Rumours
Most people love to hear rumours or participate to gossip. These are some of the stories we heard during and after the event. Some can be verified. Some cannot.
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We have acknowledged the people who have helped to verify the stories. If you know differently, we want to hear from you so that we can move the rumour to the facts list. Of course, we will request proof; or, at least be able to quote you as saying so.
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If you have any more rumours or facts, drop us an email and we will post them up.
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How Much Did It Cost?
We heard that the total cost to enter a car in the 1994 Cannonball Run was AUD 5,000.00. This included accommodation in the 5-Star Diamond Beach Hotel / Casino for the driver and the crew, as well as petrol for the race.
Julie Coughlan of car # 29 set us straight.
At 23 years of age, Julie and Warren were the youngest competitors in the race. Julie confirmed that the cost was AUD 7,500.00 and fuel was extra.
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See now ... That is straight from the horse's mouth. A big thank you to Julie for turning our rumour into fact.
This is the picturesque MGM Grand Hotel Casino. At the time of the Cannonball Run, the venue was called the Diamond Beach Hotel - Casino. It is a Northern Territory icon, and was a fitting place to finish the Cannonball Run event.
How Much Would This Event Have Cost To Enter At Todays Rate?
After reading the literature we have subsequently found, that for a further $1000 AUD you could get accommodation at the Diamond Beach Casino, and other four and five star accommodation along the way.
So what was $1000 AUD worth in 1994?
Well, if we start at $1000, and we add an average annual inflation rate of about 2.5% in 2024 (30 years after the event) compounding year on year equals around $2100 AUD (now plus GST so $2310 AUD)
How much would it cost to to enter the event today?
Same again, starting at $7500,00 AUD to enter, 2.5% average inflation compounding yearly would be approximately $28,500. Plus GST (round figures) let's say $31,500 AUD.
This puts everything in perspective.. It's easy to look back now and say, "Wow, only $7,500 AUD to enter the race, I would have gone in that race for sure." However, when you put inflation in the mix, and compound that inflation year on year, I'm guessing you'd think twice about entering a race that would cost you around $31,500 to enter, $2300 for accommodation, plus fuel, flights, food, parts, crew, transporting the vehicle to the Northern Territory from interstate or overseas as far away as Japan ... Because this is what it cost the racers back in 1994.
What Exactly Were The Rules?
What Qualifications Did You Need To Drive In this Prestigious Inaugural Event?
Well ... We're glad you asked, because Julie Coughlan (Car #29) has come through with the goods yet again.
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Here is everything a driver needed to complete, including, payment plans, a run down of what the Northern Territory is like, the itinerary for each day of the "event" and more.
Drivers Fact Sheet
Speed Limits?
Forty kilometres outside of the Darwin city limits has always been known for driving "flat out." There is literally no posted speed limit. This is the way it was back in 1986 - 1988 while I lived there. Nothing had changed in 1994 for the Cannonball Run.
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Before the 1994 Cannonball Run began, the competitors were told the rules were:
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"Go as fast as you like, without driving dangerously, and slow down to observable speed limits when entering townships along the way. The Northern Territory police will be enforcing speed limits in towns."
After the death of the two Japanese dentists driving the Ferrari F40, there was a limit of 180 kilometres per hour placed on all competitors. Essentially, the race winner was decided at this point. With the exception of a car having a catastrophic break down in front of you, the position you were in at the time of the incident was the position you were going to finish in. Overtaking was not permitted. Everyone had a maximum speed limit of 180 kph placed on them.
Australian Speed Derestriction Sign
Was there a speed restriction placed on competitors on Day 1?
It's been said that there was a speed restriction placed on the competitors on Day 1 from the Darwin Wharf to Katherine. (some 320 k's away)
We hadn't heard anything about this before. We read on page 154 of the Coroners Report where Allan Moffat says this in his statement to court, so we asked the drivers that competed in the run on our email list if they recall such a restriction being placed on the competitors on Day 1.
Car 28 - The 1967 Mini Cooper S
Driven by Charlie Ryder
Charlie Ryder was in his early 70s at the time of the 1994 Cannonball Run.
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Charlie was the founder of the Mini Club of Australia and was the owner of the very first Cooper S, a London to Sydney Marathon Rally Car, imported to Australia.
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Charlie used to own a garage in Gosford called "Ryders Garage." If anyone knows of Charlie, he was apparently a very fit man. We have personally spoken to Charlie a few years back. One gets the thought when speaking with Charlie he has had a full and complete life.
