MARION WATSON - The family enter a historic vehicle run, from John O'Groats to Land's End.

Timothy Watson is a General in the British Army, military intelligence MI6 (SIS). His son Jimmy attends the local school in Hailsham. 

Timothy, is married to Marion, a retired teacher and fine artist. As his father, Tim encourages Jimmy in his projects. He recognises his son's genius level programming and marvels at it.

The Watson's secretly add money to Jimmy's stash under his floorboards, knowing their contributions will help to build his dream robot.

The General is aware of bullying at the Community College, and knows of Johnny Baxter, and Jimmy's crush on Julia Roberts, of which he approves.

TIM WATSON'S WELDING GEAR - General Watson traded in his trusty old SIP 150 amp welder, for the R-Tech 450 amp inverter unit and another smaller 240 amp unit with a spool on gun facility, that also functioned as a TIG or stick welder, an ideal multi-purpose rig for vehicle and other specialist repairs and heavy duty fabrication works. He also had a plasma cutter, that could slice through 1 inch steel with ease.

He is unaware that he is being treated as a security risk, with Field Marshal Sir Rodney Dunbar, the Prime Minister and King Charles III, having private talks about him and his son. The MOD decide to frame the General and his son, engaging Sussex police and Wealden District Council enforcement officers to plant evidence to gain a conviction, to enable the DSTL to confiscate Jimmy's Dinobot for their research.

The King and Prime Minister are unaware of the involvement of the CIA and Scotland Yard. But, His Majesty finds out about the covert plot to discredit Timothy and Jimmy, and is enraged by the very thought of using State authority in such a fashion. Which he dubs a subtle Eugenics programme.

The General came through the ranks as an engineer, then field logistics, then moved into Intelligence. He learned to weld and repair Army trucks. A useful skill which he kept up as a hobby, sometimes servicing Marion's car, to save money, but mainly to keep his hand in. He wanted to be able to pass on these skills to his son Jimmy.

He had a Jeep Cherokee and an old Volkswagen type 2, that Marion loves to bits. So much so that she adopts the surfing bus for family tours of the British countryside. It makes her feel young and she likes to drive it to the seaside. Hastings, Eastbourne and Brighton on sunny days. But her favourite jaunt was to Seaford Head for the stunning views. And every now and again, to the West Country, where they would B&B, or just hitch up a tent. Hence, Tim had to spend a lot of time looking after the old bus. Including welding in new steel panels from time to time.

Timothy had use of a lockup garage where he did his repairs and tinkering. And in return for sharing the unit, he did the owner a few welding jobs. This was a cooperative of skills trade, with other like minded village folk. Another chap was a spray painter, and another a mechanic. They were all ex MOD, one ex Special Air Services (SAS) and another Special Boat Services (SBS), equivalent of US NAvy Seals. Like himself, not to be messed with.

Tim's all time hero was Lieutenant John Chard, who defeated a Zulu attack at Rorkes Drift in 1879, alongside Lieutenant Gonville Bromhead. Eleven Victoria Crosses were awarded following this action. Even the attacking Zulus saluted the British defenders. A Company of 150 men fought off attacks by 3,000 of the South African warriors for 12 hours. In an outstanding display of courage.

CANNONBALL RUN CAST

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