"The Driver" by Alex Roy

c0nstant · 03-31-2008, 04:04 PM

has anyone read it? is it worth picking up?

lordnikon · 08-26-2024, 03:07 PM

No

vreihen16 · 08-26-2024, 04:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lordnikon

No

erickonphoenix · 08-26-2024, 04:42 PM

If you're interested in all things Cannonball it's a must read. Best part is in the prep for the run.

However, if you're looking for info on planning a Cannonball on your own then the info is largely out of date. The kids who attempt these today use very different tactics.

lordnikon · 08-26-2024, 04:52 PM

Watch the film instead APEX: The Secret Race Across America (2019)

Just realized it was a super old post.

erickonphoenix · 08-26-2024, 04:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lordnikon

Watch the film instead APEX: The Secret Race Across America (2019)

Just realized it was a super old post.

LOL me too #attention2detail

2000cs · 08-26-2024, 06:37 PM

Read it a few years back, was a Cannonball fan when it was in the mags (C&D I think, because of Brock Yates), and the movies were campy but fun (“two beavers in a speedboat”).

Back when it was a race, radar was about all some of the police had; no lasers. Some of the cars could outrun the police, but tickets were common. Now it is a technical cat-and-mouse game with jail time on the menu, and while still a race against the clock, the fun of multiple cars on staggered starts is long gone. Routing also was different - paper maps! Some advance planning but not much to work with if a construction zone popped up. Today that is all on the usual apps, and drivers use spotters and planners along the way to get the best route and avoid detection.

I recall a pickup winning one year, because the bed had been loaded with fuel tanks so they didn’t need to stop as often as the Ferraris and other fast, thirsty cars.

The book is OK, but as already mentioned above it is now dated by the technology that has surpassed what they did.

Nothing compares to the movie short, Rendezvous, however!

vreihen16 · 08-26-2024, 07:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2000cs

Nothing compares to the movie short, Rendezvous, however!

We used to watch that on VHS at the local sports car club's holiday party! I love the ending!!!!!

.

03-31-2008, 04:04 PM	#1
c0nstant Lieutenant General 1829 Rep 17,322 Posts Drives: G80 M3 Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (1)	"The Driver" by Alex Roy has anyone read it? is it worth picking up?
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08-26-2024, 03:07 PM	#2
lordnikon Captain 524 Rep 621 Posts Drives: Break My Wallet Join Date: Feb 2023 Location: Ontario iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 BMW 328i xDrive [0.00]	No
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08-26-2024, 04:42 PM	#4
erickonphoenix Captain 2055 Rep 653 Posts Drives: 2014 Gray 328xi Touring Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Houston TX iTrader: (0)	If you're interested in all things Cannonball it's a must read. Best part is in the prep for the run. However, if you're looking for info on planning a Cannonball on your own then the info is largely out of date. The kids who attempt these today use very different tactics. __________________
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08-26-2024, 04:52 PM	#5
lordnikon Captain 524 Rep 621 Posts Drives: Break My Wallet Join Date: Feb 2023 Location: Ontario iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 BMW 328i xDrive [0.00]	Watch the film instead APEX: The Secret Race Across America (2019) Just realized it was a super old post.
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08-26-2024, 06:37 PM	#7
2000cs Captain 3904 Rep 1,003 Posts Drives: Potato Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: USA iTrader: (1)	Read it a few years back, was a Cannonball fan when it was in the mags (C&D I think, because of Brock Yates), and the movies were campy but fun (“two beavers in a speedboat”). Back when it was a race, radar was about all some of the police had; no lasers. Some of the cars could outrun the police, but tickets were common. Now it is a technical cat-and-mouse game with jail time on the menu, and while still a race against the clock, the fun of multiple cars on staggered starts is long gone. Routing also was different - paper maps! Some advance planning but not much to work with if a construction zone popped up. Today that is all on the usual apps, and drivers use spotters and planners along the way to get the best route and avoid detection. I recall a pickup winning one year, because the bed had been loaded with fuel tanks so they didn’t need to stop as often as the Ferraris and other fast, thirsty cars. The book is OK, but as already mentioned above it is now dated by the technology that has surpassed what they did. Nothing compares to the movie short, Rendezvous, however!
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