The Friday before the Great Race kicks off is always a busy day. We kick it off with a general meeting, which includes staff members, volunteers, drivers, navigators and support crews. Jeff Stumb gave everyone the rundown for the event, and then handed over the meeting to John Classen, the Director of Competition to start Rally School. From there, it was time for the Hagerty Trophy Run, which is a warm-up rally that gives racers and staff a practice run before the green flag drops on Saturday morning. The route took us through some beautiful scenery, but we did have to navigate some Southern California traffic before and after going on the clock for the timed portion of the course. Let’s take a look at today’s highlights and get ready for a big day tomorrow as we blast off from Mission Inn Avenue in downtown Riverside, California! We’ll bring you daily updates here, and you can also check our Instagram and Facebook page for even more coverage. Stay tuned!
Hot Pursuit!
X-Cup Trophy Run Winners, Team Grass Valley, CA
Rookie Trophy Run Winners, Bob Carter & Colin Balmforth
Sportsman Trophy Run Winners, Peter LaMountain & Bill Sacramone
Expert Trophy Run Winners, Steve, Janet and Allison Hedke
Overall (and Grand Champion) Trophy Run Winners, Dave Reeder & Sawyer Stone
Thanks for including me in the opening of the general meeting! “MotorMouth” was so pleased to even be a small part of Friday’s event. I will be following every posting, picture and story as this year’s event unfolds. Jason White will do a great job as announcer of what Tom McRae used to call the best circus in the world!
Congratulations to all for choosing to be a part of the Hemmings Motor News Great Race presented by Hagerty 2019.
Now, go out there and earn some Eckler Aces!
Go get ’em GR buds! Wish I could be with you this round, but I’ll see ya in Tacoma!
Hello John “The Bender” we will miss gou and your always entertaining, often funny and to the point blog. Hopefully we’ll see you next year? david and Peter “Team Phoenix”.
O no! I will miss “The Bender” blog. I liked reading it everyday! Great writer!
Is there any LIVE TV coverage of this event ? If so, what channel/s THANKS
I adore seeing all of the cool cars. What great photos and such a fantastic event! Huge congrats to my husband, Bob Carter, and his navigator, Colin Balmforth, for winning the First Place award in the Rookie division on Friday. Go, guys, go!!! xo
Just amazing! We sat on our front porch in Lancaster this afternoon and just watched them drive past on Avenue J. What a thrill! Thanks for stopping in the Antelope Valley on such a beautiful evening.
We’ll be following on facebook for more news and photos.
Thank you for visiting Bishop Cal!! Such a treat!