Peoria hosted nearly 100 antique rally car drivers, and several hundred spectators Monday at the Gateway Building. Peoria Public Radio’s Daryl Scott reports the 2013 Hemmings Great Race took their lunch stop on the riverfront.
Peoria Mayor Jim Ardis, and the Elite Pulses of Hope drumline welcomed the racers, including rookie Brad Epple, who says his first three days behind the wheel of his 1965 Corvette have gone without a hitch.
“We’re doing pretty good, keeping our times up and as of last night we were lead in the rookies. Number one rookies out of 30 some rookies, 31st out of 99 cars.”
Drivers and navigators compete in the annual road rally based on time and route precision rather than speed. Points are awarded to those who carefully follow written directions. Electronic navigation is prohibited. After a brief the Peoria lunch stop and chance to make minor repairs, drivers headed up Main Street on their way to an overnight stop in Hannibal, Missouri. The Great Race ends Sunday in Mobile Alabama.