Plainfield to host the Great Race classic car show in 2022

The public will be able to see unique classic cars at a show next year when the Great Race comes to downtown Plainfield.

The Great Race is an annual multi-stop classic car race which attracts participants from around the world. About 120 vehicles, none newer than the mid-1970s, will travel a Route 66 path and will stop in Plainfield on June 22 when they’ll park downtown for visitors to see them.

“It’s quite an event and will draw thousands of spectators into town, people that would not normally be there on that particular day,” Jeff Stumb, the director of the Great Race, told Plainfield officials during last week’s Village Board meeting.

The Village Board approved a rough plan to host the Great Race at its meeting. Village officials expect the Great Race to attract about 5,000 visitors to Plainfield and draw nationwide exposure through the organizer’s marketing of the event.

Plainfield is scheduled to be the only Illinois stop for the Great Race in 2022.

“I know we’re pretty excited,” said Plainfield Mayor John Argoudelis. “It would draw quite a spotlight onto our town.”

The Plainfield Historical Society will work with the village to finalize the event details. Lockport Street in downtown will have to be closed to traffic.

The village will also have to pay between $5,000 and $10,000 to feed the participants and extra public safety costs are estimated to be around $6,000 to host the event. Argoudelis said the Plainfield Historical Society will seek private sponsorships to offset those costs.