I was at my neighbor's Ferrari party yesterday and I met a gentlemen who's father was in a Gumball/Cannonball style race back in the '80's. This wasn't the hyped up, high zoot, ritzy Gumball3000 type rally we have these days, but a true ***** to the wall, flat out, non-stop sprint from coast to coast!!

He went on to say that a young filmmaker was putting together a movie of the event. Of course I am all over this so he goes to the website....................

32 Hours 7 Minutes

When you get there, load the trailer and take a look, it is pretty nostalgic and cool!! I am looking forward to it!!!

 

Ken it looks awesome!!

 

I think I recognise some of those guys from the '79 Brock Yates' CannonBall -- "the last REAL one".

The movie trailer opens with Rick Doherty on camera. He was in a red Ferrari 308 with Mark Pritch in '79. I think I see Mark in the trailer, too. One might think the 308 would be a bit cramped for a cross-country run, but these guys had a real advantage. Since they are both closer to 5 feet tall than 6 feet, they could store all sorts of gear BEHIND the front seats of the 308!

The film seems to cut back and forth between early '70s scenes and later shots. I can't quite tell how many liberties were taken by combining different actual events in order to string this film together.

Rick was also involved in some early '80s me-too CannonBall-like events that were rumored to involve cash prizes for finishing order.

I was surprised to see Bobby Rahal in one of the quick cuts.

I'll be interested to find out more about this flick.



Here's a retrospective of the Yates Cannonballs

Here's Brock's offical history -- a great read!

 

Mike,
I read that book. It was pretty good. I think you have to like this stuff to get enjoyment out of it.

It looks like the film's producers are looking for investors. I will be keeping an eye on it as well!

 

Very well produced! I would love to see it when it comes out.

 

Speaking of movies like this, does anyone know if the Gumball3000 movie is available in the US yet???

 

I contacted Rick (a friend and colleague through my work) to confirm some info regarding the film. Here's what he says:

[QUOTE]Originally posted by W8MM
The movie trailer opens with Rick Doherty on camera. He was in a red Ferrari 308 with Mark Pritch in '79. I think I see Mark in the trailer, too. One might think the 308 would be a bit cramped for a cross-country run, but these guys had a real advantage. Since they are both closer to 5 feet tall than 6 feet, they could store all sorts of gear BEHIND the front seats of the 308!
5'5 each...
Yes we did. Night scopes, radar jammers..

The film seems to cut back and forth between early '70s scenes and later shots. I can't quite tell how many liberties were taken by combining different actual events in order to string this film together.
1980-1983...

Rick was also involved in some early '80s me-too CannonBall-like events that were rumored to involve cash prizes for finishing order.

No the REAl Cannonball, 1975 and 1979, last two runs. But Brock stole 90% of the "Charity money" for himself, took all our stories...banned us all from the sets (the Jackie Chan Subarau in the movie is liberally based on MY 6th place 1979 Cannonbal tricked out RX-7...

I'll be writing a book by the time the movie is out "Faster than a
Cannonball" detailing everything...and the tricks we used...

 

Wow, two Porsches in the trailer (928 and 944) and a whole mess of other cool cars. Hopefully it'll get some good funding and come out.

so, Sandiego996, tell us more

 

"report of excessive high speed" .. LOL
Awesome, sounds like a great movie.

 

Thanks for the update. It's good to get my foggy 25-year-old memories recalibrated.

BTW, the last time I remember talking to Rick, he was writing for EE Times. What's he up to now?

Cheers,

 

W8MM,
My bad. I didn't mean to sound as if you were posting wrong info. I just happen to know the guy so I thought I'd get it from the source. He owns the Envisioneering Group, a technology market research firm. I think that he still provides pieces to EETimes as a contributing editor. Great guy, and to be honest, this is a part of him I never suspected. I was completely floored by the trailer.

ZAMIRZ,
Sorry, that was all that I could get out of him. I found it interesting though that his RX7 was inspiration for Jackie Chan's Subuaru in the movie. I can't wait to read his book when it comes out.

 

aweseome, can't wait.