Show Day

The day the public got a chance to meet the drivers, navigators and pit crew of each team.
21 May 1994

Held at the Darwin Stokes Hill Wharf, this day was perhaps the best day of all. We got to meet the drivers, and ask questions. How long have you had the car? What was the build or modification costs? How confident are you that the car will finish the race? The day where you got to walk right up to the cars, and admire the beauty of each and every one of them.

The atmosphere was carnival like, everyone was buzzing with anticipation of the next day. The big race. At the time we hadn't noticed that the race organisers were calling the race an 'event' or a 'run'. After the race the organisers were quick to point this out.

Although all the cars seemed to be on the wharf when we arrived, not every driver, navigator or pit crew were there standing next to their beautiful machines; however, only a few were missing. Most drivers seemed only too keen to have a chat about why they were there, and where they had come from.

We also had the bright idea to take a Texta/Chemi pen and an official poster, with the intention of getting each driver and or navigator we spoke to, to sign our poster. A lot of drivers were quietly chuffed that they had been asked for a signature. To the best of our knowledge, this poster and one other belonging to a friend were the only posters with signatures from the day, and you couldn't buy posters at the Stokes Hill Wharf to copy the idea. A missed marketing opportunity, however a great win for us.

We have since had this framed with Anti Glare glass. We had to move it into storage as the sun had started to get to the reds on the Ferrari and Ayers Rock. Only evident when we purchased a fresh "new old stock" poster online and compared the two posters.

Like we said... The atmosphere was buzzing.

What you have to remember is that this sort of humour wasn't found on cars back in 1994. At the Cannonball Run, this was the only car with any humour on it.

Car 24: 1990 Toyota MR2

Car 34: 1984 Ferrari 308 GTS.

This car was owned by Terry Finocchiaro. A local favourite as the Ferrari was locally owned. This particular Ferrari didn't last very long. Not saying that the prancing horse isn't arguably the best sports car ever made, it's just that this particular Ferrari didn't go more than a few hundred kilometres before the engine blew, the car caught fire, and it was extinguished by local police and a BMW entrant....

People were allowed right up to the cars, with most of the owners close by to answer any questions.

car 150: 1989 Porsche 944 Turbo
Driver: Lindau

Car 110: 1993 Dodge Viper V10

Driver: Rob Mulholland / Navigator: Brett O'Brien

Car 84: 1987 Ferarri 328 GTB
Driver: Leach

car 112: 1974 Lamborghini Espanda V12

Driver: Duregon

True Cannonball Run tradition here. "Smokey & the Bandit" is written at the top of the windscreen. This car was made to do a Cannonball Run, legal or otherwise.

car 182: 1979 Pontiac TransAM

Driver: Isarasena

We were up from Perth Western Australia for the event, and during the entire time we were getting ready to go to Darwin to see this event, no one from Perth had even heard of the Cannonball Run happening, let alone a car dealer actually putting in a car that was from Perth.

Car 235: 1992 Lexus LS400

Driver: Armstrong

car 244: 1992 Mazda RX7

Driver: McDowall

The universal symbol of perfection

Car 60: 1976 Rolls Royce Silver Shadow
Driver: Williams

They had one of these cars on the Cannonball Run movie owned by two Arab Sheiks.

Car 184: 1982 Porsche 911 Turbo

The eventual overall winners.

Driver: Ron Conrad / Navigator: Andrew Kelly

Notice the sponsorship name in the background. Ansett Airlines. Founded in 1936, Ansett Airlines sponsored the Cannonball Run in 1994, and ceased trading in 2001, put into liquidation 2002.
This was a very sad day for Australia when Ansett Airlines closed up.

The colour on this Chevrolet Corvette is a metallic dark green. These pictures don't really do the colour justice.

Car 107: 1987 Chevrolet Corvette.

Driver: Tulczyn

Car 96: 1991 Porsche 928GT is in the background

Driver: Jordan

Car 158: 1990 Toyota Celica GT4

Driver: Harbrow

Car 118: 1974 Lamborghini Urraco
Driver: Cooper

Car 40: 1992 Maserati Barchetta

Driver: Alex Danilo

Interestingly this car was backed by Dick Johnson.

Car 75: 1966 Chevrolet Impala

Driver: Miller

Car 114: 1993 Porsche 911 3.6 Litre Turbo

Driver: O'Neil

Car 132: Bufori

Driver / Navigator 1: Gerry Khouri (Founder and managing Director of Bufori)

Driver / Navigator 2: Tunki Mudzaffer (Member of the Royal Family of Negeri Sembilan)

This car is a completely stock, unmodified 1991 Bufori V6i Production car.
Front Mounted 3.8lt V6

Having recently been contacted by the Bufori motor company we spoke with a Mr Felix Haller who told us the Bufori was driven and navigated by both occupants of the vehicle.

Interesting bit of trivia. "Tunki" is a royal title in Malaysia. (You have to have some royalty in a Cannonball Run)

The company started in 1986 in Sydney, Australia by Gerry Khouri and his brothers. Gerry still runs the company today. To think that these sexy looking cars have more than just a minor Australian connection is amazing. They look fantastic, with lovely lines.

Check out the milestones page of www.bufori.com for a quick Bufori history lesson. See just how far they have come over the years. The latest Bufori is sensational.

As Bufori says A Statement of Pride.

Yes it would be if you had one of these in your garage.

https://www.instagram.com/buforimotors/

Car 58: 1990 Porsche 911 Carrera.

Driver: Trude

Car 20: 1950 Allard J2

Driver: Boult

Foreground
Car 26: 1958 Jaguar XK150
Driver: Green

Background
Car 92: 1993 Holden Statesman VN

Car 52: 1984 Chevrolet Corvette Calloway

Driven by K Bromfield & McTaggart

Car 83: 1991 Subaru Liberty RS Turbo

Driver: Long

Car 117: 1992 Porsche 911

Driver: Hans Voss

Car 72: 1992 Toyota SWB Landcruiser

Driver: Gover

Car 238: 1967 Chevrolet 396 RS SS Camaro

Driver: Kirby

This was a locally built entry specifically made for the race like they did in the states. It had a big block chev in it which made it capable of speeds nearing 300Km's an hour. The officials made the local boys modify the rear wing as it was "Not in the spirit of the run" ... Pffft... What about the safety aspect guys... this car is capable of 300k's an hour.... Do you think it might need a little something to keep the car on the ground?

Car 129: 1989 Chevrolet 1500 Pick Up

Driver: Tony Broso.

This monster had a very slightly detuned sprint car engine dropped in under the bonnet specifically for the race. The beast is rumoured to have dyno'd in at between 600 & 700 Horses at the trough ... If you heard this thing gallop past, you would have heard more than 600 horses on the move.