Stage 2 of the 2023 Hemmings Motor News Great Race presented by Hagerty picked up where we left off in Tifton, Georgia. We had a later start than usual, mostly because of the change to the Central Time Zone, as we cross into Alabama so that made for leisurely morning, before hitting the road for a lengthy speedometer calibration run. Racers took the to the course, which saw many more twists, turns and hills than we saw on yesterday’s route. The rural setting led us through neat old towns like Plains, Georgia, and we hopped on the highway to cross the state line into Alabama. We stopped in Auburn, Alabama for our hosted lunch stop, and it was incredible. Great Race Director, Jeff Stumb is an Auburn University graduate, and a huge fan of the Auburn Tigers, so it was fitting that we stopped at Toomer’s Corner at the intersection of College Street and Magnolia Avenue. A great turnout of folks joined us to welcome the racers into town. From there, we jumped back on the route for a long afternoon run through the back roads of Alabama, leading to our evening stop in Birmingham, Alabama. With storm clouds on the horizon, the daily winners were announced and it was Chad and Jennie Caldwell in their 1931 Auburn, putting together an awesome score of 4.83 seconds. The top 8 finishers of Stage 2 had single-digit scores, making for a tight race so far. Tomorrow, we continue heading in a Northwest trajectory, but we can expect more hot temperatures and high humidity as we make our way into Memphis.
LOVE the pictures. Great job. I love the way you find backgrounds of vintage signs; old stores; etc to add to the beauty of the card
Chad and Jenny, congratulations on a great day. Seems fitting that an Auburn Boattail with 2 great competitors won the day through Auburn, AL. Hope you and the family enjoyed some cold Cheerwine at the end of the day.
Great to see all of the cars in Birmingham last night. Congratulations to the stage winners.
Thank you for sharing! go #157
Our Young generations excited about this race!!
Team 157! Go Mister Wheeler and kids!
Great photos… Keep it up…
Looking forward to seeing the cars in Tupelo, MS today at Veterans Park , safe travels for everyone on the trip from Birmingham this morning.
Help me understand how this “race” is calculated. It seems to me it’s more of a rally than a race. Our we measuring time vs distance somehow? I don’t see that speed is being used and I guess the speed limits are being exercised. I think I read the cost is $6500.00 per car or is it per person? How does this breakdown in this amount for gas, food, lodging, etc..? I’d like to do this in my 70 Porsche car next year perhaps. A different route each year, I guess. Eureka Springs is a great place; we go there in November with the Porsche Palooza gang. I used to live in Great Bend, Ks also. From the Denver area so know the Springs well too! Thanks for your response in advance.
It’s a TSD Rallye (time/speed/distance). You get your instructions 30 min before you start and you have to calculate your starting time based on a number you get the night before. You start on that time with a speed you are given and for how long you are supposed to drive at that speed, making turns, hitting SS, TL, etc. You get speed changes along the way and have to adjust accordingly. Your goal is to start, follow Rallye instructions to the next check point (some seen, some hidden) exactly as planned. There usually 5 check points through the day. We did our first one last year in a 51 Plymouth. 2300 miles in 9 days. Sounds simple but it’s not. But we will do it again. Go for it.
Thanks to everyone involved with The Great Race !
The lunch stop in Auburn,Alabama was phenomenal..
We loved every minute 👀
Congratulations to Chad and Jennie!!!
I was able this past week to see all of the excitement in St.Augustine,Fl. Lots of cool people in really cool rides !
Between North Little Rock and Russellville is a car museum atop Petit Jean mountain on the South side overlooking the Arkansas river. It would make a great waypoint along your afternoon route for Tuesday.
As my husband and I were coming home Sunday, we kept meeting the cars of the Great Race. When we got to our drive, we stopped and waited to see if more would go by. WOW, they just kept coming! From our driveway, you cannot see any houses, not even our own home. As the cars topped the little hill, they may have been surprised to see two retirees beside the road, waving at them and getting their pictures in what looked like the middle of nowhere. They were great!!! We loved the waves and honking horns and of course the vehicles! It could only have been better if we had our grandkids there enjoying it with us. Thanks for making our day!
As my husband and I were coming home Sunday, we kept meeting the cars of the Great Race. When we got to our drive, we stopped and waited to see if more would go by. WOW, they just kept coming! As the cars topped the little hill with no homes in view, they may have been surprised to see two retirees beside the road, waving at them and taking their pictures in what looked like the middle of nowhere. They were great!!! We loved the friendly waves, the honking horns and of course the vehicles! It could only have been better if our grandkids had been with us to enjoy it too! Thanks for making our day! Safe travels to all!
My husband and I were traveling from GA to (and through) Birmingham on the same day and following some of the same route. It was cool to see all the cars and it looked like everyone was having a great time! You gained some new fans!
When will you be listing the stopping points or towns for the Great Race 2024?
My particular interest would be for location in Pennsylvania.
Thank you and have a Great Race.