As we all know, everything is a bit bigger in America, not just the steak or the coffee, but also the cars. But even classic car rallies are a little bigger, and the "Great Race" is a good example of this. Not only is the distance covered 2300 miles, i.e. around 3700 kilometers, but there is also prize money in the region of USD 50,000 to be won, in cash of course.
A slightly different tradition
"The Great Race" goes back to the entertaining 1965 film of the same name, in which Jack Lemmon, Tony Curtis and Natalie Wood compete to win a race from New York to Paris. This movie in turn goes back to the 1908 race from Time Square in New York via Alaska to Paris, which was won by George Schuster on a Thomas Flyer.
In 1982, a few Americans wanted to revive this race as the "Great American Race" within the States and offered USD 250,000 in prize money. Only pre-war cars were allowed to take part. But only one team registered, Tom McRea and Curtis Graf.
Without further ado, McRea decided to organize the race himself. The first race was attended by 69 teams, who entered for the USD 250,000 prize with an entry fee of USD 5,000. The journey went from Los Angeles to Indianapolis. This was the beginning and in the years that followed, McRea and his team continued to come up with new routes and attractions.
To this day, the event is still organized according to the original vision, even though founder McRea has since died and the rally has been organized under a new regime since 2011.
An American affair
Vehicles up to and including 1972 were eligible for the 2017 edition of the "Great Race". In keeping with the spirit of the rally, a significant number of the vehicles were from the pre-war era, and the points system promotes the old cars accordingly.
There were various Ford Model A and V8s, but also an early Studebaker, an American Simplex, an American LaFrance or a Peerless Speedster.
The American brands dominated, but the field of over 120 cars also included two Subaru 360s, a Fiat Multipla, a Saab 96 and a Jaguar E-Type. Variety was the order of the day.
Experience and cinematography
"Precision driving" is the name of the game in the "Great Race", so the aim is to adhere to the specified target times as precisely as possible over a distance of 3700 km, which must be covered over the course of nine days. There are also occasional highway and interstate passages, but in many cases the participants drive on small side roads and are treated to breathtaking scenery.
In addition, the route repeatedly passes museums and other places of interest and twice a day the vehicles are presented in detail to the interested public at marching destinations. The organizer spoke of millions of spectators and passers-by who came to enjoy the impressive array of vehicles.
As with other rallies, the camaraderie between participants is very important. Friendships are often formed for life, after all you share a hobby and an interest.
From St. Jacksonville to Traverse City
The 2017 edition of the "Great Race" ran between June 24 and July 2, 2017 from St. Jacksonville (Florida) to Tifton, Newnan, Chattanooga, Bowling Grean, Franklin, Auburn, Ypsilanti, Frankenmuth to Traverse City in Michigan.
Tight race
There were five different stage winners on the first five days, and the battle for overall victory was close. Entire daily stages were completed with minimum differences of two seconds. After nine days of intense competition, Jody Knowles and Beth Gentry from Newman (Georgia) finally won in their 1932 Ford Cabriolet. The car has been in the family for many decades and impressed with its reliability.
It goes without saying that Jody and Beth, as "Grand Champions", were delighted with the American-sized prize money. Their enthusiasm was heightened by the fact that Beth Gentry's daughters Olivia and Genna also won the Rookie class in their grandfather's 63 Dodge Dart. A real family affair, which also fits in with America.
Other class winners were Howard and Doug Sharp in a 1916 Hudson, Mike Weaver and Craig Jongerius in a 1931 Ford Model A and the Galax X Cup team driving a 1928 Ford Model A Roadster.
Almost sold out next year
Anyone who has now acquired a taste for the event will have to hurry, as the 2018 edition, which will run from Buffola (New York) to Nova Scotia, is already almost sold out. Further information can be found on the event website.
