The Cannonball One Lap of America
Long before there were rallies like this year's ill fated Gumball 3000, or the Bullrun, there was the Cannonball Baker Sea to Shining Sea Memorial Trophy Dash-- the Cannonball Run. A stick in the eye of the 55 mph national speed limit, it was an event designed to prove that one could traverse this great nation at extra-legal speeds in comfort and safety.
The 1970s era Cannonball Run was instigated by automotive rancantour Brock Yates. It was a balls out race against time from New York City to Redondo Beach, California. After 5 races without incident, Brock Yates decided he proved his point and set about creating a new-- totally legal-- event.
The first Cannonball One Lap of America was run in 1984. The format has changed over the years a few times before settling on the current formula of timed events at race tracks http://www.onelapofamerica.com/about/index.shtml?about=pastTracks around the country.
I ran in the One Lap with my brother 3 years, 1995, 96 and 97. It was gruelling-- driving on average 1000 miles per day for one week-- but great fun. This year's event started May 5th at the Tirerack HQ in South Bend, Indiana and will end back there May 12th.
Here are a couple of great websites about the event to check out:
http://www.onelapofamerica.com/index.shtml
http://news.windingroad.com/category/auto-shows/one-lap-of-america/
http://moparsatthetrack.com/
http://www.gscmotorsports.com/onelap/