Team Name: The Wheel Deal
Team Instagram Account: @thegreatrace.34
Team Members: Peter and Christine LaMountain
Team Hometown: Oxford, MA   

Team Q&A

How did your team become a team? 

After over 20 years of seeing each other casually around town and the local restaurant where Christine worked, 5 years ago, timing was right, and we finally got together! We were married in December of 2022 and currently live in the small town of Oxford, Massachusetts.

What was your interest and motivation in participating in the Rally?

This past Spring, we got word of The Fortunato Rally and couldn't resist. We're looking forward to this change of pace rally and love the twist with a scavenger hunt.

How did you develop an interest in vintage cars? 

In 1994, Pete found an interest in circle track racing.  For over 20 years, he had great success with both modified and pro stock.  He also owns a nostalgic drag truck, Freakshow (1965 econoline), which has been featured on such shows as pinks and Crusin' New England. Although no one can quite match Pete's level with his passion for cars, it's something we both enjoy.  Pete has been rallying since 2015, starting with The Great Race and participating in any regional rally he could.  Beginning in October of 2022, we joined forces and have been rallying together as a team with Christine driving and Pete navigating.  We have competed in 3 regional rallies as well as 1 Great Race...it's addicting!!

Any challenges during Rally prep to highlight? 

None.

Favorite road trip food? 

We enjoy trying new foods, especially small diners. 

Vehicle: 1932 Ford Model B   

Powertrain: Flathead V-8, 3 Speed manual transmission

Options/Features: None.

Background: In 1965, the car was parked and tucked away in a tobacco barn in Kentucky. There is stayed until about 8 years ago, low and behold, Pete found his way to that tobacco barn.  He took the car home and began restoring it.  Pete and his mechanic, Rob at Rob's Automotive brought it back to life, better than ever.

Team Name: Shake & Bake "Always remember, if you ain't first, you're last."
Team Instagram Account: @mastergeargarage
Team Members: Jason and Lucca Sisto

Team Hometown: Lincoln, RI   

Team Q&A

How did your team become a team? 

We are a father/son duo who live in Rhode Island.

What was your interest and motivation in participating in the Rally?

This is our first rally and hope to make it a family tradition as we are also competing against (and going to beat) my brother, Roman Sisto from Team Riduttori!

How did you develop an interest in vintage cars? 

We have a passion for automobiles and have worked on classic American, European and British cars. Although we like to rescue and preserve vehicles, we also are adamant about driving and enjoying them.  We absolutely appreciated the look, feel, comfort, performance and safety of newer cars however our preference is to work on and drive pre-90's cars. We love the feeling of a manual shifting, no power steering classic car!! The way they sound and feel on the road is completely different than cars today.

Since I was 2 years old my father always took us to car shows and car events and I was always in the passenger seat handing him tools or holding the flash light to help out.

Any challenges during Rally prep to highlight? 

The main challenge we faced was time in preparing the car. Between football practice and games, school and work there was little time left to go through the car from top to bottom.  We needed to make sure the car was perfect and ready for this adventure.  In a rush at the end we got most of the important things done (hopefully) and are ready for the rally & scavenger hunt!  Our biggest mechanical challenge was sorting the vacuum lines and building and adding a custom USB and power outlet panel.  We made a prototype for the trip and will be testing it out.

Favorite road trip food? 

My father's favorite road trip food is Twizzlers (which he isn't supposed to eat) and mine is any type of protein bar.

Vehicle: 1964 Cadillac Coupe

Powertrain: 429 7.0L V-8, HT400 automatic transmission (originally a HydraMatic but we upgraded)

Options/Features: 

• Upgraded green ring led turn signals integrated into the headlights 
• Upgraded bright white low and high beam headlights 
• Upgraded rear led tail lights, brake lights, reverse lights and turn signals 
• Custom panel replacing OEM ashtray to house 1 USB outlet
• Added aftermarket oil temp, coolant temp and voltage meters
• All modifications can be brought back to original 

Background: My father purchased the car from a family that brought the car to a mechanic who apparently dropped a bolt down the carburetor and then decided to start it up and see what happened!! 

