The Region - News from June 27, 1986

Nearly 100 antique cars set out across the Mojave Desert in 100-degree-plus heat on the second day of their 3,500-mile race across the country to New York. The fourth annual Great American Race left Palm Springs before dawn to beat the heat, stopping in Needles for a pit stop before drivers were to cross the Colorado River and continue to Grand Canyon, Ariz., for the night. The second leg of the 11-day trip is 425 miles, one of the longest legs of the journey that began with a confetti-strewn parade at Disneyland. Only 79 of the original 96 entries pulled into Palm Springs in time to qualify for an official first-day finish, but some of the heat-stricken vehicles were apparently revived during the night in time to start out on the second day, officials said. Top prize is $100,000.