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It was rumoured that on the very first day, Car 28, the Mighty 1967 Mini Cooper S, broke down only a few hours out of Darwin. It was also rumoured that they called for a new motor to be delivered, set up a tripod, and the spare motor was fitted - all inside an hour.
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We know these cars are small, but we also know they can be a bitch to work on. It's a credit to the Charlie and navigator to know their vehicles so well and be able to do everything themselves, let alone in that short space of time.
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Consider this:
Your 70 years of age, you've been doing in excess of 180 km/h out on a long dusty, stinking hot day quite literally on the outskirts of a desert and your motor blows. The motor is jammed into a matchbox under the bonnet, and you have to get that hot motor out before the new one arrives. You get everything unbolted ready to go. All the electrics, fuel, water and oil lines. You're hot and sweaty yourself because your car doesn't have air conditioning. The tripod arrives and you chain up the hot motor to get it out. You put the new motor back in, bolt everything up, connect all the hoses and hope she fires up. All inside an hour.
Are you up for it? Great... no remember, you're 70 plus years of age. Still up for it?
Car 28: Charlie Ryder - 23 September 2011 - Update
We spoke to Charlie on the phone. At the time, he told us he was 89 years old and in his own words, his memory was not what it use to be. He shared a few bits of gold about the run and we thought we would list them here for you.
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The story he told about the blown motor is actually this:
"We blew a head gasket about 150 ks out of Darwin. My navigator had a relative in Darwin, so we rang on his mobile phone. Hahahah ... can you imagine that? Back then we all had the old Motorola brick, he would have been extremely lucky they had reception that far our back then. So, they rang that relative and got him to bring down a head gasket. By the time he turned up with the head gasket, I had the motor stripped down and ready to go.
The other story sounds better and makes for better gossip in Darwin. However, this isn't that bad a story at all.
Charlie had a plan. He knew his little 1967 Mini Cooper S couldn't out run the exotic cars, however, Charlie knew his little Mini was a fuel miser. Charlie took a fuel tank from an outboard motor boat and hooked it in with the existing Mini tank. (We bet he wouldn't get away with that now.) So at the start, all the cars would roar past him, later in the day, he would over take a heap of them as they were filling up with fuel on the side of the road.
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Charlie's wife was going to be the Navigator during the race. A few days before the race she got sick and watched the race from her hospital bed. Sadly, about 4 months later, she passed away.
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Charlie's Mini was considered the underdog and everyone wanted to see the 1967 Mini Cooper S race. The "Peoples Car", as the old Mini Cooper S became known, had Charlie leave first, every day after the first day. Not because the old girl was the fastest of course, but because the old girl was a crowd favourite. Everyone cheered the old Mini on. Apparently Allan Moffat let this happen.
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Charlie says he has a bit of video. He is going to make a copy and send it up for us. I'll keep you posted.
Telecom (Telstra ) Car With The Trailer / Camper
It was said that a couple of the drivers complained about a Telecom vehicle (the company is now known as Telstra) towing either a trailer, or a small camper during the final leg of the race. The complaint was on the Alice Springs to Darwin leg in the latter stages after the speed restriction was put in place.
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This is how the story goes:
"A Telecom vehicle towing a trailer or small camper overtook us (the competitors) while we were restricted to the speed of 180 kilometres per hour. We (the competitors) had a speed limit placed on us of 180kph, however the general public could go faster if they chose to. So, the Telecom car and trailer was "leap frogging" us of all. To add insult to injury, the Telecom car occupants were taking pictures of every competitor's car as the Telecom car, trailer and occupants overtook each and every one of us (competitors) at speeds in excess of 200Km's per hour. The 'photographer' was even leaning out of the car at this speed to take photos of us."
We've heard this from more than one source. As a bit of general background information, and for our overseas readers who don't yet see the irony, Telecom, or Telstra as it is known now was a Government owned organisation, and not normally known for doing anything fast.
The Local Lads' Funeral
Keith Alan Pritchard & Tim Linklater
The only names that stick in our mind with regards to the Cannonball Run are the two mates that died in the Ferrari F40 incident. Aside from the drivers, two other people died - the officials that manned the check point.
