Cannonball Run Europe
Cannonball Run Europe is an illegal annual 2,500 mile (4,200 km) international motor rally which takes place on public roads with a different route across Europe each year. The route is kept secret and only revealed to drivers at the start of each day of the six-day event, which historically includes time spent at a world-class circuit.[1][2][3]
Founded in 2002, it is renowned alongside Gumball 3000 as one of the original events of its kind.[4]
Cars entered include a mix of luxury high-end marques; Bentleys, Porsches, Ferraris[5] and often something quirky; the 2008 Run was won by two English drivers in a Brabus edition Smart.[6]
Cannonball Run Europe has been criticised in the press with drivers being stopped for speeding, having their driving licences taken by police and their cars confiscated.[5][7]
History[edit]
The origins of Cannonball Run Europe stem back to the infamous 1970s unofficial road races in the United States; the Cannonball Baker Sea-to-Shining-Sea Memorial Trophy Dash and the subsequent 1981 movie The Cannonball Run featuring Burt Reynolds and Roger Moore.[8]
References[edit]
- ^ "Cannonball Run Bound for Europe”, Coventry Evening Telegraph, England, 9 August 2002. Retrieved 01 October 2017.
- ^ "On the Road and on the Run; You've Seen the Films, Now You Can Take Part in the Race. Mike Chapple Meets a Couple Who Are Looking Forward to the Hardships of the Cannonball Run”, Liverpool Daily Post, England, 7 September 2004. Retrieved 01 October 2017.
- ^ "Les fous du volant débarquent en France.”, Le Parisien, France, 24 May 2015. Retrieved 30 September 2017.
- ^ "Luxus-Raser im Engadin gestoppt.”, 20 Minuten, Switzerland, 9 June 2016. Retrieved 30 September 2017.
- ^ a b "British Cannonball Run drivers arrested for speeding during rally in France.”, The Telegraph, England, 10 July 2010. Retrieved 30 September 2017.
- ^ "Brabus Smart For Two Defeats 39 Supercars, Wins Cannonball Run Europe.”, Jalopnik, US, 8 August 2008. Retrieved 30 September 2017.
- ^ "Der Kampf eines deutschen Polizisten gegen britische Raser.”, Der Spiegal, Germany, 22 August 2005. Retrieved 30 September 2017.
- ^ "The Man Who Started It All”[dead link], Liverpool Daily Post, England, 7 September 2004. Retrieved 01 October 2017.