(Brock Yates – Car and Driver)
A Race Is Conceived
Conceived by car magazine writer and auto racer Brock Yates and fellow Car and Driver editor Steve Smith, the first Cannonball Baker Sea-to-Shining-Sea Memorial Trophy Dash was not a competitive race because nobody else showed up. The run was intended both as a protest of the impending 55 mph national speed limit while celebrating the advent of the American Interstate highway system, then just 16 years into the construction.
The initial cross-country run was made by Yates; his son, Brock Yates, Jr.; Steve Smith; and friend Jim Williams beginning on May 3, 1971, in a 1971 Dodge Custom Sportsman van called the “Moon Trash II.” The name was a praise to Dodge public relations expert, B. F. “Moon” Mullins. He was a good friend of the magazine and had arranged for the Dodge van to be loaned, after which it had been equipped with Scheel bucket seats, Cragar S/S mag wheels mounted with Firestone 60-series Wide Oval tires, and other goodies including a small Norcold refrigerator.
They made the trip in a disappointing 40 hours and 51 minutes. They traveled 2,858 miles at an average speed of 70 MPH and consumed 314.5 gallons of gas.
(Moon Trash II on the edge of the Pacific Ocean)
Erwin “Cannon Ball” Baker
The initial dash from New York to California and the Cannonball races that followed paid tribute to Erwin “Cannon Ball” Baker.
Erwin George “Cannon Ball” Baker (March 12, 1882 – May 10, 1960) was an American motorcycle and automobile racer and organizer in the first half of the 20th century. Not only was Baker famous for winning races, but he was also famous for his record-setting point-to-point drives, in which he was paid to promote the products of various motorcycle and automobile manufacturers. In all, he made 143 cross-country speed runs totaling about 550,000 miles (890,000 km).
In 1914, riding for Indian, Baker took part in a cross-country race that spanned 3,379 miles, of which just four were on paved roads (by contrast, 68 miles were run on railroad tracks). Baker completed the run in 11 days, 11 hours and 11 minutes, shattering the previous record by some nine days, and (perhaps more significantly) breaking the automobile cross-country record by four days. This feat prompted a New York newspaper reporter to nickname Baker “Cannon Ball,” after the expedient and unstoppable train run by the Illinois Central Railroad.
In 1933 Cannon Ball Baker set a record by driving a Graham-Paige Model 57 Blue Streak 8 from Los Angeles to New York in 53 hours and 30 minutes. That record stood until 1971, when Brock Yates and Dan Gurney crossed the United States in 35 hours and 54 minutes as part of the inaugural “Cannonball Baker Sea-To-Shining-Sea Memorial Trophy Dash.”
(Erwin “Cannon Ball” Baker)
Object Of The Race / Rules
The object of the Cannonball was to leave the Red Ball Garage (where Car and Driver Magazine housed their cars) on East 31st Street in Manhattan, New York City, typically after midnight, and drive to the Portofino Inn in Redondo Beach, California, in the shortest time possible. Those were the only rules.
Note: In 1979 the race was started at the now-defunct Lock, Stock, and Barrel restaurant, Goodwives Shopping Center in Darien, Connecticut.
Nothing was specified as to the route, type of vehicle, number of drivers or crew, or maximum speed permitted. There was a gentlemen’s agreement that the vehicle entered would be driven the entire distance (not transported on another vehicle, not abandoned for an identical second vehicle hidden near the finish, etc.) Speeding citations received along the way were the driver’s responsibility and did not disqualify the vehicle, although stopping to receive a ticket increased the vehicle’s overall time.
In a March 1972 Car and Driver feature, Yates said that the parameters of the Cannonball Run were as follows: “All competitors will drive any vehicle of their choosing, over any route, at any speed they judge practical, between the starting point and destination. The competitor finishing with the lowest elapsed time is the winner.”
Prior to the race there was an advertisement letting people know where to send a request for an entry form, and that submitting the form was not a guarantee that you would be accepted into the race. Brock Yates was careful in his selection process.
November 1971 Cannonball
The first actual race took place in November of 1971 with eight cars and twenty-three people taking part. Car and Driver magazine detailed the November 1971 running in its March 1972 issue. That article was reprinted to represent the 1970s on the magazine’s 50th anniversary in 2005. A remarkable effort was made by American racing legend Dan Gurney, winner of the 1967 24-hours of Le Mans. He won the second Cannonball in a Sunoco blue Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona. Gurney said, “At no time did we exceed 175 mph [280 km/h].” He and Brock Yates as co-driver took 35 hours 54 minutes to travel 2,863 miles (4,608 km) at an average of approximately 80 mph (130 km/h) while collecting one fine. Snow in the Rocky Mountains slowed them down considerably.
