RE: Someone has done the Cannonball in 27hrs 25mins
Discussion
fblm said:
This is a ridiculous strawman argument. Driving across the great planes of America is not like driving around a housing estate. I'm genuinely sorry if you've lost someone to a reckless driver but making up these kind of analogies is pointless.
Well said. Ridiculous to the point of tiresome and annoying!jp-sr71 said:
I'm fairly sure a good proportion of PH'ers have been north of 150 on UK roads at one point in time or another...
You picks your moments...
I have several like-minded friends and friends of friends who are well into cars. You picks your moments...
I don't know that any of them have exceeded 150mph on UK public roads at any point, let alone doing it myself.
Abroad, definitely - France (a few years back) and the autobahn, but not in the UK.
Most I've hit is 110 and that was years and years back. The only roads you can sensibly get into 3 figures on now are too littered with cameras.
Arsecati said:
Cheezus kryste, so much PC whinging bo11ox on here these days - why are you still reading PH?? My claim to 'cross country America' fame is crossing from San Jose to NYC in 49 hours and 15 minutes on my own in a Honda Accord 'driveaway' in mid-March back in 96. It wasn't planned, but I was hoping to make NYC by St. Patrick's Day (4 days away), and once I got going - the madness to keep going non-stop took over.
A total distance of 3024 miles, only stopping for fuel, food, fluids and to pee (and one speeding ticket in Nevada!). To those complaining about danger to the public, I can assure there was NOTHING on those roads the entire time, apart from leaving SJ and then again in NYC.... NOTHING in between. To those on about the dangers of fatigue, well in my mid-stretch, I drove solid for 22 hours without sleep/rest until I could take no more and grabbed a couple of hours in a service stop before launching in to the last leg. Granted, that sounds utter lunacy now, but I was only 25 and lacking sense/fear: All I needed was caffeine from coffee or diet cola (no Monster or Red Bull back then!). With this attempt, there were actually THREE of these guys in the car, and the adrenaline alone would be more than enough to keep them focussed, so absolutely zero chance of the driver falling asleep at the wheel.
Incidentally, I drove over 360 miles in 24 hours yesterday taking my old 944 S2 from Dublin (Holyhead) to Sheffield and back: Over 4 and a half hours to get from Sheffield to Holyhead on the way back - a distance of only 168 miles. Crawling on those motorways for mile after mile was soul destroying - I was literally beginning to stress out with the feelings of being trapped on those b@$tard fu€&1ng roads, just trying to get back to Holyhead to catch the ferry home: trust me, there is no bloody danger of anyone trying a cross-country record in the UK..... the traffic is literally evil!!
I could go on, but I've drivelled enough. Seems no matter what the story/achievement/endeavour is - if it's got anything at all to with burning petrol or speed, it's getting shot down by the self-appointed morality police. Yes, things need to change, but FFS - are we not allowed just ONE last haven here on the internet, where we can let loose with our hedonistic pleasures of excessive speed and gargling fuel?? Can you not please just leave Pistonheads for the rest of us, so we can continue desperately hanging on to the last vestiges of a rapidly declining motoring world, before it's all gone and replaced by autonomous unicorn-fart powered electrobubbles?
Agree wholeheartedly.A total distance of 3024 miles, only stopping for fuel, food, fluids and to pee (and one speeding ticket in Nevada!). To those complaining about danger to the public, I can assure there was NOTHING on those roads the entire time, apart from leaving SJ and then again in NYC.... NOTHING in between. To those on about the dangers of fatigue, well in my mid-stretch, I drove solid for 22 hours without sleep/rest until I could take no more and grabbed a couple of hours in a service stop before launching in to the last leg. Granted, that sounds utter lunacy now, but I was only 25 and lacking sense/fear: All I needed was caffeine from coffee or diet cola (no Monster or Red Bull back then!). With this attempt, there were actually THREE of these guys in the car, and the adrenaline alone would be more than enough to keep them focussed, so absolutely zero chance of the driver falling asleep at the wheel.
Incidentally, I drove over 360 miles in 24 hours yesterday taking my old 944 S2 from Dublin (Holyhead) to Sheffield and back: Over 4 and a half hours to get from Sheffield to Holyhead on the way back - a distance of only 168 miles. Crawling on those motorways for mile after mile was soul destroying - I was literally beginning to stress out with the feelings of being trapped on those b@$tard fu€&1ng roads, just trying to get back to Holyhead to catch the ferry home: trust me, there is no bloody danger of anyone trying a cross-country record in the UK..... the traffic is literally evil!!
