Editor’s Note: Riley Schlick-Trask has built a dedicated following on her Riley’s Rebuilds YouTube channel, but she’s always thinking of new ways to reach younger or aspiring automotive enthusiasts. That’s why she’s hitting the road for the 2025 Great Race, along with a few friends.
The Great Race is a nine-day, controlled-speed endurance rally that takes competitors on a designated route through the U.S. This year’s event kicks off in Minnesota and finishes in Tennessee, and Riley will be joined by different content creators throughout the trip. You can see regular updates on Riley’s Facebook and Instagram channels throughout the journey. Riley and friends will also be providing more in-depth updates here throughout the event.
Great “Content Creator” Race: Day 1
Image/Riley Schlick-Trask
Submitted by Riley Schlick-Trask: There’s no better way to end a grueling but rewarding day than with an “ace.” We, Riley Schlick-Trask (carb-building extraordinaire and influencer), and Jo Bejar (automotive restoration student) set out on the Great Race 2025’s Trophy Run. Racing in Coker Tire’s 1972 Corvette for the Hemming’s giveaway, we were thrown into the tidal wave of information of navigating and driving this rally.
A 20-minute crash course on navigation later, four hours on the road, one missed turn, and two time-allowances later, we were at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds with an “ace” on our car. An ace is a sticker which represents perfect precision in a time-distance rally, where we reach checkpoints at an exact (and unknown) time. This ace is hopefully the first of many!
Image/Riley Schlick-Trask
While some of us were on the road, others were wrenching away on the X-Cup Ford Fairlane.
Today started with hope, determination… and a non-running car.
We showed up ready, but the engine wouldn’t fire. Thankfully, the spirit of The Great Race showed up too—two experienced mechanics saw us struggling and jumped in to help. Together, we troubleshooted everything until we realized cylinders 3, 4, 5, and 7 weren’t firing.
After some digging, we learned there was a brief run in the early ’90s when the Ford 302 had a different firing order. Sure enough, that’s what we had. Once we swapped the plug wires to match, the engine fired right up like a champ.
Image/Riley Schlick-Trask
With the car finally running, the real work begins—tuning the carbs, breaking in the rear end with short drives and cooldowns, and double-checking the transmission.
We went from stuck in the pits to gearing up for the start line. Let’s go.
We are excited to keep telling this story as the race takes us to unexpected places and challenges. We’re happy to have you along for the ride!
–Riley, Jo, Christina, Ashley
