There is no definitive answer to this question as the legality of the Cannonball Run depends on a number of factors, including the specific route taken and the laws of the jurisdictions traversed. However, in general, the Cannonball Run is likely to be illegal as it involves speeding and other reckless driving behaviors.
Cannonballing, or the act of driving from one coast of the United States to the other as quickly as possible, has been around since the early days of the automobile. While there’s no official record of the first Cannonball Run, it’s safe to say that people have been trying to cross the country as quickly as possible for nearly a century.
So, is the Cannonball Run illegal?
Technically, yes. Speeding is against the law in every state, and most states have laws against reckless driving. So if you’re caught speeding or driving recklessly while attempting a Cannonball run, you could be cited or arrested.
But that doesn’t stop people from trying. In fact, there are even annual events where drivers attempt to complete a cross-country trip in under a certain amount of time. While these events are technically illegal, they’re also highly publicized and attract a lot of attention from both participants and spectators alike.
At the end of the day, whether or not you attempt a Cannonball run is up to you. But if you do decide to go for it, just be aware that you could be breaking the law – and getting pulled over by police!
Cannonball Run record: Trio drives across U.S. in 27 hours
Cannonball Run Record
On September 15, 2013, a new world record was set for the Cannonball Run. A team of drivers completed the cross-country journey from New York to Los Angeles in just 26 hours and 38 minutes. The previous record had been held for more than 30 years.
The Cannonball Run is named after the 1981 movie of the same name, which starred Burt Reynolds and featured illegal street racing. The movie was based on a real cross-country race that was held annually from 1971 to 1979.
While the movie was fictional, the race it was based on was very real.
And while the modern day Cannonball Run is not an actual race, it has become something of an underground legend. Drivers attempt to complete the trip as quickly as possible, but there are no rules or regulations governing the event.
The route for the Cannonball Run varies depending on who you talk to, but it typically starts on the East Coast (New York City or Boston) and ends on the West Coast (Los Angeles).
The trip usually takes place on highways and interstates, although some drivers have been known to take shortcuts through back roads and even off-road at times.
There is no prize money or awards given out for completing the Cannonball Run; it’s simply a bragging rights kind of thing. But that doesn’t stop people from trying to set new records.
In fact, there are now several different groups that keep track of Cannonball Run times and records.
If you’re thinking about giving it a go yourself, there are a few things you should know first. First and foremost, this is not an officially sanctioned event so there’s always a risk involved.
Secondly, unless you know what you’re doing (and even then), don’t expect to beat the current record anytime soon – these guys are professionals!
Credit: www.whichcar.com.au
What are the Rules for the Cannonball Run?
In the early days of European colonization of North America, cannon were used extensively in warfare. But by the time of the American Revolution, they were mostly relegated to a ceremonial role. So when Americans started using them again in earnest during the War of 1812, it was natural for some enterprising souls to come up with the idea of a “cannonball run”: a race from one end of the country to the other using only cannonballs as transportation.
The first recorded cannonball run took place in 1819, when two young men from New York set out to see if they could make it all the way to Florida using only cannonballs as their means of transportation. They made it as far south as Georgia before finally being apprehended by authorities (who were not amused by their antics).
The rules for cannonball running are simple: you can only use cannonballs as your means of transport, and you can’t stop moving until you reach your destination.
That’s it! Of course, these days most people don’t actually try to do this (since it’s illegal and dangerous), but it’s still fun to think about.
Does the Cannonball Run Still Exist?
The Cannonball Run is an illegal cross-country road race in the United States, which has been held on various dates since 1971. It was made famous by its depiction in the 1981 film of the same name. While there is no official race, teams of drivers (often with multiple vehicles) attempt to travel from New York City to Los Angeles as quickly as possible, typically using highways that are not normally legal for racing.
The route changes each year but generally follows a southern tier route.
The Cannonball Run was inspired by the 1977 movie Smokey and the Bandit, in which Burt Reynolds drives a truck full of beer across state lines. In the movie, Reynolds’ character is chased by police officers for most of the journey.
This led some people to believe that such a race could actually be done without getting caught by law enforcement.
The first recorded Cannonball Run took place in 1971 and was organized by Brock Yates, who also came up with the movie’s concept. The race started on Thanksgiving Day from New York City and ended in Redondo Beach, California, covering over 2,800 miles (4,500 km).
There were only four cars entered in the inaugural race: two Ferraris, a Porsche 911S, and a Jaguar XKE. The winning car was driven by Dave Heinz and Doug Turner; they completed the journey in 41 hours and 54 minutes.
In subsequent years, the event has been held irregularly but usually takes place at least once every few years.
As news of the event has spread, more people have attempted it; as of 2019 there have been over 70 documented attempts at running the Cannonball. While some drivers have tried to complete the journey alone or with just one other person (usually referred to as a “co-driver”), most teams consist of multiple drivers taking shifts behind the wheel while others sleep or take care of other needs such as refueling or navigation.
Who Holds the Current Cannonball Run Record?
As of September 2018, the current Cannonball Run record is held by a team known as the “Radicalfbodies”, who completed the cross-country journey in 26 hours and 38 minutes. The route they took began on the west coast in Los Angeles and ended on the east coast in New York City.
The team consisted of five drivers – Scott Lewis, Andrew Bagnato, Bryan Johnson, Tyler Robinson and James Kirkman – who each drove for periods of time during the journey.
They made use of a variety of vehicles over the course of the trip, including a Chevrolet Camaro SS, a Tesla Model S P85D and even an Audi R8 V10 Plus.
Interestingly, this isn’t the first time that members of the “Radicalfbodies” team have held the Cannonball Run record. In 2014, they completed the journey in 27 hours and 25 minutes, making them the first team to ever finish under 28 hours.
But their 2018 run beats even that impressive feat by a full 47 minutes.
There’s no telling how long this new record will stand, but one thing’s for sure – it’ll take an incredible effort to beat it.
How Do Cannonball Runs Avoid Police?
Cannonball runs are illegal street races that take place on public roads. The participants typically meet up at a pre-arranged location and then race to a destination, often across state lines. Cannonballers try to avoid police detection by driving fast and erratically, changing vehicles frequently, and using multiple routes.
They also use CB radios to communicate with each other and spot police officers.
Conclusion
The Cannonball Run is a legendary road race that has been held sporadically since the 1970s. The race, which generally starts on the East Coast and ends on the West Coast of the United States, is illegal and highly dangerous. Participants often drive at high speeds for long periods of time, with little regard for traffic laws or public safety.
In recent years, there have been several fatal accidents associated with the race, leading some to question whether it should be allowed to continue.