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New Cannonball Two-Way Record: Saab 9-5 Team Conquers America in 61 Hours, 59 Minutes!

Saab 9-5 Aero Team Sets Unbeatable Two-Way Cannonball Record with 61 Hours, 59 Minutes!

Inside the record-breaking 2008 Saab 9-5 Aero: the team stays focused as they conquer the Cannonball Run with unmatched precision and determination.

Reviving the Spirit of Cannonball Glory

Born in the 1970s as a rebellious test of speed and endurance, the Cannonball Run Challenge has long been a proving ground for daring drivers and extraordinary vehicles. Inspired by the legendary cross-country races, Nik Krueger, Wes Vigh, and Christopher Michaels have written a new chapter in this storied history (Let’s remember their previous success in this domain as well.). Together, they piloted a 2008 Saab 9-5 Aero to set a new two-way (Double transcontinental record) Cannonball record of 61 hours and 59 minutes, reclaiming the title with unmatched precision, skill, and determination.

A Team Effort Across 5,620 Miles

Starting from the iconic Red Ball Garage in Manhattan, the team faced challenges reminiscent of the original Cannonball pioneers. From traffic jams and mechanical hiccups to weather delays and icy detours, every obstacle tested their resolve. Yet, through seamless teamwork and a meticulously prepared Saab, they powered westward to the Portofino Inn in Redondo Beach, clocking an impressive one-way time of 31 hours and 39 minutes.

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The iconic Red Ball Garage in Manhattan: the starting and finishing point of the record-breaking Cannonball Run by the Saab 9-5 Aero team.
The iconic Red Ball Garage in Manhattan: the starting and finishing point of the record-breaking Cannonball Run by the Saab 9-5 Aero team.

But this wasn’t a moment to rest. After just a three-minute pause, the team turned back east, embarking on a return leg fueled by their shared passion and unwavering drive. Relying on each other’s strengths, they navigated the night, pushed the Saab’s turbocharged engine to speeds exceeding 155 mph, and met the challenges of fatigue and relentless time pressure.

Blazing through the night: the Saab 9-5 Aero team pushes the limits with precision driving and advanced navigation during their record-breaking Cannonball Run.
Blazing through the night: the Saab 9-5 Aero team pushes the limits with precision driving and advanced navigation during their record-breaking Cannonball Run.

A Record Cemented in History

By mid-morning Sunday, the Saab roared back into Manhattan. Guided by spotters strategically placed across the city, the team returned to the Red Ball Garage, completing the two-way journey in an astonishing 61 hours and 59 minutes. This record not only shattered the previous mark by more than three hours but also reinforced Saab’s legendary reputation for durability and performance.

From left to right: Nik Krueger, Wes Vigh, and Christopher Michaels— the record-breaking team behind the historic Cannonball Run in a Saab 9-5 Aero.
From left to right: Nik Krueger, Wes Vigh, and Christopher Michaels— the record-breaking team behind the historic Cannonball Run in a Saab 9-5 Aero.

The Saab That Made It Possible

The 2008 Saab 9-5 Aero, purchased by Krueger in 2020 with over 160,000 miles, became the heart of this historic feat. Extensively modified for the challenge, it showcased Saab’s engineering brilliance, proving once again that the brand’s legacy endures long after production ceased.

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The car’s reliability across 5,620 miles of grueling speeds and conditions was a testament to its design and the team’s meticulous preparation. Nik said about this: “It was very much a group effort, and only possible because of what a great car the Saab is.”

Celebrating victory: Wes Vigh, Nik Krueger, and Christopher Michaels proudly display their record-breaking time of 61:59 after an unforgettable Cannonball Run.
Celebrating victory: Wes Vigh, Nik Krueger, and Christopher Michaels proudly display their record-breaking time of 61:59 after an unforgettable Cannonball Run.
Proof of triumph: the timer proudly displays the record-breaking time of 61 hours, 59 minutes, marking a historic moment in Cannonball Run history.
Proof of triumph: the timer proudly displays the record-breaking time of 61 hours, 59 minutes, marking a historic moment in Cannonball Run history.

