Day 5 - Thursday 10th July

Under the very watchful eyes of police cars, bikes and even a helicopter, the Cannonballers left the beautiful city of Barcelona heading north. Crossing the border into France, drivers were welcomed by the local gendarmerie, who it must be admitted, cast a few admiring glances at the gleaming machinery as they checked cars for tracking devices.

However, when they clocked Kevin and Robbie arriving in their TVR, the famous French sang-froid disappeared as the policemen fell about laughing at the sight unfolding before them. Asked to open the bonnet so that the police could make the normal device check, the lads pleaded not to, on the basis that the bonnet was held down with their last pieces of gaffer tape! The temperature in the TVR was up to 105F and the boys had their own in-car sauna as the car’s thermostat had packed up and the only way to keep the engine cool was to have the heater on full blast! As a wringing-wet Kevin and Robbie pulled away from the checkpoint, the gendarmes had only two words of advice for them as they drove into France - “sell it!”

After all cars had safely negotiated the border, a stunning drive unfolded through the Pyrenees, with the undoubted highlight being a crossing of the world-famous Foster designed Millau Bridge. Opened in 2004, the Millau is the world’s tallest road bridge, soaring more than 300 metres over the valley and river below. Everyone remembers the famous episode of ‘Top Gear’ with the Zonda, Ford GT and Ferrari 430 coming over the Millau - well now the Cannonballers have all experienced it for themselves!

All drivers arrived safely at the five star Sofitel Celestins at Vichy where they chilled out with a drink or two and recounted their tales of the day. Dinner was a stroll away beside the lake, and thoughts turned to the homeward journey…