(Brock Yates left and Dan Gurney right)
November 1972 Cannonball
Thirty-four cars competed in the 1972 running, where Steve Behr, Bill Canfield, and Fred Olds took the victory in a Cadillac Coupe De Ville with a time of 37 hours and 16 minutes.
April 1975 Cannonball
Eighteen cars competed in the 1975 Cannonball. Rick Cline and Jack May bested Yate’s and Gurney’s record by one minute with a time of 35 hours and 53 minutes in a white Ferrari Dino 246 GTS.
Jack May has a website dedicated to this car and his experience racing the Cannonball. Check out: Cannonball Dino
April 1979 Cannonball
The April 1979 Cannonball started from the Lock, Stock, and Barrel restaurant, Goodwives Shopping Center in Darien, Connecticut and had forty-six vehicles entered with racers taking off at 10-minute intervals. The participants collected 50+ speeding tickets, but there was only one minor accident: John Harrison’s 1978 Lotus Esprit tapped a guard rail coming down an off-ramp, and its suspension broke.
The winning car sat right in front of the Portofino Inn–a shiny black Jaguar XJS with a victory wreath on the windshield. Dave Heinz and Dave Yarborough, a pair of seasoned racers and Jag dealers from Florida and South Carolina, respectively, had shattered the old record by making it cross-country in 32 hours, 51 minutes. That’s an average of 87 mph.
You can read about this race at the Car and Driver website: The Last Cannonball
In 2013 this Jaguar was listed on the Bring A Trailer website and has been purchased and sold a few times since.
The Official Record
Brock Yates considered Dave Heinz and Dave Yarborough’s time of 32 hours, 51 minutes set in 1979 as the fastest official Cannonball record since that was the last year that the race was officially held.
Why The Cannonball Was Discontinued
Terry Bernius contacted Brock Yates to come over to his house and showed Brock and his wife Pam a black Lamborghini Countach LP400 that he purchased to win the next Cannonball. While Terry was a good driver, Brock didn’t feel that he was good enough to drive the Lamborghini which was capable of 180+ MPH. Brock told his wife Pam that he could never do another Cannonball because someone was going to end up getting hurt.
Terry ended up selling the Lamborghini to Ron Rice, the founder of Hawaiian Tropic suntan lotion. Ron Rice allowed Brock Yates and Hal Needham to use the car in The Cannonball Run movie. So, the black Lamborghini you see in the movie is actually the car that ended the Cannonball and never actually got to compete in it.
The Official Cannonball Entrant List
Here is a list of entrants that competed in the Cannonball from 1971-1979 as compiled by Jim Hunt Chairman of the Cannonball Historical Society:
+ indicates winners * indicates overall record Last name First name Run Time Place Vehicle Year Adamwitz Tony 02 36:47 002 Chevrolet Van 1971 Adelbert Harvey 05 36:19 009 Mercedes-Benz 300D 1979 Alden Al 05 32:59 002 Mercedes-Benz 450 SEL 6.9 1979 Allen Gerald 05 36:20 010 Excalibur 1979 Ammerman Craig 04 45:36 017 Travco Motorhome 1975 Arentz Gary 05 39:10 019 Jaguar XJS 1979 Armstrong Keith 05 39:20 020 Chervrolet El Camino 1979 Armstrong Ted 05 39:20 020 Chevrolet El Camino 1979 Arutunoff Anatoly 04 49:32 018 Bristol 410 1975 05 40:33 024 Volvo 242 GT 1979 Atwell Jim 04 38:56 