SOUTHERN BELLS AND BELLY DANCERS… JUST ANOTHER DAY ON THE GREAT RACE

As the mid-way point of the 25th Anniversary of the Great Race approaches, the racers have several stories to tell and many fond memories to reminisce about. Concord, NC, started the race with an enthusiastic send off from 10,000 fans. The turnout in each town continues to be very high, with many towns closing their businesses and city streets upon our arrival. To date, the racers have driven 1,652 miles and stopped in twenty communities. After a few daily showers the racers hope to dry off as we head west. Their spirits are still very high in anticipation of what the next day will bring. www.greatrace.com

Hot meals, ice cold water, souvenirs, southern bells, cowboys and belly dancers is just a sampling of the southern hospitality we have received so far. The Great Racers seem to be eating themselves across the country; some of the favorites are barbequed ribs, seafood pasta, fried chicken and cherry cobbler.

John Classen, our Director of Competition, has done a great job designing the course. A two hour drive, ‘off the clock’, on the Blue Ridge Parkway was the first of many surprises on this year’s race. The beautiful scenery along with the cars at one minute intervals made the teams feel like it was just them and the open road.

In classic car racing attrition is a factor that must be taken into consideration. To date, only three cars have dropped out, which is a much lower average than normal. This year was also the first time every car made it to the finish line on the first day.

New this year is a point system that was designed to create more parity among the participants and so far it seems to be working. Currently, the team with the highest points is car #32, a 1932 Roadster driven by William Harper and navigated by Larry Blair, with 403 points. Not far behind them with 384 points is car #7, a 1966 Aston-Martin DB-6, driven by Jack Christensen and navigated by Rich McKone. After six days the point system has resulted in a different winner and leader in the veteran class each day, which means the $172,000 of cash and prizes is still up for grabs by any competitor.

First place in the rookie class are Pat and Ali Schulte, with a total of 166 points. 19 points behind them is car #70, driven by Terry Brinson and navigated by Bill Croker. The rookie class is competing for $83,000 in cash and prizes, but with only 18 rookie teams the odds of coming home with money are very good.

Special 25th Anniversary Promotion for Great Race 2008: North America
Enter next years Great Race for only $5,500 and save $1,000! Signup for Great Race 2008: North America during the 2007 Great American Race and your support crew package is free. A $1,000 value!

Great Race North America is the first leg of the around-the-world centennial celebration of the Great Race of 1908. It will feature some of the most scenic landscape in Canada, as we travel along Lake Superior, the prairies of Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta, before driving through majestic British Columbia and into picturesque Vancouver, BC, Canada. (Learn More)

Secure your place in this milestone event and receive an early entry discount too! Return your entry form with a $1,500 deposit by July 15, 2007 and save an additional $500 off the Standard package or $1,000 off our all-inclusive Signature package. The early discount will be applied to your entry fee if we receive full payment in our office by October 1, 2007. (Apply Here)

Don’t miss our Great American Race 2007 souvenirs at greatracestore.com.
So you can’t see the Great Race? Score some 25th Anniversary and ’32 Deuce souvenirs through greatracestore.com. Be one of the first to score your very own Great Race 25th Anniversary items! ALSO check out the special line of Ford Deuce items as Great Race helps celebrate the 75th Anniversary of the Deuce!

Be sure to check out today’s feature... Event tees!