Building on a Legacy of Speed

In 2022, Nik Krueger, alongside a different but equally determined team, etched his name into Cannonball history by setting a two-way record of 65 hours and 28 minutes in his 2008 Saab 9-5 Aero. That achievement smashed the previous benchmark by over eight hours and proved the Saab’s unmatched durability and performance under extreme conditions.

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Time set record: in exactly 65 and a half hours, this trio managed to cross twice from the coast to the coast of America with Saab 9-5
Time set record: in exactly 65 and a half hours, this trio managed to cross twice from the coast to the coast of America with Saab 9-5

Though their record was broken just a week later, it laid the groundwork for an even more ambitious attempt in 2024, as Krueger and his new team of Wes Vigh and Christopher Michaels set their sights on reclaiming the title—and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in Cannonball lore.

Cannonball: A Celebration of Community and Passion

This record is more than just a milestone; it’s a celebration of teamwork and the bonds formed in the pursuit of greatness. The Cannonball community, often called the “Fraternity of Lunatics,” shares a camaraderie as deep as the passion of Saab enthusiasts. For the drivers, spotters, and everyone involved, this journey wasn’t just about breaking records—it was about embodying the spirit of adventure that defines Cannonball’s legacy.

The record-breaking trio—Christopher Michaels, Nik Krueger, and Wes Vigh—stand proudly with their Saab 9-5 Aero at the iconic Red Ball Garage after conquering the Cannonball Run.
The record-breaking trio—Christopher Michaels, Nik Krueger, and Wes Vigh—stand proudly with their Saab 9-5 Aero at the iconic Red Ball Garage after conquering the Cannonball Run.

A New Standard for Cannonball Legends

As the Cannonball community looks to the future, this new two-way record sets a towering standard. It’s a triumph of innovation, resilience, and the power of a great team united by a shared mission. Saab may no longer produce cars, but its enduring legacy continues to inspire feats that defy limits.

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One of the brief refueling stops: the Saab 9-5 Aero prepped and ready to continue its record-breaking Cannonball Run journey.
One of the brief refueling stops: the Saab 9-5 Aero prepped and ready to continue its record-breaking Cannonball Run journey.

Supported by a skilled crew of spotters who mapped the route, managed fuel stops, and scouted police locations, this record-setting attempt proved a masterpiece of planning and execution. The Cannonball community, known affectionately as the “Fraternity of Lunatics,” shared in this historic feat, mirroring the close bonds of the Saab community.

This new record reinforces that, despite the dominance of German cars in Cannonball history, Saab remains a force to be reckoned with. For now, it seems that team’s incredible journey will stand as a shining achievement, reminding us all of Saab’s enduring legacy.

Goran Aničić
the authorGoran Aničić
For over 15 years, Goran Aničić has been passionately focused on Saab automobiles and everything related to them. His initial encounter with Saab cars took place back in 2003 when the first Saab 9-3 and sedan version were introduced. At that moment, he was captivated by the car's Scandinavian design logic and top-notch engineering, and everything that followed stemmed from that first encounter. Later on, through his work at the editorial team of the Serbian automotive magazines "Autostart" and later "AutoBild," he had the opportunity to engage more closely with Saab vehicles. In 2008, he tested the latest Saab cars of that time, such as the Saab 9-3 TTiD Aero and Saab 9-3 Turbo X. In 2010, as the sole blogger from the region, he participated in the Saab 9-5ng presentation in Trollhättan, Sweden. Alongside journalists from around the world, he got a firsthand experience of the pinnacle of technological offerings from Saab at that time. Currently, Goran owns two Saabs: a 2008 Saab 9-3 Vector Sportcombi with a manual transmission, and a Saab 9-3 Aero Griffin Sport Sedan from the last generation, which rolled off the production line in Trollhättan in December 2011.

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