 The
Great Race participants, both drivers, navigators and support crew come
to the Friday morning meeting to listen to the pros. In the center
are Dave and Jerry Pfitzinger support crew for John and Joe's Car 35 and
sitting right is John studiously reviewing navigational aids. Driver
Joe Odgers is taking the picture.
Today we got
down to business. The day started with a two-hour meeting.
Some technical dos and don'ts and a long explanation of the how one gets
around on the course. First part given by The Great Race Competition
Director, John Glassen. John went over some of the rules and regs
and in detail how to follow the step-by-step race directions that are the
key element without which nothing else would work. The second portion
addressed how to keep on time. This is really what this is all about.
The goal is to be exactly where you are supposed to be on the course at
any given second, based on the time you started. This was presented,
humorously by Wayne Stanfield, who is like the Babe Ruth of The Great Race.
He has been doing it longer than anyone and has won more top spots than
anyone as well.
So by midday
we were done and ready to get in our cars for the Trophy race. This
is an around this area rally that lasts for about 5 hours. John Horen
and I with start position 60 were off at one o'clock and finished up about
4:30. The Trophy run had 4 legs and our time. plus or minus for the
day's run totaled 47 seconds which put us in 7th place among all the Rookie
class but far below the top which was, of course, Wayne Stanfield with
total penalty points of 4 seconds.
I could talk
more about the trials but it is now late and I have to get up early for
the first real segment of the trip which will start at noon from Sunset
Station in San Antonio and finish the day in Houston. The crowds
will be there. The United States Navy Band will be there, as will
flags and confetti and all of the rest. I am excited. More
to come when I have a few minutes. |
