Great Racin’ in the Empire State!

June 28, 2012

Today’s Great Race route took us through scenic New York state, leaving from our overnight stop in Watertown. Lots of farmland and orchards made for a beautiful drive in the country side of the glorious Northeast. We drove through Pulaski and even went to Mexico…we didn’t even know that was a town in New York! From there, we motored through the hilly landscape of rural New York.

Great Race 2012

Great Race 2012

Unfortunately, we had an accident on today’s route, involving one of our teams. Steve, Janet and Allison Hedke were involved in collision that damaged their Ford Model A roadster beyond repair to re-enter the race. The other driver (non racer) involved was at fault, but the crash gave everyone a scare. Thankfully, the Hedke’s were not injured in the accident. At each and every stop, we pray together, in public for the safety of the racers, staff, and support crews, as we travel on our great journey. Today, those prayers were answered, and we WILL continue to pray at each stop. With that said, please keep Steve, Janet and Allison Hedke in your prayers, as they will eventually load up and head back to their home in Southern California.

Great Race 2012

Great Race 2012

Great Race 2012

Great Race 2012

Great Race 2012

The accident occurred toward the back of the pack just before lunch, so many of the racers had already made it to the amazing lunch stop in Fairport, New York before it happened. And when we say amazing…we mean it! Thousands upon thousands of spectators came out to see the Great Race, and the entire town filled with racers, as well as cruise in participants who came out to be a part of the day’s festivities! As some of you know, Fairport is the home town of last year’s Grand Champions, Howard and Douglas Sharp, so these guys put together a massive shin-dig for all of us to enjoy. The town atmosphere was awesome by itself, but adding a few thousand people to the mix and a few hundred cars made it even better! Thank you to the Sharps, and the folks at Fairport for all their hard work!

Great Race 2012

Great Race 2012

Great Race 2012

Great Race 2012

Great Race 2012

Great Race 2012

Great Race 2012

Great Race 2012

Great Race 2012

Great Race 2012

Great Race 2012

After a wonderful lunch, we got back in the groove, and headed down to the big city of Buffalo, New York! There, we welcomed the racers to the Pierce-Arrow Museum downtown, where we came through the finish line, and enjoyed a huge crowd! We then went inside the Museum to eat dinner, and browse around the place. We saw all sorts of cool stuff in there, and even saw a few Pierce Arrows…imagine that! So, after all that, we’re resting tonight and preparing for another great day of rallying tomorrow. We’ll be entering Pennsylvania and Ohio tomorrow, so get ready to hear all about it tomorrow! For now, check out our favorite shots from today!

10 comments about “Great Racin’ in the Empire State!”

  • No, its Thank You Mr Sharp and The Great Race for bringing this event to Fairport NY.
    Our car club once we found out it was coming to town did everything we could to be involved as part of this great event.
    We volunteered to aid a local person, Larry Dilullo in running the car show, my wife and I sponsored a car as a Host A Racer and it was a awesome sight seeing these cars first hand!
    We have a slide show of the earlier cars entering on our web site.
    Again THANK YOU for bringing this event here.
    I you ever decided to come through here again, I bet we could double the efforts that was seen this time!

  • HATS OFF!! Congratulations to all participants in the Great Race! Eileen and I were in Fairport and enjoyed ourselves to no end! Thanks to Fairport for their hospitality and “open arms” atmosphere!

  • So happy to find this web sight and how much fun you are having out there! My wife Claudia and I are dear friends of Don Mussche, the driver of the 1916 yellow Hudson. If there is any way you could get shouts out to Don and the owner I’d be much appreciative. If you have met Don, you know he is one for high jinks and practical jokes so use my name in any manor or fashion to get his goat if you know what I mean!!! I’m a profession comedian myself and love to have fun with my buddy Don and his chase man Patrick. My web page is http://www.dickhardwick.com if you’d care to take a look at my promo to prove my fun hopes you can get one over on Don!!! Let us know and good luck and safe travels. Sincerely, Dick & Claudia Hardwick

  • It was wonderful to welcome you to Buffalo yesterday! We had never seen any part of the race before. Actually, we were only minimally aware of this event.
    Beautiful cars, friendly crews….fun!
    We hope that the Ohio heat is not overly stressful today. Safe travels to all.

  • Sat under my maple tree and watched the cars go by on Pavonia W.Rd. on there way to Mansfield.6-30-2012

  • I’ve been looking forward to seeing this race for years, and I finally got to experience a big thrill Thursday evening at the Buffalo Transportation Museum. Thank you everyone!!!!

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