I could go on, but I've drivelled enough. Seems no matter what the story/achievement/endeavour is - if it's got anything at all to with burning petrol or speed, it's getting shot down by the self-appointed morality police. Yes, things need to change, but FFS - are we not allowed just ONE last haven here on the internet, where we can let loose with our hedonistic pleasures of excessive speed and gargling fuel?? Can you not please just leave Pistonheads for the rest of us, so we can continue desperately hanging on to the last vestiges of a rapidly declining motoring world, before it's all gone and replaced by autonomous unicorn-fart powered electrobubbles?
I'm gathering Max Torque has suffered a loss of some kind, and whilst I'm sympathetic of that, that's not say I think we should all sit indoors all day avoiding any kind of risk.
Max_Torque said:
None of those "achievements" you mention risk comepltely innocent persons. That's the difference. What is reckless in this case is that you are risking other peoples lives simply for your own "glory", and those people have had no say in the matter.
Erm... https://www.horseandhound.co.uk/news/spectator-kil...Max_Torque said:
Of the people on here saying it's fine, how many would be fine with me repeatidly doing 90 past their house? Or what about me drifting past or doing donuts on their drive? I suspect that the anwers is none. And that's my point, when you are not personally involved, it's easy to cast a blind eye to recklessness, as soon as you become involved, peoples attitudes tend to change.
I wouldn't be happy, no, with your reckless and antisocial behaviour.But blatting across the US, at times carefully timed to avoid other people, with spotters looking ahead for risks, is different. If everyone was at it, your point would be 100% valid. But risk = probability x outcome. And the probability of the worst happening from a cannonballer is low, because so few people are doing it. If it started to become a popular pastime, a clampdown would be necessary.
As above, I am sorry if you've been affected by a dangerous driver. But condemning this probably wouldn't change anything.
I think its quite an achievement, but as comments on here indicate, views are changing towards what is socially acceptable behaviour.
In terms of the danger aspect, FWiW, I see far more examples of dangerous driving in 30mph zones than I do at motorway speeds and above. I find it preferable to have one car travelling quickly across America every few years, than many cars being driven badly and dangerously on a daily basis in built-up residential areas, near schools etc.
In terms of the danger aspect, FWiW, I see far more examples of dangerous driving in 30mph zones than I do at motorway speeds and above. I find it preferable to have one car travelling quickly across America every few years, than many cars being driven badly and dangerously on a daily basis in built-up residential areas, near schools etc.
RedSwede said:
Max_Torque said:
None of those "achievements" you mention risk comepltely innocent persons. That's the difference. What is reckless in this case is that you are risking other peoples lives simply for your own "glory", and those people have had no say in the matter.
Erm... https://www.horseandhound.co.uk/news/spectator-kil...Max_Torque said:
Of the people on here saying it's fine, how many would be fine with me repeatidly doing 90 past their house? Or what about me drifting past or doing donuts on their drive? I suspect that the anwers is none. And that's my point, when you are not personally involved, it's easy to cast a blind eye to recklessness, as soon as you become involved, peoples attitudes tend to change.
I wouldn't be happy, no, with your reckless and antisocial behaviour.But blatting across the US, at times carefully timed to avoid other people, with spotters looking ahead for risks, is different. If everyone was at it, your point would be 100% valid. But risk = probability x outcome. And the probability of the worst happening from a cannonballer is low, because so few people are doing it. If it started to become a popular pastime, a clampdown would be necessary.
As above, I am sorry if you've been affected by a dangerous driver. But condemning this probably wouldn't change anything.
These lads are driving tired at huge speeds, feet from thousands of normal people who haven't volunteered to be chicanes in a secret time trial.
It's
ish behaviour, and whilst I can appreciate the romantic appeal of breaking the record, I can't see the difference from doing essentially the same type of driving in an underpass in Birmingham with terrible results.Your point about probabilities is a huge brain fart I'm afraid. Simply nonsensical.
SpeckledJim said:
The spotters aren't looking ahead for 'risks'. They're looking for the police who might catch them.
These lads are driving tired at huge speeds, feet from thousands of normal people who haven't volunteered to be chicanes in a secret time trial.