007 Porsche Carrera 1975 05 42:28 029 Porsche Carrera 1975 Baker Clyde 03 41:15 013 American Hornet 1972 Baker Terry 05 35:58 007 Ferrari 308 GTS 1979 Behr Steve 02 39:03 006 Dodge Van 1971 +03 37:16 001 Cadillac Coupe De Ville 1972 04 38:03 003 Dodge Challenger 1975 05 42:27 028 Porsche 928 1979 Bell Roger 05 58:04 039 Rolls Royce Silver Wraith 1979 Bernius Terry 05 44:13 032 Lotus Esprit 1979 Blue Doug 03 49:04 025 Chevrolet Monte Carlo 1972 Brennan Peter 05 00:00 045 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am 1979 Brio Roman +03 37:16 001 Cadillac Coupe De Ville 1972 Brock Pete 03 37:33 003 Mercedes-Benz 280 SEL 1972 Brodrick Bill 02 57:25 007 Travco Motorhome 1971 03 44:42 019 Travco Motorhome 1972 04 45:36 017 Travco Motorhome 1975 Brown Bob 03 37:26 002 Dodge Challenger 1972 Brownell Dave 05 61:51 040 Ford Panel Truck 1979 Browning Bob 05 40:33 024 Volvo 242 GT 1979 Bruerton Ed 02 37:48 005 American AMX 1971 03 39:42 008 American AMX 1972 Bruerton Tom 02 37:48 005 American AMX 1971 03 39:42 008 American AMX 1972 Buffum John 04 40:19 009 Porsche Carrera 1975 Buffum Vicki 04 40:19 009 Porsche Carrera 1975 Cady Jack 03 43:02 016 Ford Van 1972 Campbell Bill 05 41:00 026 Ford Thunderbird 1979 Canfield Bill +03 37:16 001 Cadillac Coupe De Ville 1972 Cannata Richard 04 44:23 016 Studebaker 1975 Carey Bob 02 57:25 007 Travco Motorhome 1971 Carlson Tim 04 40:37 011 Ford Van 1975 Catalano Christine 05 35:17 006 Mazda RX-7 1979 Chapin Kim 02 39:03 006 Dodge Van 1971 Cline Rick +04 35:53 001 Ferrari Dino 246 GTS 1975 Cooper Bill 05 38:52 018 Ferrari 308 GT 350 1979 Corrizzoni Tom 03 49:04 025 Chevrolet Monte Carlo 1972 Coumo ? 03 00:00 033 Studebaker 1972 Cowell Jack 03 37:33 003 Mercedes-Benz 280 SEL 1972 Crabbe Paul 03 45:39 021 Opel Rallye 1972 Cripe Tom 05 44:13 032 Lotus Esprit 1979 Crittenden Jim 05 36:00 008 Buick Park Avenue 1979 Dainko Rainec 03 40:55 010 Chevrolet Van 1972 Davidson Stuart 05 46:48 036 Ferrari 330 GT 1979 Dawn Wes 02 00:00 008 MGB GT 1971 03 39:35 007 Chevrolet Vega 1972 04 38:16 004 Mercedes-Benz 450 SL 1975 05 36:49 012 Cadillac Eldorado 1979 De Van Fred 03 39:29 006 Mazda RX-2 1972 Defty Peter 05 45:32 033 Chevrolet Suburban 1979 Denner Tom 03 41:06 012 Chevrolet Vega 1972 Dennison Scott 03 40:55 010 Chevrolet Van 1972 Doherty Richard 05 35:17 006 Mazda RX-7 1979 Dornsife Rod 05 42:27 028 Porsche 928 1979 Dunaj Jon 05 36:19 009 Mercedes-Benz 300 D 1979 Durst Steve 03 00:00 027 Chevrolet Vega 1972 Egloff George 05 43:32 030 Suzuki 850 Motorcycle 1979 Ehrich Terry 05 61:51 040 Ford Panel Truck 1979 Epstein Wendy 05 43:32 030 Suzuki 850 Motorcycle 1979 Erickson Morris 03 46:17 022 Opel Rallye 1972 Fassler Paul 05 37:25 014 Porsche 930 1979 Faust David 05 36:51 013 Chevrolet Malibu 1979 Feiner Fred 03 00:00 033 Studebaker 1972 04 44:23 016 Studebaker 1975 Fergusson Alice 03 42:08 015 Citroen DS 19 1972 Fergusson Joe 03 42:08 015 Citroen DS 19 1972 Fernald Steve 04 40:31 010 Volvo 164 E 1975 Field Dick 05 32:59 002 Merecedes-Benz 450 SEL 6.9 1979 Fischer Paul 03 41:01 011 Ford Torino 1972 04 40:53 013 Ford Torino 1975 Fog Steven 05 34:07 004 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am 1979 Frankl Andrew 05 65:55 041 Ford Mini Truck 1979 Fransson Joe 03 44:42 019 Travco Motorhome 1972 Fuchs John 03 41:15 013 American Hornet 1972 Gafford Tom 05 45:32 033 Chevrolet Suburban 1979 Gallagher ? 