Using Google Earth: View A Record Run Across The US

Here’s a fun little nugget you might get a kick out of.

If you’re at all a fan of Google Earth, perhaps the coolest, publicly-accessible virtual representation of the Earth, and you like car races – particularly those of the long-distance-on-public-roads flavor – you’ll likely enjoy taking a look at the files of a transcontinental run the notorious Team Polizei (of Gumball fame), commandeered by Alex Roy, have made available.

Okay, this wasn’t exactly a race, per se. Unless I’m mistaken, no other “team” of automotive fanatics (I mean that in the best sense possible) took part in Polizei’s attempt, which basically was to drive from East Coast USA to West Coast USA – NYC to Santa Monica, California – as fast as possible.

Yes, yes, as fast as possible. Roy and gang had one intention and one intention only: to break the record of 32:07 for a US Transcontinental journey. That’s 32 hours and 7 minutes, folks. Less than a day and a half. Yep, nuts is right.

I suppose I should state for the record that I’m all for such ventures.

While I’m fond of hybrid vehicles, believe in peaceful nuclear power for all, and think oil an icky, icky concoction of dinosaur blood and the tears of trees past, I also stand firmly by the assertion that there must always be a place reserved for the creations of Aston, Bugatti, Ferrari, and Porsche and other chop shops to be enjoyed by the us humans. Well, until fuel cells get to offer as much fun as few pints of petrol and a flat six offer man today, at least. And at that point I suspect those engineering houses will be churning out eco-friendly brilliance all the same.

So, here you have it, Polizei, with Google Earthly documentation of a record run across the US.

That’s right, they beat 32:07. By just north of an hour.

Wired: “After 2,800 miles, 151 gallons of gas, six refueling stops, a top speed of 160 MPH, and countless moving violations, Roy and Maher reached the Santa Monica Pier in a record 31:04.”