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Theme of family fuels teams in The Great Race

Vintage cars roll into Vancouver, rally’s penultimate stop

By Jeni Banceu, Columbian staff writer
Published: June 28, 2019, 10:34pm
4 Photos
Jesse Jameson, owner and navigator of a 1952 Hudson Hornet, waves to spectators as the car arrives Friday evening at the Western Antique Aeroplane & Automobile Museum in Hazel Dell. Jameson was one of more than 100 participants in The Great Race, a nine-day road rally that focuses on time instead of speed. At top, the clock, radio mic and covered speedometer are essential tools of the rally racer, seen Friday during The Great Race’s stop in Vancouver.
Jesse Jameson, owner and navigator of a 1952 Hudson Hornet, waves to spectators as the car arrives Friday evening at the Western Antique Aeroplane & Automobile Museum in Hazel Dell. Jameson was one of more than 100 participants in The Great Race, a nine-day road rally that focuses on time instead of speed. At top, the clock, radio mic and covered speedometer are essential tools of the rally racer, seen Friday during The Great Race’s stop in Vancouver. Photo Gallery

Before spectators saw the promised collection of vintage cars they had been waiting for, the distinct sound of a pre-1972 horn could be heard over the sound of traffic.

The Great Race, limited to model years older than 1972, is a nine-day road rally that focuses on time instead of speed. This year’s route traveled between Riverside, Calif., and Tacoma, making Vancouver its second-to-last stop.

On Friday, more than 100 vintage cars from around the world rolled into a museum parking lot in Hazel Dell for an overnight pit stop. Spectators who had been waiting for the cars had plenty to do while they waited. The event also showcased cars brought in by local enthusiasts and rare cars on display at the local Western Antique Aeroplane & Automobile Museum, where the event was held.

The museum, at 1015 N.E. 78th St., has been there for some time, but this event marked its opening to the public.

As cars started to arrive, the crowd — young and old –paused to listen to a rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner” performed by Rey Reynolds, a Vancouver police officer, followed by an honor guard.

Each team stopped briefly for a warm welcome from the crowd before moving through and parking with the other racers.

Jesse Jameson, owner and navigator of a 1952 Hudson Hornet, said the race started with 120 cars, but a few had dropped off by the time it reached Vancouver.

“That’s the low point,” he said. “We didn’t get everybody across the finish line, which is everybody’s goal. We all try real hard to keep everybody moving; it’s kind of a family thing.”

Jameson’s comment about being like family was true in more than one way. He was there with his son, Ben Jameson, as well as a couple of his brothers-in-law.

As teams continued to arrive through the evening, they were often introduced as family.

The youngest team, Olivia and Genna Gentry, 18 and 16, respectively, from Georgia, entered the race with a family car — a 1932 Ford 5 Window Coupe. Olivia Gentry said she is focused on the long haul, referring to finishing the race.

“It’s not just like a Sunday stroll,” she said. “Every day is hard.”

Their mom, Beth Gentry, is also in the race, driving a 1932 Ford Cabriolet. She said this is her 20th year participating in the race. In 2017, the same year her daughters won the rookie division, Beth Gentry won first place.

“It was amazing,” she said “It’s something you just dream about.”

So far this year, Beth Gentry is in second place. The team in first, she said, is a familiar competitor; they have often fought for first place.

“We just love old cars, and we love the rally and we love the competition part of it,” she said.

Rallying is something her dad introduced her to.

“I rallied with him for 10 years,” she said. “That’s probably why we are so passionate about it.”

One more chance

If you missed seeing The Great Race locally, it may not be too late if you’re willing to take a drive to Tacoma. Racers will finish there Saturday, arriving from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. at LeMay-America’s Car Museum, 2702 E. D St., Tacoma.

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Columbian staff writer