Breeze from the Hudson
Jackson Campbell May
Jack May (Cannonball Jack) is a former sports car racing champion and writer. He graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point (1958) and was an Army Ranger. In addition to sports car racing, he has challenged himself with tests of endurance on many of the tallest mountains, deepest oceans, and darkest jungles across the world. He is a member of The Explorers Club.
During his active racing career (1950-1988), he:
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was the winner and is World’s Record holder, Cannonball Baker Sea-to-Shining-Sea Memorial Trophy Dash, 1975, where he set the record time from New York City to Los Angeles of 35 hours, 53 minutes, 83 miles per hour
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won Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) Southeastern Regional Championship for four years: 1975, 1976, 1977, 1978, and the National Championship--the Champion Spark Plug Road Race of Champions: 1978
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set Lap Records at Palm Beach, Gainesville, Savannah, Charlotte, and Hallett
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raced FIA Sebring 1977 (7th, Lotus Europa), Sebring 1978 (dnf Lancia Stratos)
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raced Daytona 24 Hour 1978 (dnf Lancia Stratos)
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finished TransAmazon Rally 1988 (2nd in class, Honda Civic)
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was active in Vintage Racing, including Jimmy Clark's Lotus 23
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completed the Mille Miglia twice (Ferrari 340 America, #0140A, ex-Taruffi) 1986, 1987.
Jack May lives in Gainesville, Florida, where he has been a real estate investor and developer since 1963. He travels frequently and continues his interests in big game fishing, African safaris, and exploration. Although retired from active racing, May enjoys opportunities to talk about sports cars and show off his original, unrestored Cannonball Dino at Concours and other vintage car events.
At the 2016 Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance, Jack was awarded the Maurice G. Bauer Trophy for his 1975 Cannonball win.
