 hours and three minutes spanning from August 26 to September 4.
The present document holders are Ryan Levenson and Josh Allan in a rented (off Turo) Tesla Mannequin S Lengthy Vary in a time of 42 hours and 17 minutes, which was set on October 22, 2021. The one automobile “modifications” have been overinflated 19-inch Tesla Tempest wheels, and the group solely used Waze for site visitors and legislation enforcement detection.
This newest document beat the earlier document by over 2 hours — Kyle Conner, Drew Peterson, and Tijmen Schreur driving a Porsche Taycan 4S (Press Loaner) in January 2021 in a time of 44 hours and 25 minutes.
This document will proceed to fall shortly as new EV tech is altering. Longer vary, quicker charging, and quicker EV automobiles are all on the close to horizon.
Cannonball Run Semi-Autonomous Automobile Document
The semi-autonomous automobile document started in 2015 when a Delphi self-driving automotive went coast-to-coast from San Francisco to New York over the span of 9 days.
Later that yr, Carl Reese and Deena Mastracci set the precise electrical Cannonball document in 57 hours and 48 minutes driving a Tesla Mannequin S P85d electrical sedan.
The present semi-autonomous Cannonball Run document was set on August 24, 2016, by Alex Roy, Warren Ahner, and Franz Aliquio in a 2016 Tesla Mannequin S 90D in simply 55 hours.
Cannonball Run Motion pictures & Books
Movies
The Gumball Rally (1976)
This film is impressed by the 1975 Cannonball Run document by Jack Could and Rick Cline that broke Yates’ and Gurney’s document by a mere 60 seconds. Whereas it’s fully fictional, the movie is hilarious, speedy, and an exquisite watch.
The Cannonball Run (1981) & Cannonball Run II (1984)
Whereas each of those movies are utterly fictional, the fictional nature contributes to the magnificence of the race itself. Watching these films is not going to offer you any historic context, however they’re a enjoyable watch with well-known actors and actresses together with Burt Reynolds and Farrah Fawcett. The Cannonball Run and Cannonball Run II are bought as a field set on Amazon.
APEX: The Secret Race Throughout America (2019)
Shifting forwards and backwards between the views and experiences of these concerned within the 1983 U.S. Specific and the 2006 unsanctioned Cannonball Run, this movie transports the viewer right into a front-row seat for the notorious race. Starting with a quick historical past of the Cannonball Run, the movie then shifts into first-person recounts of the races.
Greater than something, this movie reveals the preparation and willpower it took for the 2006 group of Alex Roy and David Maher to efficiently beat a document held by Doug Turner and David Diem that stood for almost 20 years.
You will note the lengths and strategies that Roy and Maher used. They might cover behind 18-wheelers, flip off their headlights to keep away from being seen, and be in fixed contact with a small airplane hovering over them.
In the course of the run, at one level, the radio utterly stopped working. On the identical time, you see the humanity of each Roy and Maher, just like the second after they cease off at a Burger King drive-thru to get meals whereas on the Cannonball Run. In fact, it’s possible you’ll marvel, “Why didn’t they simply pack meals?” However who is aware of, whenever you need hen fries, you need hen fries.
You should buy the movie, “APEX: The Secret Race Throughout America” to stream by way of Prime Video or iTunes. The APEX web site notes, “APEX shatters the myths surrounding the transcontinental document and reveals never-before-seen footage from the Cannonball, U.S. Specific, and fashionable runs.”
Books
Cannonball! World’s Best Outlaw Street Race by Brock Yates
Revealed in 2003, “Cannonball!” was the primary e book written in regards to the Cannonball Run.
Within the Nineteen Seventies, Brock Yates was the senior editor of Automobile and Driver Journal. However, that was not the one factor he was as much as — Yates created the Cannonball Sea-to-Shining-Sea Memorial Trophy Sprint.
Not solely is that this e book stuffed with unimaginable tales of the Cannonball Run, nevertheless it additionally comprises pictures from many legendary moments. Written by some of the well-known automotive journalists whose affect remains to be reaching automotive fanatics at present, “Cannonball!” is bound to impress.
The Driver: My Harmful Pursuit of Velocity and Fact within the Outlaw Racing World by Alexander Roy
Alexander Roy beat the Cannonball Run Document in 2006 after the document stood for almost 20 years. The Driver is Roy’s memoir, reflecting on all of his daring races the world over.
The entire races in his life ready him to beat the Cannonball document, driving from New York to Los Angeles in 32 hours and seven minutes. This e book offers a compelling and deeply fascinating have a look at the story behind Roy’s motivations and experiences.
FOR THE RECORD: 28:50 A Journey Towards Self-Discovery and The Cannonball Run Document by Ed Bolian
Revealed in 2017, Ed Bolian, a natural-born storyteller and racer, writes a memoir that speaks about greater than the logistics surrounding beating the Cannonball Run document. This e book intertwines fascinating automotive tales and Bolian’s grappling together with his religion and explores what led him to have the need to develop into the following record-holder for the Cannonball Run.
Actuality Is Extra Fascinating Than Fiction
To most, the prospect of taking part on this race would possibly as nicely be a fairytale … or a nightmare. The Cannonball Run is a really actual race that has stood the take a look at of time due to some loopy, pushed those that preserve desirous to beat the document.
After studying this text, maybe you need to go on a Cannonball Run bender and skim each e book and watch each film yow will discover. Or, maybe you need to scratch that racing itch of yours, a technique or one other.
Should you love the fun however hate the precise hazard, we propose refining your driving expertise at a efficiency driving faculty, at a observe day, or on the pc or simulator. Quenching your want for pace in these retailers received’t put the crosshairs of the legislation on you, like a Cannonball Run will.
When requested what outlined the Cannonball Run, Alex Roy answered, “Politics. Defiance. Endurance. Velocity. Battle. No stopping apart from gasoline and repairs. A route from coast-to-coast. An icepick within the face of conference.”
The Cannonball Run is an instance of when the realities of life find yourself being extra fascinating than fiction.
FAQ
What Is the Quickest Present Cannonball Run Document?
The Could 2020 Cannonball run by Arne Toman and Doug Tabutt in a 2016 Audi S6 is the present document, at 25 hours and 39 minutes. An insane common pace of 110 mph was achieved on this document run.
What Is the Present Double Cannonball Run Document?
The present coast-to-coast-to-coast document is 74 hours and 5 minutes. It was set in Could 2020 by Chris Clemens and Mark Spence driving a 1999 Mercedes SL500 over 5,600 miles spherical journey from N.Y. to L.A. to N.Y.
What Is the Distance of the Cannonball Run?
There is no such thing as a set distance for the Cannonball Run. Typically, Cannonball Runs take over 2,800 miles to finish.
The place Does the Cannonball Run Begin and End?
The standard begin and end for the Cannonball Run are the Crimson Ball Storage in Manhattan, New York, and the Portofino Resort & Marina in Redondo Seaside, Calif.
What Is the Cannonball Run Route?
The Cannonball Run has no set route. Cannonballers can take no matter route they assume is greatest to make it throughout the nation the quickest.
Is the Cannonball Run Authorized?
The Cannonball Run is against the law, because it requires breaking a number of site visitors legal guidelines with the intention to set a document time.
