Paperwork
This includes preparing and submitting the application, obtaining sufficient insurance coverage, submitting information (photos, bios, etc) for the race program, filling out forms for hotel reservations, etc. And, oh yes, paying the entrance fee.

Servicing/Repairing/Checking out the Car
We were fortunate in finding a vehicle that already was in good mechanical condition. However, it is highly desirable to make the car as "bullet proof" as possible to minimize downtime during the race. So we left it in the capable hands of the staff at the Maxwell Frame Shop in Belvedere, TN for three weeks to thoroughly check it out mechanically and complete some additional restoration. Owner Robert Ralph Morris and top Chevy mechanic Ed Anderson specialize in restoration work for 1955-57 Chevys and we trusted them to get us "race-ready". Some of the work included new brakes, universal joints, engine mounts and wheels. Fortunately, they discovered that all the wheels had been damaged and required replacing. Unfortunately, finding and reconditioning new ones quickly was not so easy but they managed! Finally, the Greatrace regulations require that certain safety equipment be installed and operational. For example, turn signals and seat belts.

Installing/Calibrating the Race Speedometer
Stock speedometers are not nearly accurate enough to use for the precise speed control necessary for this rally. Most competitors rely on the highly accurate Timewise electronic analog-display unit developed especially for this competition. Our good friend, Bob Mead, loaned us his unit for this race but we still had to install and calibrate it for the Chevy. Installation involves mounting the display unit in a visible location, cementing magnets to the driveshaft, and mounting the magnetic sensor unit near the magnets to pick up the pulses. Our friends at the Belvedere shop helped with the mountings. Calibration requires precisely measuring the distance the vehicle moves per each driveshaft rotation to make initial settings, then road testing through a measured mile many times to fine tune the calibration. The Timewise is accurate to plus or minus .0125 mph.

Developing Performance Data
After speedometer calibration, we are ready to develop our performance data. During the race, all speed changes are assumed to take place instantaneously. Since the laws of physics will not permit this, we have to determine how much time is lost during decelerations and accelerations and make adjustments for these losses. We do this by laying out a very accurately measured mile on a deserted road, and then making multiple passes at various speeds and combinations of acceleration and deceleration until we gather enough data to prepare our performance charts. These are in the form of matrixes which indicate losses during all combinations from 0 to 50 mph. Knowing the number of seconds lost in accelerating from 0 to a specified 35 mph, for example, allows us to make up the loss by running in excess of 35 for a calculated period of time.

Logistics and Packing
Finding repair parts and maintenance items for these old vehicles is often a challenge and it is prudent to accumulate and carry a good supply of the most difficult to obtain. In our case, Robert Morris was our Good Samaritan who helped us put together our cache of goodies to take on the rally. We did not take the extreme measure, as some teams do, to carry spare engines and transmissions. Our support crew, the Stumbs, will haul our service supplies. And, of course, there is always the challenge of deciding what our 15-day wardrobe should be! Specialty items include the team T-shirt.