It'sish behaviour, and whilst I can appreciate the romantic appeal of breaking the record, I can't see the difference from doing essentially the same type of driving in an underpass in Birmingham with terrible results.
Your point about probabilities is a huge brain fart I'm afraid. Simply nonsensical.
If you could be bothered to read the post of my own experience driving coast to coast, you'll have been informed that apart from the metropolitan areas of the start and end - there is nothing on the roads between apart from truckers and the odd RV. As for fatigue - there's 3 of them: young, fit and healthy fuelled with adrenaline, ambition and determination - they were probably the 3 most focussed drivers in the entire US during those 27 hours and fatigue simply would not have entered the equation. Having endured hours of absolute hell yesterday afternoon and in to early evening trying to get from Sheffield across the country to Holyhead, snarled up in logjams due to countless 'accidents' (so the radio traffic information kept telling me) - you comparing their driving across the barren highways of America to driving 3 figure speeds in an underpass in Birmingham is frankly, just a tad pathetic. These lads are driving tired at huge speeds, feet from thousands of normal people who haven't volunteered to be chicanes in a secret time trial.
It's
ish behaviour, and whilst I can appreciate the romantic appeal of breaking the record, I can't see the difference from doing essentially the same type of driving in an underpass in Birmingham with terrible results.Your point about probabilities is a huge brain fart I'm afraid. Simply nonsensical.
Arsecati said:
SpeckledJim said:
The spotters aren't looking ahead for 'risks'. They're looking for the police who might catch them.
These lads are driving tired at huge speeds, feet from thousands of normal people who haven't volunteered to be chicanes in a secret time trial.
It'sish behaviour, and whilst I can appreciate the romantic appeal of breaking the record, I can't see the difference from doing essentially the same type of driving in an underpass in Birmingham with terrible results.
Your point about probabilities is a huge brain fart I'm afraid. Simply nonsensical.
If you could be bothered to read the post of my own experience driving coast to coast, you'll have been informed that apart from the metropolitan areas of the start and end - there is nothing on the roads between apart from truckers and the odd RV. As for fatigue - there's 3 of them: young, fit and healthy fuelled with adrenaline, ambition and determination - they were probably the 3 most focussed drivers in the entire US during those 27 hours and fatigue simply would not have entered the equation. Having endured hours of absolute hell yesterday afternoon and in to early evening trying to get from Sheffield across the country to Holyhead, snarled up in logjams due to countless 'accidents' (so the radio traffic information kept telling me) - you comparing their driving across the barren highways of America to driving 3 figure speeds in an underpass in Birmingham is frankly, just a tad pathetic. These lads are driving tired at huge speeds, feet from thousands of normal people who haven't volunteered to be chicanes in a secret time trial.
It's
ish behaviour, and whilst I can appreciate the romantic appeal of breaking the record, I can't see the difference from doing essentially the same type of driving in an underpass in Birmingham with terrible results.Your point about probabilities is a huge brain fart I'm afraid. Simply nonsensical.
These lads drove at enormous speeds for 27 hours straight, and tiredness wasn't a factor? Alright.
Putting the word 'cannonball' alongside the story doesn't excuse or ameliorate their selfish and dangerous behaviour.
SpeckledJim said:
Arsecati said:
SpeckledJim said:
The spotters aren't looking ahead for 'risks'. They're looking for the police who might catch them.
These lads are driving tired at huge speeds, feet from thousands of normal people who haven't volunteered to be chicanes in a secret time trial.
It'sish behaviour, and whilst I can appreciate the romantic appeal of breaking the record, I can't see the difference from doing essentially the same type of driving in an underpass in Birmingham with terrible results.
Your point about probabilities is a huge brain fart I'm afraid. Simply nonsensical.
If you could be bothered to read the post of my own experience driving coast to coast, you'll have been informed that apart from the metropolitan areas of the start and end - there is nothing on the roads between apart from truckers and the odd RV. As for fatigue - there's 3 of them: young, fit and healthy fuelled with adrenaline, ambition and determination - they were probably the 3 most focussed drivers in the entire US during those 27 hours and fatigue simply would not have entered the equation. Having endured hours of absolute hell yesterday afternoon and in to early evening trying to get from Sheffield across the country to Holyhead, snarled up in logjams due to countless 'accidents' (so the radio traffic information kept telling me) - you comparing their driving across the barren highways of America to driving 3 figure speeds in an underpass in Birmingham is frankly, just a tad pathetic. These lads are driving tired at huge speeds, feet from thousands of normal people who haven't volunteered to be chicanes in a secret time trial.
