Pam Dudding
Contributing writer
For a racer, there is nothing worse than another vehicle taking them out of first place position by running into their vehicle.
That is what happened to Josh Hull and Trevor Stahl as they were leading in the race on the next to the final day of a six-day cross country race.
The huge Great Race is a different “bird” of its own anyway, as vintage vehicles as old as 1911 have hit the road to compete in this mental, physical and unusual race across the country.
“It was the next to final day, but the last full day of racing when we got knocked out,” Hull shared. “We were on a two-lane country road in a 55mph zone. We were slowing down to make a left onto another road. While we were turning, the car behind us went into the opposing lane and hit my driver front wheel. It crippled us as it bent the drivers wheel, broke the steering box off of the chassis and bent a few of the tie rods.”
Sadly, Hull and Stahl were in first place when it happened.
They had to be picked up by the sweeper truck.
“We are all ok and that’s the most important,” Stahl exclaimed. “We live to rally another day!”
“Luckily, I was able to line up a welder and our mechanic in Pueblo, Colorado to work on the car when we came in that evening,” Hull said. “The motto of the race is ‘to finish is to win.’ We were able to finish the race the next day but we were not competitive. The car was too banged up. I believe we finished 109th.”
Courtesy photo
When asked what they would have to do to the “Stars and Stripes” to compete for next year, they said, “The car is very solid and dependable. The only thing that needs to be wired in it the front end (steering components) that were damaged in the race.”
As always, Hull and Stahl shared that their favorite things about the race were getting to be with friends and the Great Race family.
“We enjoy the beautiful scenery throughout the route,” Hull added. “My wife, son, sister, and mother and a bunch of cousins were at the finish to Great us in Colorado Springs.”
Though they had a setback this year, it seems there is also another thing to be cautious about.
Last year, they won, therefore were placed into the Grand Championship category with the other drivers who had won the event in previous years.
“We now have a target on our backs from winning the whole thing last year,” Hull said. “We would have finished in the top three easily this year if we were not involved in the accident.”
Hull and Stahl expressed their sincere gratitude to all the people who followed and encouraged them in the race as well as congratulated the Sharps on their fourth win and the other teams who finished.
“We are already looking forward to the spring rally at the Stahl’s Automotive Foundation next May. Also, for The Great Race, our goal next year is redemption and winning our second championship!” they added.
