Cannonballers back in town

[HLC]

Originally Posted by Outbackjack

I've driven too many kilometres on these roads, I know the risks involved with high speed travel, speed limit or no speed limit. Thess guys push the limit. And like has been said in this forum many times, just cause they can afford them, does'nt mean they can drive them. If they want to go fast they should rent calder raceway or some other place and do it legally/safely.

Cheers.

yeah but they dont have insurance if they race on a track :

[Outbackjack]

Originally Posted by HLC

yeah but they dont have insurance if they race on a track :

Crazy hey. Do it on unsupervised raods and cover yourself. But I think that most insurance companies would take a dim view of someone making a claim if they were in a competition of some sort on public roads. But I dont think that my neighbour would be too worried about loosing his lambo. He would just go buy a new one.

[HLC]

Originally Posted by Outbackjack

Crazy hey. Do it on unsupervised raods and cover yourself. But I think that most insurance companies would take a dim view of someone making a claim if they were in a competition of some sort on public roads. But I dont think that my neighbour would be too worried about loosing his lambo. He would just go buy a new one.

yeah i dunno. i dont live there so dont really know much about it or how it works with the no-speed-limit roads.
and farmers are doing it tough eh? :

[drcook]

Originally Posted by Interceptor

definitely gotta love those speed signs..... havent seen one since i was ~12, on a stretch of road i have since learned is part of the targa tasmania track

the family was heading back to sydney from summernats a few years back and a stretch of the highway was blocked because of the bush fires. they made us take a detour to the west throught a small town, and along one of the roads was one of these signs. i couldnt belive it. in nsw. i was, i have to admit, very tempted to remove it and take it home (why not, one day the rta will notice and remove it anyway) but we left it there.

id be interested to see if its still there.

[TATT2]

..............

[HOON69]

Originally Posted by Outbackjack

Looks like the boys in their high speed toys are back for a squirt. Two prestige car transporters parked at the crown plaza this morning and a lambo and ferrari in the car park....... Its these turkeys that will get speed limits introduced onto NT country roads......

my mate is helping with this event actually he is in talks with the main dude from the Europe etc and its gunna be happening whether you like it or not.

maybe this time safety will become a virtue but knowing the cars entering i know speed and N.T= a possible accident waiting to happen.

dont cry cause some millionare wants to use our unrestrcited speed limit road to bring in money to N.T and make the event rehappen in OZ

my 2 cents i may know the guy whom doing this but hey he aint some VL/VN owner his well know in both mischief and cannonball sectors.

i cant wait actually,more exotics to drool over.

http://cannonballrunworldevents.com/
heres what i know thus far

I have Tim Porter here from Europe on saturday

[HOON69]

THE supercharged Cannonball Run concept is back on the drawing board in the Territory.
Territory Senator Nigel Scullion has started the ball rolling by floating the idea of reprising the event, that was run for the first and last time in 1994, past some of the race's inaugural organisers. The first Cannonball Run was a flat-out tarmac rally that saw 140 competitors in high-powered sports cars drive off from Darwin's Stokes Hill Wharf in May on a 3800km high-speed tour of the Northern Territory.

The chance for people to drive fast production cars at high speed in the world's first legal no-speed-limit race, was an obvious lure for competitors who came to the NT.

But the death of four people, including two Japanese competitors and two race officials, at a roadside checkpoint south of Alice Springs brought the concept to a premature end, Senator Scullion said.

"It was tragic when those people lost their lives during the inaugural event. But they were people who were deeply enmeshed in motorsport," he said.

"And while you can never count the cost of a life, I think sufficient time has passed since the event to pay respect to the people and families that lost friends and relatives so tragically."

Senator Scullion said he has spoken to Australian motorsport legend Allan Moffat and former NT chief minister Marshall Perron, both key figures in the first race.

"Both Allan and Marshall are very excited about the possibility of running the race again," he said.

Senator Scullion said the race would have enormous benefits for the Territory.

"The international exposure this would generate for the Territory through television alone would be huge," he said.

TV crews following the race would be driving past some of the Territory's most spectacular countryside. What better way would there be to let people overseas and at home see how fantastic the Territory is?"

Although he hasn't yet approached them, Senator Scullion said the Territory Government would play a huge role in reviving the Cannonball Run.

"There is a huge role for the NT Government to play in this. More than 18 months' work went in to setting up the first race, and all that work, as far as the knowledge and experience we need to run the race, is still here in the NT.

"Basically I feel it is time to dust it off, review the safety issues, and get this race back on the road.

Senator Scullion said there had been quantum leaps in safety associated with such ventures compared to when the first race ran.

"Areas such as communications and driver safety, the like have improved hugely, and I believe with the proper planning the race can be conducted safely."

