Racing Films

While some of us connected with family online, learned where our mute / un -mute buttons were, went to online bars and had online dress up parties, others made much greater use of their time during COIVID lockdown restrictions, by breaking transcontinental speed records.  During 2020 the record for the traditional Cannonball Run, an unsanctioned race from New York to Los Angeles, was broken a whopping eight times.  Drivers took advantage of the low levels of traffic, reduced law enforcement presence and advancements in technology to blast their way across America at record speeds.  The record, which is unofficial of course, currently stands at 25 hours and 39 minutes and was completed in an Audi S6 disguised to look like an unmarked Ford Taurus police vehicle.  The electric record was broken, the diesel record was broken and the overall record was broken three times. One of the more astonishing record runs was completed in a rented Ford Mustang with minor modifications which gave it an enormous 490 L fuel capacity.

In the past things were not so easy.  In 1983 the record for the 4507 km journey was set by David Diem and Doug Turner at 32 hours and 7 minutes in a Ferrari 308.  This was in a version of the race that had been renamed U.S. Express because the release of the 1981 ‘Cannonball Run’ film was bringing too much attention and heat to the event.  The renaming of the event helped make it more covert so that the participants could keep sticking it to “the man” without too much attention.  Sticking it to “the man” is an important component of the race as many of the participants see the race as some sort of a protest against the national 55 mph speed limit which was introduced by President Nixon in 1974 to reduce national fuel consumption as a response to the oil crisis.  The racers see it as their civic duty to prove that American roads are suitably built to allow safe high speed travel similar to the autobahns of Europe.  Very noble.

In 2006 the record set by Diem and Turner still stood.  ‘Apex – The Secret Race Across America’ focuses on an attempt to break the record by Alex Roy and Dave Maher.  What is amazing about this film is that Roy and Maher essentially filmed their whole attempt but stored the footage to make a film after the statute of limitations time period of their illegal activity had lapsed.  Hence why their 2006 footage was not made into a film and released until 2019.

Not only is this film an account of Roy and Maher’s attempt, but it also gives us a wonderful look back in time at the history of the Cannonball.  It particularly focuses on the U.S. Express events of the 1980s where the races were taken over by “the nerds”, competitors who worked in technology and computing fields who brought with them some high tech tactics.  Among these competitors was sim city creator Will Wright.  The tech used during the runs included, jammers, scanners, night vision, tail lights that could be switched off and various radio gear.  The film provides quite a few interviews with former competitors and organisers who recount their adventures with much fondness.  In the course of the interviews though an important secret about the Diem / Turner record is revealed, they used a spotter plane.  This revelation triggers some debate as to whether a spotter plane is in line with “the rules”, however, given that technically there are no rules, the general consensus is that using a plane to dodge the cops is perfectly fine.

Armed with this knowledge Roy and Maher decide to use a spotter plane in their attempt and painted subtle but conspicuous racing stripes on the roof of the car so that it could be identified.  They set up a radio system so that they can communicate with the plane, although, they didn’t test the radio and discovered early in their journey that the plane could communicate with them, but they could not communicate back.  This was only one of the obstacles encountered, there was also traffic, bad weather and trucks.  The trucks add an interesting dimension as the car was equipped with a radio system that could communicate with the trucks, keeping the truckers on side was important because if you piss them off, they could essentially block your progress.  Keeping the truckers on side meant they would remain courteous and in one situation helped to conceal the car from the cops.

APEX – The Secret race Across America was one of those films that kept popping up in my google recommendations.  It looked like one of those made for TV / Netflix specials and didn’t initially capture a lot of interest.  I was pleasantly surprised by this film; it is a fascinating look at an underground racing subculture that has existed for a long time.  The story is well constructed and had elements that are important to all racing, technology, drama, suspense and most importantly colourful characters.  The fact that footage was filmed in 2006 but only released now gives an edgy clandestine feel that is in keeping with the archive footage from earlier years that is also used in the film.  The only question I was really left with after watching the film was “how fast can I get from Auckland to Wellington?”.  This film will make you want to drive fast for no reason.

The film, and what it stands for, is a reminder that life is short and that there are some people among us who won’t let the conventions of society stop them.  As it turns out the effort has been worth it for Alex Roy, he attained some moderate celebrity status because of his record, wrote a couple of books, has a pod cast and established the human driving association.

The Human Driving Association are a group who campaign to keep driving visceral, their manifesto is a campaign to save the steering wheel and the human driving experience.   Through the film we get an insight as to why driving and cars are so important to some of us, they represent nostalgia, recklessness, and freedom to go wherever you want whenever you want.  These things can take over rational minds and help us achieve something wonderful in terms of human experience.  As the great George Eglof put it, “There’s something about getting into a car and the minute you know you’re in a race, you’re in a race.  You don’t care what happens after that”.

But who, or what, are we racing?

R.I.P.

George Eglof

Steve Clausmann

Mike Digoinis

Doug Turner

Rick Doherty