Around 10pm tonight, in a stunt to promote BioWillie diesel, two ad copywriters from Atlanta will attempt to drive a Jetta TDI from NY to LA, without fuel stops, in less than 36 hours, or 40 hours, depending on which which website you go to. You have to admire the cause but one can’t help but point out their lack of research. They claim the record is 35:54, which was set by Brock Yates and Dan Gurney in 1971. I think we’re all aware that the record is 32:07.
Jack May and Rick Cline won the 1975 Cannonball Run, beating the Brock Yates/Dan Gurney record in a Ferrari Dino. In this article he wrote for Car Collector, he waxed philosophically about his reasons and motives for making the run. A particularly funny part of the write up involves getting nabbed in Ohio by a cop…who seems more interested in the Ferrari than anything else.
From storm chasers, to "shambulances" and contaminated NASA engineers, the list of ploys to escape conviction never ceases to amaze, not just for their comedic benefits but also for their ability to work. Read about US Express winner David Morse’s tactics in the comments section beneath the story.
"This is designed to be the best software to defeat that 32:07 record that now stands." Isn’t the record 31:04? In this video Mark Nicholson of EyePatch Films, introduces a software package that integrates essentially all the systems that were used in 144A, with some new additions, in an attempt to break the Roy/Maher NY-LA record by using a ‘07 BMW Z4 M Coupe. We’re not sure it’s particularly wise to announce that you’re going to break the record lest you want to invite surveillance by numerous law enforcement agencies. We’re waiting for the record-breaking announcement and the data and the toll receipts and the witnesses, etc.. BTW, Alex doesn’t believe any of this is real.
Balls. "Cannon Ball" Baker had them for the simple reason that he set so many of his early records on a motorcycle. The man pictured here, George Egloff, had them, too. He did one Cannonball and four U.S. Express runs on a motorcycle, four of those five races he did solo. And for him, they were mere warm-ups compared to his other feats of endurance. Click here for the full story and video clips.
U.S. Express driver, Mack Howard, got this warning during his run in ‘82. Cannonball and U.S. Express drivers considered Ohio one of the toughest states to speed through. He would go on to get two real tickets within three hours of receiving it. Check out his sweet RX-7 with the giant air dam.
Want to know what it took to join the U.S. Express back in 1980? Organizers of similar underground illegal races today sure could learn a thing or two from Express organizer Rick Doherty and the boys. Check out 32 Hours 7 Minutes Assistant Editor Adam Bedient’s production blog, then take a look at the acceptance letters…
Oh yeah…I almost forgot. Cory Welles has suggested - maybe - and I’m praying this is true - that the U.S. Express logo depicted above will make its way to the official 3207 movie T-shirts sometime. Soon.
31:04 co-pilot, David Maher, takes us on a lap of Watkins Glen in his 993 Turbo. The car runs on a significantly stiffer and heavily re-inforced suspension set up along with Recaro race seats. Engine is stock but Maher feels it’s a bit down on power after 50K miles, most of them on the track. Tires are Michelin Pilot Sport Cups on BBS wheels. Note the telemetry, nice touch. What you can’t see, unfortunately, is his authentic Ricky Bobby race suit.
