CHATTANOOGA, TENN., June 19, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Hemmings Motor News Great Race presented by Hagerty is a time, speed, endurance rally for pre-1972 automobiles, and it is making an Atlantic Coast run from Maine to Florida on June 21-29, 2014. The Great Race is known worldwide as the premier vintage car rally, and offers a $150,000 purse to the winners. Thousands of spectators flock to the cities and towns along the route, as it is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to see millions of dollars worth of vintage cars in one place.
Exotic and valuable cars are a staple of the Great Race, and this year is no different. At each stop (lunch and overnight), the cars will be on display and the drivers will be accessible to the spectators. Every stop has a festival atmosphere with the cars lining the streets, and every stop is free to the public.
The 2014 Great Race will feature a number of recognizable cars. More than one hundred classic cars from ranging 1915 to 1972 are registered to race, one of which is a replica of the "General Lee" 1969 Dodge Charger. Also on display this year will be the "Leslie Special" one of the most famous automobiles in the world. It was the star of the 1965 hit movie "The Great Race." Other notable cars include a 1915 Hudson, 1916 Studebacker Racer, 1930 Rolland Palain; 1935 Auburn Cabriolet, 1936 Bentley Saloon, 1931 Auburn Boattail Speedster, 1932 Auburn Special Speedster, 1957 Jaguar, and many restored muscle cars.
A standout participant in this year's event is Humpy Wheeler, a legendary NASCAR promoter. He is participating with his grandson, Austin Hardy, in a 1953 Hudson Hornet that is built to replicate "Doc Hudson" from the Pixar movie, "Cars". Another notable car guy involved in the 2014 Great Race is Wayne Carini, start of the Velocity TV series, "Chasing Classic Cars". Carini is the Grand Marshall of the event and will be on hand at several of the stops.
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