Giant Cryptic Colossus 217

17a) haul vehicle onto backstreet. C?r??
26a) Virginia returned with incorrect ratio for pilot. ???a?o?
40a) he suggests that others do as he says. H?p?o?i?t
3d) desserts requested in hotel rooms. S?i?e?
17d) rate of advance. C?a?g? I think this is charge.
18d) suddenly turn first words into funny verse. ??e???

My brain is frazzled.. HELP. TIA