The Stig and Burt Reynolds’s Bandit were just two of the unlikely characters spotted driving the NC500 this weekend.
The fifth annual Cannonbawz Run, which raises funds for the Marfan Association and Scotland’s Air Charity Ambulance, was packed with unusual sights.
Dozens of vintage and modern cars converged on Elgin High Street on Friday before beginning their own wacky race along the NC500 route.
On Saturday morning, the car collective drove from Elgin through Inverness, Loch Carron, Applecross and Gairloch to Ullapool where they spent the night.
The following morning, fundraisers continued their tour through Durness and John O’Groats to Golspie – to take part in the Dunrobbin Castle Car show – before putting the brakes on at Inverness Retail Park last night.
While the fundraising event is inspired by the film Cannonball Run, featuring Burt Reynolds and Jackie Chan, the origins of its causes are more personal.
Organiser Kris O’Neill, speaking from Golspie last night, said: “My brother has Marfan syndrome, a rare condition that affects his heart, lungs, eyes and connective tissues.
“He had to go through various operations at a young age – so we wanted to give something back.
“We also help the Scottish Charity Air Ambulance service, an immediate life-saving service that relies on charity donation to fly – I work as a paramedic and I also used to work on Helimed 2.
“The work they do is brilliant.”
After starting five years ago with just seven cars, this year’s Cannonbawz Run had more than 50 cars taking part, including a Mustang GT, an Audi R85 and a Pontiac Transam.
And, unlike Reynolds’s highly illegal road race in the film, this event was put together with “great help” from the police.
To give credit for their help, Mr O’Neill dressed as the character from another Burt Reynolds caper Smokey and the Bandit, and decorated his Porsche with a police decal.
Drivers Martin Rush and Erin Keith also embraced the fancy dress option, donning outfits akin to the Stig from Top Gear.
Mr O’Neill said he was “thrilled” at the reaction to the event.
He said: “It’s been another fantastic year.
“It’s been a lot of fun and, like most years, has been a lot of work.
“We work very closely with the police on this and are lucky to have their support.”
With the event promising to be “even better” in 2020, go to www.cannonbawzrun.co.uk
