Press Release: Round Table Cannonball Run Africa 2009

Cannonball Run Africa (CBR) is an event organised and convened by Round Table (www.roundtable.org.za). The event takes about 100 contestants on an epic, mystery journey of adventure along a course of clues and events. CBR is not a race of speed and abides by a strict, approved and governed protocol of rules to ensure the safety of contestants, marshals and observers alike. This year the Cannonball Run took place from the 6th – 9th August, and was the 7th Anniversary of the event. Visit our website www.cannonballrun.co.za

All proceeds go to Charity. The 2009 event included a big charity angle and we were able to raise over R300 000 during the event made up of computer hardware and software, specialized mattresses and cash which we donated to QASA (QuadPara Association of South Africa) Middleburg Care Village and Centenary House (Polokwane) A further R25 000 was raised which will be used by Round Table to assist a different charity at a later date.

The Round Table Cannonball Run has been delighted to welcome a new Primary Sponsor to the event – Lloyds TSB International. We have been able to offer the same high quality event, an increased donation to worthy causes, and have been able to keep the entry fees as low as possible. We are also pleased that Lamborghini Johannesburg and Respiratory Care Africa have committed to another year of Cannonballing for 2009, and thank them as well as our support Sponsors, Compute, Investment Cars, Autoworx, Mothers, Komani Mersey and Burlington Data Print, for their support. The event is also aired on M Net and Supersport, offering the sponsors great exposure of their brand.

This year there were over 40 cars participating in vehicles such as Lamborghini, Porsche, Massarati, Ferrari, Mercedes, BMW, Subaru, Toyota, Audi, Chev, and a 1962 Austin Mini.

This year the Run began at Lamborghini Johannesburg on the 6th August with registration and a cocktail party. The 7th August sees an early start at an Kyalami Track event with contestants having to take cups of water with them around the track. Then off to Witbank, Middleburg for the Charity handover, and ending the day in Polokwane at the Ranch hotel, part of the Protea Group, for dinner and watching the Lions feed. The next day the participants were off to Tzaneen and Vito, then to the Oval track in Polokwane for a spin in a stock car. That evenings entertainment was a dinner and auction in a Liquor distributor’s warehouse! Sunday saw the Cannonballers head off to Louis Trichardt and taking place in a gymkhana event at the Savannah Mall in Polokwane. The event ended on Sunday night with the Awards Dinner.

The Polokwane Round Table very kindly assisted with the arrangements, headed up by Pieter Olivier. Round Tablers spend 10 months every year, organising the 3 day motoring event. From route planning, sponsorship hunting, registrant administration, to hotel bookings, and entertainment organisation, the Cannonball Run Crew pulls off a fantastic and memorable event.

The smiles, camaraderie and general enthusiasm and the fact that the Cannonballers keep on coming back every year, make the entire event worthwhile for the organisers

Ross Crichton – Convenor - 083 381 1079
www.cannonballrun.co.za