The Cannonball Run: “A wide variety of eccentric competitors participate in a wild and illegal cross-country road race. However, the eccentric entrants will do anything to win the road race, including low-down, dirty tricks.” — that’s the premise for the 1981 cult-classic, and the inspiration for the 4-day mid-west adventure ten GTM members set out to complete with CHIN Motorsports at PITT Race and Mid-Ohio Race Courses on May 25-29.
For those of you watching at home — It’s definitely one of those “you had to be there” sort of stories… so since you missed it, we’ll just roll with the highlights… #insidejokes
Serendipitously, nature called at nearly the same time for our first wave of travelers. From left-to-right: members Erin K, Eric M, new friend Peter Stillwell, Marissa C, Shane S and John R just happened to stop at the exact same rest stop on the PA turnpike at nearly the same time. Some would say it might have been staged, but it was actually luck! The scramble to PITT Race heated up from here. Despite some holiday traffic we made good time and were able to get settled in before dark.
PITT-Race
Pittsburgh International Race Complex (PITT Race) offers three track configurations. The North track configuration is 1.6 miles and the South track covers 1.2 miles. The full course is 2.78 miles in length and combines both the North and South track. All tracks feature significant elevation change throughout and were designed to follow the natural terrain. Without going into a lot of detail about PITT Race, we all agreed that “it is a FUN lap” and worth a return trip! (Continue reading for videos of the Track).
Mid-Ohio
Packing up late Sunday we headed for Mid-Ohio, well… some of us did. The stint from PITT Race to Mid-O is an easy 2-hour drive on the OH/PA Turnpike. “The Commonlaws” (Erin K and John R) headed to Mid-O by way of Cleveland with a quick stop at a 24-hour AutoZone for a new front wheel bearing. #clevelandROCKS! — Be sure to ask Erin about “calculating fuel mileage remaining and the pita-pit.”
Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course is a road course located in just outside the village of Lexington (nestled between Mansfield and Ontario, Ohio). The track opened in 1962 as a 15-turn, 2.4 mile (3.86 km) road circuit run clockwise. The back portion of the track (including “the kink”) allows speeds approaching 180 mph! Mid-O is a very challenging lap with many nuances, blind turns and gotchas. It’s really a great place to expand yourself as a driver. (Continue reading for videos of the Track).
From left-to-right Kerwin W, Marissa C, Tania M, Gordon B, Erin K, Eric M, John R, Shane S and Peter Stillwell (taken at PITT Race, while Sam H was still on his way!)
In the end, we had a great time and look forward to returning to PITT Race and Mid-Ohio. We’re happy to share all the stories, and mishaps the next time we see you. It’s always great to go on an adventure like this with friends! We hope that you’ll join us for our trip to Road Atlanta in the fall. #cannonballrun2 #rideordie #roadatlantaorbust #allroadsleadtoatlanta
More pictures from this event can be found here: https://gtmotorsports.shutterfly.com/2018/4780
And if it’s true that pictures are worth 1000 words, then videos are a filibuster… check out these:
Hot laps (video) from PITT Race
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9AxDkwQgkZU
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ode3nZzZmjs
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v1EnVT0pX4E
