“The Cannonball Run” Movie Celebration Attracts Rare & Historic Cars—Learn Some History Behind the Famous Cross-Country Event

Based in the small town of Minerva in eastern Ohio, The Minerva Motor Club hosts an annual event called “The Cars Are The Stars”, in which it screens a cherished gearhead movie inside a historic theatre.

And what started as a local club affair quickly exploded in popularity, which means The Cars Are The Stars now draws in a dazzling array of show vehicles and exotics from all over the country.

In the past, the event featured iconic films like “Gone in 60 Seconds” and “Ford vs. Ferrari”.

For 2024, it was the seminal comedy classic “The Cannonball Run“.

Inspired by the cross-country route of the same name, “The Cannonball Run” is a film written by none other than motorsports icon Brock Yates, and it features a Who’s Who of A-list movie stars—including Burt Reynolds, Farrah Fawcett, Roger Moore, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr., and Dom DeLuise.

But the real stars of the film, obviously, are the cars themselves.

From a Lamborghini Countach to a classic Aston Martin DB5, the movie is a veritable feast for a gearhead’s eyes. And better still, given that the movie itself was based off a real “Cannonball Run” race, it meant that the little town of Minerva welcomed in a trove of historic race cars and exotics too.

Heck, Captain Chaos himself made an appearance.

The Cannonball race originally started with Erwin “Cannonball” Baker, a former Vaudeville performer turned endurance motorcycle rider and race driver. Baker devised several cross-country trips using a mix of different vehicles—not only to prove that it could be done, but also to demonstrate the durability of the vehicles themselves.

Cannonball Baker went on to become an Indy 500 driver and the first commissioner of NASCAR.

Baker’s vehicular exploits drew lots of public attention, and the event soon borrowed his nickname “Cannonball” as well.

Gradually, automakers began entering the Cannonball to prove the capability of their vehicles. Even Goodyear got into the action, by driving tandem axle trucks cross-country to demonstrate the ruggedness of its pneumatic tires.

And in 1927, a Studebaker driven by Ab Jenkins hit a major milestone, covering the route in 77 hours—the first automobile to cross the country in less time than a transcontinental train ride.

Later, writer, journalist, and broadcaster Brock Yates began an underground race of the same name, where it ran for several years during the 1970s. The teams would leave New York and drive to California. First to arrive was the winner. They used a befuddling array of rides, from sports cars to ambulances.

In time, the law became wise, and the event was suspended. It eventually evolved into a timed rally around the country with sanctioned speed events held at racetracks.

Being a savvy writer, Yates recorded many stories from Cannonball participants during the 1970s. Over time, he would massage those memories into the eponymous movie and, later, a book.

While the movie is a comedy, many of aspects of the film are true. Like the ambulance—they really did turn on the lights and drove to California claiming to have a patient inside.

The event in Minerva had plenty of these former Cannonball cars on-hand, including a few notable record holders too.

Interestingly, not all of the racers achieved fame with either power or speed. For instance, the “Sun Strider” ran the Cannonball route in a record 13 days, coast to coast—exclusively on solar power.

One of my other favorites is a plucky little 1964 Sunbeam Imp that set the record in the 1960s with an average speed of 62 MPH over a 48 hour stretch.

The Cars Are the Stars event also held panels with folks who had previously participated in a Cannonball Run and there was a car corral that featured everything from exotics to street rods, all for sale.

Sadly, I didn’t bring my checkbook—elsewise a De Tomaso Mangusta might’ve followed me home.

The whole party wrapped up with a reception and, of course, a screening of the film.

All told, it was a fantastic event. I didn’t hear any rumors on what the next year’s feature film will be, but if the crowds at this year’s event are any indication, it’s going to be tough to top “The Cannonball Run”.

If you’d like to attend a future event like this, visit The Minerva Motor Club website and check out the upcoming schedule.

Keep scrolling to see more incredible rides from The Cars Are The Stars.