Cannonball Run Europe 2005

Dates: Sunday 3rd July - Friday 8th July 2005

Sunday 3rd/Monday 4th July
The Cannonball has kicked off!

Cars left Horsley Towers on Sunday afternoon to a huge crowd. Mission One saw the group head to Dover, rumours were still abound as to where this years event was heading - would we really be going back to Spain?! Is Prague on the cards?

As cars left the UK, Mission Two packs were opened and the drivers learnt their fate - a 959 mile trip to the island of Oland off the East Coast of Sweden.

The route took in the roads of France, Belgium, Holland, Germany and Denmark before crossing the bridge into Sweden. Cars stretched their legs on the autobahns as the daylight hours faded and night set in.

The first car arrived at The Strand Hotel, Borgholm, Oland at 8.05am. The majority of cars made it to the checkpoint between 12 - 3pm. Crowds had grown as news spread, and as the party kicked off in the afternoon the true spirit of the Cannonball started to shine.

Local and National TV Crews, newspapers and radio were out in force, interviewing drivers on the epic journey.

Tonight the teams are to be treated to a BBQ as they watch the sun set across the harbour, and rumours start to fly on tomorrows destination....

Day One leaders are Loome and Jamsion in car 23, a red Toyota Supra.

Tuesday 5th July
Track Day mayhem!

Cannonballers left the island of Oland on Mission 3 - 200 mile drive to the Knutstorp Track in Sweden. The local police praised the behavior of the Cannonballers as they left. The journey to the track took in some breathtaking roads as they followed the coast south. Finally at the track, they were greated by locals and press who had gathered all morning to witness the spectacle - and they were not disappointed! Where else will you see a Ferrari 360 overtake a Surrey Ambulance hot on the heels Transit?!!

Open practice on the demanding Knutstorp circuit pushed drivers and cars to the limits - but all left with cars and pride in tact.....

Mission Four saw the Cannonballers leave the track and head 60 miles to the resort of Tylosand, Sweden. The hotel on the back provided the perfect backdrop to the end of yet another successful day.

Wednesday 6th July

Cannonballers left Sweden throughout Wednesday morning, destination Berlin. It quickly became apparent that the day was not going to run as smoothly as expected for some participants as they were caught in a Police road block 30 miles into Germany. With the Police assuming Cannonballers were racing cars were impounded and participants advised to pay a 500E fine and return for their cars the following day.

Cannonball HQ sprang into action, liaising with the German authorities, who had been informed of our route in advance. After many phone calls, Cannonballers were handed back their keys and off they set, 4 hours behind the pack.

Once at the bar in the Hollywood Media Hotel, everyone shared stories of near misses, fine totals and lucky escapes, well into the early hours...!

Thursday 7th July

Destination: Brussels. The 5 Star Conrad Hotel to be more precise, where a lavish reception and party was set. By 11pm the invited guests exceeded 500 as the party kicked off!

Friday 8th July

At 11.34am the majority of Cannonballers paraded out of the Conrad Hotel, Belgium, destined for Calais. The final checkpoint from Dover to Oatlands Park Hotel, Weybridge saw Cannonballers fighting with the rush hour traffic as they set their sights on the final destination.

Cars began arriving at 5.30pm - the first being the Skoda Octavia driven by Cannonball legend Stuart Jenkins. Cars quickly followed and by 7.30 the majority of cars had arrived

...and the winners of the 2005 Cannonball Run were Jonathan Mason and Pete Denoon in their Audi S4