Driver Adam Schultz, right, and co-pilot Steve Girard, of Wisconsin, winners in the 2023 Epic Willys Adventure Jeep race, Rusty Trombone, No. 68 with hold up their trophies Saturday, June 17, at the Bantam Quarry in Portersville. Laura Welsh/Special to the Eagle

PORTERSVILLE — Racers from the 2023 Epic Willys Adventure returned to Bantam Quarry following a rugged road trip that saw them through the back-roads of five states in New England. Team Rusty Trombone, manned by Steve Girard and Adam Schultz of Wisconsin, won the coveted Concord Cup.

“It just feels amazing. After this many days bouncing around in that old Jeep, it’s just nice to get out. It’s one of those things where sometimes it’s hard when you’re in it, but when you’re done, you’re like, ‘Wow. I did that,” said Girard, a three-time participant.

Nine racers departed Butler on June 11. They were welcomed back by dozens of volunteers at Kildoo Road about a week later on Sunday, June 17.

Racers hit hundreds of miles of back roads each day on the multi-day competition.