Mary and I are very excited to finally be on the way to the Great Race 2018. This year we have many family members joining us, and have six cars participating for Team Stahls. It’s hard to believe that this is the 8th time we are participating in this 9-day, 2,000-mile antique car rally. Keep in mind that the Great Race is not really a “race.” It’s a precision-timed road-rally driven by teams of two in classic cars. It requires a lot of tricky navigation and precision driving on two-lane scenic roads that wind through small towns and picturesque cities along the route. This year we will start in downtown Buffalo, along the shoreline of Lake Erie. We will end up “across the border” as the rally ends in Nova Scotia, Canada on July 1st. Hopefully all Spirit of Stahls’ teams will cross the finish line in beautiful downtown Halifax, right on the harbor. We’re not there yet but many Great Racers have already arrived in Buffalo. There are pre-race activities on Tuesday and Wednesday, June 19 and 20th. This includes a special cookout at the Pierce Arrow Museum Annex on Wednesday evening. Activities continue on Thursday, June 21, with registration and technical inspection and a special side trip to Niagara Falls. Friday’s events include the general meeting, rally school and the Trophy Run practice rally. On Friday evening, there’s the traditional opening banquet, which will take place at the Pierce Arrow Museum. We can’t wait to see the museum and the Frank Lloyd Wright gas station that is right next door. We’re sure there will be crowds of well-wishers to see us off when cars line up on Seneca Street Saturday morning. We are on the way everyone! Can’t wait to meet up with old friends from previous races and looking forward to the new ones we are sure to find.