Recently, I learned about Jay Roberts, a passionate Cannonball Run participant who has once again made headlines by setting an unusual record in his 2017 Toyota Prius, equipped with an aftermarket Comma 3X driver-assist system. As a variety of records are established in the automotive world, Jay’s most recent challenge left many curious about the motivations and challenges that come with such feats.
Earlier this week, Jay reached out with exciting news: he had just set a new world record for the longest time spent driving in a roundabout. From a previous record of 4 hours and 28 minutes, he managed to extend it to an impressive 5 hours and 3 minutes on a Saturday morning.
Curiosity got the best of me, and I called Jay the next day to discuss this latest venture. My first question was, naturally, “Why?” A consistent response from those who embrace the Cannonball spirit is the simple imperative: because they can.
“About a month ago, a small group of us—around five or six—were chatting when one of the guys, Jake Dwinell, shared a link about someone who had set this world record for driving continuously in a roundabout,” Jay explained. “The time was only 4 hours and 28 minutes.”
Jay continued, “Naturally, as Cannonballers, we thought, ‘This seems like low-hanging fruit.’”
Jay and Jake targeted a final time of 5 hours and 3 minutes for their attempt, which coincided with the anniversary of Brock Yates’ inaugural Cannonball Run on May 3, 1971. They also sought to raise $500 for the Brock Yates Memorial Fund, dedicated to Alzheimer’s research, surpassing their goal and collecting a commendable total of $1,118 as of the current date.
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The endeavor wasn’t without its challenges, though.
“I can drive for five hours without difficulty,” Jake stated. “But this was more challenging than I anticipated. The centrifugal force really holds you in place.”
While many enjoy road trips, Cannonballers thrive on the thrill of extended journeys. Nevertheless, the repetitive nature of making 1,200 laps at about 12 mph posed significant disorientation. Jay mentioned he spent most of the time looking out the driver’s side window, occasionally checking the car’s front to avoid potential accidents from unpredictable traffic.
He elaborated, “On a Cannonball, there are long stretches where you just keep your foot on the gas. Whether you use cruise control or not, you can zone out a bit. But in a roundabout that you can circulate every 15 seconds, it’s much harder to relax.”
This meant both drivers had to maintain full focus. “We were entirely alert the entire time,” Jake noted, recalling numerous close calls with other vehicles. They even observed varying levels of roundabout use by other drivers, with some stopping unnecessarily and causing further delays.
“You won’t believe how some folks handle roundabouts. We witnessed many cars just hesitating, making us circle around several times before they’d finally merge,” Jay recounted.
An unusual aspect of their endeavor was the mixed reactions from law enforcement, as some onlookers were confused enough to call the police. “Believe it or not, we were technically following the law!” Jay chuckled, highlighting the irony of making records while usually exceeding speed limits in traditional Cannonball runs.
Jay recalled two encounters with police officers. The first incident involved an officer who pointed for them to exit the roundabout. They continued moving in circles until the officer positioned his vehicle to block their path. After explaining their purpose—raising money for charity—they received a begrudging acknowledgment from the officer.
Next, Jake called the local police department to clarify their record-setting attempt, where the dispatcher eventually found the situation amusing, and informed their officers.
As they neared the final lap, another police officer, unfamiliar with their earlier explanation, attempted to pull them over. Fortunately, a friend named Spencer intervened, persuading the officer to allow them to continue uninterrupted while he explained the situation. His diplomatic maneuvering turned the officer’s demeanor from stern to friendly over time, even leading to selfies.
With no further obstacles, Jay and Jake successfully broke the record they set out to exceed. Friends joined their livestream along the way, and everything went smoothly except for a challenge involving the air conditioning system, which became an issue due to prolonged turns.
Reflecting on the escapade, Jay quipped, “This ranks in my top ten of the silliest things I’ve done in a car. The whole concept becomes pointless unless there’s a meaningful cause attached or an actual record to break.”
Ultimately, the duo traveled a total of 60.3 miles, achieving an impressive average of 49 miles per gallon, utilizing electric power for approximately 60% of their time on the road. When I asked what their first act was after they finally stopped, both men laughed and admitted, “We really needed to use the restroom!”