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The reason these guys are on the "Rumours" page is that we heard, but cannot verify, the following:
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The two mates were both members of the "HQ Club," part of the Darwin Motor Sports Club. For those that may be reading this asking, "What the hell is a 'HQ Club'," let us start here:
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From 1971 to 1974, Holden, an Australian car manufacturer, (Yes, Australia actually manufactured it's own cars for many years.) released a model of car called the "Holden HQ." The HQ covered a range of cars including the Belmont, the Kingswood, the Premier, the Monaro, and the Statesman. Basically if you had one, you could race it in the HQ Club.
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Holden made 485,650 of these HQs, so there was quite a few around in their day. Nearly half a million of them graced the streets of Australia.
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Rumour has it:
The police allowed all HQ Club members' vehicles, registered for the road or not, to go into the funeral procession for these now decease local boys. Basically, if you belonged to the club and owned any Holden HQ, (race, track, or on road) for that one time, you could drive your car on the road as a mark of respect for the lads that died doing what they loved best. That was, "anything to do with cars."
Pay Out
The wife of Keith Pritchard was paid over AUD 99,000.00 by the Northern Territory Government for her husband's death, under the statutory entitlement for the Traffic Act.
Racecage Pty Ltd
ACN: 058 876 298 or ABN: 79 058 876 298
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Allan Moffat & Crew paid nothing towards anything to do with the local boys that lost their lives whilst volunteering to help and work for free.
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Racecage Pty Ltd was established on 17 February 1993
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In June 2023 we found out that Allan Moffat was in a nursing home. You have to ask, with all this guys fame, notoriety, and money made over the years, why would this guy be in a nursing home? Doesn’t anyone want to take care of him? Like him or not, he was a legend in the racing industry… still is.
R.I.P
Keith Pritchard
12 July 1962 - 24 May 1994
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Keith leaves behind wife Susan, sons Daniel and Wynn, and daughter Nicole.
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You made it to Bathurst, mate. Some people dream it, you made it happen.
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You see that "-" between the date of birth and the date of death?
That represents Keiths life. That's Keith's dash.
With special thanks to Gerry Pritchard, Keith's Dad, for the pictures and permission to post them.
This is what a HQ in race / track colours looks like.
Cannonball Tribute Runs
I’ve often been asked if I knew anything about Cannonball Run Tribute / Homage runs.
People have photos yet, I have to say I don't know anything about them. They were apparently Cannonball Runs done sort of... well, let’s just say they weren’t “Officially Sanctioned Events”.
Mostly I get sketchy details of an event being held sometime in the mid 2000’s.
It turns out these events were held in 2005, 2006, and 2007, and the guy that organised these events was closer than I thought. He was actually on our mailing list. Talk about six degrees and all that; one degree to be precise. So, if anyone asks you about these Cannonball Tribute Runs in the future, you can now categorically say they did occur, and let’s also say that it's not off the cards that some may be planned for the future.
Letters to the Japanese
Gerry Pritchard (father of Keith Pritchard, one of the checkpoint field marshals that died in the Ferrari incident), informed us that he sent a letter to the two wives of the Japanese dentists that died in the Ferrari F40 at the same time their son died.
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The wives had arrived in Alice Springs under a media frenzy when they were told that Keith had said "The Jap's were crazy and were going to kill someone." In Australia, we know that when someone is "crazy," it can mean a variety of things. In this case, "crazy" implied that the two Japanese drivers were a bit gun ho, or a bit too "showy". Nothing wrong with that, they had a Ferrari F40. The fastest car on the planet at the time, who wouldn't be just a slight bit "showy"?
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However, in Japan, the word "crazy" was taken quite literally and Gerry Pritchard set out in the letter to 'right the wrong'. There was no disrespect intended. The letter was sent to the wives through the Japanese Consulate. Gerry was told that the letter had been published in every Japanese newspaper at the time
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The following is the reply from Mrs Kabe. Both in Japanese, and the translation from the Consulate.
Prize Money
As I was walking by the TV, (years later back home in Perth) I caught the end of a program that showed a quick flash of a picture of the Strathfield Porsche that won the 1994 Cannonball Run event. As I sat on the step of our sunken lounge watching the TV, I was horrified to hear that:
"... the race organisers did not pay out the prize money."
The race organisers were Allan Moffat and company or "Racecage Pty Ltd." They stated "legal reasons" as the reason they were not able to pay.
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We thought...
