Cannonball race passes through Luxembourg - drivers are met by police

(CS/str) The Cannonball 2000, a European offshoot of the infamous Cannonball Run illegal road races, is passing through Luxembourg on Wednesday.

The unsanctioned road races were made famous by Hollywood films in the 1970s, and soon found real-life imitators, with five Cannonball Runs seeing drivers race across the US in normal traffic.

Cannonball races still take place, now largely labelled as car events. The Cannonball 2000, one such offshoot of the '70s original, started in London on Tuesday and sees drivers cut across Luxembourg on their way south to Marbella.

According to media reports 165 teams are competing. With estimated participation fees of around 6,500 euros, the event attracts largely wealthy luxury car owners.

The fee does not include any fines incurred during the race. Reportedly, a Ferrari driver was already caught driving 178km/h in a 90-zone on the way from London to Amsterdam.

On Tuesday, drivers will hope to make their way in one piece to Geneva along the Route Napoléon, followed by Cannes and Valenica ahead of the final destination in Spain on Sunday.

The Grand Ducal police had been warned in advance by authorities abroad that the race might pass though Luxembourg.

Thierry Fehr of Luxembourg's traffic police said that there would be increased patrols on the A6 and the A3 during the afternoon. “It is known that the participants of the Cannonball 200 don't necessarily adhere to traffic rules,” he said.

Around 2.30pm the first cars were spotted in the Grand Duchy. A Ferrari and a McLaren, both with British licence plates, were stopped by police.

However, most drivers appeared to be on their best behaviour driving within the speed limit.