Senator Scullion said the timing of the race would be up to the organisers.

But he said it would be ideal to run the event when the NT was looking for a fillip as far as tourism was concerned.

"We have so many events during the Dry that bring people and the spotlight to the Territory, but this race could be run in a quieter time to help boost exposure," he said.

As for who pays for the event, Senator Scullion said that issue would fall in to place.

"This race will happen again, I am just trying to help facilitate it because I believe someone needs to kick it off," he said.

"This race will become an iconic Territory event and if all the planning is done properly, the funding for the race will follow."

[Dazza XLT]

They should tie it in with Hidden Valley. That would make it huge!
Where do they run? Just around Alice, or all over the NT?
Sorry, was too young to remember the first race!

Cheers

[XRQTOR]

Awsome how do i enter.

[Lumpen Proletariat]

Originally Posted by drcook

the family was heading back to sydney from summernats a few years back and a stretch of the highway was blocked because of the bush fires. they made us take a detour to the west throught a small town, and along one of the roads was one of these signs. i couldnt belive it. in nsw. i was, i have to admit, very tempted to remove it and take it home (why not, one day the rta will notice and remove it anyway) but we left it there.

id be interested to see if its still there.

Are you talking about the be black line inside black circle sign? They're all over the place in North Coast of NSW, just on the back roads etc.

They just mean that you can go the maximum speed limit applicable in your state (ie-110kmh) they are not a 'derestriction sign' per se. At least not in NSW. Ironically, most of the roads that these signs are left on, you can't safely do 60kmh, let alone 110 and thats just due to the condition of the road, not to mention cane harvesters, tractors, horses, dogs, school zones etc.

Doesn't stop alot of stupid people trying though. :MrT_anim:



Lumpy :eclipsee_

[Outbackjack]

There is only one road that they can run freely. That is the Stuart Hwy. A very long and straight piece of road that runs from Darwin down to the Territory and SA border. Unless they want to run the exotics on gravel I honestly cant see how this event could possibly be as good as they are saying. They are also exagerating about the safety. How is a radio going to stop a camel or a roo or a buffalo or a horse or a donkey (get my point) from wandering into the path of a car buzzing along at 200k,s. Unless all the wild life carry radio's, yeah that's it...... I am all for motor sport, I am running in next years desert race (finke) But I really dont think they have thought this one through. I travel these roads regularly, and I usually cruise at between 140 (with family) and 160 if I am by myself. But there are windows during the day that I will travel at these speeds ie between 9am and 4pm is the only time I drive at more than 100k. Any other times it is just too dangerous.

And are they going to close off sections of highway?? I think they would have to. The number of caravans and 300metre long trucks out here is scary.

There is always the possiblilty of a comunity kids jumping out on the road as well. Like I said, I really cant see how they are going to make it safe.

Cheers all.
P.S why dont the forum people get together and do a run up here?? Experince what I have been prattling on about for yourselves, hell I'll even fire up the dead animal cooker and shout some cold beers. The drive into Ayers rock is very nice......

[Outbackjack]

Originally Posted by XRQTOR

Awsome how do i enter.

First thing to do is to save up the 10K plus entrance fee!!!!

[HOON69]

the event is held overseas and even though most euro roads are up to scratch etc
i dont see how its a safety concern,in europe they have wildlife and anyone at anytime could experience the above scenerio's even at far less speeds.

10k is nothing(chump change) to a owner of a 1million dollar vehicle i reckon ;) even a 300k vehicle owner

lets wait till all the x's are crossed before judging them ay ;)

[drcook]

Originally Posted by Outbackjack

How is a radio going to stop a camel or a roo or a buffalo or a horse or a donkey (get my point) from wandering into the path of a car buzzing along at 200k,s. Unless all the wild life carry radio's, yeah that's it...... I am all for motor sport, I am running in next years desert race (finke).

i dont quite get you. the cannonball race would be unsafe because of animals but the finke dessert race is fine?

[Outbackjack]

Originally Posted by drcook

i dont quite get you. the cannonball race would be unsafe because of animals but the finke dessert race is fine?

The finke race is over a fairly short distance. There are spectators camping the length of the track. it is not on public roads, although in the past they have closed off parts of the old south road. There is a chance of bumping into the odd roo, but the speeds are generally much slower than what the cannonnballers get up to. Generally the bikes and cars make a heap of noise and scare off any wayward wildlife. The two events are totally different. If they run the race again, I am sure that the mistakes of the past will not be repeated. But I cannot think of a more dangerous motor sport event, and totally un-necessary.

[drcook]

i see your point but, for me, motor racing is what it is because its dangerous and no motorsport is unnessesary.
the competitors know its dangerous. if they want to compete its their risk. as for the public and officials, maybe a check/vantage point away from the road and before, not after, a corner would be good.

