Cannonball – idea to reality

Published on October 23, 2008 in (1971-1979) Cannonball Run, Media, Photos and Races. 20 Comments

Here’s a nice article from 1981 about the Cannonball (Cannonball Baker pictured above) and how Brock Yates  got it started.  Although Yates was certainly a businessman before he was a romantic, he was responsible for initiating the cross-country rally as an idea.  The Cannonball, however much of a lark, spawned the US Express, and more generally, the concept of the underground cross-country dash.  The last page is missing, but you get the idea. (If the text is too small to read, click "full size" below the pop-up imagee, and then you can zoom in for a less strenuous viewing experience).

Unsafe at Any Speed?

Published on October 21, 2008 in Media, Photos and Videos. 20 Comments

 

Here‘s a short film by some students at Georgia State about what happens when people obey the law.  Granted, they may have gone a little over the top, but one has to make allowances if there’s a relevant point to be made.  And it seems to me it’s relevant.  Again, it comes back to our favorite question, who’s causing accidents and creating an unsafe transit environment: fast drivers or bad drivers?

Pre-race jitters reminiscent of being attacked by a lion.

Published on October 16, 2008 in (1980-1983) U.S. Express, Media, Photos, Races and Videos. 6 Comments


The Express Starting Garage

Here’s a clip of Larry Wilson talking about the US Express.  This is by far the best description I have heard of the jitters/excitement conjured up sitting in the car pre-race. Salut, my good man. 

What does it really take??

Published on October 14, 2008 in Alex Roy, Cast, Drivers, Jon Goodrich, Media and Videos. 3 Comments

 Well, Jon and Alex will tell you.  Safety, preparation, intelligence, and very very high speeds!  Oh, and a couple of dollars to spend on some gear for the cockpit.

I Shall Be Released

Published on October 9, 2008 in (1980-1983) U.S. Express, Media, Photos and Races. 1 Comment

Here‘s an interesting document I unearthed from the 1982 US Express.  I think it’s cool to see all of the paperwork and preparation that went into providing a safe and responsible atmosphere within the construct of a top speed illegal road race.  I think it really gives credit to these guys, that they weren’t just recklessly flying across the country; this was something they wanted to do, and wanted to do it in a way that was not going to be disruptive (well, more than necessary) to those oblivious to its existence.

Michael Hollander, Cannonball Express Photographer, Passes Away

Published on October 7, 2008 in (1971-1979) Cannonball Run, (1980-1983) U.S. Express, Cars, Cast, David Maher, Drivers, Media, Photos, Production, Races and Videos. 2 Comments


(photo taken by Michael Hollander at the US Express)

US Express and Cannonball photographer, Michael Hollander, has passed away from cancer. Included is footage from the ’75 Cannonball, the finish of the ’83 US Express, and a recent interview Cory did with him for 32 Hours 7 Minutes. Although the time had not been officially calculated (Hollander tells Diem and Turner their time was 32:15), Hollander is the one to announce in ’83 that a new record had been set, which turned out to be the impetus for this film. I’ve included some words from Rick Doherty, US Express organizer and Cannonball participant, as well as Davey Johnson, a friend of Michael’s: 

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Driving Super Fast on a Public Road Stirs Up Some Controversy. Even in the 80′s…

Published on October 2, 2008 in Media, Photos and Races. 2 Comments Tags: .

There is a perpetual debate over the safety and responsibility of trans-continental road racing. Some people feel that driving at high speeds is downright dangerous and irresponsible, no matter the precautions taken, the skill of the drivers or the preparation undergone. The drivers of the illegal cross-country races have been called “blatantly anarchistic” and “downright disrespectful.” Socially, high speed driving is often seen as rude and juvenile, but here’s what a couple of Daily Pilot readers felt in 1981 about the races…

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Need a Halloween Costume? Think 32 Hours 7 Minutes

Published on September 30, 2008 in (1971-1979) Cannonball Run, Alex Roy, Cars, Cast, Cory Welles, Drivers, Media, Photos, Polizei 144A - 2000 E39 BMW M5, Production, Races and Videos. 4 Comments

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Follow the Damn Rules!

Published on September 25, 2008 in (1980-1983) U.S. Express, Media, Photos and Races. 0 Comments

Rules?!  Really?!  Well, sort of.  Guidelines more so.  The rules were pretty loose, but it’s nice to see that safety/respect for others on the road made the list.  Not sure he meant that part about complying with the laws of each state, though.  Here are Rick Doherty’s "guidelines" for the 1981 event.

We’ve Decided to take over the world, starting with the Sundance film festival

Published on September 23, 2008 in Media, Photos and Production. 22 Comments

Have you guys ever seen that movie in which those kids have to climb through that cave to find a hidden treasure and there are bad guys chasing them and they finally make it to One-eyed Willie’s ship and escape with treasure in their pockets which their parents use to save their neighborhood?  That’s what things are like around here.

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