This year, Warwick had the privilege of hosting The Great Race start at Rocky Point Park. More than 160 teams left June 19 for Fargo, North Dakota.

The Great Race is an antique, vintage and collector car competitive controlled-speed endurance road rally on public highways. It is not a test of top speed, it is a test of a driver/navigator team's ability to follow precise course instructions and the car’s (and team’s) ability to endure on a cross-country trip. The course instructions require the competing teams to drive at or below the posted speed limits at all times. Vehicles older than 1972 are allowed to compete, many of which are early 1900’s vintage and with 132 vehicles competing this year.

The race is like a rolling museum.

 A team from Nova Scotia, Canada brought their 1930 Hudson Coupe to compete in the event. Upon arriving in Rhode Island, whilst driving their Hudson to local publicity events, they discovered the water pump on the engine had a catastrophic failure. While working on the car and asking if there was anyone local that could assist in repairing the water pump, someone recommended going to the Automotive Technology facility at the Warwick Area Career & Technical Center (WACTC).

Upon their arrival and an introduction to the Automotive Technology Instructor, Jason Marley they began developing a plan to solve the problem. After disassembly and inspection of the water pump it was clear that a complete failure of the bushings in which the water pump shaft rotated had to be replaced. With absolutely no possibility of parts for a 1930 Hudson being available at the local parts store, alternative solutions were a must.

 Mr. Marley tried his best to source other components from newer vehicles that could be modified or substituted but was unable to find a combination that would work. Out of options, he decided to seek some advice from Tim Charrette, the WACTC Head Custodian, an avid classic car enthusiast, mechanic, and auto body specialist, as well as Mike Kugler, the WACTC Engineering, Drafting, & Design Instructor, also a life long automotive enthusiast. Together they brainstormed a plan to fabricate new components from scratch.

Mr. Charrette and Mr. Marley were able to source the correct material for the bushings from the Warwick Steel Store, and Mr. Kugler volunteered to machine the new bushings on his equipment in his shop at home. After school, the team convened at Mr. Kugler's garage and proceeded to manufacture replacement parts to rebuild the water pump. After reassembly and some testing, the pump seemed to be working well enough to at least provide a solution until a replacement pump could be found. The rebuilt pump was installed just hours before the race started!

The first test drive was a 25 miles down Route 95 south at highway speeds to the starting point of the first segment of the race. The Hudson Coupe made it to the starting point without issue, and it seemed the water pump was performing well. They departed for the 175 mile route through Rhode Island and completed the first leg of the competition successfully!

 As of June 20th, the 1930 Hudson has completed the segments from Rhode Island to Windsor Locks, CT, and again from Windsor Locks to Binghamton, NY and the water pump is still performing well! The team from Nova Scotia have repeatedly expressed their gratitude toward the Warwick Area Career & Technical Center and the staff for the help provided that enabled them to compete. We have made some new friends and are extremely happy for the opportunity to have helped this team make the start of the event and continue competing.

The above story was submitted by Michael Kugler, WACTC, Engineering, Drafting & Design Instructor.