The Great Race 2014 - Stopping in My Town

[BearsFan315]

When dropping of our youngest to school the other morning, I saw a flyer on the wall for The Great Race 2014, it caught my attention as to WHY this was posted in the local Elementary School. In reading the poster it was because the Great Race 2014 is stopping in our town on June 24 !! Which is really Cool

I am planning to take the day off so that I can venture down and catch some of these guys coming in and get some pictures.

Looking at the website Great Race there are a lot of really nice cars in the event.

Just wondering if any of you guys ever competed or have seen them come through your town ??

I think it is an opportunity to capitalize on and take in the sites . . .

[Restorer32]

The Great Race stopped in our town twice over the years. We were somewhat put off by the crass commercialism of the whole affair. How many times can you listen to the sponsors' names being announced? The first time they were here local car clubs sponsored a car show in conjunction with their appearance and the Great Race agreed in advance to do certain things to promote the local clubs and to participate in a small parade. None of this ever happened, to the embarrassment of the local clubs who had organized the event. We were told the entire contingent of about 100 cars would show up and we provided secure parking for that number. About 20 cars actually showed. It became apparent that there were multiple "exclusive overnight stop" locations. Imagine a several hundred car show at the local fair grounds with maybe 500 people in the grandstand eagerly anticipating the parade of Great Race cars. Now imagine having to tell that crowd that there would be no parade and that the Great Race crew was actually set up at the opposite end of the fair grounds and was already blaring their never ending commercials for sponsors' products. Maybe things have changed.

[Paul Dobbin]

Yes, I competed in it for 11 years and found it to be the adventure of a life time the first time, then renewed it for another 10 years. Since then,

I make an effort to go see it when it comes anywhere close. It's a bunch of old car people motivated by competition to tranverse the country

in their antique cars in hopes of winning some of the $175,000 in prize money. The challange is first to get your restoration to finish the event,

then to be competitive in doing so. While the classes have included cars from 1902 to to the 1960's, there is something from the vintage of every segment of the hobby.

For the event to happen at all, there is a tremendouse effort to get the cars across the country on time all the time. There are short pit stop stops where the cars are in town for 15-30 minutees for drinks, snacks & fuel. There are lunch stops where the cars are in town for up to an hour. There are also overnight stops where the cars are on display in the evening. Often times the town hosts a local car show that gives the public a chance to see the local cars while awaiting the arrival of the racers. (Occassionally the other activities interfere) The racers are usually exhausted but ready to talk to anybody with an interest. (Keep in mind that their minds are on getting their vehicle and themselves ready to compete when they leave)

I found the spectators interested and excited to see the cars and the circus style excitement of the Great Race coming to town. I would recommend it to all who share our love of old cars to go see the event if possible, It's FREE and Fun!

[TerryB]

Saw it twice, once in Hagerstown MD and the other in Hazelton PA. Enjoyed both times. Its neat to see all the cars involved. At that time the sponsor was Interstate Batteries. haven't seen it recently under the new sponsors.

Terry

[Guest marlin65]

Planning on meeting the racers in Elizabeth City,NC at their lunch stop and then seeing them at the finish at The Villages here in Fl. I have a buddy driving a 1963 Corvair Greenbrier van painted to resemble a Hippie Van. I owned it many years ago. Ed in Dade City,Fl

[BearsFan315]

Great to hear...

I am taking half a day to see them come in and hopefully get some pictures.

May be able to see them off the following morning as well

Considering it a Chance in a lifetime

Not sure when/ if I will get this opportunity again

[Steve Moskowitz]

We hosted them in Hershey and all I can say is that everything was very exciting and interesting for the crowd. The drivers were gracious in talking to the public despite the hot day and driving in mostly non-a/c equipped cars.

[BearsFan315]

Well Tomorrow is the Day !!

Cars are Scheduled to arrive starting around 530 pm, and will be staying overnight. Lots of stuff planned and going on for them being in town. Will be down there to see them come in, taking TONS of photos of each car, or so the plan is Only bad part is not sure where the finish line is yet or how/ path they are taking to get there. Yeah I know they do not even know till the day of that leg.

Going to go down early so I can get near the line and get some great shots !!

