Cannonball Baker Sea-To-Shining-Sea Memorial Trophy Dash - US Express

US Express

After the last Cannonball, Rick Doherty, a veteran of the 1975 and 1979 races, organized a successor, the U.S. Express. Doherty won the first U.S. Express with co-driver and famous game designer, Will Wright, at the wheel of a Mazda RX-7. Their time was 33 hours, 9 minutes. The U.S. Express ran to the Beach in Santa Monica, making it longer than the Cannonball. Despite the increased length, the fastest time recorded was 32 hours 7 minutes, in the 1983 race, 44 minutes faster than the fastest Cannonball, and the "official" cross-country record until it was broken in 2006. 1983 was the last year of the U.S. Express.

In 1981 the US Express ran from Long Island, New York to Emeryville, California (bordering Oakland, California at the east end of the Bay Bridge). Interstate 80 was largely the route of choice. The winning team in 1981 were the first time Express team of David Morse and Steve Clausman driving David’s gray Porsche 928. One unique road hazard experienced in the 1981 run was an early snowfall closing the Donner Pass for several hours to vehicles without chains just as the US Express cars were approaching. The Porsche 928 carried special plastic chains and was able to proceed while others had to wait for the pass to open. The team of David Morse and Steve Clausman competed the next 2 years. In 1982 (also to Emeryville) where they survived after several memorable police stops and the final US Express run in 1983 to Newport Beach where they placed “2nd” in what some consider a controversial finish.