Cannonball Run Europe 2006

Cannonball Run Europe 2006 - Day One
Start: Oatlands Park Hotel, Weybridge
Finish: Rimini, Italy
Distance: 864.9 miles

Well the Cannonball Run 2006 has been underway for 24 hours now and almost 1000 miles from the start in Surrey, our intrepid Cannonballers are on the beach here in sunny Rimini recovering from their fantastic drive down. Many of our teams drove through the night via Dijon, Geneva and the Mont Blanc tunnel with a few taking alternative (often only known to themselves and their satnavs!) to get here in good time.

And the hot news is that the Cannonball Run leader after this stage is none other than Jonathan and Tim in the Volvo V70R (of all cars!). They were less than 0.4 mph away from the target average mph set at the beginning on Sunday afternoon!

And now it’s onto the track day!

Cannonball Run Europe 2006 - Day Three
Start: Rimini, Italy
Finish: Rome, Italy
Distance: 243.2

Well the Cannonball caravan has headed further into Italy today, with a coast to coast drive from sunny Rimini to sunny Rome. Cannonballers took several routes to cover the 230 or so miles, some straight across, some down the coast from Rimini then over to the west, and others went close to Firenze then down. One thing's for sure, everyone had a good time.

We said goodbye to the Nissan Skyline today as it headed home on a trailer after a problem at the track yesterday, but intrepid Ian and Ian (the drivers) have picked up a hire car at Firenze and are on the way. Pete is fixing the starter motor on the Ultima and will rejoin us tomorrow.

Cannnonballers of the day however are Marc and Russell who have rejoined us this evening after their extended soujourn in northern France! We welcome them back, and let's see where we head tomorrow!

Cannonball Run Europe 2006 - Day Four
Start: Rome, Italy
Finish: Lyon, France
Distance: 593.8

Fresh from three days exploring the roads (and restaurants, and bars) of Italy, the Cannonball Run arrived here in Lyon tonight to sample French hospitality ahead of Bastille Day.

It was a long 600 mile drive through stunning scenery as the cars wove their way up the Italian coast from Rome and through the Frejus tunnel into France.

Highlights of the day. Drivers bonding so well they were swapping their cars for stretches along the Autostradas...and Pete in the Ultima (again!) flagging down a passing Italian pig farmer to borrow a makeshift spring for his gearbox!

And now onto the final stage... and a huge party in Brussels!

Cannonball Run Europe 2006 - Day Five
Start: Lyon, France
Finish: Brussels, Belgium
Distance:

Lights flashing and horns sounding, the Cannonball cars roared into Brussels this afternoon at the end of a six day adventure covering six countries (seven if you count dinner in San Marino on Tuesday!), 3000 miles, many parties, and endless fun.

Belgian police were kind enough to welcome many of us personally just on the outskirts of Brussels, but the 450 mile journey went well for everyone.

And the hot news from Cannonball HQ tonight is that Stuart Heade and Josie Thompson in the Porsche 997 are this year's Cannonball Champions, getting round the complete course at an average speed of 60.98 mph, a mere 0.02 mph from the target mph of 61! We congratulate them, and invite them to defend the title in next year's run, which will start on July 1, 2007. Start your engines!