| On September 10, 2010 a handful of colorful people | | | | long-time member of the Sports Car Club of |
| will be gathering in Kitty Hawk, NC with their ancient | | | | America, and having personally competed as a |
| motorcycles and chase vehicles to embark on a ride | | | | navigator in the Great Race for five years, where he |
| of a lifetime across the United States of America on | | | | won the title of Champion Navigator for the race in |
| the Motorcycle Cannonball Run. | | | | 1984, John knows his way around a route. In March, |
| If you ride a 1970s classic BMW R75/5 motorcycle, a | | | | he will personally drive the shore-to-shore course for |
| 1966 Triumph Bonneville, or even a 1941 Indian Chief | | | | the Motorcycle Cannonball in the first of two pre-run |
| motorcycle, you are welcome to ride along but | | | | trips to produce precise driving instructions for |
| "modern" machines like these are not eligible for the | | | | entrants and to smooth out any wrinkles along the |
| actual event which is open only to pre-1916 | | | | way. |
| motorcycles including Harley-Davidson, Indian, | | | | The year 1915 was chosen as the last to be eligible |
| Excelsior, Henderson and Sears. The brainchild of | | | | for this event because that was a pivotal year in the |
| antique motorcycle enthusiast and restorer, Lonnie | | | | development of motorcycle technology. 1915 was the |
| Isam, Jr, this limited event sold out quickly once | | | | first year Harley-Davidson offered a 3-speed |
| announced to the classic motorcycle community. | | | | transmission with a hand shifter. Prior to that all |
| The Motorcycle Cannonball, named after the famed | | | | motorcycles were either a direct drive single speed, |
| Erwin "Cannonball" Baker, who set 143 driving records | | | | or featured a crude 2-speed set up built into the rear |
| from 1910 through the 1930's, dares contestants to | | | | wheel hub. |
| live up to the records set by men like Baker. Setting | | | | The 50 to 60 motorcycles allowed will be classified |
| his first record on an Indian motorcycle in 1914, | | | | into three classes: |
| Cannonball made the coast-to-coast ride in 11 days. | | | | CLASS I: Motorcycles with one cylinder and single |
| Cannonball's Course Master, John Classen, has | | | | speed transmissions. |
| mapped out a route for the hearty men and women | | | | CLASS II: Motorcycles with multiple cylinders and |
| motorcyclists that squarely address the particular | | | | single speed transmissions. |
| nuances of this ride. "Our route was chosen in order | | | | CLASS III: Motorcycles with multiple cylinders and |
| to avoid having the riders enter a single interstate | | | | multi-speed transmissions. |
| whenever possible. We'll have 12 hours of daylight | | | | By far the most popular is Class III with a strong |
| each day, and a goal of having every rider check in | | | | showing of 1915 Harley-Davidson motorcycles with |
| at the day's ending point 1 hour before sunset. We | | | | 3-speed transmissions capable of sustaining road |
| don't want anyone having to deal with the safety | | | | speeds above 50 miles per hour. Many of the |
| issues of meeting up with the local wildlife after dark, | | | | machines in Class I and Class II are not able to go |
| and we are expecting some break downs." | | | | much more than 20 or 30 miles per hour. This will |
| Classen is well aware of the ins and outs of these | | | | create very long days on the road to complete the |
| types of contests. With over 20 years experience | | | | 200 to 250 miles scheduled out for the 16 days |
| directing various motor sport competitions, a | | | | planned to cross the country. |