Story from the mechanic is that it was the nephew of the owner who dropped the bolt and not him. Needless to say we ended up pulling the engine and transmission and rebuilding them. We replaced all the rubber in the entire front end as well. The interior is completely original with the exception of the added foam support we installed in the front and rear seats. The car was repainted by the previous owner as showing signs of wear but we are trying our best to keep her looking and running good.

Team Name: Team Riduttori  ("Team Gearheads" in Italian)
Team Instagram Account: @romansisto
Team Members: Roman Sisto and Matt DeStefanis

Team Hometown: Lincoln, RI   
 

Team Q&A

How did your team become a team? 

We are great friends from Rhode Island who are both of Italian decent. 

What was your interest and motivation in participating in the Rally?

We saw the rally and thought it would be really fun to bring one of our classic cars and participate in it together.

This is our first rally and hope to make it a family & friends tradition and more family and friends to compete next year. 
 

How did you develop an interest in vintage cars? 

Roman has been working on cars since he was 6 years old with his father (who he is competing against). He has great mechanical knowledge and skills.  We both have a strong passion for classic and modern cars.  We love performance upgrades and restoring classics. We both have always loved cars our whole life and help friends with upgrades on their modern cars.  Whether they are Italian, American or JDM modern or classic cars we enjoy tinkering with them all.  Roman learned from his father Jason and Matt is learning from Jason and Roman as well as learning on his own while rebuilding cars with Roman.

Any challenges during Rally prep to highlight? 

The biggest obstacle in preparing for the rally had been making sure our 46 year old ride is ready to go.

Favorite road trip food? 

Our favorite road trip food is Arancini.

Vehicle: 1978 Mercedes 450SL

Powertrain: 4.5L V-8, automatic transmission

Options/Features: 

• Upgraded European yellow high beam headlights 
• Upgraded bright white low beam headlights
• Upgraded fog lights in OEM housing
• Custom panel replacing OEM ashtray to house 2 USB outlets, digital voltage meter, cigarette light socket all connected to fuse easily located on the panel. 
• All modifications can be brought back to original.

Background: We originally purchased the car the summer of 2022 with the intention of clearing her up, enjoying her over the summer and resell it. However after getting into her we decided she would be a keeper and stay in our family. The car was originally in RI summers and shipped to Florida in the winters. We purchased it from the second own who only had it for 1 1/2 years until we bought her. Came with all original manuals, tools and hard top.

Team Name: Great Race Team 127  
Team Instagram Account: @greatraceteam127
Team Members: Sean and Jodi Gilligan

Team Hometown: Killingly , CT   
 

Team Q&A

How did your team become a team? 

We became a team when we met over 30 years ago.

What was your interest and motivation in participating in the Rally?

We always love to drive all our cars and this sounded like a fun weekend.  This is what motivated us.
 

How did you develop an interest in vintage cars? 

Sean developed an interest in vintage cars as a young boy hanging around the Ford dealership that his dad ran.

Jodi developed an interest by exposure.

Any challenges during Rally prep to highlight? 

None.

Favorite road trip food? 

Our favorite road trip food is a good meal from a local family restaurant.

Vehicle: 1967 Mercury Cougar

Powertrain:  347 cu. in. V-8 with a 4-speed manual transmission.

Options/Features: None.

Background: We found the car in a barn in 2018 and restored it to what it is today.

Team Name: Reaper
Team Instagram Account: @jordan_carguy
Team Members: Jordan Chokshi

Team Hometown: Farmington, CT   
 

Team Q&A

How did your team become a team? 

I've had the Magnum for about 6 years.

What was your interest and motivation in participating in the Rally?

This will be my third year, second competing third doing it.
 

How did you develop an interest in vintage cars? 

I have been around cars and vintage cars my whole life, I have experience with all makes and models especially American classic cars ranging from Model T Fords to big block 4 speed Mopars with multi carbs, and of course I also work on newer modern vehicles, and doing paint and body work.

Any challenges during Rally prep to highlight?

Had to completely change and re-engineer my steering column and shaft going to the steering box on my car with a couple of Flaming River steering joints and some double D rod. Now it's better than when it rolled out of the factory new, not to mention safer as well. 

