What car for the Cannonball run?
Discussion
I've always fancied doing something like the Cannonball run or the Gumball rally but can't really justify the entrance fee. However,if you were to take part, what would the best car for the event be? Ideally you want speed, comfort and reliability but something with a decent range to minimise fuel stops and not anything that is going to attract too much attention from the Police yet still feels special enough for such an event.
Would you go for slow and steady wins the race, in which case a Fiat 500 Twinair Convertible might do the job. Here's a few more suggestions.
Black/silver Subaru Forester STI (discrete yet fast)
Refettled Jensen Intercepter
Classic V8 Mustang or Pontiac GTO if there aren't too many corners involved
Silver Honda NSX (early model with the pop-up headlights)
What car would you choose for such an event and why?
Would you go for slow and steady wins the race, in which case a Fiat 500 Twinair Convertible might do the job. Here's a few more suggestions.
Black/silver Subaru Forester STI (discrete yet fast)
Refettled Jensen Intercepter
Classic V8 Mustang or Pontiac GTO if there aren't too many corners involved
Silver Honda NSX (early model with the pop-up headlights)
What car would you choose for such an event and why?
I don't think they'd be too interested in you joining in unless you either have a supercar of some sort, or you appeared on Big Brother or have some other weak claim to fame.
The idea is mostly to attract as much attention as possible rather than win anything.
A winning combination would be a 530d with an extended fuel tank, driven by someone from "the only way is Essex".
The idea is mostly to attract as much attention as possible rather than win anything.
A winning combination would be a 530d with an extended fuel tank, driven by someone from "the only way is Essex".
TheHeretic said:
Have you considered an ambulance? Apparently, (a stuntman told me this once), they can go through traffic like shot through a gun.
The story in the Cannonball run film of using an ambulance is actually based on what some guys did in the real cannonball in the 70's. They had an ambulance, the 'Transcon Medi-Vac', with a big block V8 fitted. Genius idea but their gearbox crapped out mid race.I find stories of the proper cannonball fascinating. It seems from various peoples accounts that something not too ostentatious than can comfortably cruise at 150mph+ is the key to doing it quickly.
Shame the modern events are just an excuse for minor celebrities to compete to see who can appear the biggest a
hole.hairykrishna said:
The story in the Cannonball run film of using an ambulance is actually based on what some guys did in the real cannonball in the 70's. They had an ambulance, the 'Transcon Medi-Vac', with a big block V8 fitted. Genius idea but their gearbox crapped out mid race.
I find stories of the proper cannonball fascinating. It seems from various peoples accounts that something not too ostentatious than can comfortably cruise at 150mph+ is the key to doing it quickly.
Shame the modern events are just an excuse for minor celebrities to compete to see who can appear the biggest ahole.
The book written by Brock Yates who started the original Cannonball's back in the early 70's is a really good read.I find stories of the proper cannonball fascinating. It seems from various peoples accounts that something not too ostentatious than can comfortably cruise at 150mph+ is the key to doing it quickly.
Shame the modern events are just an excuse for minor celebrities to compete to see who can appear the biggest a
hole.As for an ideal car nowadays, I did the 2004 Cannonball Run in a 2000 Pontiac Trans Am, that was firecracker red and covered in event stickers (real low key car!!!)
But was massively comfortable, good on fuel due to being the LS1 with a 6 speed trans, and kept pace and shocked many of the 'supercars' that were 5 to 10 times the value of the T-A.
As for now, although it was a great event then and I thoroughly enjoyed it (lots of normal folk and no celebs), I wouldn't do it now in europe as I believe its become a z celeb's favourite
Or how about a 911 GT2 with a larger tank fitted ? Oh hang on a min........
http://pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f...
http://pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f...
TheEnd said:
I don't think they'd be too interested in you joining in unless you either have a supercar of some sort, or you appeared on Big Brother or have some other weak claim to fame.
Ha ha....
Well, I organise the Cannonball run along with Jan my Mrs (she actually does all the hard work) and I can can tell you right now that our motto is not what you drive but who is driving it. We are not looking for jumped up celebrities in any shape or form, everyone is treated equally so whether your a binman or a banker you're more than welcome in any car you like!
We have been tainted with the 'more money than sense' label for a few years now and it is difficult to shake off but i can tell you that we are nothing like the runs of old.
