Cannonball Run Europe
Illegal motor rally
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Cannonball Run Europe is an illegal annual 2,500 mile (4,200 km) international motor rally which takes place on public roads with a different route across Europe each year. The route is kept secret and only revealed to drivers at the start of each day of the six-day event, which historically includes time spent at a world-class circuit.[1][2][3]It is named after the Cannonball Baker Sea-to-Shining-Sea Memorial Trophy Dash, and its film adaptation.[4]
History
Founded in 2002, it is renowned alongside Gumball 3000 as one of the original events of its kind.[5]
The origins of Cannonball Run Europe stem back to the infamous 1970s unofficial road races in the United States; the Cannonball Baker Sea-to-Shining-Sea Memorial Trophy Dash and the subsequent 1981 movie The Cannonball Run featuring Burt Reynolds and Roger Moore.[6]
Cannonball Run Europe has been criticised in the press with drivers being stopped for speeding, having their driving licences taken by police and their cars confiscated.[7][8]
Cars entered include a mix of luxury high-end marques; Bentleys, Porsches, Ferraris[7] and often something quirky; the 2008 Run was won by two English drivers in a Brabus edition Smart.[9]