4 minute read
Road Rumblings
Hot Rodders Win The GREAT RACE!
This is pretty cool! Sisters Olivia and Genna Gentry won the 2021 Great Race following a nine-day, 2,300-mile journey across 18 cities and eight states. The Newnan, Georgia-based sisters piloted a 1932 Ford 5-Window Coupe to the finish line, winning the Grand Championship and a $50,000 purse. Olivia Gentry, 20, was the driver while her younger sister Genna Gentry, 18, navigated. After finishing in seventh place overall in 2019, the sisters are Grand Champions for the first time after four years of competing, making history as the youngest team to ever win the race. The competition is a time-distance rally that pits teams against each other and the clock in classic cars as they attempt to make perfect time on each cross-country leg without the assistance of modern electronics or navigation aids of any kind, just a map and stopwatches. “We are thrilled that the Gentry sisters won the race after several impressive showings over the past few years,” said Wade Kawasaki, president and CEO of Legendary Companies which owns the Great Race as well as sponsors Coker Tire, Wheel Vintiques and Paragon Corvette. “These young ladies and their beautiful ‘32 Ford have shown that the spirit of competition, a drive to compete and excellent math and navigational skills live on in the youngest generation. We are all proud of their win.” The Gentry’s No. 65 1932 Ford 5-Window Coupe is powered by an original style 21stud Flathead V8 engine with a 3-speed transmission and drives on Coker Tire produced BFG Silvertown whitewalls.
GREAT NEWS!! THE POMONA SWAP MEET IS COMING BACK ON SUNDAY, AUGUST 15TH... Spread the word! The West Coast's Largest Pomona Swap Meet & Classic Car Show is back... and with 15 miles of classic cars and parts, we've got something for everyone! We are excited to announce that we're finally able to reopen our business. We can't thank you enough for your loyalty and support over the past year and really appreciate your patience and understanding. This has been a difficult time for all and I hope you're ready to get back to Swappin'. Bring your cars, trucks, wagons, families and friends and please come help us celebrate the return of a Southern California Classic. Visit https://pomonaswapmeet.us6.list-manage.com for more info.
U.S. Congress Introduces Resolution Recognizing July 9th as “Collector Car Appreciation Day”
The U.S. House of Representatives introduced House Resolution 491 (H. Res. 491) at the request of the SEMA Action Network (SAN) recognizing July 9, 2021 as “Collector Car Appreciation Day (CCAD).” The date marks the 12th commemoration of what has become an annual event to celebrate and raise awareness of the vital role automotive restoration and collection plays in American society.
The resolution was introduced by the House co-chairs of the SEMA-supported Congressional Automotive Performance and Motorsports Caucus, Rep. Bill Posey (R-FL) and Rep. Sanford Bishop (D-GA). These Congressional leaders are strong advocates for the automotive hobby in Washington, D.C. The Caucus is an informal, nonpartisan member organization that pays tribute to America’s ever-growing love affair with the car and motorsports.
If you or someone you know is hosting a vehicle-related gathering in July—whether public or private—submit the details on the SAN website if you haven't done so already! Those planning to celebrate with a virtual gathering (online event, livestream, digital gallery, etc.) are welcome to provide details for official inclusion.
You Can Help Honor Our Automotive Holiday
Use the following SAN website link for details. Please spread the word to others!
Hagerty has acquired the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance, the company announced. The move follows Hagerty’s recent acquisitions of other automotive events, including the Concours d’Elegance of America, the California Mille and the Greenwich Concours d’Elegance. “Our objective is to knit the enthusiast community together in a way that supports and protects the future of car culture,” said McKeel Hagerty, CEO of Hagerty. “Amelia Island is synonymous with concours and motorsports heritage due to the steadfast efforts of Bill Warner and his team. We are incredibly proud to have the opportunity to build upon and scale Bill’s vision.” Warner, who founded the concours in 1996, will remain as Chairman Emeritus. Hagerty will work with the concours’ existing operational team to expand the annual event. “When I founded the concours I wanted to infuse the calm, traditional concours environment with the energy of motorsports. We achieved that and raised more than $4 million for charity along the way,” said Warner. “In Hagerty, we have a passionate and highlyskilled team that will bring these themes to a larger audience.” The 27th annual Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance will take place March 3-6, 2022. The 2022 field will host more than 250 significant classic, historically relevant vehicles, organizers said.
