The Cannonball Baker Sea-to-Shining-Sea Memorial Trophy Dash: A High-Speed Legacy Across America
The Cannonball Baker Sea-to-Shining-Sea Memorial Trophy Dash, often referred to simply as the “Cannonball Run,” is a legendary and somewhat notorious car race that has become an iconic piece of American automotive history. Its origins, purpose, and lasting legacy continue to capture the imaginations of automotive enthusiasts and adrenaline junkies alike. This race, born out of a desire to push the limits of speed, endurance, and human determination, has transcended its outlaw roots to inspire a cultural fascination with cross-country racing.
Origins of the Cannonball Run
The Cannonball Run traces its origins to a man named Erwin George “Cannonball” Baker. Baker was a motorcycle and car racer in the early 20th century who set numerous long-distance driving records, including a coast-to-coast record of 53 hours and 30 minutes in 1933. His nickname, “Cannonball,” was a nod to his relentless pace and fearless approach to endurance racing. Baker’s feats inspired generations of drivers and racers who sought to break speed and endurance records.
The modern Cannonball Run, however, was conceived in 1971 by automotive journalist Brock Yates and his friend Steve Smith as a protest against strict federal speed limits and increasing government control over the automotive industry. Yates, a writer for Car and Driver magazine, was a vocal critic of the 55 mph speed limit imposed by the National Maximum Speed Law, which he believed stifled the spirit of driving and adventure. He envisioned a race that would recapture the thrill of driving fast and free across America.
Yates named the race in honor of Cannonball Baker and established the first Cannonball Baker Sea-to-Shining-Sea Memorial Trophy Dash as a cross-country, no-rules driving competition. The goal was simple: drive from the Red Ball Garage in New York City to the Portofino Inn in Redondo Beach, California, in the shortest time possible. There were no official routes, no support teams, and no formal rules other than to complete the journey as fast as possible.
The First Cannonball Run
The inaugural Cannonball Run took place in May 1971, with just a handful of participants. Brock Yates himself participated, driving a Dodge Custom Sportsman van. His team included Steve Smith, Jim Williams and Brock’s son, Brock Jr.
The first actual race was won by Dan Gurney, a renowned Formula One and sports car driver, and Yates. They completed the journey in a Kirk White Ferrari Daytona, crossing the country in an astonishing 35 hours and 54 minutes. Gurney famously quipped, “At no time did we exceed 175 mph,” a tongue-in-cheek admission that speed limits were entirely ignored during the race. The race attracted a colorful cast of characters, including professional racers, automotive journalists, and adventurous amateurs. Each team chose their own vehicle and plotted their own route, hoping to outsmart and outrun the competition while avoiding law enforcement along the way. The second place finishers, barely an hour behind them, was a Chevrolet Sportsvan driven by Tony Adamowicz, Oscar Kovaleski and Brad Niemchek – the Polish Racing Drivers of America racing team.
The success of the first Cannonball Run quickly gained attention, and subsequent races were held in the years that followed. The 1972 Cannonball Baker Sea-to-Shining-Sea Memorial Trophy Dash was the second official Cannonball Run and marked a significant point in the evolution of the race, further solidifying its outlaw status and cultural significance. The race saw an increase in participants, media attention, and public interest.
In the 1972 race, Yates returned with the same Challenger he drove in 1971, though this time he co-drove with Steve “Yogi” Behr. Despite not winning this run, the car’s participation in the race cemented its place in Cannonball Run lore, helping to reinforce the image of muscle cars as capable, high-speed vehicles that could endure long-distance, high-speed runs across the U.S.
Though the 1972 run didn’t break the previous year’s record, it helped establish the Cannonball Run as an annual underground event that captured the rebellious spirit of driving fast and free across the country. It continued to serve as a form of protest against government-mandated speed limits and increasing automotive regulations, aligning with Yates’ original vision of pushing back against perceived constraints on the freedom of the open road.
The 1972 race also received more media attention, thanks in part to Yates’ connections in the automotive journalism world. This added publicity helped cement the Cannonball Run’s place in American pop culture, ultimately contributing to the later success of books, movies, and other media inspired by the race.