New coast to coast record set in GTR powered Infiniti Q50

[Eikon]

http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2015/0 ... initi-q50/

It's a long article, but a great read... (a few nsfw language issues to be warned).

The Q50 was chosen for it's DAS (Steering by wire system which could be duplicated, creating a second driving position) and the fact that a GTR powertrain is a viable swap to get big HP numbers.

They even had a "Spy Hunter" smokescreen modification.


I would love to see the movie they make from the footage..

[Desert Rat]

He didn't beat the record. He destroyed it. I read with great interest the last guy with the 100k+ mile mercedes who broke the 30 hour barrier. Interesting comments in the article about Richard Rawlings' attempt....no data points collected.

Ever since I saw Gumball Ralley and the original David Carradine Cannonball movie when I was a kid in the 70s I've had great interest in this topic.

Rawlings bought that Jag that set the record in the late 70s. That was an episode of Fast N Loud.

[Mr1der]

It was a Jag XK wasn't it? I can't remember now.

But I do have a strong desire to watch Cannonball Run now...

[darylzero]

Damn "106.21 mph Overall Average" that is crazy!

All those gadgets he listed, I wish there was a picture inside the car.

[AZhitman]

I think more pics and video will be forthcoming after the statute of limitations has passed...

I've got mixed feelings on this.

The car guy with a permanently-planted right foot thinks this is probably the coolest thing in recent history.

The commuter / father / husband / brother / son / friend thinks this is an incredibly asinine and selfish stunt, and is amazed no one died.

I definitely chuckled at the RR part f the discussion, and the dude certainly has a way with words. Mad props to the commitment and balls.

[Bubba1]

I fondly remember the original Cannonball Baker Sea-to-Shining Sea Memorial Trophy Dash won by Brock Yates and racing legend Dan Gurney in a Ferrari Daytona back in the early '70's (which spawned all those movies). Yates' articles in Car & Driver were downright epic. It was an amazing combination of balls, fun, anti-establishment shenanigans, and sheer stupidity. While it's an impressive achievement to break the record now, I think it loses a bit of it's luster when you consider the technological advances and enforcement "climate" now compared to Yates/Gurney's era. Things like advanced radar detectors, radar signal blockers, real time speed trap locations available on your smart phone. Gurney/Yates did it with binoculars and an antiquated Fuzzbuster. They also faced state police forces ordered to vigorously enforce a national speed limit that was just reduced to 55.

[Desert Rat]

I dunno. I'd say it's equally as impressive these days, given the MUCH higher average speed. A 36 hour run is an average speed under 80. Impressive in the days of 55mph speed limits, but averaging over 105 over 2800+ miles on public roads?

[Jesda]

Finally, a good reason for DAS!

[LocAL_anarchy]

I'm definitely conflicted about this. I've always been a fan of the lore of the coast-to-coast record. I've driven cross-country several times the last few years, and I've always dreamed about doing it. I mean, come on, how awesome is it?!!

That being said, I'm a believer in the old-school way. Just hop in a fast car and go! And whether or not their record was legit, Rawlings and Collins attempt was exactly that. I believe their Ferrari was stock with only a Valentine1. I realize the argument of no data points, but considering they put hardly any planning into it, I'm fine with their going by the clock.

With Alex Roy, I felt his initial record was tarnished. Not so much that his M5 was heavily modified or that he put months into the planning, but that he used aircraft to spot ahead, had various police lights and sirens installed, and his navigator had NVG. Kinda sours it for me. And with this new record, I can appreciate the awesomeness of the car he built(GTR Q50!) and the planning it must have taken. But the technology factor is even greater. And smoke-screen? Considered installing oil slick? Now we're getting into sheer recklessness, regardless of the safety protocols installed.

Was he seriously going to smoke-screen pursing cops if need be??? Imagine the backlash if he did, and it caused someone to get injured or die. The media would be all over it, and law-enforement agencies would paint us car enthusiasts in an even gworse negative light than they already do. I can already see it happening regardless once the footage of the run gets released. I dunno, man. Maybe I'm just getting old. :/

What I would like to see is the records broken down into various categories. Modified/Unmodified vehicles. Aircraft-Assisted/NonAA, etc.

[Jesda]

The 'cheating' and prep work is the most fascinating part:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JxRLyiBs3XA[/youtube]

The whole film is worth watching.

[numbnuts240]

Considered installing oil slick?