Mexican Cannonball anyone?

"Spanfeller is a twat" (theaspiringengineer) 01/05/2019 at 16:26 • Filed to: None

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Given how hard it was for Ed to break the record because of the police, well... why not try it in a country where the police give literally two shits about speed?

3,640 miles give or take. Sixteen states. if you could average the same 107mph as the record holder, it would take you thirty four hours. Very long indeed.

Maybe a fairer race would be just to Tijuana, but it’s a lot shorter.

It only crosses one state less, and it would take 25 hours if they average the holy grail of 107.

The thing is... what car would be able to survive such hardship? Mexican highways aren’t that bad, but if you’re going to drive above 80mph, they become a lot harsher on the car.

I think the obvious choice for this is the RAM 1500... Bear with me...

The biggest issue Ed and the crew faced that would be replicated here would be stopping for fuel. Well, with that big-ass bed in the RAM, you could have all the fuel you wanted!

The air suspension would self level the truck, the ample cabin would be great to fit the radios, fuel and GPS equipment, and the ride is comfortable enough not to over-stress the would be drivers. Yes, the RAM’s top speed is limited, probably to 120mph... But I know this much: When I got on the highway to San Luis Potosi, the people overtaking me the most were trucks. Because the pavement is so loud and uneven, you don’t want to go faster. But a truck with a soft suspension and a taller body wouldn’t have that issue.

Plus, the RAM doesn’t stand out as much as a Mercedes CL would, so the police wouldn’t really bother looking at you twice.

The biggest opportunity is here; the Arco Norte private roadway. Since it’s a private roadway, you can pretty much give two shits about the speed:

The biggest issue is that both ends of the trip you face very challenging roads; firstly the Tijuana to Mexicali road, nicknamed La Rumorosa, is a complicated mountain pass and the main road between Mexicali and Tijuana; so traffic is ensured.

The other problematic road is the segment between Cordoba and Puebla City. This is also a complicated mountain pass, but probably experiences less traffic.

The issue with these passes is that by the time they’re reached, members would be either fatigued or just beginning... which really fucks with the safety of crossing the roads.

But I think it’s doable... by someone crazier than me, but doable.

Jetstreamer > Spanfeller is a twat 01/05/2019 at 16:54

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#globaloppomeet2019

Spanfeller is a twat > Jetstreamer 01/05/2019 at 16:58

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That would be disastrous ....But certainly interesting. 

Dash-doorhandle-6 cyl none the richer > Spanfeller is a twat 01/05/2019 at 17:02

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I would be all over this, but in a sketchy, no-brakes corvair on 13 inch tires! I actually regret not taking the extra time and driving to the border if not Mexico proper. But I set out before I knew whether or not the car would make it. I was maybe 300 miles north of E l P aso and could have driven from Mexico to Canada easily. I make friends anywhere I break down in an old C hevy, and I hear that Mexico has a fondness for old Chevies. 

Spanfeller is a twat > Dash-doorhandle-6 cyl none the richer 01/05/2019 at 17:06

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Highways are strange here... if you really liked it though... I would recommend that you take a roadtrip around the lowland region, or Baja California, Oaxaca is really cool, and if you want to stay in the Yucatan, you can always take a Campeche to Cancun run! 

Dash-doorhandle-6 cyl none the richer > Spanfeller is a twat 01/05/2019 at 17:08

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OK I’m ready

It’ll go 106!

Dash-doorhandle-6 cyl none the richer > Spanfeller is a twat 01/05/2019 at 17:12

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Headed back to where it’s 60 degrees colder than Peurto Morelos in the morning. Really enjoyed the time with the family here. A lot more Mexicans than back home but about the same number of (lobster red) Canadians.

Spanfeller is a twat > Dash-doorhandle-6 cyl none the richer 01/05/2019 at 17:15

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I hope you had a great time and ate a lot of sea food (really the cook great!) 

Dash-doorhandle-6 cyl none the richer > Spanfeller is a twat 01/05/2019 at 17:22

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last night we ate snapper and mackerel that the family caught while I was lying down in the boat.  (turns out I get sick on boats now) 

Die-Trying > Spanfeller is a twat 01/05/2019 at 18:24

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or my ideal, a beetle done up in taxi livery, in a class 11 racing level of build

Stephenson Valve Gear > Spanfeller is a twat 01/05/2019 at 18:33

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I’ve made 3 attempts at transcontinental (USA) drives for low times - 2 of them were proper Cannonballs from the Red Ball in NYC to the Portofino in Cali. I think I’ll stick to to the USA version - I have the impression that there are a lot more pitfalls which could ensnare a traveler in Mexico...

Spanfeller is a twat > Stephenson Valve Gear 01/05/2019 at 18:51

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I’d agree if you were to stop in the way . If you’re just going on the highway,  Federal highways are very safe, and cops don’t care much about speed.

But the quality of the tarmac and the courtenousness of drivers is certainly a big issue for a timed event like that, the great thing about making a version in another country is that you get to set the bar. 

Spanfeller is a twat > Die-Trying 01/05/2019 at 18:53

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Im not a big fan of bee tles, but I’ll allow this interpretation

Stephenson Valve Gear > Spanfeller is a twat 01/05/2019 at 19:02

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That’s good information to know.  I’ve never visited Mexico, but I would certainly like to do so sometime.  Setting the bar on a new run is certainly a plus, but I’ll still pass on doing so in a foreign country that I’ve never visited before.

Spanfeller is a twat > Stephenson Valve Gear 01/05/2019 at 19:12

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It is a bizarre country to say the least, but it’s great for tourists.