Check out our testimonials and videos and make up your own minds:
http://cannonballruneurope.co.uk/
Oh, by the way, there are still some places left on this year's run.
And to answer the OP there are two types of Cannonball car that most people bring along...The diesel powered comfy car and the super car. Do remember that we hire a current F1 track for the day so It would be a shame not to bring something a little 'tasty' along! In the last 6 years the 'winning' cars have been 2 x 911's, a Jag XKR, Gallardo, smart car and.....a Fiat 500 Abarth!
TheEnd said:
A winning combination would be a 530d with an extended fuel tank.
Unless the race is in America where availability of diesel might be an issue in certain places. The new V8 turbo M5 would be a sure contender though (although, again, if in America it wouldn't be as much of a Q-car as it would in Europe)Lordbenny said:
TheEnd said:
I don't think they'd be too interested in you joining in unless you either have a supercar of some sort, or you appeared on Big Brother or have some other weak claim to fame.
Ha ha.......I can can tell you right now that our motto is not what you drive but who is driving it.
That said, I've always seem the Gumball as a bit more of a tight knit group, and I don't think the Cannonball absorbs as much of the feel from it.
I do know someone who was refused from the Gumball as they didn't have anything interesting about them.
TheEnd said:
I don't think they'd be too interested in you joining in unless you either have a supercar of some sort, or you appeared on Big Brother or have some other weak claim to fame.
The idea is mostly to attract as much attention as possible rather than win anything.
A winning combination would be a 530d with an extended fuel tank, driven by someone from "the only way is Essex".
The Cannonball run website says that the entrance fee is £5500 per car (for 2 people) which is a lot but I guess not extortionate. One of the cars on the homepage is a mk4 Golf wehich doesn't seem that exotic. I'm not sure that impersonating an ambulance is strictly legal though! If I did it, I would quite happily do it in my Impreza WRX Estate which we drove down to Northern Italy and back in quite happily last summer. It's bright blue metallic though which is a bit shouty if you wanted to press on. I guess a more subdued vinyl wrap would fix that though!The idea is mostly to attract as much attention as possible rather than win anything.
A winning combination would be a 530d with an extended fuel tank, driven by someone from "the only way is Essex".
TheEnd said:
Lordbenny said:
TheEnd said:
I don't think they'd be too interested in you joining in unless you either have a supercar of some sort, or you appeared on Big Brother or have some other weak claim to fame.
Ha ha.......I can can tell you right now that our motto is not what you drive but who is driving it.
That said, I've always seem the Gumball as a bit more of a tight knit group, and I don't think the Cannonball absorbs as much of the feel from it.
I do know someone who was refused from the Gumball as they didn't have anything interesting about them.
I keep thinking Audi R8 4.2, late Honda NSX Targa, Aston Martin DBS or 997 Carrera S. I want sporty with some space, but not a big compromise on comfort.
The R8 and 997 won't feel special to go on those onece-in-a-lifetime events... NSX would be cool as hell to drive, but I can't overlook the DBS' power, interior and engine noise so that's my choice even though it's a very obvious choice...
Just for fun, if it could be done, I would loved to squeeze a 1.6 VTEC Honda engine down the Fiat 500 (the old model) engine bay, and gone on a roadtrip, just for giggles.
The R8 and 997 won't feel special to go on those onece-in-a-lifetime events... NSX would be cool as hell to drive, but I can't overlook the DBS' power, interior and engine noise so that's my choice even though it's a very obvious choice...
Just for fun, if it could be done, I would loved to squeeze a 1.6 VTEC Honda engine down the Fiat 500 (the old model) engine bay, and gone on a roadtrip, just for giggles.
Depends which 'cannonball' you're talking about when the question about who they let in, how much it costs etc comes up. Cannonball Europe, Gumball 3000 Bullrun etc. None of them bear any resemblance to the original although some of them might be fun in their own way.
The point of the original was to drive from New York to LA as fast as possible. None of the partying in 5* hotels, celebs or branding. If I remember the book correctly the entrance fee was a ~$200, so ~$1000 today, donation to a charity.
The point of the original was to drive from New York to LA as fast as possible. None of the partying in 5* hotels, celebs or branding. If I remember the book correctly the entrance fee was a ~$200, so ~$1000 today, donation to a charity.
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