we have to cancel the event. I woke up at 4:30 AM and looked outside…no rain…no wind. Back to the computer I went and the Weather Channel was still reporting the horrific news of the storm’s path and projecting the same for our area. At 5:00 AM I got a text from one of our team members saying “Looks like we got lucky.” I asked which channel he was watching and went there to find the local news saying the storms were weakening as they approached our Columbia. SC area and much of the stronger cells had missed us completely. Hope and possibilities once again entered my thought process. We might actually pull this off.

[caption id="attachment_3282" align="alignnone" width="336"] Columbia Speedway Before Clean Up
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As I entered the Historic Columbia Speedway facilities at 7:30 AM the sun was actually shining. Vendors were setting up and folks were talking about how the storms so far had missed us. As the day progressed we carefully watched the radar for approaching cells and actually experienced two five-minute showers and one heavy ten-minute down pour with some wind.

After a year of planning, and riding a roller coaster of fear and hope the event went off as planned. We began with our parade at 9:00 AM including a float with the recently crowned Miss RacersReunion beauty queens and ended day with The Car Show at RacersReunion. The autograph session from 1:00 PM until 3:00 PM included close to 35 legendary racing celebrities such as Harry Gant, Waddell Wilson, Elvin Rector, Don Tilley, Harold Fountain, Paul Lewis, Brownie King, and Billy Biscoe. The vintage race car display was absolutely a thing of beauty. Driving Harry Gant, Elvin Rector, Don Tilley, and Waddell Wilson around Historic Columbia Speedway on a golf cart listening to their stories was priceless. And the after-party…was great!

Thanks to all who helped make this event a success. We certainly appreciate the sponsors, volunteers, and attendees for supporting us. See you next year!

Jeff Gilder