The Cannonball Run Turns 35

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The cross-country trophy dash redefined excitement and, some would say, automotive irresponsibility

By Steven Cole Smith, Contributor

Date posted: 11-16-2006

Exactly 35 years ago, a little nuclear warhead dropped onto the automotive pop culture world. Look hard, and you can still see the mushroom cloud.

The first rumblings of the pending explosion, now remembered simply as the Cannonball, actually began a few months earlier, in May of 1971, with a reconnaissance run from New York to Los Angeles in a Dodge van. Automotive journalist Brock Yates and crew, mentally weary from the early but prevailing attitude of political correctness, but still a couple of years away from the national 55-mph speed limit, wanted to prove that "good drivers in good automobiles could employ the American Interstate system the same way the Germans were using their Autobahns," he wrote. "Yes, make high-speed travel by car a reality! Truth and justice affirmed by an overtly legal act."

When Yates sobered up, it still seemed like a good idea. Thus was born the original Cannonball Baker Sea-to-Shining-Sea Memorial Trophy Dash, named in honor of Erwin G. "Cannon Ball" Baker, who made 143 trips across America, beginning in 1914 when he crossed the country in 14 days riding an Indian motorcycle on dirt roads. He died in 1960. Lawyers suggested changing "Cannon Ball" to "Cannonball" was enough to protect Yates from any angry descendants Baker may have left behind.

Yates' initial one-Dodge-van run of 2,858 miles was made in 40 hours, 51 minutes, fueled by 315 gallons of gas and 12 packets of Vivarin. Average speed: 70 mph.

But then came a telegram that changed everything. "This constitutes formal entry by the Polish Racing Drivers of America in the next official Cannonball Baker Sea-to-Shining-Sea Memorial Trophy Dash. The drivers are Oscar Kovaleski, Brad Niemcek and Tony Adamowicz. If we can find California, we'll beat you fair and square."

(more at link) http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do...ticleId=117576

[AndrewGS]

That's a great read. I'd love to be a part of something like that today, kinda like the Gumball Rally.

[Aerodynamix]

Originally Posted by AndrewGS

That's a great read. I'd love to be a part of something like that today, kinda like the Gumball Rally.

You and me both!

[New_Mexico_Sunset_on_Rt66]

I remember when I was living in New Mexico and they came through Albuquerque. I remember seeing a red Ferrari with numbers on the outside driving down Hy. 25. I think I saw a few other cars too.

But isn't this the Gumball Rally?

[MCGARRETT]

They would never put numbers on the cars, it would defeat the purpose.

The Gumball Rally was a movie from 1976 based on the Cannonball Run, before Yates trademarked the whole thing to "protect" it's image, unfortunatley, what they ended up with when Yates decided to make a movie was not much better, it was actually worse than the Gumball Rally, it could have been better, Yates concept for a Cannonball movie was supposed to be a serious project, with Steve McQueen as the leading role, unfortunatly McQueen died in 1980, before any work on the movie was started. What they eneded up with was Smokey and the Bandit 1 and a 1/2.



If you are interested in the "Cannonball", read Brock Yates book, Cannonball, it is really a very entertaining book.

[Hurricane]

I always enjoyed reading Brock Yates....shame he left Car & Driver after all those years...

[1931Chevy]

Love those races and I have the Gumball Rally DVD + Cannonball 1 and 2 hehe but I prefer Gumball it looks more realistic than the comedy cannonball

[GotAWD]

good read, i dont blame Brock for stopping the race as he did and not have anyone get killed. mind you the Caddy limo flipping is prettty funny. i would love to do a cannonball in the new Z06.

[1931Chevy]

The Cannonball On A Toyota Echo With A V8 Hehe

[GM_Guy81]

I've driven from San Francisco to NE P.A. in 37 1/2 hours, and from Washington D.C. to Los Angeles in 36 flat, with two drivers both times, taking turns driving while the other slept. In a 1993 Jeep Cherokee Sport.

[camaro_freak]

wow.. a history lesson and a lot of fun to read!

[Lewie]

Great article! I'd love to do the Gumball one day!

[zeobandit]

That was an awesome read. It would be really cool to do something like that today, but like it was pointed out in the article, someone is gonna get killed doing it sooner or later.

[ctaylorzl1]

I was at a special screening where Brock Yates commentated while we watched CannonBall Run(C&D 50 Anniverasry Celebration), it was a increadable experience, not to mention it was at like 1 a.m. and everyone watching had been at the track since 8 a.m. the previous morning, and in the schorching July heat. Boy did he have some "behind the scenes stories"