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rockford illinois entertainment guide
Date: 06/17/2005
Rockford Welcomes "The Great Race"
by Press Release

Rockford will be one of approximately 44 cities in the US who will host The Great Race, presented by the National Guard.  Last seen in Rockford in 1994, the Great Race is a "uniquely American event", according to Wayne Stansfield, Chief Operating Officer for Rally Partners, Inc., the owners of the event.  "It brings the spirit of adventure and independence to life every summer."

 

Rockford will host The Great Race on Thursday, June 30th, at Downtown Davis Park.  Racers will arrive every 60 seconds, beginning at 12:10 p.m., each stay for lunch for 60 minutes, and then leave in a similar manner. 

 

"The City of Rockford is excited to host The Great Race on June 30th", according to Mayor Morrissey. "We welcome visitors from near and far to come and see the wonderful automobiles and experience the many attractions of downtown Rockford."

 

The Great Race participants actually take a vote on who provides the best hospitality and attendance.  We are encouraging people to come down to Davis Park on June 30th to show just how special a Rockford welcome can be!

 

Rockford will also be hosting The Great Race Regional Car Show in downtown on June 30th from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Jack Cadwell, veteran car show promoter, expects to draw hundreds of cars from a wide radius.  Trophies will be awarded in the categories of top 40 cars, Best of Show, Best Ford, Best GM, Best Mopar, and Best AMC.  For more information on The Great Race Regional Show and registration, contact Jack Cadwell at 494-0018.

 

What is The Great Race?  It is the world's oldest, most prestigious, cross-country vintage automobile event.  It is actually a timed endurance rally-race with a twist.  No electronic devices of any sort are allowed in the car in keeping with the vintage theme.  The field of old cars will stretch for more than one hundred miles as it crosses Illinois.

 

You'll see early V-8 Fords, vintage Corvettes and Chevrolets, and other classic cars more suited to a museum.  Cars must be vintage autos, manufactured at least 45 years ago.  In 22 years The Great Race cars have logged nearly 6,000,000 vehicle miles.

 

For a more complete list of cars and teams, other stops, or the race in general, go to www.greatrace.com.

DETAILS AT A GLANCE:

 

WHAT: The 23rd annual transcontinental rally race with up to 120 pre-1960 vehicles.  The race echoes the times/speed/distance rallies made popular in the 30's.

 

WHEN: Rockford will host the Great Racers for lunch on Thursday, June 30th.

WHERE: Davis Park, Downtown Rockford, from 12:00 to 3:00 p.m. 

The Great Race Regional Car Show will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

The Great Race itself starts at the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington, D.C., on June 25th, and will finish in Tacoma, WA., on July 9.  The Great Race will be a 4,000 mile odyssey featuring the most beautiful back roads in America.  Fans along the way enjoy an up-close and personal view of the vintage machines.

 

THE CAR SHOW: The Great Race Regional Car Show will be held on Thursday, June 30th, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.  Jack Cadwell, veteran car show promoter, expects to draw hundreds of cars from a wide radius.  Trophies will be awarded in the categories of top 40 cars, Best of Show, Best Ford, Best GM, Best Mopar, and best AMC. For more information on The Great Race Regional Show and registration, contact Jack Cadwell at 494-0018.

 

PARTNERS:  Rockford Welcomes The Great Race is made possible with assistance from:  The City of Rockford, Centre Events, Rockford Park District, Rockford Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, Rockford Speedway, On The Waterfront, 4th of July, Jack Cadwell Productions, 3D Sound Co., and the Arthritis Foundation.

 

MORE ABOUT THE GREAT RACE:

 

THE GREAT RACE CARS: The Great Race cars encompass a $4 million collection of vintage cars including a 1917 Hudson Indy car, 1934 Ford Indy car, 1928 Willys-Knight, 1953 Chevrolet Corvette, and a 1925 Rolls Royce.  Cars must be at least 45 years old, and some were manufactured as far back as 95 years ago.

 

ENTRANTS:  Participants have ranged from a professional comedian to a plumber, from a housewife to a scientist. 

 

HISTORY: Great Racers have logged more than 6,000,000 vintage miles in 22 years.  More than 300,000 spectators attend the Great Race stops each year to cheer for the adventurers.  The total cash and prizes awarded to date exceed $4,000,000. 

 

WHO QUALIFIES: All cars manufactured in 1960 or earlier, and any car with the running gear which consists of parts manufactured in 1960 or earlier.  Certain modifications are allowed.

 

OWNERS: Rally Partners, Inc., which consists of eleven competitors and business owners who are committed to maintaining the integrity of the event, while bringing it to a higher level of public interest and competition.

For more information:

Cynthia Powers Hall
425 E. State Street
815-987-5546
cyndie.hall@ci.rockford.il.us




 

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