Hey guys do any of you do timed cross country rallying in your V8 Fords like the “Great American Race”? If so what sort of preparations do you do to your car? What tools and spares do you bring? Do you have any interesting stories from the road?
I am nearing retirement and I’d like to do at least one epic journey in my ‘41 Ford before I get too old.
Any help will be greatly appreciated.
Let me start by pondering this thought. How many posters above have actually ever been a part of the Great Race, ...or of any T/S/D Rally for that matter?
My late Father and I won the Lima Iron Horse Rally in our division, -and as a part of my business, I have personally prepped and supported 13 different vehicles that participated in the Great Race. (Below is a small picture of me and my Support Rig with 1937 Buick Indy Car, a 1936 Ford Cabriolet, a 1925 Hudson, and a 1931 Model-A Phaeton that were in competition that year.) Without trying to sound braggadocios or as a know-it-all about this, I do feel like I have a fair bit of understanding about this.
My first advice to you if you are serious is that you need to either find an experienced GR Mentor that can give you sound advice, -or you need to spend a week following the Race and volunteering each evening in different areas so you have a better understanding of what is involved. For example, someone mentioned about knowing how to read a map. In all the years that I participated, a map was never used by any Team, ...so I'm not really sure if knowing how to read a map would really benefit a Team. Can't hurt but not required!
Secondly, your Spouse does not even need to be inside the vehicle with you during the daily legs. She (-and the Navigator's significant other) can drive separately each day and meet you at the Lunch Stops along with the Parc Ferme' in the evenings. They will be just as involved.
I will also suggest that it does not require spending $35k on an engine to be successful. Again, if this comment was actually factual, then this was likely done because someone did not take the time to do their research. I'm not saying that is doesn't happen, however you also need to understand that some participants struggle because they spent large sums of money to try to mask the fact they did not take the time to learn the fundamentals.
With regard to spending $1k on a Speedometer, I will start by saying I did not spend that much $$ on either of mine. You also do not need to own the "official" Speedometer to participate. There are benefits to owning the electronic Speedometer that Todd Merrill invented, but again it is not required. There are alternate ways to go with this.
With regard to the term 'Race', it means whatever you want it to mean. Not every GR participant is 'competition motivated'. Truth be told, my guess is over ½ of the Entrants are not in it for the Competition. From a promotional standpoint of GR, the term 'Race' brings along excitement for spectators, and sometimes Sponsors that can offset the costs of participating. Then, there is the thrill that the Driver & Navigator experience as they arrive at a Stop such as a scheduled Break Stop, or a Lunch Stop at a Host Town, and at the Finish Line and the evening Parc Ferme' (finish line car show for participants) is much like the fanfare seen at a NASCAR or Formula 1 event. The Spectators want autographs, pictures with the participants, and just to chat with a participant. Its a huge deal! A Team can have a bad day with missed turns, or mechanical issues, ...but to cross the finish line under their own power each day with thousands of spectators cheering you on just makes all your earlier struggles seemingly fade away.
I will close by saying this, ...I would not let a group of keyboard warriors (-that likely have never participated in this event!!) sway you from fulfilling your dream if it is something you want to do. Regarding what vehicle preparations and/or support would you need, I could write a book here and never cover it all. Again, find someone who is experienced where you can Mentor under them. I would be happy to chat with you by phone for a few minutes where I can answer a few of your specific questions and point you to previous competitors who have participated in similar vehicles. PM me if you need my phone number.
Good Luck!! (
To Finish is to Win!!)
