A cross country road-race is loosely predicated on an actual event, the Cannonball Baker Sea to Shining Sea Memorial Trophy Dash, organized by Brock Yates to protest the 55 mph speed limit then in effect at the U.S.. The Cannonball has been appointed for Erwin G."Cannonball" Baker, who at the roaring 20's shook his bike throughout the nation. Many of the personalities are based on ruses developed by cannon-ball racers within the several years which the event was run.