A group of Alfred State automotive students will begin “The Great Race” in Springfield, IL. The team will travel from Illinois to Pasadena, CA during the nine-day event.
“The Great Race” is an antique, vintage, and collector car competitive controlled-speed endurance road rally on public highways featuring cars with model years before 1974. It is a test of driver/navigator team’s ability to follow precise course instructions and the cars and team’s ability to endure on a cross-country trip.
Led by Motorsports instructor and Great Race Alum Caryl Koch a team of five students, Calvin Braun (Pittsford, NY), Regan Clancy (Rochester, NY), Alex Emanuel (Lowman, NY), Aedan Kaake (Hyde Park, NY), and Jackson Santay (Henrietta, NY) will travel the route in a 1953 Dodge Power Wagon tow truck.
“We are doing 2,300 miles in this truck alone, not counting the drive back home,” commented Braun. “It will be an awesome trip. I am so excited to see the entire county and see how the truck does on the trip.”
He continued, “I’m fascinated by classic cars. They are the history and represent where we came from. This truck is like seventy-five years old; it needs constant work but it’s an honor to be the one maintaining it and making sure it still road worthy.”
Alfred State is part of the X-Cup Division of “The Great Race.” This division features high school and college aged student teams from across the nation. The RPM Foundation helps provide financial support to help with necessary expenses.
The race will travel along the famous Route 66. Starting in Illinois and driving through parts of Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and Nevada before finishing at City Hall in Pasadena, CA on June 28. For more information on the course or the event visit: www.greatrace.com.
Braun concluded, “Thank you to those that have supported us. It is going to a great cause. It’s a once-in a lifetime experience.”
Alfred State alumni and friends are encouraged to attend one of the lunch or overnight stops along the way. The alumni office will be hosting a free Great Race Meet and Greet at Dog Haus Biergarten in Pasadena between 4:30 – 6:30 PM on June 28. (Click to Register)