"hang on, you didn't have to pay out for the four deaths, you had to pay for a few lawyers... suck it up princess"
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I remember either myself speculating, or the winners of the Cannonball Run (Ron Conrad) that were driving the Strathfield Porsche said words to the effect of:
"Allan Moffat had a heap of legal fees to pay out on after that horrific crash involving the dentists."
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In the end, we heard from Ron Conrad himself that Racecage Pty Ltd (Allan Moffat) did pay out an "undisclosed amount of money." Ron has never disclosed the amount he settled for.
$50,000.00 was the amount supposed to be paid out.
Allan Moffat
How easily he could've been the hero of this Darwin at the finish line.
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How easily it could've gone the other way.
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You can picture here, if no one had died and the event had been a success, the smile on Allan's face, and the arm out the window of his car either punching the air in victory, or waving.
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You also have to remember the emotional and financial strain this would have put on Allan Moffat. No matter who you are, how famous you are, or how much money you have; this would have to had to had an effect you.
Why the News Pulled the Incident Footage Off the Air
As I was in Darwin at the time of this event, I remember hearing about the incident involving the Ferrari earlier ion in the day. As it was getting closer to the evening news time they were showing quick glimpses as a teaser to watch the news where they would show you the whole footage. From what I recall the video footage was from above and the Ferrari F40 was starting to slide sideways. As they did back then and still do now, if you want to see the whole video you have to watch the news. Unlike now though, videos don't get leaked to social media before the news. So, you had to wait.
"The video footage was not shown in it's entirety after the first news bulletin"
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I am 90% sure I witnessed the entire video on the first new bulletin, however, was keen to see the next news bulletin so I could see exactly what happened, rather than the shock of what had happened. I wanted to be able to analyse it. The video footage was never played again.
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Rumour has it, the reason why the footage was only shown on the news once, and not again in later bulletins, was the Australian Federal Government stepped in and stopped it from being aired again.
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On one hand, people didn't want to glorify an accident and see it over and over again in their lounge rooms, similar to what they did with September 11 and the planes hitting the Twin Towers. After some time the government banned the continual playing of that footage as well.
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On the other hand, the people of the Northern Territory didn't like the idea or the knowledge that the Government of Australia had decided what they could, and couldn't watch; especially as the Northern Territory had founded itself as a 'Territory' because it didn't want to be a state that was told what to do by the Australian Federal Government. The people and the local government had always carried out things their own way; hence, the open speed limit. So, being told you couldn't see "that footage" again, was a bit of a slap in the face to the Territorian people at the time.
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Maybe it wasn't the Australian Federal Government at all, but this was the rumour on the day.
Where is that footage now?
Facts From the Winning Car's Navigator
On 20 November 2008, I was contacted via email by one Mr Andrew Kelly, who introduced himself as the navigator in Car 184.; the driver being Ron Conrad. Car 184 is the Strathfield Porsche - the Porsche that won the event.
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Mr Kelly told me that he had some 'goss' for my website. Of course we are always up for a bit of Cannonball Run associated gossip; only this gossip is fact. Read below. It is quite chilling.
"At every other check point, the roads were bitumen and the checkpoints were in the middle of the road.
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What was not stressed in the documents supplied was the (death point) checkpoint was not on the road, but was on a clear piece of bushland on the side of the road. Further, there was fresh gravel that was dropped on the ground to supposedly make a smoother stopping area to check in.
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We were third out that morning; first the Ferrari, second Johnny Kahlbetzer and third Car 184.
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I never heard why this point was ignored. Further, the distance was at least 100m out, that means shorter than the calculated distance, so as you came up over the hill and thought you had 300 metres, you realised there was only 200 metres.
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We called for the race to be postponed and were nearly going to pull out, but we were told that we need to move on. After seeing those guys laying on the ground it is a scary thought of how the organiser just walks away with no liability.
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I personally was a contributor in the charity to raise funds for the time keepers but that does not go far."
Neither Andrew Kelly nor Ron Conrad have ever been asked to testify, even though they were the second on the scene that day. Like I said... chilling. I just re-read that statement while I'm upgrading the website in June 2023. It sent one of those chills up my right side. You know the ones that give you the raised goose bumps. As I write this, they are still there.
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There are two factors to consider here:
1. The 'death point' was 100 meters closer. Now that may not sound like much, however at those speeds, 240 km/h is 66.6 metres per second. 66.6 metres per second. You have approximately 200 metres when you thought to had 300 metres as you come over a blind hill, and a slight bend at the same time. You think you have 4.5 seconds to brake, you come over the hill, you brake, you pull in. Only... you now have 3 seconds after your initial shock of "F@ck, that's a lot closer" Average Reaction Time from accelerator to brake .75 seconds. That's 50 meters.
