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The Cannonball name originates from the die-hard adventurer Erwin G. “Cannonball” Baker, the greatest cross-country record breaker of them all. Baker set 143 American distance records, including a 53½ hour coast to coast solo drive averaging over 50 mph in 1933! He died a hero in 1960.  The race from New York City to Redondo Beach, California was a no holds barred race to prove that "competent, well trained drivers can indeed safely navigate the American Highways at speeds somewhat in excess of the posted speed limits". ultimately spawned two Hollywood films (Cannonball and Cannonball 2) and a legion of fans. The run continued until 1979. Tim Porter brought it back to life in October 2002, when an astonishing 69 cars and 140 new Cannonballers stepped up to be counted when Cannonball Run Europe threw down the challenge of a European revival. The machines may have been more modern (save for the 1970s Fastback Mustang), the rules refined to take account of a more modern age, but the spirit of the event has not been diluted with the passing of time. 
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