Truro native set to compete in e Great Race
Truro-born Arnie Stephens is ready to hit the road in his 1969 Buick Skylark in an epic journey from Bu alo to Halifax as he competes in e Great Race with his wife Lynn as navigator.
After the race leaves Bu alo on June 23, Stephens will drive his venerable Buick more than 1,000 miles across New England and Atlantic Canada, nally nishing in Halifax on Canada Day.
As a 66-year-old retiree, a Buick Skylark is more Stephens’ thing, having seen such cars on the streets of Truro in his younger days and has owned many other antique vehicles himself, preferring them to more uniform modern designs.
“It’s a character thing, it’s a nostalgia thing, it’s back to your youth,” said Stephens. “I’m more of that vintage.”
While old, Stephens says his Buick gives him a smooth ride on Nova Scotia’s bumpy roads, but it does not always take corners too well.
e car is also well-maintained, as Stephens regularly has it tuned up and its mechanics checked over, while the bodywork is spotless and no part of that has ever needed replacing. e Buick itself is painted red round the sides with a black vinyl roof on top. But keeping it in shape is easier than it looks, as spare parts such as brakes can usually be found quickly.
Indeed, this is not even the rst Skylark Stephens has owned, having previously driven a convertible version. He has also driven everything from a 1964 Plymouth Fury to a 1968 Rambler American, to name a few.
“I’ve had a lot of cars over the years,” said Stephens.
Typically, e Great Race is held solely in the United States and Stephens signed up for the 2017 competition, but was put on a waiting list as the race is so popular. Being rst-time racers, Stephens and his wife are competing in the rookie category and practiced with their Buick at a race in Roches- ter, upstate New York, where they mastered techniques including navigation.
However, drivers in e Great Race must be resourceful, as at tires, breakdowns and other mechanical mishaps are not uncommon.
Racers must know how to x and maintain their vehicles, although really old cars from the 1920s and 1930s typically have support drivers in vans to help them stay in shape. Each o cial entry is allowed one support vehicle.
“They don’t baby them, these cars are driven,” said Stephens.
e race coming through Truro marks a homecoming of sorts for Stephens, who now splits his time between Alberta and Nova Scotia.
He was born in Truro and moved away with his family before returning in 1969. He remembers a relaxed town with an easy pace of life.
“Lots of people hanging out, looking for something to do, dancing at the Legion,” recalled Stephens of his youth.