Cannonball Baker became best known for driving cross country back in the 30's and he set some pretty unbelievable records for that time, or even now. Brock Yates of Car and Driver truly immortalized the old coot when, after the lowering of the national speed limit, he set up some "impromptu races" from NYC to the PortoFino Inn in California, drawing an odd element from the enthusiast and racing community to participate. The event was called the "Cannonball Baker Sea-to-Shining-Sea Memorial Trophy Dash." The "inaugural event" was won by Yates himself along with his driving partner, some fella' name of Dan Gurney, in a Ferrari. You can read of that tomfoolery in Yates' book, Sunday Driver. It was the basis for several of the Burt Reynolds flicks and some other piece of crap called "Bubble Gum Rally."

I'm sure there's some stuff on the web. I'll have a look around for you. My friend Randy and I were entered in the third event but had to withdraw the day before when a family emergency forced him to remain at home.

Spaw