My money's still on Sammy & Dean
September 21, 2012 8:48 PM   Subscribe

Inspired by previous Road Rally races such as The CannonBall Run, a modern incarnation of the cross-country rally has emerged. Since 2007, the Fireball Run has taken place, with its 2000+ mile course varying from year to year. More than just a road race, the Fireball Run bills itself as an "Adventur-rally", relying more on cleverness than sheer speed. Organizer's compare it more to a "scavenger hunt", suggesting that a knowledge of history and local trivia are more valuable than driving skill. (in fact, racers are monitored so as not to be allowed to drive "unsafely.")

Among this year's 40 teams, there are not one, but THREE Deloreans competing (one of which has been modified into a screen-accurate Time Machine.) Also competing are the requisite Ambulance, a host of exotic sports cars, muscle cars, commercial utility vehicles and maybe even a Batmobile.

This year's rally goes from Ohio to Maine, with the goal of raising money & awareness for missing children.

Best part of it is: it starts tonight! (err…this morning) Live coverage is promised here.

(the original Cannonball Run, previously)
posted by ShutterBun (12 comments total) 7 users marked this as a favorite
 
in fact, racers are monitored so as not to be allowed to drive "unsafely."

Then seriously, what the hell's the point? Pfeh.
posted by Greg_Ace at 9:07 PM on September 21, 2012 [2 favorites]


And I am NOT in the least kidding or just being snarky.
posted by Greg_Ace at 9:09 PM on September 21, 2012


(correction: the Green Flag is actually Sunday, though the first "challenge" will apparently be given out tomorrow)

The "point" is really more about the clues & challenges along the way, similar to shows like "The Amazing Race," where strict guidelines are in place as far as safety, speed, etc. but it's still a "race."
posted by ShutterBun at 9:31 PM on September 21, 2012 [1 favorite]


Is Ohio to Maine considered cross country?
posted by Brocktoon at 10:03 PM on September 21, 2012


Is this an actual thing, or just a TV show? The website sure makes it look like the latter.
posted by Ickster at 10:04 PM on September 21, 2012 [2 favorites]


The Cannonball race was named after Erwin G. "Cannon Ball" Baker.

The race inspired the insane movie Deathrace 2000, starring David Carradine and Sylvester Stallone, and then the more serious Cannonball, also starring David Carradine. After this, of course, came Cannonball Run, and all its sequels.
posted by eye of newt at 10:50 PM on September 21, 2012 [3 favorites]


in fact, racers are monitored so as not to be allowed to drive "unsafely."

Then seriously, what the hell's the point? Pfeh.


If this is modelled against the Cannonball 3000 (current iteration), it's probably a backlash against the unsafe and often foolish driving seen in that race. There's a lot of public bragging about doing 100+ MPH down a freeway with other non-race drivers being unwitting participants in idiot millionaire racing.

While I am a big fan of fast and powerful cars, racing should be on the track or in controlled conditions. Here's an example of why racing should be controlled and limited to safe venues.
2007 Gumball 3000 Accident.

I don't support racing that kills innocent bystanders. This, however, seems more interesting and cerebral.
posted by kurosawa's pal at 11:07 PM on September 21, 2012


Greg_Ace writes "Then seriously, what the hell's the point? Pfeh."

It's an intellectual exercise. See also Gimmick/Trap Rallies.
posted by Mitheral at 12:07 AM on September 22, 2012 [1 favorite]


The race inspired the insane movie Deathrace 2000, starring David Carradine and Sylvester Stallone, and then the more serious Cannonball, also starring David Carradine. After this, of course, came Cannonball Run, and all its sequels.

And forget not The Gumball Rally.
posted by mikelieman at 2:28 AM on September 22, 2012 [1 favorite]


( Which btw, has this great scene rolling through NYC early in the morning )

Prof. Samuel Graves - Cobra Team: From the garage to the Jersey Turnpike, six minutes, fifty-eight seconds. That's fifteen seconds better than last year.
posted by mikelieman at 2:31 AM on September 22, 2012 [1 favorite]


The Vintagent is covering this, using wet plate photography.
posted by tommasz at 11:13 AM on September 22, 2012


Thanks to links-from-links, I have learned that Maxis' own Will Wright once won the U.S. Express, one of the Cannonball's successors.

I like it when the Internet teaches me cool things.
posted by Spatch at 2:59 PM on September 22, 2012 [1 favorite]


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