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Jun 22

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We're dangerously close to starting our 9-day journey that we call the Hemmings Motor News Great Race presented by Hagerty. This year, we have an incredible route, and our participants saw a small portion of what's in store during today's activities. The Hagerty Trophy Run is a short rally designed by our Rally Master, John Classen, who is nothing short of a genius when it comes to setting up these routes and giving us the absolute best scenery in North America. Today started with more registration, tech inspection and decals, but it was much calmer than yesterday's mad dash to get everyone set up and ready. The real fun would come at 11am, as we set out on the Trophy Run, which would send us to a small town known as Empire.

Reeder & Stone's beautiful '32 Ford passing by some of the bluest water you'll ever see!

The day started with Corky doing local news coverage. Although small in size, Empire is an amazing destination with one of the most beautiful beaches we've ever seen. We had absolutely perfect weather, which made for very blue skies and the most pure blue water you can imagine. If this warm-up rally is any clue as to what our route will include, get ready to be blown away! Once again, the folks at Hagerty went out of their way to accommodate the Great Race, by sponsoring the lunch festivities in Empire.

Rally School was next on the agenda, giving all participants great tips and tricks.

Then it was time to head out on the Hagerty Trophy Run, which sent racers to Empire, a small beach town with amazing scenery like this wonderful beach front...a perfect background for a classic '40 Ford convertible!

Although small in size, the town of Empire had a great turnout for the Trophy Run lunch stop. Thanks again to Hagerty for providing lunch and staff workers to welcome each and every racer into town.

Can you believe a 1907 Renault is in the Great Race? It is the oldest vehicle to ever compete and it is in top running order! With veteran racers, who also happen to be prior Grand Champions behind the wheel, this car will be one to watch! By 4 o'clock most of the participants had arrived back in Traverse City to receive their scores and get ready for dinner. And by the time all that was over, it was time for the big meeting, which included staff, drivers, support teams and anyone involved with the event. It gave us a chance to thank our sponsors, answer any questions, and reward the Trophy Run winners! Amazingly, the top score of the day was a 1-second score, meaning the team was only one second off the desired time. That team was David Reeder and Sawyer Stone, who are racing in the Grand Championship division! By scoring three aces, and a one-second leg, the team wheeled their '32 Ford coupe to a very solid start to the 2012 Great Race! Look out for Reeder & Stone...they're on a mission! Despite lots of great rallying action, the REAL start to this event happens tomorrow in downtown Traverse City, Michigan! We'll be up bright and early to prepare for the send off from this wonderful town, as Governor Rick Snyder waves the green flag! See ya then!

This year, we even have a Rolls Royce joining in on the fun! What an amazing background!

As we snaked around the day's route, there were several cool photo opportunities including this one! It's hard to be a classic Mustang convertible passing by beautiful water!

Martin Vroom is a well known team and they always break out the big hands when they come through to receive their scores. Their '38 Ford is a fixture in the rallying world, and the Martins always place well in the field.

As all of the cars rolled in from the Trophy Run, locals swarmed the Holiday Inn to check out the scene and get an up close and personal view of 90 of the worlds finest collector cars!

Wayne Carini, from the TV Show, "Chasing Classic Cars" stopped by to address the participants in the opening banquet. He'll be riding shotgun with McKeel Hagerty, as they leave out from Traverse City at 10am tomorrow!

Congrats to all the winners!