It's been 4 years since The Great American Race came through our area. The organizers & participants had previously voted Germantown their favorite overnight stop in 2003 and chose to return to the Municipal Center with the 2007 edition. This event is centered around driving so it's quite an adventure for the participants. It's a 2 week sojourn through America that takes the participants from east coast to west coast in stages of about 300 miles per day. It also features some very unique vehicles, so there is going to be something you haven't seen before at each stop.

To be honest, I can't begin to figure out what criteria is used to decide which cars are eligible for entry into The Great Race. You're apt to see most anything in this event from vintage stockers that date back to the dawn of the automobile, to one-off creations that were originally meant to be raced, to somewhat more familiar cars from the 50's & 60's. Some of the cars are as close to stock as can be and still be driven across the country, while others are obviously modified, and still others are unabashed hot rods. Ostensibly, the cars are pre-1969. Yet two of the more unusual creations entered this year appeared to defy classification. One was the chopped 1964 Peterbuilt truck done as a hot rod with 6 four barrel carburetors mounted to a 12 cylinder tank engine. Another was a 2003 Corvette with custom bodywork that emulated an early production Vette from 1953. Both were interesting vehicles, but seemed completely out of place among the genuine restorations and old style hot rods.

Perhaps the biggest requirement for participation is a willingness to fork over the substantial entry fee to participate. However, there is apparently an equally substantial amount of prize money distributed among the participants. There is also much effort given to raising funds for designated beneficiary organizations such as the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Next year will be the centennial anniversary of the events namesake, and those that are willing to stay at it for 3 months, will find themselves traveling from New York to Paris via China. No doubt an adventure to remember!

Several MCCC members attended the Great Race stop over in Germantown, and Jim Solley managed to power park in the car show that accompanied the event. Also seen on hand as spectators were MCCC members Jim Cohen, Larry & Shirley Chambers, Louis Kimery, and Greg & Mia Friend. Many choice local cars were available for interested spectators to survey and a few were rarely (or never before) seen vehicles that were just as unforgettable as the cars involved in the cross country journey. A fairly comprehensive collection of photos from the Germantown stop of The Great Race can be seen here in our photo gallery.

Also occurring simultaneously on this July 4th eve, was the Bartlett TN fireworks display which featured an impromptu car club display in a parking lot adjacent to the launch site of the show. All reports are that these were the best seats "in the house". The weather was a bit dicey during the early part of the evening, with a couple of brief and very wet rain showers, but all was clear by the time the explosives were lit. Among the MCCC members attending the Bartlett tradition were Larry and Michelle Abramson, Danny & Ginger Ford, Gary Gallimore, Mark, Andrea, Nicholas, & Jordan Gallimore, James & Lisa Hicks, Ronny & Teri Hodnett, Jack Mabry, T. K. Thompson and his friend Linda, Frank Trafford, Dennis & Emily Elliott, and Dave & Floy West. Greg & Mia Friend took the Concord and managed to attend both the Great Race & the Fireworks show. Very cosmopolitan!

LK