2000 Newsroom Archive

Spectacular Great Race Finish

Sacramento, California, June 25, 2000 - More than 15,000 spectators poured onto the streets of Capitol Mall in downtown Sacramento yesterday afternoon to enjoy and witness the finish line of The Great Race, a historical automobile rally, featuring more than 100 automobiles of every shape and size. Contestants of 18th annual running of The Great Race traveled more than 4,000 miles from Boston, Massachusetts, to Sacramento, California, all in less than two weeks.

First-place Pro Division winners were Dick Burdick from San Marcos, Texas, and Wayne Bell from Winter Springs, Fla. operated a 1916 Hudson Speedster. Dave Reeder from Fort Smith, Ark., and Jack Christensen from Northbrook, placed first in the Expert Division, racing a 1934 Ford Cabriolet.

In the Sportsman Division, Billy Cothern from Norcross, Ga., and John Williamson from Tarrytown, Ga., won driving a 1929 Ford Model A Speedster. In the Rookie Division, Steve and Janet Hedke from Saugus won in their 1957 Triumph TR3,

Brendan Cooke, a Sacramento businessman and resident who has entered his 1959 Morgan sports convertible in The Great Race, placed fifth in the Rookie Division. Cooke's 1959 Morgan was appropriately named the "Spirit of Sacramento." His Great Race entry had sat decaying in a barn in the United Kingdom for decades before he brought it to Sacramento and fully restored the vehicle to its original specifications.

The 150th Anniversary Office of the City of Sacramento, Sacramento Convention and Visitors Bureau, and the Downtown Sacramento Partnership sponsored the event.

Dozens of local businesses partnered with the City of Sacramento, including the History Channel, Verizon Wireless, CarQuest, Comcast, Onemain.com, Hertz Equipment Rental, and Alcalay Communications.

For more information, visit The Great Race web site at www.greatrace.com., or the City of Sacramento 150th Anniversary web site at www.cityofsacramento.org.