By MIKE COURSON
Great Bend Post
The Indianapolis 500 gained fame, in part, because of its 500 miles of racing. That pales in comparison to the Great Race that will make a pit stop in Great Bend next Friday, June 30. Many vintage cars will make the stop on the back end of their 2,300-mile race across half the country. Great Bend Convention and Visitors Bureau Director Christina Hayes is excited to welcome them in.
"We are one of several stops going all the way from St. Augustine, Fla. all the way to Colorado Springs," she said. "We will be busy from noon to about 3:35, so that is the time they will consistently be coming in. The cars will come in and will cycle through, and they'll be able to enjoy our park and our zoo for a little while. They'll have lunch. It'll be a great time."
In the Great Race, drivers must follow traffic rules as they navigate between 220-250 specific instructions each day, including exact turns, speed changes, and stops each team must take. GPS is not allowed, and odometers are taped over. Older cars are rewarded with higher points. Last year, 167 racers competed in the Great Race, driving everything from a 1916 Hudson Hill Climber, to a 1934 Ford Indy Racer, to a 1966 Aston Martin. The grand prize for this year's race is $50,000, with nearly $159,000 in total prizes being awarded.
The Great Bend stop is made possible due to many in the community.
"I do want to say special thanks to the Great Bend CVB, and the Shifters and the Vintage Wheel Car Clubs," Hayes said. "That's who really came to the table and decided to help organize this and bring this to Great Bend. But we also have some really fantastic sponsors that came to the table so we were able to provide these drivers with a lunch and a great experience while they're here."
The public is invited to check out the cars and chat with the drivers as they pass through between noon and 3:45 p.m. that Friday at Brit Spaugh Park. Vendors will be available for those wishing to purchase lunch.