In 2006, Alex Roy and David Maher set the record for the fastest cross-country driving. The mark was set in 31 hours and 4 minutes using a pimped-up BMW M5.

However, just recently, the number one rival of BMW has beaten the record. Using a Mercedes-Benz CL55 AMG, a team led by Ed Bolian beat the coast-to-coast driving record by setting a new one with a mark of only 28 hours and 50 minutes according to CNN.

What is the Cannonball Run

The Cannonball Baker Sea-To-Shining Sea Memorial Trophy Dash, better known as the “Cannonball Run” involves driving coast-to-coast from a specified location in New York up to Los Angeles in the fastest way possible.

It may look very easy but the whole drive involves choosing the right car, dodging heavy traffic, avoiding highway patrols and beating environmental factors. Bolian had it all planned though before he signed up for the event.

Beating the Cannonball Run

Bolian only saw one car fit for the job and that is the Mercedes-Benz CL55 AMG. In the course of the 18-month careful planning, he tuned up his Mercedes for around $9,000. Then, he studied well the roads in order to avoid heavy traffic.

He added modifications that would let him switch off the tail lights so the police will have trouble detecting the car. Next, he installed two laser jammers, police scanner and three radar detectors for the same purpose. Along with the anti-police gizmos he had, there were also two GPS units, Smartphone and tablet car-chargers, snacks, iced coffee and the ever-reliable bedpan.

To make up for the 23-gallon limit of the car’s tank during the 115,000-mile drive, he added two 22-gallon tanks in the trunk to gain 800-mile leverage. The rear tire, on the other hand, had to stay in the rear passenger’s seat to optimize the space.

For the crew, Bolian had Dave Black as co-driver and Dan Huang as a spotter at the back seat.

Source: CNN