03 00:00 034 Honda 600 1972 Garbarini Steve 03 48:25 024 Datsun 240 Z 1972 Garcione William 03 48:25 024 Datsun 240 Z 1972 Gilmartin Richard 03 37:33 003 Mercedes-Benz 280 SEL 1972 Goodman Kirby 05 36:51 013 Chevrolet Malibu 1979 Gould Richard 04 41:35 015 Oldsmobile Cutlass 1975 Graham Paul 05 39:45 022 Chevrolet Camaro 1979 Gregory Fred 05 00:00 045 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am 1979 Gurney Dan +02 35:54 001 Ferrari Daytona 1971 Hammil ? 03 00:00 029 Porsche 911 1972 Harmston Edwin 05 58:04 039 Rolls Royce Silver Wraith 1975 Harris Richard 03 00:00 033 Studebaker 1972 04 44:23 016 Studebaker 1975 Harrison John 05 00:00 044 Lotus Esprit 1979 Heinz Dave +05 32:51* 001 Jaguar XJS 1979 Henry Bill 03 41:06 012 Chevrolet Vega 1972 Herisko Ron 02 36:56 003 Cadillac Coupe De Ville 1971 Hickey Tom 05 32:59 002 Mercedes-Benz 450 SEL 6.9 1979 Hitchins John 05 65:55 041 Ford Mini Truck 1979 Honegger Pierre 04 39:22 008 Mazda RX-4 1975 Hopkins ` Danny 03 38:02 004 De Tomaso Pantera 1972 Hopkins Hoppy 03 38:02 004 De Tomaso Pantera 1972 Hoschek Gero 05 43:47 031 Jensen Intercepter 1979 Houge Larry 03 46:17 022 Opel Rallye 1972 Hourihan Bob 04 40:31 010 Volvo 164 E 1975 Howlett Jack 04 38:45 006 Buick Electra 1975 Hunt Jim 05 41:00 026 Ford Thunderbird 1979 James Dirk 05 43:32 030 Suzuki 850 Motorcycle 1979 Jeanes William 04 45:36 017 Travco Motorhome 1975 Jellison Rich 03 57:19 026 Chevrolet Corvette 1972 Jenkins Richard 03 38:37 005 Alfa Romeo Guilia 1972 Jessen John 03 57:19 026 Chevrolet Corvette 1972 Jessick Peter 05 40:53 025 Chrysler 1979 Johnson Gary 03 00:00 031 Austin Healey 1972 04 37:50 002 Chevrolet Pickup 1975 Jones David 05 38:10 017 Chevrolet Blazer 1979 Kendall-Lane Fiona 05 58:04 039 Rolls Royce Silver Wraith 1979 Kendall-Lane Stephen 05 58:04 039 Rolls Royce Silver Wraith 1979 Kenny ? 03 00:00 032 Chevrolet Camaro Z 28 1972 Kepler Fred 03 00:00 032 Chevrolet Camaro Z 28 1972 Key Robert 05 48:53 037 Shelby Mustang GT 350 1979 Kirby Jim 05 36:40 011 Chevrolet Camaro Z 28 1979 Kopec Rich 05 48:53 037 Shelby Mustang GT 350 1979 Kovaleski Oscar 02 36:47 002 Chevrolet Van 1971 Kovaleski Bob 04 36:40 011 Chevrolet Camaro Z 28 1979 Kozlowski Tom 04 39:22 008 Mazda RX-4 1975 Lane John 05 37:31 015 Porsche 928 1979 Leib Dick 03 44:54 020 Pontiac 1972 Leonard Tom 05 37:46 016 Chevrolet Camaro Z 28 1979 Lincoln Sam 03 49:04 025 Chevrolet Monte Carlo 1972 Lloyd David 05 36:00 008 Buick Park Avenue 1979 Locke Pete 03 40:11 009 Chrysler 1972 Loveli Bill 05 41:00 026 Ford Thunderbird 1979 Lynch Leo 03 00:00 030 Porsche 911 1972 04 38:39 005 Porsche 911 1975 Mahler John 05 37:46 016 Chevrolet Camaro Z 28 1979 Marbut Tom 02 37:45 004 Dodge Van 1971 Marget Pete 03 41:41 014 Datsun 510 1972 Marshall Pierce 05 36:51 013 Chevrolet Malibu 1979 Martin Charles 05 45:32 033 Chevrolet Suburban 1979 Martin Chauncey 03 43:02 016 Ford Van 1972 Martini Jeff 04 39:22 008 Mazda RX-4 1975 05 36:49 012 Cadillac Eldorado 1979 May Jack +04 35:53 001 Ferrari Dino 246 GTS 1975 Mayo Edward 05 38:10 017 Chevrolet Blazer 1979 McCathey Charlie 05 36:19 009 Mercedes-Benz 300 D 1979 McConkey Ron 04 40:43 012 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am 1975 McCoy Jack 04 37:50 002 Chevrolet Pickup 1975 McCoy Peggy 04 37:50 002 Chevrolet Pickup 1975 McPaul ? 