[F6 UTE]

Originally Posted by Outbackjack

I travel these roads regularly, and I usually cruise at between 140 (with family) and 160 if I am by myself. But there are windows during the day that I will travel at these speeds ie between 9am and 4pm is the only time I drive at more than 100k. Any other times it is just too dangerous.


There is always the possiblilty of a comunity kids jumping out on the road as well. Like I said, I really cant see how they are going to make it safe.

So, in your BA, with your family intow, you travel at 140kph. Yourself 160.

I believe a Lambo, Porsche ar Ferrari will have a better chance of navigating around a 'roo at 200+ kph, than you in your family truckster at a lower speed.

How's the emergency stop at 160 in that car of yours?? Anything like mine and it's horrid?? A Ferrari would stop on a 20c piece from warp speeds. ( comparitively )

I can't see the race being run at night, I can't see the running it too early either. So what difference does it make if a Triton travles at 160kph, or a lambo at 250?? Atleast one is designed to do it..

Bit of a double standard don't you think??

The last race was ruined by an idiot disobeying the rules. The first sign of this should be immediate disqualification in the next event, for starters.

[Outbackjack]

Originally Posted by F6 UTE

So, in your BA, with your family intow, you travel at 140kph. Yourself 160.

I believe a Lambo, Porsche ar Ferrari will have a better chance of navigating around a 'roo at 200+ kph, than you in your family truckster at a lower speed.

How's the emergency stop at 160 in that car of yours?? Anything like mine and it's horrid?? A Ferrari would stop on a 20c piece from warp speeds. ( comparitively )

I can't see the race being run at night, I can't see the running it too early either. So what difference does it make if a Triton travles at 160kph, or a lambo at 250?? Atleast one is designed to do it..

Bit of a double standard don't you think??

The last race was ruined by an idiot disobeying the rules. The first sign of this should be immediate disqualification in the next event, for starters.

BF not BA. I would hazard a guess that you have not done many miles in the Territory, nor navigated your way around too much wildlife. To say that a ferrari at 200k is a safer proposition than my BF at 140 or 160, proves this . I have hit roos at 80k. We nailed 3 one night (in a 4x4 with a bull bar) while traveling at less than 70. I know , I know , they wont run it at night........

When a roo darts out in front of you, it is very probable that you would have to stop in about 1 second and 2 or 3 metres. Can a ferrari do this?? I am not having a go at you, but your statement just proves that too many people dont understand the dangers out here. When I cruise at 140 or 160 I do it fully understanding the risks. Do a forum search on "falcon 1 kangaroo nill" or something like that.

I am sure that there are not too many over seas drivers that know how un predictable our beloved kangaroos are. I dont care how nimble a porsche or lambo is, when your are doing 250, the road gets VERY narrow. And kangaroos dont understand the physics of stopping a car.

[GT290]

I worked in WA out back. was driving into Laverton and a work mate comming back from Kalgoorlie passed me lik I was standing still. I was doing 120 klm and he was well over 230 on his road bike, any way I said to him what if a roo jumps out in front of ya. he reckoned he travelled too fast for them to hit him. No Fear and probably you could say no brains, but I work with him underground so you could say that about all of us lol

[HOON69]

Originally Posted by Outbackjack

BF not BA. I would hazard a guess that you have not done many miles in the Territory, nor navigated your way around too much wildlife. To say that a ferrari at 200k is a safer proposition than my BF at 140 or 160, proves this . I have hit roos at 80k. We nailed 3 one night (in a 4x4 with a bull bar) while traveling at less than 70. I know , I know , they wont run it at night........

When a roo darts out in front of you, it is very probable that you would have to stop in about 1 second and 2 or 3 metres. Can a ferrari do this?? I am not having a go at you, but your statement just proves that too many people dont understand the dangers out here. When I cruise at 140 or 160 I do it fully understanding the risks. Do a forum search on "falcon 1 kangaroo nill" or something like that.

I am sure that there are not too many over seas drivers that know how un predictable our beloved kangaroos are. I dont care how nimble a porsche or lambo is, when your are doing 250, the road gets VERY narrow. And kangaroos dont understand the physics of stopping a car.

without getting too off topic

compare this mate

ferarri's weight and power to a BA-BF
compare the brakes handling suspension gees compare the whole thing and my guess is that a ferrari is by far safer then the ford hands down.

one driving with one hand and at speed is by far more dangerous then any car at 200+kmh imho whether your a regular or local or a performance driver/owner lets just remember that most these guys have driven there cars to the limit on other cannonballs and they aint beginners though im sure theres a few whom will be,but i know for a fact that safety is a priority and this event is going forward and not backwards so its gunna happen.

