college mcp-logo-header-white mcpherson

Trophy Run and a Few Repairs

T-minus 1 day to the official start of The Great Race.

Today was the Hagerty Trophy Run, a sort of test run to get the racers back in the feel of the race and to win first bragging rights. We were happy to have the time to feel out the car again and remember what we did last year.

The morning started out with the official meeting to welcome Great Racers and to go over all of the housekeeping. After a prayer from Corky Coker to keep all the Racers safe, it was time for Rally School and the very wet Trophy Run.

Before the start of the run, the Navigators set their watches and even helped some Rookies understand the rally instructions.

Austin Hiebert fields questions from a Rookie over the Trophy Run instructions

Austin Hiebert fields questions from a Rookie over the Trophy Run instructions

Due to the constant rain, we employed high-tech water proofing devices for our luggage in the form of trash bags from the hotel. Thank you, Hampton Inn!

Water-proofed luggage loaded in our trunk

Water-proofed luggage loaded in our trunk

Trophy Run took us out to the Illinois state line for some rallying. The run had a mix of interesting speed changes, hills, and slow sections. It kept us on our toes. This run also gave us our first taste of Route 66 driving.

Shop along the route

Shop along the route

 

Overall we felt good about the run except for one section that we knew we messed up. Hopefully we can learn from this and get some solid time legs tomorrow on the first official race!

Tonight, after the 1950s cocktail reception, we stopped by our friends, who helped us with the turn signal issue, to once again steal his garage time and dry floor. After some thought, we decided to install an accessory radiator fan for extra insurance for our time in the desert later this week.

The team hard at work installing the fan

The team hard at work installing the fan

For now its back to the hotel to rest up for our official kick off  tomorrow in Kirkwood, MO.