03 00:00 029 Porsche 911 1972 McGovern John 04 41:35 015 Oldsmobile Cutlass 1975 05 58:04 039 Rolls Royce Silver Wraith 1979 McGrail Tom 03 44:42 019 Travco Motorhome 1972 04 45:36 017 Travco Motorhome 1975 McMeekan George 03 44:54 020 Pontiac 1972 McPherson ? 03 00:00 031 Austin Healey 1972 McWhorter Donald 05 41:17 027 Chevrolet Corvette 1979 McWhorter Gerald 05 41:17 027 Chevrolet Corvette 1979 Menesini Dennis 05 34:52 005 Chevrolet Pickup 1979 Menke Vern 04 40:53 013 Ford Torino 1975 Menzel Mike 05 00:00 046 Fiat 127 1979 Micek John 05 40:53 025 Chrysler 1979 Miller James 03 43:45 018 Bradley GT 1972 Miller Mark 05 34:52 005 Chevrolet Pickup 1979 Miller Robin 03 39:35 007 Chevrolet Vega 1972 Mims Donna Mae 03 00:00 028 Cadillac Limousine 1972 Mockett Doug 05 40:53 025 Chrysler 1979 Moody Dave 03 41:01 011 Ford Torino 1972 Moore Bill 05 40:53 025 Chrysler 1979 Morin Holly 02 39:03 006 Dodge Van 1971 Morton Tom 03 41:01 011 Ford Torino 1972 04 40:33 013 Ford Torino 1975 Moses Sam 05 39:29 021 Ford Mustang Boss 302 1979 Mullen Jim 05 40:11 023 Ferrari SWB 1979 Mullen Joan 05 40:11 023 Ferrari SWB 1979 Needham Hal 05 00:00 043 Dodge Van 1979 Nehl Tom 04 41:32 014 Porsche 911 1975 Nerger Ursula 05 43:47 031 Jensen Intercepter 1979 Nichols John 05 39:45 022 Chevrolet Camaro 1979 Nickel Gil 04 38:16 004 Mercedes-Benz 450 SL 1975 Niemcek Brad 02 36:47 002 Chevrolet Van 1971 03 00:00 027 Chevrolet Van 1972 04 40:37 011 Ford Van 1975 Niemcek Peggi 03 00:00 028 Cadillac Limousine 1972 Nunn Spike 03 41:41 014 Datsun 510 1972 O'Brien Robert 04 41:35 015 Oldsmobile Cutlass 1975 O'Donnell Bill 05 53:00 038 Cadillac Eldorado 1979 Olds Fred +03 37:16 001 Cadillac Coupe De Ville 1972 04 40:31 010 Volvo 164 E 1975 Opert Larry 02 36:56 003 Cadillac Sedan De Ville 1971 Paggio Massimo 05 00:00 046 Fiat 127 1979 Parker Pal 02 57:25 007 Travco Motorhome 1971 03 44:42 019 Travco Motorhome 1972 04 45:36 017 Travco Motorhome 1975 Pash Phil 02 57:25 007 Travco Motorhome 1971 Patchett Keith 05 72:54 042 BMW R 90/6 Motorcycle 1979 Pearson Jack 04 38:45 006 Buick Electra 1975 Peeler Jim 05 46:48 036 Ferrari 330 GT 1979 Perlow Bob 02 00:00 008 MGB GT 1971 Pfeifer S. 03 47:28 023 Ford Pinto 1972 Pierce Jeff 05 33:42 003 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am 1979 Pitt Jesse 03 40:11 009 Chrysler 1972 Poston Becky 02 37:45 004 Dodge Van 1971 Prentiss Larry 05 46:37 035 Porsche Carrera 1979 Pritch Mark 05 36:52 018 Ferrari 308 GT 350 1979 Pritzker Nate 02 36:56 003 Cadillac Sedan De Ville 1971 Pryor Bill 04 49:32 018 Bristol 410 1975 05 40:33 024 Volvo 242 GT 1979 Quartararo Tony 05 46:48 036 Ferrari 330 GT 1979 Race Donald 05 53:00 038 Cadillac Eldorado 1979 Ralston Benjamin 05 46:37 035 Porsche Carrera 1979 Ramsey John 03 43:28 017 Ford Torino 1972 Rasmussen Buzz 05 39:20 020 Chevrolet El Camino 1979 Regan Ken 04 40:37 011 Ford Van 1975 Richardson Tad 05 35:17 006 Mazda RX-7 1979 Riggs Clyde 05 36:49 012 Cadillac Eldorado 1979 Robison Charlie 05 34:52 005 Chevrolet Pickup 1979 Roder Dick 03 40:55 010 Chevrolet Van 1972 Romine Chris 05 35:58 007 Ferrari 308 GTS 1979 Rosenblatt Joel 05 36:00 008 Buick Park Avenue 1979 Rost Bob 03 38:37 005 Alfa Romeo Guilia 1972 Rowzie Dan 04 