French cops hit Cannonball 2000
2012-09-07 09:39
'BONJOUR, MONSIEUR, HERE'S YOUR TICKET' French gendarmes look on as the convoy of Cannonball 2000 participants makes its way past Nantes. Several drivers were fined and two had their licences confiscated for speeding.
Author: Marcelo Aparicio
BARCELONA, Spain - On September 5 2012 a convoy of 50 supercars worth together more than R66-million set off from London on an epic 3200km (2000 miles) rally as part of the Cannonball 2000.
They travelled to and through four European cities - Barcelona, Monte Carlo, Milan and Paris - to generate funds for children’s charity Dreams Come True and Barnado's children's home but by Paris the law was on their tails. Many drivers felt the effects of that city's police force.
IMAGE GALLERY
Two drivers saw their licences confiscated for driving at speeds of up to 160km/h on highway limited to 110km/h. Three others were fined and a further three were recorded as marginally exceeding the speed limit.
Ferrari driver Giuseppe said: "It was over the top. They stopped me five times. Breath tests because we respected the speed limit. Helicopters overhead. That was in France; in Spain there were fewer police."
Giuseppe arrived in Spain dressed as a bull-fighter, unaware that Barcelona
held its final bullfight in September 2011 when Catalonia banned the
practice.
Giuseppe commented on his outfit: "It is a homage to Barcelona, which I've wanted to see for long time."
Rally drivers participating in the event set off from the French city of Saint Malo for Barcelona on a joy ride named after the 1981 film "The Cannonball Run" starring Burt Reynolds and Roger Moore.
Driver Paul Hatton said: "We drove within the limit, without causing any trouble."
Another driver, who refused to be named, said: "They stopped me three times."
