The Great Race travels through Fairport | Community Spirit

History was made in Fairport Thursday. A national car race came through town Thursday afternoon. 

Main Street was shut down for about four hours to allow more than 70 antique cars to come through.

It was an event that seemed more like a holiday. In the village of Fairport, it might as well have been the Fourth of July between the bands and American flags. But it wasn’t the country’s independence.

It was about the cars. For the first time ever, The Great Race, a national antique car race made a pit stop in Fairport. Fairport’s own race participants, Howard and Doug Sharp lead all the other racers into their hometown. 

Doug Sharp, Great Race participant, said, “I'm pretty darn excited right now. I just couldn't believe there would ever be this many people in Fairport.”

Each racer will stop for exactly an hour for food and a quick break and then continue on their way.

Sharp said, “We’re about in 17th place right now, but we got four days to go and we’re only like 10 seconds out of first so it’s not a real big deal. We have plenty of opportunity. We just have to do really well the rest of each day.”

But win or lose overall, Howard and Doug agree, having the race come through Fairport is a win in itself. 

Sharp said, “I’m still the champ until I get to the end of the finish line.” 

From Fairport, each racer will make their way to Buffalo where they will stay for the night. Then it’s on to the next stop on their way to Dearborn, Michigan. 

The race has been great for the Sharps, but there are about a dozen other racers who have had to drop out either because their car broke down or someone got sick or they just can’t handle the long days.

The oldest car in the race is a 1907 and the newest is a 1969. 

The Sharps say their 1916 car gets 20 miles per gallon and the fastest that car can go is 50 miles per hour. They drive slower than that most of the time.