38:39 005 Porsche 911 RSR 1975 Royer Lyle 05 00:00 043 Dodge Van 1979 Satullo Sandy 04 38:45 006 Buick Electra 1975 05 36:49 012 Pontiac 1979 Satullo Stuart 05 36:49 012 Pontiac 1979 Satullo II Sandy 04 38:45 006 Buick Electra 1975 05 36:49 012 Pontiac 1979 Scarlato Jerry 04 45:36 017 Travco Motorhome 1975 Schmitt Charles 05 53:00 038 Cadillac Eldorado 1979 Scott Dick 03 00:00 030 Porsche 911 1972 Scribner Doug 03 49:04 025 Chevrolet Monte Carlo 1972 Sellyei Louis 05 39:10 019 Jaguar XJS 1979 Sencenbaugh Jim 05 45:32 033 Chevrolet Suburban 1979 Seneki Alex 05 46:31 034 Mercedes-Benz 300 SEL 6.3 1979 Shugars Dave 04 40:43 012 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am 1975 Sibio Albert Jr. 05 36:40 011 Chevrolet Camaro Z 28 1979 Simkin Daniel 05 36:20 010 Excalibur 1979 Smith Gary 05 39:45 022 Chevrolet Camaro 1979 Smith Ken 05 34:52 005 Chevrolet Pickup 1979 Smith Steve +01 40:51 001 Dodge Sportsman Van 1971 Snyder Michael 05 33:42 003 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am 1979 Solski Paul 03 39:29 006 Mazda RX-2 1972 Sportiche Alain 05 46:31 034 Mercedes-Benz 300 SEL 6.3 1979 Spreadbury Bill 03 47:28 023 Ford Pinto 1972 Stanner Bud 03 37:26 002 Dodge Challenger 1972 Stanton Chick 04 38:56 007 Porsche Carrera 1975 05 42:28 029 Porsche Carrera 1979 Stephenson ? 03 00:00 034 Honda 600 1972 Stevens David 05 36:20 010 Excalibur 1979 Stropus Judy 03 00:00 028 Cadillac Limousine 1972 Taayjes Bob 03 43:45 018 Bradley GT 1972 Talbert R.A. 03 44:54 020 Pontiac 1972 Taylor Justus 05 61:51 040 Ford Panel Truck 1979 Thibeau John 03 45:39 021 Opel Rallye 1972 Trefethen Jon 03 43:28 017 Ford Torino 1972 Truesdale Loyal 05 72:54 042 BMW R 90/6 Motorcycle 1979 Turkovich Bob 04 40:37 011 Ford Van 1975 Unkefer Duane 03 43:02 016 Ford Van 1972 Villeneuve Jacques 05 37:31 015 Porsche 928 1979 Visniewski Scott 05 38:10 017 Chevrolet Blazer 1979 Walle Ray 04 39:22 008 Mazda RX-4 1975 Ward Ken 05 43:32 030 Suzuki 850 Motorcycle 1979 Ward Steve 05 43:32 030 Suzuki 850 Motorcycle 1979 Warner Bill 04 41:32 014 Porsche 911 1975 Waters Randy 02 37:45 004 Dodge Van 1971 Weglarz Dennis 04 40:43 012 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am 1975 Whiteside Mark 05 34:07 004 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am 1979 Williams Jim +01 40:51 001 Dodge Sportsman Van 1971 Williams Willie 05 38:10 017 Chevrolet Blazer 1979 Willig George 05 39:29 021 Ford Mustang Boss 302 1979 Yarborough Dave +05 32:51* 001 Jaguar XJS 1979 Yates Brock +01 40:51 001 Dodge Sportsman Van 1971 +02 35:54 001 Ferrari Daytona 1971 03 37:26 002 Dodge Challenger 1972 04 38:03 003 Dodge Challenger 1975 05 00:00 043 Dodge Van 1979 Yates Brock, Jr. +01 40:51 001 Dodge Sportsman Van 1971 Yates Pamela 05 00:00 043 Dodge Van 1979 Ziegel Robert 05 37:25 014 Porsche 930 1979 Zoeltner Andreas 05 43:47 031 Jensen Intercepter 1979
Movie – The Gumball Rally
In 1976, The Gumball Rally hit the movie theaters and was based off of the Cannonball Baker Sea-to-Shining-Sea Memorial Trophy Dash. Some say it’s a pretty accurate depiction of the race starting out from a parking garage in New York City and racing cross county to the Queen Mary in Long Beach, California. Brock Yates did not have anything to do with creating this film and was upset that someone took his story.