So, we've lost 100 meters that the race organisers have stolen and not told anyone about which equates to 1.5 seconds. We've lost 50 meters, which equates to .75 seconds in braking reaction time. We started with 4.5 seconds, we're now down to 2.25 seconds.
Throw in the second factor.
2. Pea gravel is on the "Death Point" PEA GRAVEL! Seriously, why not put ice on the road, or ball bearings, or take the rubber tyres off the vehicles and make the drivers race on the rims.
2.25 seconds to stop on pea gravel. Are you for real?
There is a third factor as well.
3. It appears that four clown's (Mr Paul Castaldi, Mr Clifford Stanley, Mr David Yule & Mr Leonard Edmond) (see page 17 of the Court Case documents) with a white Toyota Lexcen sedan (sometimes called a white Holden Commodore as these two cars look identical except for the badges on each car.) wanted to be in front of the Ferrari F40 taking photos. Imagine seeing a white sedan, and blocking your view as you come over the hill. You instinctively and inherently know, you can't miss or overrun a check point. You try to get in on the check point only to discover this checkpoint has pea gravel unlike any other checkpoint you've encountered thus far.
There were only six people out there that day. Two on the checkpoint. Two in the Ferrari, and two (at least) in the white sedan. It seems the two stupid ones got away with culpable homicide. (So you don't have to look up the definition: "an unlawful act that results in a person's death but is held not to amount to murder." In my view, both this idiot in the white Commodore (I have his name somewhere, I'll find it later) and Allan Moffat should have been held on trial for Culpable Homicide.
Where the Cars Were Stored
While the cars were in storage waiting for the race, it's known that they were kept in storage in a "not so" secret location.
This is what the owners of the vehicles were told:
Information from the Drivers Fact Sheet
SECURITY:
A security compound will be made available to competitors for the secure storage of their vehicles each night of the event. The compound will be strictly patrolled by security officers and guard dogs.
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The Trade Development Zone: This was a group of buildings set up by the Northern Territory Government to encourage overseas manufacturers to our shores.
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The zone now has the main loading terminals for shipping located there.
These photos could have only be obtained by drivers, co-drivers, navigators, and Cannonball Run officials
Car 110 1993 Dodge Viper
Car 95 1971 Ford Mustang Fast Back
Car 109 1970 Ford GT HO XY (Shaker)
Car 93 1993 Volvo 850 T5 Estate
Car 29 1973 Mazda RX2
Car 32 1978 Ford Cobra XC
Car 27 1991 Ferrari F40
Car 26 1958 Jaguar XK150
Car 36 1984 Porsche 928S
Car 42 (50A) 1982 Mazda RX7
(in the background, Slick 50)
Car 108 1985 Chevrolet Corvette
Car 129 1989 Chevrolet 1500 Pick Up
Car 110 1993 Dodge Viper
Car 100 1988 Lotus Esprit Turbo
Car 182 1989 Pontiac Trans Am
Car 141 1988 Ferrari Testarossa 355
Car 52 1984 Chevrolet Corvette Calloway
Car 107 1987 Chevrolet Corvette
Car 77 1991 Porsche 928 S4
Car 96 1991 Porsche 928 GT
Car 28 1967 Mini Cooper S
Car 65 1970 Ford Falcon XW GT
Car 248 1977 Pontiac Trans Am
Car 31 1984 Pontiac Trans Am
Car 103 1970 Corvette Stingray
Car 184 1982 Porsche 911 Turbo
Car 209 1972 Ford XA GT
Car 75 1966 Chevrolet Impala
Car 130 1993 Ford Falcon EB GT
Use of the Word "Cannonball"
It's been rumored that Racecage Pty Ltd didn't have permission to use the word "Cannonball."
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Poor buggers... we don't think any other word would have done the trick.
Only the first on scene would have been able to verify who was sitting in who's seat.
Did Sir Jack Brabham Participate?
In the 14th of October 1993 Cannonball Run it was reported that Sir Jack Brabham would be driving a "Split Cycle Engineering" Lamborghini Diablo that was based on the Gold Coast.
There was a "Split Cycle Engineering" 1992 Lotus Esprit Turbo, driven by Bambach.
