Great Race 2024

Owensboro, KY to Gardner, ME

The week started with our return from Nairobi. Our dear friends and fellow Great Racers Jean Ann and Gary Martin picked us up from the airport in Cincinnati (actually located in Kentucky). We enjoyed our time with them. We were with them Sunday and Monday night. I am not sure we were such great guests, we were definitely fighting jet lag.

Brad and Gary worked on the cars, and Jean Ann and I relaxed in anticipation of the race. We were ready to head to Owensboro. Tuesday morning all of us were antsy, and excited to make the two and a half hour drive from Shelbyville to Owensboro.

We pulled into Owensboro, and the venue looked familiar. We had spent a night during the 2021 Great Race in Owensboro.

Owensboro is the fourth largest city in Kentucky. It is known for being the home of the Blues Music Hall of Fame.

A few years back, they created a river walk which is phenomenal. It is beautiful with a little something for everyone. There are benches that double as swings to sit on while watching the sunrise or sunset. There are several stages for bands to play, and a huge playground for the children.

The Great Race planned different events from skeet shooting to bourbon tasting.

Friday we had our opening event meeting, and The Trophy Run. The Trophy Run is a half day rally that helps to shake off the cob webs. This year we rallied around the agricultural area south of Owensboro, and then back to the starting hotel.

In the evening, the race hosted a dinner for all of the racers and their crews. This year is the largest field of cars the event has ever had. There are 140 cars. All in, the group is close to 700 people.

While we were having dinner there were several bands playing on the river. After dinner we walked down the river walk, and enjoyed the music and people watching.

Thank you to Jean Ann, Gary, Bob and Ralph for getting us all safely to Owensboro.

Thanks to McCollister’s Transportation for sponsoring the rally. We feel privileged to be sponsored by and represent McCollister’s. We appreciate you transporting Jane safely to Kentucky.