It's
ish behaviour, and whilst I can appreciate the romantic appeal of breaking the record, I can't see the difference from doing essentially the same type of driving in an underpass in Birmingham with terrible results.Your point about probabilities is a huge brain fart I'm afraid. Simply nonsensical.
These lads drove at enormous speeds for 27 hours straight, and tiredness wasn't a factor? Alright.
Putting the word 'cannonball' alongside the story of someone doing 190mph on public roads doesn't excuse or ameliorate their selfish and dangerous behaviour.
I was very surprised to read all the negatives on this thread. I'd expect it on a general forum elsewhere but not on PistonHeads. For me I think fair play and admire the planning that went into it as well as the achievement at the end which 'may' stand for a very long time.
Aren't there enough other sites for those who want to play the PC game - yes this is dangerous but so are a lot of things in life and we are in danger of having very safe but extremely dull lives if the PC brigade and all their followers get their way.
Just my humble opinion of course, and everyone is entitled to theirs, but come on guys (and girls) this is or at least was a forum for petrol heads who I would expect to enjoy fast driving.
If you want to be PC dullards go and post on MumsNet
Aren't there enough other sites for those who want to play the PC game - yes this is dangerous but so are a lot of things in life and we are in danger of having very safe but extremely dull lives if the PC brigade and all their followers get their way.
Just my humble opinion of course, and everyone is entitled to theirs, but come on guys (and girls) this is or at least was a forum for petrol heads who I would expect to enjoy fast driving.
If you want to be PC dullards go and post on MumsNet
Arsecati said:
My claim to 'cross country America' fame is crossing from San Jose to NYC in 49 hours and 15 minutes on my own in a Honda Accord 'driveaway' in mid-March back in 96.
Er... not sure anybody asked?Arsecati said:
once I got going - the madness to keep going non-stop took over.
Cool.Arsecati said:
I was only 25 and lacking sense/fear: All I needed was caffeine from coffee or diet cola
Krazy. Yes, with a 'K'.Arsecati said:
I'm a 48 year old sub-3 hour marathon running, 3 x Ironman... motorbike racing, certified sky-diving, etc., etc
You sound awesome. Tell us more about you.Jules Sunley said:
I was very surprised to read all the negatives on this thread. I'd expect it on a general forum elsewhere but not on PistonHeads. For me I think fair play and admire the planning that went into it as well as the achievement at the end which 'may' stand for a very long time.
Aren't there enough other sites for those who want to play the PC game - yes this is dangerous but so are a lot of things in life and we are in danger of having very safe but extremely dull lives if the PC brigade and all their followers get their way.
Just my humble opinion of course, and everyone is entitled to theirs, but come on guys (and girls) this is or at least was a forum for petrol heads who I would expect to enjoy fast driving.
If you want to be PC dullards go and post on MumsNet
Then go and drive on a track? Why is this hard? You can have a dangerous life all you like, you just don't have the right to subject other people to it without their consent.Aren't there enough other sites for those who want to play the PC game - yes this is dangerous but so are a lot of things in life and we are in danger of having very safe but extremely dull lives if the PC brigade and all their followers get their way.
Just my humble opinion of course, and everyone is entitled to theirs, but come on guys (and girls) this is or at least was a forum for petrol heads who I would expect to enjoy fast driving.
If you want to be PC dullards go and post on MumsNet
Question - if these drivers had lost control at 193mph (which on a public road a large pothole can do), went over the central reservation (at that speed, you cover 50m in less than a second) and killed a family of 4, what would you say about their effort?
Edited by anonymous-user on Thursday 5th December 16:29
RedSwede said:
Max_Torque said:
None of those "achievements" you mention risk comepltely innocent persons. That's the difference. What is reckless in this case is that you are risking other peoples lives simply for your own "glory", and those people have had no say in the matter.
Erm... https://www.horseandhound.co.uk/news/spectator-kil...It's like comparing apples and matchsticks
Muzzer79 said:
I have several like-minded friends and friends of friends who are well into cars.
I don't know that any of them have exceeded 150mph on UK public roads at any point, let alone doing it myself.
