By Marilyn Miller
Back in 1965, a movie came out called “The Great Race,” starring Jack Lemmon, Tony Curtis, and Natalie Wood. The storyline followed a couple of daredevils at the turn of the 20th Century, one who dares the other to race from New York City to Paris, France and back. Of course, one daredevil was a bad guy (Jack Lemmon) and Tony Curtis was the good guy. Natalie Wood is, of course, the competitor who they both want.
Predictably the good guy wins and gets the girl. Of course, it’s a slapstick comedy featuring the greatest pie-throwing scene ever made, so what can you expect?
Kary and Sharon Bryce of Dubberly have their own “Great Race” going. But the course is St. Paul, MN to Irmo, SC. There are more than 120 competitors in their race, as compared to seven in the 1965 movie. And the terrain does not include the Atlantic Ocean…although the Smoky Mountains might throw in quite a challenge.
Asked if the Bryces had to qualify for the Hemmings Great Race presented by Coker Tire, Kary replied, “Well, that’s a yes or a no.”
“I’ve been wanting to participate for six or seven years, that’s how long I’ve been trying to get on the waiting list. Then we were on the waiting list for three years before we were selected.”
So, on Monday, the couple trailered up their 1966 Corvette Stingray and headed for St. Paul, along with their pit crew team of Ray Bell and Andrew Ditz. Sadly, the pit crew will only be used for special occasions. The Bryces must rely on The Great Race’s entourage of more than 500 people to get the job done for them. Hopefully, there will be no need.
What makes this race of 2,300 miles a lot different from most races?
“This traveling time/speed/distance rally isn’t just a casual back road cruise,” explained Jeff Stumb, Great Race director. “There is a strict set of rules to keep competition tight. The vehicles, each with a driver and a navigator, are given precise instructions each day that detail every move down to the second.”
The vehicles are scored at secret checkpoints along the route and are penalized for arriving at the checkpoints early or late. There are no digital instruments (phones, etc.) or maps allowed in the race. As in golf, the lowest score wins. The overall winner, among five classes, takes home $50,000.
The annual rally features a different route each year offering a rare opportunity for residents of surrounding communities to see the spectacular cars and meet drivers from all over the world,” Jeff Stumb said.
Sharon will be driving the course, while Kary will handle the navigating.
“I just thought that this was something she and I could do together,” Kary said. “I just said, ‘Let’s do it,’ and she said, ‘Okay.’ Since we are using her car (the Stingray), she is driving. She has already driven the Stingray six or seven thousand miles.
“Thirty minutes before you leave each morning, you are given a direction sheet. Every single morning, you have to recalibrate,” Kary explained. “You do get a lunch break. And then at the end of the day of racing, you park your car. It’s a good economic stimulus for the towns.”
The event features 17 city stops, starting in St. Paul, MN on Saturday, June 21 and ending in Inmo, SC on June 29. The Bryces will spend this week in St. Paul in schooling and training classes..
“They (the Race) bring a lot to the communities,” Kary agreed.
So how did the Bryces learn the “ins and outs” of this race that relies so much on syncing?
“We had mentors from New Braunfels, Texas,” Kary said. “They have a 1929 Model A and 21 years of experience. So, we trained under them. They are in the race again this year and they are in it to win it!”
Teams from many foreign countries “and every corner of the United States participate in the annual event,” Stumb said. “Cars, trucks and motorcycles built in 1974 and earlier are eligible to compete, and the scoring system features an age (of vehicle) factor to keep the earlier cars competitive.” The oldest cars scheduled to be in the 2025 Great Race are a 1913 Chevrolet, a 1916 Hudson, and a 1918 American LaFrance.
“It’s been a blast so far,” Kary said, “Yeah, it’s a RACE, but if your neighbor breaks down, you go help ‘em.”
“It’s also intense,” said the owner of Preferred Materials, Inc. and Bryce Transport in Sibley. Sharon worked for the Webster Parish Sheriff’s Office for 28 years before retiring two years ago. “Some people say they would never do it again, while others (like our mentors) have been participating for 20 years.”
What do the Bryces think about their chances for a win? “We’re in it to have fun and to finish it,” Kary said. “A finish is a win.”
The event’s main sponsors are Hemmings, Coker Tire, McCollister’s Auto Transport, Hagerty Driver’s Club and Samuel Smith Old Brewery.