No Lamborghini Diablo, and no Sir Jack Brabham
Did John Farnham Participate?
In the Northern Territory Cannonball Run Event Details send out by race organisers, they said they had John Farnham Australian Music Icon, participating in the 1994 Norther Territory Cannonball Run in Porsche 928.
There were two Porsche 928's in the 1994 Cannonball Run. No John Farnham though.
From a Mechanic Who Was At the Event
We heard a one liner from a mechanic who was at the event. Sadly, he does not do email, so it was hard to get a first person story out of him.
"The F40 Japanese weren't wearing seat belts; and, having had a big one the night before, the driver chucked the keys to the navigator."
June 2023 Update:
After carefully reading through the Full Coroners Report we have found this rumour to be solved. It's not true.
On page 68 the Coroners Report clearly states that both men sustained bruising caused by their seat harness. (Seat belts were on)
The Ferrari F40 was a left hand drive vehicle. It was concluded that Kabe (driver) and Okano (navigator) died when their heads clashed together. They were not wearing helmets. Kabe suffered a "Blunt Head Injury" to his right temple, and Okana suffered a "Blunt Head Injury" to his left temple.
This would consistent with the driver sitting behind the wheel of the left hand driver Ferrari F40 and the navigator being in the right hand front passenger seat.
What Happened to the Checkered Flag?
"I almost ended up with the starting flag at the end of the race but it ended up going for somewhere over AUD 3,000 at the gala auction held at the casino, after the race."
"Wayde McLeod" - The official standing next to Marshall Perron at the start line.
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So who owns the 1994 Northern Territory Cannonball Run chequered flag, and how would we know it was the actual flag?
Car 164 - 1967 Mercury Cougar GT
"Found It"
Driver: Marshall
Look what John found.
Back in 2008 we got an email from John with a couple of exceptional photos of a piece of motoring history.
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This is THE "Cannonball Run 164" 1967 Mercury Cougar Big Block 460 Ford.
This was one of the cars we didn't have a picture of. Now we do; just not on the day.
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The old girl had all her race stickers removed long ago and she sat in a shed in far North Queensland for over ten years. Other than the stickers being removed and having a tow bar fitted... (what the ??), the car is exactly as it raced back on the big day.
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John planned to have this fine piece of motoring history registered on the road by the end of 2010.
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John is also trying to track down the original number plate "CANNONBALLRUN 164."
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Yep... he knows..."Good Luck"
Then, You Would Never Guess . . .
One of the co-drivers sent me this email some years later:
"The vehicle was purchased from my father and driven there (to Queensland) by the new owner when he moved to Qld to live.
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He fitted the towbar so he could tow his sand-drag bike. Also, the engine is a 460 big block Ford bored to 482.
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By the way, the plates are still in Darwin but NOT for sale.
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I co-drove with my father in the ’67 Cougar #164 and raced with and against Slim & Tim at our local club meets here in Darwin. RIP lads.
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Keep up the fantastic work with your website and maybe people will realise it wasn’t a full-blown “race” but a run/rally due to it being a timed event."
Another Mechanic at the Event
"My name is Scott, I found this site in the Australian Muscle Car mag and congratulations on a top job to bring this all together!
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I moved from Darwin 12 months ago after living there for 28 years, and of course love the place!!!
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Anyway, I have some (disposable camera) shots I will find, scan & send them!!! From the Noonamah check point!!! I wish I had more but I always thought there would be another!
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I was an apprentice mechanic at Kerry Holden and worked on Greg Hanfords VN, the aircon wasn't working so I fixed it.
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They then drove the car for a test drive and returned to ask me to “remove the condenser, as it was causing the car to overheat!” I had to ask, at what speed did it overheat? I think it was Greg or one of his crew that pointed to the 300km/h extra centre dash VDO Speedo and said "at top speed!" This car was amazing and had lots of cash thrown at it, wish I had taken some pics!!!. It was sold for a steal after the run and I wish I had the money! I’m a Ford man now, but I would still love to own this tough street car!"
CAMS Licences, Issued or Not?
"Did you know that after the crash at Ayres Rock, that night we all got issued with CAMS Cannonball licenses?"
Mark Byrant - Driver of Car 10. 1965 Arnts Cobra
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Now that puts a whole new spin on things, doesn't it?