[oldford]

They over-nighted in Poughkeepsie yesterday. I must say that I was a bit underwhelmed. I went down to POK and watched them arrive. Much hoopla and excitement in the crowd. It was fun to watch, but most of the cars seemed modified, some lightly, some heavily. The most exciting car to me was the 1915 Hudson Speedster (the tan one). Still had the original drive train, but modified body. The engine was the original with full pressure lubrication added. The car was loud and thunderous as it passed. I'm glad I witnessed it.

Frank

[JohnD1956]

Caught up with the fun in Bennington this past Sunday. What a great time. I took so many pictures I had to use a different photo service to show em. Feel free to view the attached. It should not require any password and would like to know if the link does not work.

By of explanation, at the beginning of the event I was taking up to six photos at a shot as the cars arrived. Sometimes it worked, sometimes it didn't. Anyway that's why there are so many photos.

enjoy: http://opa.cig2.usa.canon.com/album/J9JDNYQFoJEolgYR

[MCHinson]

I get the following error message at that link:

A user authentication error or session timeout has occurred.

Please log in again to use the CANON iMAGE GATEWAY service.

Log In to CANON iMAGE GATEWAY.

Please click here if the problem cannot be solved.

http://www.cig.usa.canon.com/cu/en_US/support.html

[JohnD1956]

Sorry folks, "I have not been able to fix the access problem yet. I will keep trying and post a new link when/if I am successful

[BearsFan315]

Well they were here, and now gone

Have to say it was really nice to sit out and see them all come in, then get to talk to the owners, drivers, & navigators !! everyone was extremely friendly and just open to talking and telling stories of their trip down. Was also nice that our city Hosted a gathering for them, had some food & drink vendors out as well as a live band, plus it did NOT hurt that it was right on the waterfront overlooking the marina !!

I took tons of pictures and will post them up tonight when I get home, and post a link here to see them all...

Definitely glad I was able to watch and enjoy this event... would I do it again, MOST DEFINITELY !!

[TerryB]

My son, age 21, saw them in Valley Forge. He really enjoyed the opportunity and took 150 pictures that he put on his Facebook page. I wish I could have been there too as the pictures showed all kinds of cars in the race.

Terry

[JohnD1956]

http://opa.cig2.usa.canon.com/s/m/FyvegiNwtGJ Hope this works...

[TerryB]

John, the link is working. Thanks for posting it. Can you tell me the make of the coupe with the bodywork that covers the wheels?

[JohnD1956]

Terry, if you mean this one:

then I want to say I heard someone say Bugatti, but to be honest, I did not look.

[BearsFan315]

Alright...

just uploaded the photos I took last night here in Portsmouth, VA. took about 500 photos, I did reduce the resolution to ease load time.

Enjoy: Great Race 2014 - Portsmouth, VA

[Paul Dobbin]

Thanks to Coach Jerry for all the great photo's! Almost like being there.

I saw only a few cars that I remember from my final Great North American Race in 1995. The Green Dragon Peerless was racing then, (I think it was John Hollingsworth) the 36 Ford V8 Police Car and several of the Model A's, including some of the Speedsters. In those early days the cars were all pre WWII and usually 1936 & older was the limit. However cars do wear out an re-restoration costs keep going up, so I was suprised to see so many that have stayed in it. When we quit the 1935 Crysler Airflow owned by Ted Holden and naviagted by me was the Endurance Champion with 12 races. I think after that the Stanley Jones 32 Ford Roadster surpassed the 12 number.

I still think it was worth every dollar and cent for the adventure. It should be noted that when I began it was a team effort of 5 guys in our local antique car club to do it in 1984. We all took turns driving and navigating and shared all the expenses 5 ways. I tell you this because we always heard people say "it was a rich man's sport", not so! It gave us all a chance to test our restoration and mechanical skills and we all took great satifaction in "To Finsh Is to Win", as the Greatrace logo said, was absolutely true. I made new friends for life and have stayed in the hobby for over 40 years.

(Although now the Glidden Tour, Sentimental Tour and Regional Tours have become a family tradition. As I always tell people, "If you don't drive them, you might as well collect clocks". We still drive as often as we can and it's a better way to see the USA, on secondary roads at non Interstate speeds.

[TerryB]

John, yes that is the one. I have since head too it was a Bugatti. Quite a car.

Terry