Smart fortwo takes Cannonball Run glory
Author: Chris Barker
Published: 08 August 2008
In 1981 The Cannonball Run starred a Ferrari 308GTS, a Lamborghini Countach and an Aston Martin DB5 amongst various other supercars, and Burt Reynolds, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jnr and Roger Moore amongst various other cinematic heavyweights.27 years later, and the latest instalment of the famous Cannonball Run starred a smart fortwo and Essex estate agent David Ward and his bessie mate Adrian Hull.However, in all fairness their wacky trials and tribulations weren’t played out against the stunning backdrop of American vistas and neither stage-managed or captured on film reel. And definitely won’t be talked about by generations of fans of both super cars and Burt Reynolds moustache/Farah Fawcett’s cleavage.What the two 46 year olds and their five year old smart fortwo Brabus did achieve though is tantamount to instant cult status in its own right. They only went and stormed to victory in the smallest car entered in the 40-plus vehicle European dash.Under starters orders at Sandown Park, the 3,000 mile automotive expedition inspired by the famous 80s film of the same name – itself based on the Cannonball Baker Sea-to-Shining-Sea Memorial Trophy Dash, the historically outlawed cross country foray from New York to Los Angeles – wound up in Brighton, after taking in the sights of France, Portugal and Spain en route.Decked out in unique Union Jack camouflage paintwork to leave competitors guessing as to the team’s origins, the smart fortwo blended in with its surroundings wherever it travelled, gaining plaudits – and overall first place – for completing the pre-determined route at the exact stipulated requirement of a 61mph average.Of course, the 74bhp 700cc three-cylinder turbo engined Brabus’ more illustrious supercar rivals – including everything from Ferraris and Bugattis to Corvettes and Mustangs - merged into the all too familiar surroundings of petrol station after petrol station shortly after each time they zoomed past the unmoved smart to assume the temporary lead.With an optimum 53.3mpg effortlessly attained according to the smart brochure, the fortwo Brabus belonging to the life-long friends still managed around 35mpg given the more performance-biased nature of the sub model. That said, the only none original spec that the smart sported was a re-mapping kit and upgraded suspension.
They even passed over the opportunity of an in-car satellite navigation system – the only entrant to do so – relying instead on a more traditional and staunchly British option, of a European road map.With shades of the Jackie Chan-driven Japanese entrant in the film of the same name, who, despite having every conceivable high-tech gadget in their computer-laden, rocket-powered Subaru GL 4WD, still managed to get lost throughout the adventure, the opposite of which was true on this occasion.Raising money for the NSPCC through their race-winning endeavours, the pair are now setting their sights on conquering next year’s Gumball Rally in the pucker smart, as well as weighing up a blast from Land’s End to John o’Groats in 12 hours.
See Also:
Click here for more Smart stories
With cars emitting less than 120g/km of carbon dioxide exempt from the Congestion Charge and paying less road tax, car buyers are increasingly looking to small, green cars.
What are the top ten best cult cars? The Batmobile, KITT or General Lee? Check out our list of the ten best cult cars.
advertisement
The new armoured BMW X5 Security has been launched, offering' go-anywhere protection | 02/12/2008
The Vauxhall Flextreme concept car has won the prestigious red dot design award in a ceremony in Singapore. | 02/12/2008
Ford has added three new additions to its small SUV Kuga range, including a two-wheel drive variant, new engines and an automatic transmission. | 02/12/2008
The 176mph Lotus Carlton super-saloon has been voted the UK’s favourite Vauxhall in a poll of 630 owners. | 02/12/2008
Fiat has introduced a new 165bhp 2.0-litre MultiJet diesel unit with a diesel particulate filter (DPF) for its five-door Bravo models. | 01/12/2008
|01/12/2008
Global car sales are unlikely to return to significant levels for five years, according to leading economist Prof Garel Rhys.
|01/12/2008
Skoda has scrapped all VAT on its Octavia models - including the L&K, the 4x4 Scout and the performance vRS.
|01/12/2008
Fiat has introduced a new 165bhp 2.0-litre MultiJet diesel unit with a diesel particulate filter (DPF) for its five-door Bravo models.
|01/12/2008
Drivers are being warned that a festive tipple could see them end up behind bars this Christmas as a new hard-hitting £1.6 million THINK! campaign.
|01/12/2008
MINI has released pictures and details of the new MINI Convertible - set to take to UK roads in Spring 2009, with prices starting from £15,995 for the MINI Cooper and £18,995 for the MINI Cooper S.
|01/10/2008
Euro Car Parts has acquired Pinco 1555 Ltd, including all 53 of LSUK's 53 branches, together with subsidiaries M I Diesel Products, Protech Automotive (UK) and Yeovil Rewind.
|20/11/2007
Around 400 people a day risk damaging their car by misfuelling, and filling up with gas is a mistake that could cost thousands. So what do you do if you´ve filled up your diesel car with unleaded petrol?
|06/12/2007
Fuel protests similar to those that brought the UK to a halt in 2000 are being planned by a breakaway group of disaffected hauliers, according to press reports.
|07/10/2008
Euro Car Parts has put out a statement on the closure of LSUK, stating that a closure of the business was unavoidable due to a 'lack of support'.
|06/10/2008
LSUK, thought to have been rescused by Euro Car Parts, has been unexpectedly closed by the new owners with the loss of over 600 jobs.
Search Motortorque:
No readers comments
Be the first to write a comment on this article