Many antique and vintage collector cars passed through Bristow as they made their way along the Great Race route early Monday afternoon. The Great Race is a multiday racing event won not by a team finishing first or attaining top speeds but through endurance of both team and vehicle, navigation, and clearing checkpoints by specified times as part of a cross-country race.
The Great Race takes place on public roads and highways, and all vehicles are required to travel at or below speed limits along the course. Entrants make up teams, each team consisting of one navigator and one driver, traveling in their competition vehicle. All vehicles entered in the Great Race must be antique, vintage, or collector cars made in or before 1974.
Occurring over several days, the Great Race began on Saturday, June 19th, in San Antonio, Texas. On day three of the race, teams began driving through Bristow at about 1 p.m. Monday afternoon. Racers had been scheduled to stop for lunch in Sapulpa at 12:15 after traveling through Bristow but met later given the race’s late start that morning. In fact, the Bristow community had gathered along Main Street at 10:30, eagerly awaiting the cars and racers, but the crowd dissipated as time passed without the cars’ arrival. Instead of the cars, the rain arrived, hurrying spectators back into their vehicles, businesses and homes. The community received another surprise a few hours later, when the teams traveled north on Chestnut rather than Main Street. Nonetheless, intrigued residents managed to find places to gather and greet the racing teams.
Indeed, Bristow residents stood or parked along Highway 48 south of town and along Chestnut, and youngsters gathered in small groups on bicycles to get a glimpse of the cars and take some fun photos and videos. The spectators waved and cheered the racers, and the racing teams blew their horns and waved back at the excited onlookers. Everyone appeared to enjoy themselves despite the rain. The Great Race will continue east throughout the week. On its final day, Sunday, June 27, the Great Race will end in Greenville, South Carolina. For more information, please check out the Great Race Face
For more information, please check out the Great Race Facebook page or visit their website: www.greatrace.com.