Brother-Sister Team Enters 2019 Multi-State “Great Race” to Honor Legendary Father
Past Winners, the Holland Family Seeks Sponsorship for 1909 Buick, Oldest Car in OC
Newport Beach, CA, December 04, 2018 --(PR.com)-- On a July day in 1990, clad in blue coveralls and WW1 goggles, legendary race car driver Dennis Holland and his 16-year-old navigator daughter Julie drove their 1909 Buick into the history books by winning the Class Brass division of the grueling 9-day, cross-country “Great Race,” with the youngest navigator ever and the oldest car. Julie’s 4-year-old brother, Dennis Jr., followed along in the support vehicle driven by mom Betty Holland.
In the 2019 edition of this same race, Dennis Jr., now 31, will be in the driver’s seat of this same car, with Julie set to navigate again. The brother-sister team hopes to win to honor their father who recently passed away from cancer in their Newport Beach home at age 68. Their father was a five-time Great Race entrant (Julie navigated for three) and Spirit of the Event Award Winner in 1984.
“After dad died, Dennis got all the cars out and taught us how to drive them,” Julie says. “I trust my brother. There’s nobody better to drive. My dad taught him how to take this car apart and put it back together.”
The first car ever registered in Orange County, the Buick is now 110 years old, making it the oldest in the race -- again. “This was my favorite car growing up,” says Dennis Jr., “because it’s so unique and has amazing history.” Purchased new in Santa Ana in 1909, a blacksmith in Irvine turned it into a race car before Dennis Sr. bought it. It retains most of its original parts.
The Great Race (visit website http://www.greatrace.com) is open to automobiles 1974 and older, with one driver and one navigator using no modern electronics: no GPS, calculators or cell phones -- just a map and daily instructions.
The 2019 Great Race will start in Riverside, CA, on June 22, and finish in Tacoma, WA, on June 30. The 9-day, 2,300-mile race will bring 120 antique cars to overnight stops across California, Nevada, Oregon and Washington. Each city stop will become an instant, free festival. The 2018 race had five stops with more than 10,000 spectators. Some 250,000 people will witness the event.
Julie says, “People come out just to see this car. It commands attention. The engine sounds so powerful. You just don’t see these driving around any more.”
The siblings are seeking sponsorship as their car needs work to make the trip. “I know how to do that, and I’ve got the help,” says Dennis. “It’ll be fun.”
Julie adds, “I won this with my dad, so now I have to prove that I can come back and win again. I won’t settle for anything less than a win.” Visit website http://www.09racer.com
For more information, contact Julie Holland Karges at (949) 500-6271.
In the 2019 edition of this same race, Dennis Jr., now 31, will be in the driver’s seat of this same car, with Julie set to navigate again. The brother-sister team hopes to win to honor their father who recently passed away from cancer in their Newport Beach home at age 68. Their father was a five-time Great Race entrant (Julie navigated for three) and Spirit of the Event Award Winner in 1984.
“After dad died, Dennis got all the cars out and taught us how to drive them,” Julie says. “I trust my brother. There’s nobody better to drive. My dad taught him how to take this car apart and put it back together.”
The first car ever registered in Orange County, the Buick is now 110 years old, making it the oldest in the race -- again. “This was my favorite car growing up,” says Dennis Jr., “because it’s so unique and has amazing history.” Purchased new in Santa Ana in 1909, a blacksmith in Irvine turned it into a race car before Dennis Sr. bought it. It retains most of its original parts.
The Great Race (visit website http://www.greatrace.com) is open to automobiles 1974 and older, with one driver and one navigator using no modern electronics: no GPS, calculators or cell phones -- just a map and daily instructions.
The 2019 Great Race will start in Riverside, CA, on June 22, and finish in Tacoma, WA, on June 30. The 9-day, 2,300-mile race will bring 120 antique cars to overnight stops across California, Nevada, Oregon and Washington. Each city stop will become an instant, free festival. The 2018 race had five stops with more than 10,000 spectators. Some 250,000 people will witness the event.
Julie says, “People come out just to see this car. It commands attention. The engine sounds so powerful. You just don’t see these driving around any more.”
The siblings are seeking sponsorship as their car needs work to make the trip. “I know how to do that, and I’ve got the help,” says Dennis. “It’ll be fun.”
Julie adds, “I won this with my dad, so now I have to prove that I can come back and win again. I won’t settle for anything less than a win.” Visit website http://www.09racer.com
For more information, contact Julie Holland Karges at (949) 500-6271.
Contact
Holland Racing
Julie Holland Karges
949-500-6271
www.09racer.com
Julie Holland Karges
949-500-6271
www.09racer.com
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