Early in 2023 the Magnum was hit at a Cars and Coffee event and the driver fled the scene. I had to source parts from Canada, rip it apart, and repaint the whole nose of the car. Then as luck would have it, it also lost a ball joint, which almost caused another crash! So it got a whole new front end. Lets just say this year has not been easy with the Magnum, but at least I got all the parts I needed and its on the road and the best it has been since I have owned it. 

Favorite road trip food? 

Beef jerky, chips, and  coffee

Vehicle: 1978 Dodge Magnum XE

Powertrain: 5.9L 360 Magnum V-8, 727 TorqueFlite 3-speed automatic.

Options/Features: T-tops, hideaway headlights, opera window louvers, spoiler.

Background: I've had the Magnum for 6 years. For three years it was my primary ride back and forth to college from Farmington CT to East Greenwich RI. I got the car as payment for rebuilding and restoring a 1975 Chrysler Cordoba road race car and instead of money I chose the Magnum which was not road worthy but my close friends and I made it road worthy enough to drive for a year before redoing almost everything on the car.

The Dodge Magnum was the KING's (Richard Petty's) last Mopar. The Dodge Magnum is a two year only car '78-79 and in 1978 there was a much lower production than 1979. I'm not sure how many are left but I know there's not many and not many being driven almost daily like I do. At the 2023 Carlisle Chrysler Nationals there were only 5 or 6 other Magnums, none were daily driven none were driven there and back home with no issues, and only one other was modified, and since that is the largest Mopar show in the world and there were a handful only of these cars I'd say you would have a very hard time finding or seeing another Magnum if you can figure out what the car is. It always gets confused for a Chevy Monte Carlo or a Buick GNX which is funny because it is much larger and looks very different than those other cars. 

Team Name: Busted Nutz
Team Instagram Account: @4Door_Sixty4
Team Members: George Beaver, Matthew Gall, Daryn Calsetta

Team Hometown: Naugatuck Valley, CT and Houston, TX  

Team Q&A

How did your team become a team? 

Team came together between friends, siblings and co-workers who love to get out and enjoy the open road, cars, and challenges. 

What was your interest and motivation in participating in the Rally?

Our interest in the Rally is mostly a guys weekend getaway. A Roadkill like event due to the fact we are taking an untested vehicle that has not been run in well over a decade.

How did you develop an interest in vintage cars? 

We have all always had interest in classic, vintage , muscle, sports cars etc. for the longest time. Between growing up working on them, being on or around race teams, or just a fun hobby.

Any challenges during Rally prep to highlight? 

Spending the 2 weeks prior to the event repairing and preparing for the event. Hoping to do some repairs and upgrades along the way.

Favorite road trip food? 

Favorite road trip food would have to be pizza and wings.

Vehicle: 1964 Pontiac Catalina 4-door

Powertrain: Factory 389 V-8, automatic transmission

Options/Features: Factory air, power brakes , and power steering, and some modern power ports.

Background: It's been in the family for a couple decades. and hasn't been used much up until now and we hope to continue to upgrade this car and road trip it thru every state we can drive to.

We will be applying state decals to the vehicle at every new state we enter.

Team Name: Toronado Warning
Team Instagram Account: @ToronadoWarning    
Team Members: Kevin Shirley and Jeff Allen

Team Hometown: Newington, CT   

Team Q&A

How did your team become a team? 

Kevin and Jeff grew up on the same street in Newington, CT, and have known each other for nearly half a century.  

What was your interest and motivation in participating in the Rally?

Kevin has been talking about this rally for a couple years and convinced Jeff to form a team and be the navigator for the 2023 season.

How did you develop an interest in vintage cars? 

We have debated Ford vs. Chevy, V6 vs. V8, and nearly every other controversial automotive topic practically before either of us could ride a bicycle, let alone drive a car.  Whatever side of the argument, we both share an appreciation for surviving vehicles that are just a bit outside the mainstream.

 
Any challenges during Rally prep to highlight? 

No challenges in preparing (let's hope that's
not a bad sign!).

Favorite road trip food? 

Probably a ham and cheese grinder for Kevin, steak and cheese for Jeff. Cookies...and plenty of coffee.

Vehicle: 1983 Oldsmobile Toronado

Powertrain: 307 Oldsmobile V-8, 4-barrel Rochester Quadrajet  (computer-controlled), front wheel drive, 4-speed automatic

Options/Features: Factory moonroof, gauge package, sport steering wheel, wire wheel covers, whitewall tires, landau roof with opera lamps and Firemist paint.

