The 2016 Coast To Coast Race Of The Century Cannonball On 1916 Or Earlier Motorcycles

centuryrace13304 miles in 15 stages from Atlantic City to Carlsbad , California. This 2016 coast to coast Race Of The Century Cannonball run will probably be the most difficult ride since the inaugural event in 2010.

Isam, Jr., owner of Jurassic Racing in Sturgis, South Dakota, and founder of the Motorcycle Cannonball Run announced today that the historic transcontinental event scheduled for 17 days in September has its roster full and the route is set.

Though held on U.S. soil, the 2016 iteration is for all intents and purposes, a worldwide event. With 95 entries from 25 states, 9 countries and 4 continents, this extraordinary event will indeed be watched by the world as motorcycles of all marques tackle an arduous coast-to-coast route across America.

centuryrace2The entire route will include less that 100-miles of interstate roadways. A week into travel, riders will have a day of rest, repairs, and some festivities in the well-known Western era cattle town of Dodge City, Kansas on September 18. After a total of some 3,304 miles, the ride is slated to conclude on Sunday, September 25 in Carlsbad, CA. The machines such as Henderson, Indian, Triumph, Harley-Davidson, JAP, Excelsior, BSA, Thor, etc must be powered by an original engine. Many things could be changed and updates made for safety sake. But the core of the machine must be 1916 or earlier.

race-of-the-centuryAccording to Isam, the event is a timed test of both the rider’s endurance and the roadworthiness of their respective machines as they navigate America’s back roads through some of the most scenic areas of the country. The 2016 Motorcycle Cannonball Run’s roster includes past winner Hans Cortese from South Africa and world traveling rider personality Doug Wothke. Both will be joining the Cannonball again as will bike builder Shinya Kimura, Bill Rodencal, Victor Boocock and several others.

To participate each motorcycle like any other motorcycle on the road is registered and licensed. The rider also needs to have auto liability insurance as well as a drivers license. I encourage all of you close to the start in New-Jersey to come to encourage the riders and of course admire the machines. I will try to report with photos and day main events on as many stages as possible.

Pre-Start Schedule

Thursday, September 8 Pre-Event
Breakfast available, Golden Nugget Hotel, Atlantic City, New Jersey
24 hours Bean & Bread
7:00 AM EDT Michael Patrick’s
7:00 AM Starbucks
8:00 AM The Buffet
8:00 AM to 12:00 noon Registration, Hatteras 1 Room, 4th floor, Golden Nugget Hotel
8:00 AM to 12:00 noon Motorcycle Inspection, Golden Nugget Hotel Parking Lot
8:00 AM to 5:00 PM Optional Practice Run (14 miles), starts at Golden Nugget Hotel
1:00 PM to 6:00 PM Registration, Hatteras 1 Room, 4th floor, Golden Nugget Hotel
1:00 PM to 6:00 PM Motorcycle Inspection, Golden Nugget Hotel Parking Lot

Friday, September 9 Pre-Event
Breakfast available, Golden Nugget Hotel, Atlantic City, New Jersey
24 hours Bean & Bread
24 hours Michael Patrick’s
7:00 AM EDT Starbucks
8:00 AM The Buffet
8:00 AM to 12:00 noon Registration, Hatteras 1 Room, 4th floor, Golden Nugget Hotel
8:00 AM to 12:00 noon Motorcycle Inspection, Golden Nugget Hotel Parking Lot
8:00 AM to 3:00 PM Optional Practice Run (14 miles), starts at Golden Nugget Hotel
4:00 PM to 5:00 PM Classroom Session for all Riders, Newport Room, 4th floor, Golden Nugget Hotel
6:00 PM to 7:00 PM Social Hour, Grand Ballroom Foyer, 3rd floor, Golden Nugget Hotel
7:00 PM Welcome dinner followed by mandatory meeting for all participants,
Grand Ballroom A/B, 3rd floor, Golden Nugget Hotel

Saturday, September 10 Official Start, Stage 1 (152 miles)
Breakfast available, Golden Nugget Hotel, Atlantic City, New Jersey
24 hours Bean & Bread
24 hours Michael Patrick’s
7:00 AM EDT Starbucks
8:00 AM The Buffet
8:00; 8:10; 8:20 AM Class I, II, III riders depart the Golden Nugget Hotel
8:45 AM All motorcycles in place, Harry’s Oyster Bar, The Boardwalk, Atlantic City, New Jersey
9:30; 9:45; 10:00 AM EDT Official Start Times for Classes I, II, III, Harry’s Oyster Bar, The Boardwalk, Atlantic City, New Jersey
1:15 PM Hosted Lunch, Chesapeake Harley-Davidson, Darlington, Maryland
3:40; 3:55; 4:10 PM Finish Times for Classes III, II, I; Best Western, York, Pennsylvania

8 Responses to “The 2016 Coast To Coast Race Of The Century Cannonball On 1916 Or Earlier Motorcycles”


  1. 1 chuck Aug 27th, 2016 at 9:08 am

    its a great event everyone last year in Daytona enjoyed it when it started here an i enjoyed seeing old friends an wished them luck if this ride even comes close to where you live it is worth seeing

  2. 2 seymour Aug 27th, 2016 at 11:08 am

    Love this and look forward to hearing the updates from Cyril.

  3. 3 seymour Aug 27th, 2016 at 6:38 pm

    I just learned about this thing called Slow TV, where they show hours and hours and hours unedited of an event. (no joke) This would be an excellent candidate

  4. 4 nicker Aug 27th, 2016 at 9:34 pm

    So Cool…!!!

    -nicker-

  5. 5 Cris Sommer-Simmons Aug 28th, 2016 at 1:11 pm

    Pat and I are ready to hit the Cannonball road again. Hope to see lots of people come out and take a look at these awesome machines.

  6. 6 B.D. Aug 28th, 2016 at 1:12 pm

    Great to see this event take place again. Interesting that these bikes must have original frames and engines but updates are permitted for safety sake and that the machines must predate the use of front brakes on motorcycles, since very few bikes had them before 1928.

  7. 7 Mark Moses Aug 29th, 2016 at 7:17 pm

    Go Jim Petty! We are pulling for you.

    Hope everyone has a safe event and great memories. Godspeed to all of you…

  8. 8 Dave P, aka jammer Aug 29th, 2016 at 10:10 pm

    Chronicaling this event, start to finish, with Michael Lichter and his 4th Cannonball, all riding backwards, and getting to ride with this Cannonball family is the opportunity my lifetime. Each rider has their own experience, passing (hopefully) the same well thought out landmarks and national treasures, and their own struggles. The stories can fill volumes. The commaraderie beyond that already experienced on the road by riders. I encourage anyone near any of the over night stops to come out to the host hotels and walk the parking lots and visit theteams dutifully tending to these 100 yr old motorcycles, sometimes welding, grinding and rebuilding until the sun up start the next day.

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Cyril Huze