Saving The Best For Last

I have shared with you our “travels with Jane”, I have mentioned and said thanks to numerous individuals and families along the way.

I’m saving the biggest “helper/teacher/friend for his own special space.

None of this could have happened if not for the guidance and mentorship of 3 times Great Race and only back to back to back Grand Champions, Barry and Irene Jason.

We lost Irene in 2021 to a valiant battle to cancer. We miss her dearly. Every morning before we head out to the course, we say a prayer and give thanks to Irene for her deep spiritual faith and unyielding confidence in us.

Barry Jason has tutored us since we were assigned to him our rookie year in 2014. Brad’s dad always said “If you want to get good at something, learn from the best, no matter the sacrifice!”

In our case, the sacrifice has been all Barry’s and the pleasure is all ours. Without his deep commitment to us, we would have never even done race 2 much less race 10.

From the beginning, we were so “rally lame” that we often said, it’s easier for Barry to win a Great Race than to teach us the fine points of rallying.

Barry is a tall, quiet man. Born and raised in Ohio, Stanford genius and Texas transplant. Barry has numerous patents to his credit, he actually even penned the patents. His patented digital inverters have provided power at the International Space Station etc….he’s truly “rocket scientist” smart.

Barry’s patience is unmatched. Brad and I have the honor of calling Barry a friend. He opens his home to us 3-4 times a year to prepare us for the following year’s event.

He helped us build an exact replica of his championship winning1966 Red Mustang (Hanna) so we could practice in what we drive at Great Race. Every type of car accelerates, brakes, and handles differently. Barry’s suggestion of building a twin to Hannah has been priceless. Between visits, Brad & I speak to him throughout the year going over details for Jane and all the “don’t forgets” that are so easily overlooked but make all the difference in the world.

Barry has spent 100’s of hours shoehorned into the back seat of Hanna as he coaches us on all things Great Race. Where to look, what to say, when to hydrate, when to get out and stretch….every little thing.

Think famous UCLA Basketball Coach John Wooden’s 10 NCAA Championships (including 7 in a row) teaching his players how to put on their socks. Every detail painstakingly taught and retaught.

That’s what Barry has taught us.

Every night, after we get off the race course, Barry goes over the hard instructions or maneuvers (such as time delays)  to help us prepare to do better the next day.

We send our daily score sheets to Barry daily…..full of pride when we “get it right”, full of embarrassment and a healthy bit of shame when the scores aren’t up to our training.

Together with his yellow lab, Buddy, Barry and Buddy have made our visits to his home in Texas a very special part of our lives. Babe’s chicken, Chef Point, “the Mediterranean place” are some of our favorite eateries when we visit. We are always sorry that Buddy has to wait patiently at home while we spend the day in mock rallies outside of Fort Worth.

Who knew when we started this “bucket list” event that we would have the honor and pleasure of being taken under the wing of someone so special.

When people ask what’s so special about the Great Race, it’s simple. It’s the people.

Barry, to you we send our biggest “thanks’ and hugs of gratitude.

Great Race Forever!