In the quiet of a small waiting area at Gainesville Airport…there are a total of 3 gates, I start to unwind and reflect on yet another successful Great Race experience. While excited at the thought of going home to Ottawa to be with family once again and to celebrate Canada Day, it is not without a rush og appreciation for all that I got to do and see over the past twelve days. After doing this for nineteen years one has to appreciate that over those years, another family plays an important role in my life as well. That indeed is the Great Race family. From the Cokers, Sister McRae, all the staff, the volunteers, the participants…you get the idea, there’s a huge network out there with whom I get to share excitement, challenges and camaraderie.
Each year seems better than the last! With a fabulous start city, through several excellent lunch and dinner stops each day has brought its own level of excitement. Amongst my favorites this year…. Downtown Lowell, Poughkeepsie, NY, Millsboro, DE, New Bern, NC, Clinton NC ,and Mount Pleasant, SC. Needless to say, the Finish is always special and the Villages was no exception…long after the banquet was completed and long after I was back to my hotel…the ring of whistles blasting welcome to the teams was still buzzing in my ears.
Suffice to say…another great year with another group of Great Racers!\
Long live the Great Race!
Now come US Air…take me home!
U r the best! Brian thanks for all u have done u r a very kind person to all. love the sharps
I sure did miss this years Great Race… but checked the web page daily and sometimes more! YOU do make this event special ALONG with all the the others involved. Looking forward to being part of it again (I HOPE).
Thanks for all you do for the racers. Hearing you announce us gives us a special boost to go that much harder in the race.
Brian, You are so much a part of the fabric that makes the Great Race the spectacle that it is. Even in the years that I haven’t been able to share in person, I can go to YouTube, pull up someone’s video of the finish (or start) (or lunch stop) and the sound of Motormouth takes me back to the excitement. Please don’t ever quit. We love you!
“Motormouth”, you made the event much better than I was expecting. You know what you’re talking about, and you don’t assume, like so many other announcers seem to, that we actually know all there is to know about the event. This was our first year attending the Great Race (East Stroudsburg and Valley Forge – I was the big guy in the yellow “Corvair” t-shirt). Having an M.C. such as yourself who seemed to know a little something about each and every entrant and their rides helped me come away from it feeling like I was a part of it and not just a spectator. Thank you, Brian. Thanks to you, my wife and I are now seriously thinking about putting an effort toward entering next year!
Brian Goudge aka; Motormouth, The Stahl family has roots not only in Ottawa, where you are from, but Kitchner and Amherstburg Ontario. We have enjoyed not only your hospitality, but also admire your hard work, dedication ,and enthusiasm you have for the great race! It takes a special personality to do what you do! We really look forward to coming into the lunch stops, just to hear the excitement in your voice, announcing all the cars coming in. Looking forward to next year, and spending more time with you! Love the Stahl Family
Motormouth, You do such a great job and add so much to the finish line every day!
Thank you, and all the great staff and support folks, who do so much so well. Your hard work and dedication to enable us to get to do this is amazing! I feel lucky and blessed to meet and get to know all,as well as fellow racers. What a group!
Big 10-Q 2 U! (that’s textese for “Thanks, Motormouth”).
One more for the record books!
j ‘never say die’ c
Brian, Thanks for being such a big part of our 1st Great Race experience. We’ll be looking forward to seeing you at the next one!
Ken & Lauren
1965 Ford Ranchero
Thank you for selecting Clinton, NC as one of your favorite “lunch stop” this year.
We enjoyed having you here. It was a GREAT day!
Vickie Crane, Director
Sampson County Convention & Visitors Bureau
Cheers to all and a hearty, “Thank You” for all of the kind words. The Hemmings Motor News Great Race presented by Hagerty while a huge challenge is made so pleasurable by those who participate! See you next year!
“MotorMouth”