Great Race 2012 - Day 5 - Practice Run

Can you feel it?
Tomorrow 6-23-2012 is the start of the 2012 Great Race in Traverse City, Michigan, USA. Ford McWilliams - Navigator and Bill Shipp - Driver - are in a 1951 Packard 300 numbered #51 fixing to drive a 2,300 mile road rally. Let's wish them luck on this memorable and momentous occasion.
Godspeed,
Todd Bates


Q: What is the Great Race?
A: The Great Race is an antique, vintage, and collector car competitive controlled-speed endurance road rally on public highways. It is not a test of top speed. It is a test of a driver/navigator team’s ability to follow precise course instructions and the car’s (and team’s) ability to endure on a cross-country trip. The course instructions require the competing teams to drive at or below the posted speed limits at all times.

 No matter the route, Great Race participants view the most amazing scenery this country has to offer, and tour some of the coolest back roads to get there. Most of these cars aren’t exactly cut out for interstate driving, so the intricate routes were designed to suit antique cars and their capabilities, in terms of speed, and durability. Many racers have beaten the odds and walked away with a victory, but all of the participants have the enjoyment of viewing our great country alongside a close friend or family member. There are many family teams involved in the Great Race, including many husband and wife duos. And by the time you’ve made the trek across the United States of America, you’re bound to have made a few new friends along the way. www.greatrace.com

Great Race Coverage of 6-22-2012

The Official Pace Car

Keep your eyes on the road, your hands upon the wheel

Scenery from the practice run 6-22-2012

Hagerty hosted party Thursday night 6-21-2012

A dream living room for car nuts!

Empire, Michigan - Great scenery downtown

51 Packard and a Great Lake - Anything better?

Rally point for the practice day

"Today was a longgggggg day! It is like "perfectville" waking up in the morning going out into the parking lot and seeing all the old cars.We had a trophy run today, we finished 10th in the rookie class. We are happy with that, Ford and I are still talking to each other after the race so that is a good thing. We had lunch in Empire Michigan. What a beautiful city. I believe the entire population turned out to welcome the Great Race. We will begin the race in the morning from down town Traverse City, Michigan with Governor Rick Synder giving us the green flag."

Bill Shipp