[Outbackjack]

Originally Posted by HOON69

without getting too off topic

compare this mate

ferarri's weight and power to a BA-BF
compare the brakes handling suspension gees compare the whole thing and my guess is that a ferrari is by far safer then the ford hands down.

one driving with one hand and at speed is by far more dangerous then any car at 200+kmh imho whether your a regular or local or a performance driver/owner lets just remember that most these guys have driven there cars to the limit on other cannonballs and they aint beginners though im sure theres a few whom will be,but i know for a fact that safety is a priority and this event is going forward and not backwards so its gunna happen.

I agree, but local knowledge is worth more than pure gold. I think the point that you are missing, is that the wildlife wont be reading the safety regulations........ I am not being a smart ****. At least I am not trying to be one. It may well happen, I for one will be talking to our local member and voicing my concerns, and I might add many locals concerns. If it goes ahead, so be it. But if there is a loss of life , at least I can live with myself, because I tried to stop it from happening.
I love motor sport, but the territory roads are not up to the speeds these guys are going to be doing. The last one proved that. And we travel on these roads daily. We have a right to speak out.

Cheers all.

[MO]

OK so there is arguement for and against....I was involved in the original Cannonball Run...if this ...scullion bloke reckons he's going to revive it he better have a long hard look at the facts.

First and foremost it should NOT be open to the general public...only those that hold an international full race licence.

They should have a recent track record no older than 6mths.

They should also be given tuition in the hazards of driving in the NT.

The first and last event was run only during daylight hours, run it into the night is certain death.

The F40 driver a Japanese dentist was reknown world wide for knowing only two speeds....flat out and stop.

Oh just another thought they should be able to speak and understand english....quite a few on the original could not.

I am well aqauinted with Allen and I doubt very much he's acceptance of another run.

I could go on forever...however anyone who has a question regarding the Cannonball..ask away.

[Dazza XLT]

Originally Posted by MO

They should also be given tuition in the hazards of driving in the NT.

Oh just another thought they should be able to speak and understand english....quite a few on the original could not.

They should make this mandatory for all tourists in the NT if you ask me!

[MO]

Originally Posted by Darran

They should make this mandatory for all tourists in the NT if you ask me!

You've got me on that one....too many tourists kill themselves in the Territory and add to its road toll...which in my opinion is unfair.

[MO]

Outbackjack...your a very cautious driver...I usually sit on 200kph...once picked up an eagle at 170/180 had slowed...$700.00 later for new lights etc on drivers side.

Just to clarify the fast cars in the original run were averaging 280/300.

One bloke in an Jaguar XJS had his 15yr old son in the passenger seat with a laptop hooked up to Walkinshaw and the car to get the best out of it, they rang Walkinshaw everyday..in the UK.

[kempster1]

Originally Posted by Outbackjack

just got back from a drive down the highway to see if I could find out where they headed off to. No sign of them. I went south, they might have gone north. But just for the fun of it I went down to the cannonball memorial. I took some photo's if anybody is interested. There is only one plaque left. It is in Japanese. The English one was stolen. It is amazing how low some people will stoop.
The photo I labeled death rise is the hill where the car got air borne. The monument is approx where the "official" was sitting. behind where the photo was taken is a very slight curve.

http://s65.photobucket.com/albums/h2...nBallMemorial/

I took a quick video of the cruise back to Alice. NOT 56K freindly.

Cheers all.

If you where going to give a car agood run at high speed you would go north from Alice not south.
Longest stretch of straight road in OZ is south on Tennant creek

[MO]

Originally Posted by kempster1

If you where going to give a car agood run at high speed you would go north from Alice not south.
Longest stretch of straight road in OZ is south on Tennant creek

Not quite true ...but the SA leg is speed limited.

Just for info have done Tennant Creek to The Alice in 3.5 hours...the distance 510ks...and I was just cruising.

[kempster1]

I know somebody who did Alice to titree in 52 minutes, not for a 202 km trip

[Outbackjack]

Originally Posted by kempster1

If you where going to give a car agood run at high speed you would go north from Alice not south.
Longest stretch of straight road in OZ is south on Tennant creek

Pure distance figures would bare this out, but the further north you get the thicker the flora becomes. Much more chance of an unexpected visitor thru the windscreen. For my money, if I feel like a squirt, I go south. Heres another time/distance calculation. We did Alice to Daly waters in 8 1/2 hours. I am sure it has been done quicker. But we increased out chances of making it to the river for a spot of fishing.
Cheers all.

[kempster1]

Best we ever did was Alice to Darwin in 10 hours flat, I could leave Alive early in the morning and be sat in the Dariwn Yatch club having a beer watching the sunset.