When Gérard Pirès and Pascal Dro presented the “Diagonale des Fous” project to François-Paul Journe, he immediately said “yes”! This is not surprising: the two men chose him precisely because they knew he was the only one who would understand and embrace the risks inherent to the plan. 

The Diagonale des Fous was a difficult challenge to complete that both passionate automobile race drivers - filmmaker Gérard Pirès (Taxi, Les Chevaliers du Ciel) and publisher Pascal Dro (Autosport, Grand Prix, Ferdinand) - did undertake in Anchorage beginning on Sunday, August 31st, 2014. 

The 2 Porsche before the departure in Anchorage

The race did involve driving from Anchorage, Alaska to Miami, Florida - 8,500 km - as fast as possible, while sleeping as little as possible, over the course of approximately 4 days. 

The record was set as these two accomplished automobile racers have arrived in Miami on Wednesday September 3rd, behind the wheel of their two identical 250 horsepower Porsche 911 black cabriolets, prepared especially for the event, and proudly bearing the colours of the lineSport, with the titanium F.P.Journe Centigraphe Sport. 

Before the departure

Neither one of the two drivers is a newcomer: Gérard Pirès is a highly skilled helicopter pilot, has driven solo from Paris to Peking and has taken part in many automobile races; Pascal Dro has driven the Paris-Dakar rally several times, along with the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Cannonball and other events around the world. 

The two drivers’ preparation consists in precise sleep scheduling, along with the ergonomic design of the cars’ cockpits, which they will abandon for only 8 hours during the 5-day race. The Sleep Centre of the Hôtel Dieu Hospital in Paris, headed by Professor Damien Léger, has studied both men’s behaviour and their sleep target areas, so as to maximise the efficiency of their short sleep periods. The team also benefits from the experience of skipper Michel Desjoyaux, winner of the Vendée Globe Challenge. 

Celebrating Arrival

Each car was equipped with three cameras, in order to produce a film that will be shown upon the team’s return to France. The two drivers have celebrated their record with Porsche Cars USA and F.P.Journe America on Thursday September 4th at the Collection, in Coral Gables, Miami.