Hollis’s great expectations were greatly surpassed

They were here and gone in a virtual flash but the greeting the Great Race participants received in Truro could certainly warrant some return, a local sponsor says.

Especially given the turnout crowd, that was estimated at more than 5,000.

“It was incredible. It totally exceeded our expectations,” said Rick Hollis. “All the drivers and the organizers, they loved the enthusiasm that the citizens and the residents had in greeting everyone coming in.”

As owner of Hollis Ford – and himself a vintage car buff and collector – Hollis was instrumental in bringing the Great Race to Truro for an official lunch stop on Saturday.

The event saw 120 rare and eclectic cars and trucks roll into town between noon and shortly after 3 p.m. as one stop on their 3,700-km., timed rally from Buffalo, N.Y., to Halifax.

“For a lunch break where they were coming and going it was a short window of opportunity for everybody to see what was going on and everybody stayed from beginning to end,” Hollis said. “It was action packed. And people seemed to really enjoy seeing all the vintage cars and trucks coming through.”

But he said the reception from the public, the organization by town staff and other volunteers, combined with the beauty and accessibility of Truro’s civic square all offer promise for holding other successful events in the future.

“It goes to show you how you can get involved in an international event when they’re driving through or past Truro and get them to come into Truro,” Hollis said. “It’s good for the businesses, without a doubt.”