That's not what was insinuated by RaceCage Pty Ltd or CAMS in the Coroners Inquest Report
Then there was this information we received from Keith Mertens - Car 17. 1981 Jaguar XJ6
June 28th 2023
"Hi, Just as a point of interest. After that terrible accident they had the meeting regarding the CAMS licenses. We were told not to discuss anything that was said at that meeting not even with our co drivers, I did anyway, was only fair I thought but couldn’t understand the necessity. Just thought you might be interested. Cheers, Keith."
This event was touted as a CAMS sanctioned event.
CAMS is an acronym for Confederation of Australian Motor Sport
In 2020 CAMS officially changed their name to Motorsport Australia.
Personal Notes
Ian McAlister, driver of Car 93, the only Volvo, and the only station wagon in the event, kept some personal records.
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Check out point 9:
Getting Ready to Go
Car 248 1977 Pontiac Trans Am, leaving Queensland, final checks.
DNF: Did Not Finish
Car 248 1977 Pontiac Trans Am had a mechanical problem and wasn't able to finish the event.
Allan Moffat Update - June 2023
Everyone loves a bit of gossip. Some because they're curious, some because they are plain nosey, and some... we'll some are trying to put the pieces together.
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This whole website is dedicated to keeping the memory alive, and we've done that by slowly putting the pieces together of what this person knows, and that person knows, and we create a narrative of what happened.... Which is why this next part isn't anything like that. It's purely 'gossip' and for no other reason than to say "Ohhh, so that's it then."
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Nadi Hanna was an entrant in the 1994 Northern Territory Cannonball Run. However, one thing you never want to be told when you're at a race is "you're late" Nadi turned up too late to participate. With his Nissan GTR race ready he was on site ready to race on May 24th; the day the race was cancelled. He didn't want to start at with everyone else, fearing there would be an incident at the back of the field as inexperienced drivers jostled for positions. He was prepared to start a day late and work his way through the field. In Nadi's own words, he says "I never thoughts it (the Ferrari F40 incident) would happen at the front of the field"
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Nadi's team mate was a guy called David Besnard.
(You can check out David's impressive racing history on Wiki by clicking the link on his name)
David went on to score the factor drive with Van Diemen in the Formula Fords series. Nadi couldn't commit as he'd just graduated from uni to be a medical doctor. Nadi was also being mentored by seven time Bathurst winner the legend that is "Jim Richards" (This is where the association with the Nissan GTR came from.
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Alan Moffat (a four time Bathurst winner himself) never did give Nadi his official number plates, and still has no idea what his plate number would have been. However Nadi did get this competitors plaque.
Nadi attending a race meeting prior to the event that Allan Moffat was discussing the rules and regulations of the event. Nadi says he discussed the issue with everyone at the meeting about the tyres they were going t use. the brand, type, condition, and speed rating. Nadi said he also suggested to Allan Moffat that he do the high speed runs himself in order to flush out any unexpected issues. Allan Moffat dismissed Nadi and suggested that Nadi was a better doctor than a racer.
So, in June 2023 Nadi went looking for Allan Moffat to see if he could get his official plates.
(Yes he knows it was a slim chance 29 years after the event.)
This is when Nadi found us.
Now Nadi knows people. No, no... Nadi REALLY, knows people. You can imagine being in the racing circuit early in his career, then becoming a doctor, seeing his mate racing around the world, how many times would he have asked himself "Do I really want to be a doctor right now?"
Nadi met Allan Moffat, as did a lot of race competitors. One race competitor has told me in the past that Allan Moffat tried flirting with his wife, Nadi told me he always spoke down to people however, in a calm way. Everyone that I've ever spoken to that has met and conversed with Allan Moffat has always said that Allan Moffat was a very focussed person.
None the less, Nadi had a place to start. He has contacts. This is what Nadi has found out.
Allan Moffat is a nursing home, and is suffering from Alzheimers disease.
(The worst possible disease. Your own brain robbing you of your memories that you've built up over the years and is slowly shutting your body down.)
Allan had to have a guardian appointed because he never made out a will.
Allan had two sons from two different wives. His eldest son which he had with his first wife is in the supreme court with Allan Moffat's second wife in a battle over Allan's assets.
Nobody seems to have told the family that Allan isn't dead yet
Larry Perkins Six time Bathurst winner and Australian race car driving legend Fred Gibson are Allan Moffat's legal guardians.