Abroad, definitely - France (a few years back) and the autobahn, but not in the UK.
Most I've hit is 110 and that was years and years back. The only roads you can sensibly get into 3 figures on now are too littered with cameras.
You need a faster car...I don't know that any of them have exceeded 150mph on UK public roads at any point, let alone doing it myself.
Abroad, definitely - France (a few years back) and the autobahn, but not in the UK.
Most I've hit is 110 and that was years and years back. The only roads you can sensibly get into 3 figures on now are too littered with cameras.
While it’s no justification to rag it around the M25, some simple physics will show that a 700hp E63 can probably go from 60-150mph in a little under 500m.
More physics will enable you to calculate how quickly it can then go to 0mph.
The point being, you don’t need a lot of space on an open road in a 700hp car to get to 150mph....
ThatGuyWhoDoesStuff said:
Then go and drive on a track? Why is this hard? You can have a dangerous life all you like, you just don't have the right to subject other people to it without their consent.
Question - if these drivers had lost control at 193mph (which on a public road a large pothole can do), went over the central reservation (at that speed, you cover 50m in less than a second) and killed a family of 4, what would you say about their effort?
Blimey!Question - if these drivers had lost control at 193mph (which on a public road a large pothole can do), went over the central reservation (at that speed, you cover 50m in less than a second) and killed a family of 4, what would you say about their effort?
Edited by ThatGuyWhoDoesStuff on Thursday 5th December 16:29
You'd best stay indoors then. It's winter so might be a bit dangerous outside today.
Seriously, a deer could jump in front of you at 70 on the motor way. That might hurt a bit too.
browngt3 said:
Blimey!
You'd best stay indoors then. It's winter so might be a bit dangerous outside today.
Seriously, a deer could jump in front of you at 70 on the motor way. That might hurt a bit too.
What's that got to do with anything? You think it being cold outside is the same as someone driving at 193mph? What are you on about?You'd best stay indoors then. It's winter so might be a bit dangerous outside today.
Seriously, a deer could jump in front of you at 70 on the motor way. That might hurt a bit too.
So after reading all this all I read is speed kills basically.
Well what about germany then? How many of you have been on the autobahn? I have twice - will be again in May.
Most of you guys will wet yourself when a old lady german drives past you at 110mph in a Merc A Class from 2002 by the sounds of it. I will tell you now don't bother visiting germany, leave it for the rest of us to enjoy while we can. You can easily sustain a 110mph speed on the autobahn in Germany when quiet in a modern car.
Does this mean because "speed kills" those nasty germans should put a limit on the autobahn straightaway?
Also quite a few of you have not driven in america either, there are varying speed limits and not 55mph like so many think. Pretty sure its 75mph in Arizona (I may be wrong this may have changed now but was in 2012).
Roads are also very straight in america where quite frankly insane speeds can be reached - but very rarely are tbh.
German autobahn at 6am in the morning, I was overtaken by a M5, C63, E63, about 4 diesel A8's - who were all easy over 140 mph passing me, you know, by checking my mirrors and driving sensibly, no one died, no one got injured.
Most accidents occur when someone is either driving without due car and attention or quite frankly do not have the skill or enough brain matter to think of other drivers on the road.
Well what about germany then? How many of you have been on the autobahn? I have twice - will be again in May.
Most of you guys will wet yourself when a old lady german drives past you at 110mph in a Merc A Class from 2002 by the sounds of it. I will tell you now don't bother visiting germany, leave it for the rest of us to enjoy while we can. You can easily sustain a 110mph speed on the autobahn in Germany when quiet in a modern car.
Does this mean because "speed kills" those nasty germans should put a limit on the autobahn straightaway?
Also quite a few of you have not driven in america either, there are varying speed limits and not 55mph like so many think. Pretty sure its 75mph in Arizona (I may be wrong this may have changed now but was in 2012).
Roads are also very straight in america where quite frankly insane speeds can be reached - but very rarely are tbh.
German autobahn at 6am in the morning, I was overtaken by a M5, C63, E63, about 4 diesel A8's - who were all easy over 140 mph passing me, you know, by checking my mirrors and driving sensibly, no one died, no one got injured.
Most accidents occur when someone is either driving without due car and attention or quite frankly do not have the skill or enough brain matter to think of other drivers on the road.
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