Speed junkies have been blasted after boasting of setting a new record for the Cannonball Run.
The illegal US road race made famous by the 1981 Burt Reynolds film is a challenge to see who can drive from coast to coast in the fastest time.
Now a team claims to have done it in 26 hours and 38 minutes – beating the record by 47 minutes.
It would mean the car averaged more than 100mph during the 2,800-mile journey from New York to Los Angeles.
Fans slammed the unnamed group for taking advantage of the coronavirus crisis which has left roads empty.
Previous record-holder Alex Roy said: “If you hit a truck moving medical supplies and people die because of it, that’s on you.”
“People are counting on those trucks moving around right now. It’s not funny.”
Motoring writer Ben Hodges added: “During the pandemic is not the time to attempt any kind of Cannonball run.
“It’s not a level playing field, as with all other attempts. The various global lockdowns are not an invitation to do this.”
Others defended the run, including Ed Bolian who set a record of 28 hours and 50 minutes in 2013.
He said: “Do I think this is the best use of time while the country is staying in during a pandemic? Probably not. But for me to say it’s awful is like a cocaine dealer saying a heroin dealer is awful.”
Jon Ficarra, organiser of the rival 2904 cross-country race, added: “How do you tarnish something that’s illegal and that the general public already hates?”
On social media the stunt was condemned as “scummy” but one man tweeted: “I find it hilarious that former Cannonball run record holders are calling this ‘grossly irresponsible’ when the whole idea is grossly irresponsible.”
The team of at least three – who have not revealed themselves for fear of arrest – drove a white 2019 Audi A8 with few modifications apart from a huge fuel tank.
They left New York around 11.15pm on April 4 but have not disclosed the route they took.
The race traditionally starts at Red Ball Garage in Manhattan and finishes at the Portofino Hotel and Marina in Redondo Beach, California.
The run was created in 1971 as “the Cannonball Baker Sea-To-Shining Sea Memorial Trophy Dash”.
Founder Brock Yates organised it four times during the 1970s in protest at America’s 55mph overall speed limit.
It became world famous after the 1981 film starring Burt Reynolds, Roger Moore, Dom DeLuise, Farrah Fawcett, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jnr.