Movie – The Cannonball Run
In 1979, Brock Yates did the final Cannonball with Hal Needham. They took a 1978 Dodge Tradesman van and converted it into an ambulance (CLICK FOR MORE). They used Brock’s wife Pam as a patient and found a real doctor to ride along with them. They figured it was a sure bet to win the Cannonball since they could speed, and the police wouldn’t stop them. However, they actually got pulled over by the New Jersey State Police on the New Jersey Turnpike. They explained that they needed to get the patient to a hospital in Los Angeles and that her condition kept her from being flown. Sound familiar?
(Unknown Person, Hal Needham (director), Pam Yates (Brock’s wife), and actress Tara Buckman (in the ambulance))
Hal Needham was a movie director and former stunt man. Together, Needham and Yates created ‘The Cannonball Run’ which came out in movie theaters in 1981. Most people that saw the movie didn’t know that it was a real race. But not only was it a real race, the characters and some of the events in the movie were based on the participants and actual events of the 1979 Cannonball Baker Sea-to-Shining-Sea Memorial Trophy Dash.
In 1984, Cannonball Run II was released in movie theaters even though there wasn’t any more Cannonball races after 1979.
Imitation Transcontinental Races
After the final 1979 Cannonball, others created their own versions of the race.
U.S. Express – After the last Cannonball, Rick Doherty, a veteran of the 1975 and 1979 races, organized a successor, the U.S. Express (1980–1983).The 1980 U.S. Express ran from Brooklyn, New York, to the beach in Santa Monica. Doherty won the first U.S. Express with co-driver and famous game designer Will Wright at the wheel of a Mazda RX-7. Their time was 33 hours 9 minutes.
In the final U.S. Express held in 1983, Doug Turner and David Diem beat the Cannonball Run record, taking the win in 32 hours and 7 minutes. Their record stood for over 20 years until 2006.
(Diem and Turner won with this 1980 Ferrari 308 GTS in 1983)
C2C Express – The C2C Express was an organized event that was created by Ben Wilson of New Zealand and Eric Propst of Michigan. The event was intended to be limited to pre 1980 automobiles that cost under $3000. This was intended to keep the cost affordable and in the spirit of the original runs of the 1970s. The event spanned from 2015–2019. The run Ran from the traditional Cannonball Route of Redball Garage in Manhattan to The Portofino Inn at Redondo beach California. The final C2C Express went from Darien, Connecticut to Portofino Inn located in Los Angeles. Darien to Portofino was the same route run as the 1979 Cannonball and became a 40-year anniversary tribute to the event. Over 40 teams registered for the event, 33 competed and 24 finished.
Transcontinental Records
People still set out to break the transcontinental record from New York to California.
October 2006 – Alex Roy, Dave Maher and filmmaker Cory Welles set a transcontinental record of 31 hours 4 minutes from the Classic Car Club NYC to Santa Monica Pier using a modified 2000 BMW M5, averaging 90 miles per hour (140 km/h) with a top speed of 157 miles per hour (253 km/h). A spotter plane was deployed for the daytime sections. This and the U.S. Express are depicted in the 2019 documentary APEX: The Secret Race Across America.
(Alex Roy 2000 BMW M5)
May 2007 – Richard Rawlings (Gas Monkey Garage) and co-pilot Dennis Collins allegedly broke the 1979 Cannonball Run time during the 2007 Bullrun entry, driving a black Ferrari 550 Maranello, modified with extra fuel tanks. Their final time was 31 hours and 59 minutes. If you ever watch any shows or videos with Richard Rollins, you can usually see his 31:59 tattoo on his left forearm.
