Sitting quietly at Detroit Airport is so different from what I’ve lived for the last 11 days! What a rush yesterday provided with a noon stop at Ypsilanti, Michigan, followed by a tremendous finish line at The Henry Ford. What a complex! What a crowd! Every team was welcomed with enthusiasm and loud applause. It was a quick turn around as we prepared for the Awards banquet. It was held in the grand salon of the Henry Ford Museum in the midst of an unbelievable display called Driving America. It is definitely a “must return” location with all there is to see! Congratulations to all who participated, racers, support staff and Great Race staff. As I grow older, I truly understand the meaning of, “To finish is to win”!
Champions crowned, awards presented, thanks and recognitions completed, I returned to the hotel having to struggle with what to pack…what to leave behind. I always end up with more than I started with!
And now the lonely departure… I’ll do one final blog once I arrive home and have some time to reflect.
My first thoughts this morning were about Minneapolis-St. Paul…100,000 people to send us off on Great Race 2013. What a rush that will be!
I WOULD LIKE TO PERSONALLY THANK ALL THE STAFF THAT MADE THIS YEARS GREATRACE A SAFE AND FANTASTIC ADVENTURE FOR MY FATHER AND SON. SPECIAL THANKS TO CORKY FOR CARRYING ON THE TRADITION SET SO MANY YEARS AGO. AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST CONGRATS TO J&S HUDSON IN THE STOVEBOLT #60, GREAT JOB!
I thoroughly enjoy the Hudsons and look forward each day to bringing them into the gate! Congratulations to the Stovebolt 6 Team on their success this year! It’s neat to see the Grandfather/Grandson team do so well! it’s also neat to see Scott grow and mature each passing year! I think that John and I are about the same vintage… we must be maturing as well!
Cheers!
MotorMouth
Thanks so much for everything Brian (Motormouth), We had a blast, and it was really nice to have another Canadian along for the ride, especially on Canada day. Trying to talk Duncan into next year, might just have to wait a bit, we,like everyone else are really tired. Take care, safe flight home , Cheers, the Tillys
It was a treat to bring you into the gate each day; so enjoyed meeting you and sharing some bonus time together in Buffalo, NY. I hope that you continue to enjoy the good life on Manitoulin Island!
Cheers!
Brian
It was a treat for us to have you and Corky bring us in, all of a sudden the whole long day went away, and we became instant celebrities!
Who won???
Everyone who finished is a winner… Our motto at Great Race is, “To finish is to win”! There will be a press relaease identifying all of the class winners. The Grand Champions are Irene & Barry Jason of Keller Texas, driving a 1935 Ford Five Window Coupe…$25,000 + the most Best Home Furnishings Ace Awards ($1000) makes for a good week’s work!
i
I too, would like to thank everyone involved with the Great Race, Well done and very much appreciated alll your hard work (and we know you worked hard), Thanks again, The Tillys, until next year.
Thanks Brian (motormouth) Corky and everyone else involved in the Great Race for a wonderful time.Even though I was only on the support team for car #17 (the silver bullet) I think it was a first class event.I met a lot of very nice people and think it was an honor to be involved.We left Dearborn 5 am on Monday and were back home in western Nebraska about 1am Tues. morning.Hope to see you all again soon and keep in mind our local rally (The Sugar Valley Rally)it would be cool to see you there.Thank all again.See you all soon,and be safe,Scott.
My Great Race Gate Partner, the amazing Brian Goudge! You are awesome! I enjoyed being with you my friend!
Corky
Thanks Corky! It is always an exciting time when the “Frick & Frack” of Great Race entertainment get on the microphones together!
“MotorMouth”