Brock Yates

Date of Birth: October 21, 1933

Zodiac Sign: Libra

Date of Death: October 5, 2016

Biography

Brock Yates was an American journalist, author, and screenwriter, best known for his influential work in automotive journalism and his role as an editor of Car and Driver magazine. Born in Lockport, New York, Yates developed a passion for cars and motorsports at a young age. He joined Car and Driver magazine in the 1960s, where his incisive and often irreverent writing style quickly made him a favorite among readers. Yates was also a prolific author, writing several books on automotive history and culture. His most famous work is “Cannonball! World’s Greatest Outlaw Road Race,” which chronicled the history of the Cannonball Baker Sea-To-Shining-Sea Memorial Trophy Dash, a cross-country road race that he himself founded. The race inspired the 1981 film “The Cannonball Run,” for which Yates wrote the screenplay. Throughout his career, Yates was known for his outspoken views on the auto industry, often criticizing what he saw as its excesses and failures. He continued to write and comment on automotive issues until his death in 2016.

5 Interesting Facts about Brock Yates

1. Brock Yates founded the Cannonball Baker Sea-To-Shining-Sea Memorial Trophy Dash, an illegal cross-country race that later inspired the film “The Cannonball Run.”

2. He served as an editor for Car and Driver magazine, where he became known for his sharp critique and insightful commentary on the automotive industry.

3. Yates wrote the screenplay for the 1981 film “The Cannonball Run,” which starred Burt Reynolds and Roger Moore.

4. He authored several books on automotive history and culture, including “Sunday Driver” and “Enzo Ferrari: The Man, the Cars, the Races, the Machine.”

5. Yates was awarded the Ken Purdy Award for Excellence in Automotive Journalism in 1992.