The Great Race is a timed, controlled-speed automotive rally for classic, antique, and vintage vehicles. It is not a speed race.

Participants follow detailed course instructions and try to maintain assigned average speeds as accurately as possible. Their performance is measured at hidden checkpoints along the course, so precision, teamwork, and navigation matter more than driving fast.

Want to learn more? Visit What Is the Great Race?

The best place to see the cars is at an official lunch or evening stop.

Great Race does not publish the detailed competition route for the public, so spectators should plan to attend one of the scheduled public stops.

Full locations and times are available on the Event Calendar.

We recommend attending an official lunch or evening stop rather than trying to locate participants along the competition route.

The detailed route is not published publicly, and participants are actively competing throughout the day. Official stops provide the best opportunity to safely see the cars, meet participants, and enjoy the event.

You can see the overall event path and host cities on the Route page.

We recommend arriving a little early. Host cities often close public streets around the event area, and parking can become more challenging as spectators arrive and participants begin coming into town.

Check the Event Calendar for the scheduled location and time for each stop.

Parking varies by host city and venue. Some stops may use public lots, street parking, garages, or designated spectator parking areas.

Check the Event Calendar for stop-specific information and follow local event signage when you arrive.

Because roads near the Great Race display area may be closed or restricted, arriving early usually makes parking easier.

Participants generally arrive at approximately one-minute intervals based on their starting order.

If there is a particular car or participant you want to see, check the Order of Start page to see where that car is positioned for the day.

Arrival times are approximate and can vary because of traffic, competition conditions, and other factors throughout the day.

Look for the large inflatable Great Race gate.

Our announcers are stationed near the gate and introduce the cars as they arrive, sharing details about the vehicle and its participants.

If you want to hear the most information about each car, find a viewing spot near the announcers and arrival gate.

Yes. Spectators are welcome to bring chairs and sit along sidewalks and other public viewing areas.

Please stay clear of the roadway and leave plenty of room for participants to enter the event area, maneuver their vehicles, and park.

Vintage vehicles can require more room to turn and stop than modern cars, so please give them plenty of space.

Absolutely. Once the vehicles are parked, spectators are welcome to walk around, look at the cars, and talk with participants.

Many participants are happy to answer questions about their vehicles, how the competition works, and their Great Race experiences.

Please remember that participants may also need time to eat, check in, work on their vehicle, or prepare for the next portion of the event.

You can also learn more about the field on the Participants & Cars page.

Lunch stops typically last about two hours. However, all of the cars will not be parked there at the same time. Participants arrive in their starting order, stop for lunch, and then depart as additional cars continue to arrive.

Evening stops generally last about two to three hours and usually provide more time to walk around, see the cars up close, visit with participants, shop for Great Race merchandise, and enjoy activities planned by the host city.

Yes. Great Race events continue through summer heat, rain, and changing weather conditions.

Check the forecast before you come and plan accordingly.

Bring whatever will help you stay comfortable while you watch. Helpful items may include:

• Folding chairs
• Water
• Snacks
• Sunscreen
• Hats
• Umbrellas or rain gear
• Weather-appropriate clothing

Please keep chairs, bags, coolers, and other belongings out of areas needed for participant vehicles.

That depends on the host city. Some stops may have food trucks, nearby restaurants, vendors, entertainment, or other activities planned around the Great Race stop.

Check the individual city details on the Event Calendar.

We strongly encourage spectators to support the local restaurants, shops, and businesses that help welcome Great Race to their community.

Yes. Photos and videos are encouraged.

Please remain in public viewing areas and never step into the roadway or in front of a moving vehicle to get a photo.

Yes. Official public Great Race lunch and evening stops are always free to attend.

Absolutely. Great Race stops are a great opportunity for families to see vintage cars up close and meet the people participating in them.

Please keep children with you, especially while cars are arriving, parking, or leaving the event area.

Pet rules may vary by host city and venue.

If pets are allowed, they should remain leashed and under control. Keep in mind that Great Race stops can include crowds, loud announcements, summer heat, and many moving vehicles.

Check the Event Calendar before heading to a stop for the latest published time and location information.

Weather, traffic, or local event conditions can occasionally affect timing, so it is always a good idea to check again on the day you plan to attend.

Daily and overall competition results are posted on the Scores page.

Remember, Great Race is scored on precision rather than speed.

Visit the Great Race History page to learn more about the event and how it has developed over the years.

Visit Participants & Cars to browse available participant and vehicle information.