As if you weren’t already excited enough about the 2015 Great Race along Route 66, we thought we would share these photos taken last week on the course from Kirkwood, Missouri, to Santa Monica., California. They were taken by Kay Soltesz, John Classen’s driver on his second of three trips along the route planning the course instructions. John, the Great Race’s Director of Competition for almost two and a half decades, will make his third trip in late May.

Enjoy the photos of the Painted Desert, London Bridge, Petrified Forest, the burros of Oatman, Roy’s Cafe in Amboy, the end of Route 66 sign at the Santa Monica Pier and much more. The Great Race will start in Kirkwood, Missouri, in less than 85 days. Are you ready?