Mobility

NY to LA in 31 hours

A new book released this week, The Driver: My Dangerous Pursuit of Speed and Truth in the Outlaw Racing World, describes a wild cross-country drive that broke the previous record by averaging 90 miles an hour between New York and Los Angeles. That includes six gas-and-bathroom stops and dodging state troopers, says author Alexander Roy.

Because of the dubious legality and the absence of a sanctioning body, transcontinental and endurance-driving records are hard to quantify. Roy did not disclose his accomplishment for more than a year to coordinate with the release of his book, a difficult feat considering that bragging rights are among the only spoils of the pursuit. In the past two days, however, word of the run has surfaced on automotive Web sites, prompting debate about the record and about the safety of the attempts.

Roy, the 35-year-old president of Europe by Car, a high-end car rental agency based in New York, has achieved fame in automotive circles for participating in road rallies like the Gumball 3000 and Bullrun...A relentless self-promoter with a shiny bald head, Roy became known for driving in a mock German police car dressed as an officer. He reasoned the outfit could help keep him out of jail and win style points with judges and notoriety with fans.

The BMW M5 that made the run was fitted with a laser jammer to scramble police speed-enforcement equipment, ground-to-air radio, two night-vision monitors, four global positioning system units, CB radio, high-performance brakes, racing clutch and 20-gallon fuel cell in the trunk.


More by Kevin Roderick:
Standing up to Harvey Weinstein
The Media
LA Times gets a top editor with nothing but questions
LA Observed Notes: Harvey Weinstein stripped bare
LA Observed Notes: Photos of the homeless, photos that found homes
Recent Mobility stories on LA Observed:
Questions big and small for Measure M
California Incline redo in timelapse
Expo Line buzz lifts rail system numbers
Two Metro lines for two different LAs
Real estate developers: all aboard Expo
Expo Line to Santa Monica opened Friday at noon
Obama returns Thursday, Trump (not) here Friday*
Hollywood versus the freeway that carries its name


 

LA Observed on Twitter