Background: Kevin has had the vehicle for approximately 4 years.

Team Name: Moose Tracks
Team Instagram Account: @moosetracks122
Team Members: Don and Jeremy Thorn

Team Hometown: Mahopac, NY   

Team Q&A

How did your team become a team? 

Don: I searched my whole life for a co-driver and could not find one, so I “made” one and named him Jeremy. Now that he’s over 40, I can finally trust him to drive one of my special cars.

What was your interest and motivation in participating in the Rally?

A friend and fellow VSA club member, Wagner Ortuno, was the 2nd place finisher in 2021 and made us aware of the Fortunato Rally. It sounds like a great father/son experience.

How did you develop an interest in vintage cars? 

We are a father-son team (Jeremy was born into the team) with a lifelong interest in cars that started when Don was a boy in the late 1950s and just enjoyed seeing the new car models and driving with his dad. Don’s first new car was a 1966 Volvo 1800S and he’s been a Volvophile ever since. He also owns a 2015 S60 R-design. Jeremy owns 2 Volvos, a 2008 XC70 and a 2011 C30. Don is the Greater NY Chapter coordinator of the VSA (Volvo Sports America) club. His 122S is the 5th vintage Volvo he has owned, acquiring it in 2016. Our mechanical skills are pretty minimal. We have the basic tools and hope that if we need help others on the rally will be kind. We will share our emergency equipment with anyone who needs help.

Any challenges during Rally prep to highlight? 

Our car, Gus, had greatly reduced power from the original B18 motor. A “worked” B20 motor was offered for free by an acquaintance in Memphis and was brought to our home in the lower Hudson Valley by a friend. Getting it assembled and installed took several months. Then a freeze plug came out while driving and all the coolant was lost. The temp gauge was not working so the car overheated and the exhaust valves were frozen open. Fortunately all was not lost and new valve guides and minimal head machining put everything right again. We have a new temp gauge.

A second challenge for Jeremy was learning to drive stick, which he does quite well.

Favorite road trip food? 

We are both simple eaters who prefer a regular diet as opposed to exotic foods which may have unpredictable consequences. A good dinner is much preferred.

Vehicle: 1965 Volvo 122S (aka an Amazon) / 2015 Volvo S60

Powertrain: 4 cylinder, 4 speed manual with OD

Options/Features: Our car, Gus, was born with a 90 hp B18 motor (1780cc), which was down to a tired 60 hp until Gus had a heart transplant in early 2022, receiving an over bored B20 motor (now 2130cc) with approximately 130 hp and a street performance cam upgrade. The original 4 speed tranny was replaced with a factory optional rebuilt 4+ overdrive transmission. It’s still a Volvo drive train. The car has been rewired with added safety features such as a center brake light and 4-way flashers. Coming from Florida, Gus arrived with vintage Volvo air conditioning which works well. Much of this work was completed by Brian Dee of Brian’s Automotive in Peekskill, NY. This is a small (1 door, 2 lifts) restoration and modification shop that works on many vintage cars. 

Background: This 1965 Volvo 122S (known as an Amazon in Europe) is named Gus (King Carl Gustave of Sweden). Along with its Swedish Iron heritage, a 1965 Volvo 122S won the European Rally Championship, as noted on the side wing windows.

Gus was originally delivered to Todd Miller of Camden, NJ by Motor Sport Volvo of Jenkintown, PA on July 1, 1967. It made its way to Rhode Island then to Key West, FL. I’m told that the Florida owner was a partner in a car dealership and when he passed the car was purchased by Rich Kushner (a vintage Volvo racer) of Swedish Motors in Lancaster, PA. I bought it from Rich and I’ve been Gus’ custodian since September, 2016 and I hope to remain so for many more years. 

The 1965 Volvo developed a bearing noise on Day 1 of the Rally, so the Moose Tracks team opted to transfer from the Competition Class to the Observer Class and went home and grabbed their 2015 Volvo S60 for days 2 and 3 of the Rally. They ultimately had to cut Day 3 short due to a family emergency, but have vowed to return to dominate in 2024!