City Testimonials

Visit Springfield had a wonderful experience working with the Great Race. Houston and the entire team were very well organized and communicated consistently at a high level throughout the entire process.

Thinking through each event aspect far in advance of the event day ensured a flawless event for all.

Our local businesses raved about the wonderful crowds of spectators, friendly participants, and the overall amazing feel of Springfield, IL being the kick-off city for this high-profile event.

A strong economic impact was felt from the number of overnight rooms to the participants’ and spectators’ spending all around town.

We would jump at the chance to host this event again!

Hosting the Great Race was a wonderful experience for Albuquerque and a true celebration of community. While the event drew car enthusiasts from near and far, what stood out most was the way our entire community came together to welcome participants and share in the excitement. The event provided a unique platform to highlight Albuquerque's culture, hospitality, and distinctive visitor experiences to competitors traveling across the country.

We are grateful to Houston and all the Great Race organizers, who were fantastic partners every step of the way. Overall, the Great Race was more than a car rally. It was a celebration of community, history, culture, and partnership that left a lasting positive impression on participants and residents alike.

Serving as a lunch stop for The Great Race 2025 was an incredible honor for Pontiac and a moment our community will remember for years to come.

As the vintage automobiles rolled into our historic downtown, the energy was electric. Residents, families, and visitors lined the streets, eager to catch a glimpse of these beautifully restored classics and meet the drivers. Our city proudly showcased its welcoming spirit, rich Route 66 heritage, and vibrant small business community.

One of the most impressive aspects of hosting The Great Race was the exceptional planning and preparation demonstrated by the event organizers. From the earliest coordination meetings to the final car departure, every detail was thoughtfully managed.

Communication was clear, timelines were organized, and expectations were well outlined, allowing our local team to prepare confidently and efficiently. Their professionalism made the entire experience seamless for our city, our volunteers, and our visitors.

The economic impact was immediate and meaningful. Local restaurants, shops, and attractions experienced a surge in visitors throughout the day. More importantly, the national attention highlighted Pontiac as a destination worth discovering.

Events like The Great Race don’t just bring traffic; they bring stories, connections, and new reasons for travelers to return.

Beyond the economic benefits, the sense of pride was unmistakable. Volunteers, city staff, and community partners worked together seamlessly to create a memorable experience for participants and spectators alike. Hosting The Great Race reinforced what we already know: Pontiac thrives when we come together.

We are grateful to have been part of such a historic event and look forward to welcoming future opportunities that celebrate community, heritage, and the open road.

The Great Race is an incredible opportunity to showcase your community and bring a very unique, well-recognized attraction to your community.

The Great Race team is a good partner with first-rate attention to detail and a good promotional plan in place.

The Franklin County Visitors Bureau would welcome The Great Race back to Franklin County any time and encourage other communities to partner with The Great Race.

You will be glad you did, and so will your community and visitors!

The Great Race in Cape Girardeau, Missouri: Fantastic event, multitudes of people in our historic downtown, restaurants packed, community-wide buy-in, genuine excitement and so much more.

Simply stated, for Cape Girardeau, “The Great Race” was a GRAND SLAM event!

Would we do it again – you bet!

The Great Race was a wonderful event for Cooperstown — many folks commented that it was the best event ever on Main Street!

The event drew many people, from locals to out-of-town visitors. The organizers were stellar — the organization and event itself were flawless.

And, the event created an opportunity for local organizations to collaborate.

We were absolutely thrilled with the Great Race on all levels. The organization was amazing and the event itself was too.

The feedback and response we have gotten from the town has all been phenomenal….everyone has asked for the event to come back!

Our experience with the Great Race was wonderful and we would truly love an opportunity to work with you all again and to host you back in the future.

The 2015 Great Race was the second time Kirkwood, Missouri had the honor of hosting this great event! We can’t wait to host it a third time, especially after winning the “Best Overnight Stop” both times!! What a way to bring the community together.

Kirkwood served as this year’s official start to the race which brought over 8,000 people to our downtown district to see the cars and to experience Kirkwood.

It also helped to kick off the inaugural “Kirkwood Missouri Route 66 Festival”, an event we hope to continue until well past the next time the Great Race comes to town.

I would like to thank the Great Race organization for choosing us as the start city and for helping to walk us through the planning and execution of the event.

Their partnership, assistance and experience is invaluable. Also, thanks to the drivers who were more than friendly and proved to be super ambassadors for the race.