(Dennis Collins 1999 Ferrari 550 Maranello)
October 2013 – A team led by Ed Bolian with Dave Black and Dan Huang set a transcontinental record of 28 hours 50 minutes in a modified 2004 Mercedes-Benz CL55 AMG, averaging 98 miles per hour (158 km/h) with top speed of 182 miles per hour (293 km/h). Bolian and Black shared driving with Bolian serving as the primary driver while Huang served as spotter watching for police and obstructions such as deer or construction using image stabilized binoculars.
(Ed Bolian (right) Mercedes-Benz CL55 AMG)
November 2019 – The driving team of Arne Toman and Doug Tabbutt, with spotter Berkeley Chadwick, set a transcontinental record of 27 hours 25 minutes. The team averaged 103 miles per hour (166 km/h) and reached a top speed of 193 miles per hour (311 km/h) on the trip covering 13 states. The 2015 Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG was modified to provide 800 horsepower (811 PS; 597 kW) and fitted with an additional fuel tank in the trunk providing 67 US gallons (56 imp gal; 250 L) enabling the team to stop just four times for fuel for a total of just over 22 minutes. The car was also equipped with police scanner, CB radio, a thermal camera to help the team spot police on the ground and in the air as well as a laser jammer. The team left early November ahead of Thanksgiving travel traffic and chose a route based on weather forecasts which provided dry weather through the entire trip.
(Arne Toman 2015 Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG)
May 2020 (Covid) – Arne Toman, Doug Tabbutt, and spotter Dunadel Daryoush set the new cannonball record of 25 hours and 39 minutes in a modified 2016 Audi S6 disguised to look like a Ford Taurus police interceptor. Police-evasion modifications included brake light kill-switches, radar detectors, laser diffusers, CB-radio, and a roof-mounted thermal camera. Performance modifications included a trunk-mounted 67-US-gallon (56 imp gal; 250 L) auxiliary fuel tank sourced from the car used in Toman and Tabbutt’s 2019 cannonball run, modified turbochargers, an upgraded heat-exchanger, and custom ECU tuning that allowed for engine-mapping to be changed on-demand to suit either 91 or 93-octane fuel; allowing the car to generate an estimated 600 horsepower (608 PS; 447 kW). The run achieved an overall average speed of 110 miles per hour (177 km/h), with average speeds upwards of 125 miles per hour (201 km/h) across some states, and which at no time exceeded 175 miles per hour (282 km/h).
(Arne Toman 2016 Audi S6)
June 2020 (Falsified Record) – As reported by Road & Track, Fred Ashmore allegedly completed a solo run in 25 hours and 55 minutes. The claim has now been cast into doubt by Road & Track after further investigation revealed that the evidence to support the claim had been doctored. An independent analysis conducted in January 2022 concluded that the GPS screenshots Ashmore used to back up his claim were manipulated. These recent findings cast Ashmore’s claimed time of 25 hours and 55 minutes into doubt.
(Fred Ashmore – Faked Cannonball Record)
The Current Cannonball (Unofficial) New York to California / 25:39
Arne Toman, Doug Tabbutt, and spotter Dunadel Daryoush hold the current Cannonball record of 25 hours and 39 minutes traveling from the Red Ball Garage in New York to the Portofino Hotel in Redondo Beach, California in May 2020. I say ‘unofficial’ simply because the Cannonball was never officially held after 1979. But if you document leaving the Red Ball Garage in New York and document your arrival at the Portofino Hotel, can prove your trip and time, and do it in less than 25 hours and 39 minutes, then you could be the new record holder. Documentation is key, and no, you’re probably not going to do it in a rental car. LOL.
The Cars That Have Broken The Record:
- Graham-Paige Model 57 Blue Streak 8 / 53:30 (1933)
- Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona / 35:54 (1971)
- Ferrari Dino 246 GTS / 35:53 (1975)
- Jaguar XJ-S / 32:51 (1979)
- Ferrari 308 GTS / 32:07 (1983)
- BMW M5 / 31:04 (2006)
- Ferrari 550 Maranello / 31:59 (2007)
- Mercedes-Benz CL55 AMG / 28:50 (2013)
- Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG / 27:25 (2019)
- 2016 Audi S6 / 25:39 (2020)
Photo Gallery
