The Spirit of the Race

My Great Race journey started in 2012 at the waterfront lobby of a Holiday Inn located in Traverse City Michigan. A few months earlier my dad (Bill Green) 79 at the time, had seen a documentary of Great Race on either The History Channel or something similar. He immediately called me and asked if we'd grab a car from "The Money Pit Garage" and give it a try. Having never said no to an invitation from my dad, off we went.

Side note. The Money Pit Garage got it's name from me trying to come up with a cool name for the warehouse for my old cars. A close friend at the time, whom I asked for fresh ideas on a name, said "why would you want a name for that "Money Pit" you call a garage? Well, the name was cast in stone from then on. And yes, it's a losing cause but sadly not a 501c.

Many Great Races after that Rooky Year, going around The Great Lakes, is still my favorite route. Maybe it's because I'm from Michigan originally and the nostalgia that came with it, or the new friend circle we found, or the fond memories with my dad. But it was magical. The next year was as memorable but for much different reasons. In 2013 we went from the record-breaking flooding in Minneapolis to record-breaking heat on the way to Mobile. While we thought the "open car" for that year was a great idea and super cool, it comes with a heavy price. Regardless, we were certainly not in it to win it. We were in it for the amazing experiences, now cemented friendships and seeing the small towns of America with a moving parade of vintage cars. One of the very best (and overlooked) parts is the hotel parking lots every night. Teams are crazily working on their equipment but always stopping to visit with the interested local car people. By far, some of the relationships I've made is over a broken car. Mine or someone elces. Those memories will stay with me forever.

Speaking of cars, during my Great Race years I have driven or navigated the following:

1965 Popi Red Mustang

1957 Fairlane Fireball Roberts convertible race car

1969 General Lee Charger, horn and all

1962 Chevy Turbo Corvair

1927 Model T T Track Racer

1932 Ford Speedster "Stars and Stripes"

1932 Modal A Flathead Ford Roadster called "Blue Jean" which made Trevor Stahl and I Grand Champions for this year. Gary Martin built one heck of a car! I also have a huge debt of gratitude to Mary Stahl for letting us borrow her car. And to Ted Stahl and the Stahl Music and Motors Experience for their dedicated support of our team. Great Race would not be the same without them. I'm honored to say Trevor and I made them Grand Champion team owners.

It's crazy looking back to our path to The Eagle in Pasadena CA. Trevor, (a previous Grand Champion) has a desire to win like no one I've ever met. Plus, the skill to go with it. I thought I had a large competitive spirit then I started my journey with Trevor 2.5 years ago. Well, to know him is to love him and I do. Thanks for being you Trev.

At one point we were asked to carry a GOPRO inside the car. We both had a big laugh and said "no one wants to see us inside the rally car during the event". The road to victory is not an easy one, but we are Grand Champions and intend to defend our title in 2027.

Ok, enough about us and more about what we all call "The Spirit Of The Race".

This year was the largest field ever, roughly 140 cars. So that's a huge task for the sponsors, directors, staff members, volunteers, and host towns along the way. Let alone our start town host and our finish line host towns. As participants we only see a fraction of what goes on behind the curtain. We have a 2,300 mile traveling car show with 2 shows a day. One at lunch and one during dinner in town hundreds of miles away from each other. Hat's off to Brad, Houston, John, Amber, Jason, Tommy Lee, and soo many more. Thank you from all of us. We have the easy part

Looking to next year, the route will be amazing. Mobile has been wonderful to us in the past and will likely welcome us with open arms. Then Buffalo as a finish line town? Yes!!!! We have stopped there in the past and have been very well received. The history, the architecture, the safety and cleanliness... the city is well worth a visit if you haven't been there. Look out Mobile, Chattanooga, Buffalo and other amazing towns along the way. Here we come.

Next June pay attention to the number 22 Team. Trevor and I along with our 32 Ford, Blue Jean intend to do some damage!

Buddy Green #22