The TRUE Story of the 1972 Cannonball Run Lambo Girls

The Genesis of the Cannonball Run Team

• 💡 The speaker, Judy Stropus, was involved in racing and had a PR business, leading her to know Brock Yates and journalists from Car and Driver.
• 🎯 Inspired by the idea of a "wild and crazy" event, she decided to participate in the 1972 Cannonball Baker Sea to Shining Sea Memorial Trophy Dash.
• 🤝 She gathered a team including motorsports friends, secured a Cadillac limousine, Goodyear tires, and sponsorship from Right Bra at the last minute.

The Journey and the Crash

• 🗺️ The team initially planned a southern route to avoid winter storms, heading through Atlanta and into Texas.
• ⚠️ As navigator, Stropus admits to dozing off, leading to them missing a turn and looping around on I-285 in Atlanta.
• 💥 In Texas, while Peggy was driving over 100 mph and dozing, a tap on the shoulder caused her to panic and crash the car, flipping it upside down.
• 🧻 The crash resulted in the contents of an unused portable toilet spilling on Donna May in the back seat.

Aftermath and Recollections

• ✈️ The team, having plenty of cash, flew back to New York first class, intending to keep the crash quiet.
• 📰 Years later, the story began to surface, leading to discussions and articles, including one Stropus wrote for Car and Driver.
• 🎬 Stropus later watched the Cannonball Run movie and was surprised to learn the film depicted the women in a Lamborghini, not a limousine, and incorporated elements from her story with editorial license.
• 🚗 Bobby Rinsler, who provided the car (revealed to be a rental), was very understanding about the crash and even purchased the wrecked vehicle from the rental company.
• 🏅 Despite the crash and the event being a "not happy experience," Stropus reflects that it's one of the things she's most remembered for, humorously wishing she had finished.