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Jackie Stewart, the British motor racing legend that raced from 1965 to 1973, is a regular visitor of Allan Moffat. Jackie Stewarts wife has Alzheimers disease as well. Jackie, Larry and Fred have set up a charity for Alzheimer suffers called "Race Against Dementia"
Although it doesn't look like Nadi will get his plates, unless we can work out what his plate number would have been, and then track those plates down, we'll never know. However, if a set of Cannonball Run licence plates show up (or even one for that matter) that doesn't have a car number associated with it, you can bet these were meant to be Nadi's plates.
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Cannonball Chaser
Then there was this bus...
This photo was sent in by Keith Mertens, driver of Cannonball Car #17. The 1981 Jaguar XJ6.
Here is a the itinerary of the coach
It makes for an interesting read on how the coach would follow the field and then get in front of the field of cars so that each Cannonballer would have to overtake the bus on the way back.
Eight days on a bus... now that's dedication
Car 10 1965 Arntz Cobra
Do a Google image search on this year, make and model and you wont find a single one of these stunning vehicles in bad condition.
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When they made this car in 1965 they must have known they were building a classic.
This is Mark Bryant driving wth his Dad John Bryant sitting in the passenger seat poised for action.
Sadly John Bryant past away on the 28th of May 2023. From just this picture alone, he's been sitting in the passenger seat of a beautiful piece of machinery like this. That's more than most of us have done right there.
Car 236 1980 Jaguar XJS
Norman Lutz a retired mechanic from Melbourne Australia used to own a business called "The E Type Factory" Having owned and worked on Jags he was the right man for the job when putting the 'Cannonball Cat' together. Norman contacted us to let us know what was under the hood. He's got pictures to share.
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This beast was owned by Tony McCafferty of McCafferty Coachlines in Towoomba in Queensland.
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Norman says this engine was the first of many 6 Litre Jaguar V12 engines he has built over his 34 years of being a mechanic.
This is the beast Norman created. For the car geeks out there, here is some engine porn for you to think about:
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95mm Liners, big valve heads, producing 500 horse power @ 7500rpm
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So, what kept all of this horse power on the road to have every horse at the trough?
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Glad you asked. Norman gave us the run down, and some pics.
This is a Doug Nash 5 Speed Transmission. and the old Cannonball Cat was fitted with a 2.88 differential.
all this was packed neatly under the bonnet to give the Cannonball Car a cruising speed of 300km/h
NIIIICCCE!
Page 23: states that the driver and navigator of the Ferrari F40 (Kabe and Okana) "...clashing heads which in turn caused injuries culminating in their death" They weren't required to wear helmets, however, were they wearing helmets? Page 68 answers this question. "No"
Were the Ferrari Occupants Wearing Helmets?
Coroners Report
Page 23:
states that the driver and navigator of the Ferrari F40 (Kabe and Okana) "...clashing heads which in turn caused injuries culminating in their death" They weren't required to wear helmets, however, were they wearing helmets?
Page 68 answers this question. "No"
Page 111 tells us "Why?"
"For long distances they're - they're a heavy item, they're restrictive of your ability to move in the vehicle. If there is a considerable amount of noise, you need an intercom system to be able to hear what your co-driver's
saying and that, therefore, becomes a more complicated system than a - a normal helmet. And maybe the case of feeling more secure in - in the knowledge that you've got a helmet on perhaps may make some people think they can travel more safely, simply because they have a helmet on."
Mr Bruce Charles Nichol
Chairman of the Queensland State Council Confederation of Australian Motorsport (CAMS)
Cannonball Run Newsletters
We don't have a copy of this - Can you help?
22nd of January 1994.
Four pages.
"Organisation for the Run has been very intense over the past few months with the Northern Territory Police Department allocating 35 police officers to assist with road closures and traffic control, and the Department of Transport and Works allocating approximately 100 officers to ensure the Highway is in peak condition for the event, and that spectator and safety barriers are in place."
What safety barriers?
3rd of March 1994
Five pages.
"The recent Cannonball Route Survey conducted by Allan Moffat and Officials from the Cannonball Run and the Department of Transport and Works in the Northern Territory went without a hitch in early February. The survey was conducted in a BMW 840Ci and a Mazda RX7. Allan was absolutely amazed at the faultless handling and smooth ride of the BM. It covered the 4000 kilometres with ease and did not require a drop of oil during the whole survey."
Competitor Information Packs
The organisers sent a lot of information and offers to people interested in entering, as well as many documents once a competitor entered the event.
