Grand prix revving up for annual Rotary fundraiser
COMMENT: Are you looking forward to the Grand prix event?
RELATED: Photos from last year
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Springfield, Ohio — Traffic will be shut out of the core block of Springfield on Thursday for the local branch of the Rotary club to set up a series of races involving 36 miniature grand prix cars, otherwise known as go-carts.
In its fifth annual event, the Rotary hopes to raise up to $50,000 toward services for people with disabilities, a Fulton Elementary mentoring program, and college scholarships for students. Each year, it awards about $25,000 in scholarships.
Extras
On Monday, May 12, Rotarians, their family and friends gathered at the automotive garage of the Springfield-Clark Career Technology Center to begin preparation for the two-day event.
The purpose of Monday's gathering was not to race, but to check the safety of the participating cars and to train the first-time drivers and flaggers.
There were about 30 new drivers last night. One lost a cell phone on the track, but there were no crashes.
On Thursday, May 15, a city block bounded by Main and High streets running east to west, and Limestone Street and Fountain Avenue, north to south, will be blocked off. On Saturday, slightly larger lengths of these streets will be blocked off.
Each car in the race will represent a local business or organization, with some for-profit businesses teaming up with nonprofits.
More practices are scheduled for Friday, followed by a tire change competition, which will determine the positions of the cars. The qualifying heats will be held Saturday morning.
Contact this reporter at (937) 328-0367 or ecavallaro@coxohio.com.
Comments
By Me
May 16, 2008 2:32 PM | Link to this
I got on the website just to check out times and maybe get a list of businesses that were racing tomorrow. I am appalled by some people’s postings. This is the exact reason the world is what it is today. Who cares. It’s a fun event that makes Springfield, Springfield. Why not just go and have a great time with friends,family and co-workers? Forget the petty BS.
By Patty
May 15, 2008 7:00 PM | Link to this
WIFE should not be so upset if she is sure she is doing so much for the community. The business people she says that are making all these decisions that are best for the community are being made by a select few that belong to a Closed Club that is not affordable to most of the general public. They would be mortified if we showed up in a dress off the rack or our hair was not perfect. How dare us? They should not have to associate with the likes of us.
By Melissa
May 14, 2008 9:58 AM | Link to this
If you don’t like it - Don’t go! If you do like it - then go! It’s a free event, kids like to see the cars go by and you’re not at home… SO stop complaining - that’s what’s wrong - Rotary tries to do something nice and people complain -it’s fun to watch and if you don’t have the money you can still go watch because it’s free! Except for the gas you have to put in your car! Take a sandwich and drink and watch it and be quiet or STAY HOME!
By Melissa
May 14, 2008 9:58 AM | Link to this
If you don’t like it - Don’t go! If you do like it - then go! It’s a free event, kids like to see the cars go by and you’re not at home… SO stop complaining - that’s what’s wrong - Rotary tries to do something nice and people complain -it’s fun to watch and if you don’t have the money you can still go watch because it’s free! Except for the gas you have to put in your car! Take a sandwich and drink and watch it and be quiet or STAY HOME!
By Melissa
May 14, 2008 9:57 AM | Link to this
If you don’t like it - Don’t go! If you do like it - then go! It’s a free event, kids like to see the cars go by and you’re not at home… SO stop complaining - that’s what’s wrong - Rotary tries to do something nice and people complain -it’s fun to watch and if you don’t have the money you can still go watch because it’s free! Except for the gas you have to put in your car! Take a sandwich and drink and watch it and be quiet or STAY HOME!
By Wife
May 14, 2008 9:50 AM | Link to this
As I am one of the “wives” refered to in the post below - I am offended. I care deeply about all sectors of the Springfield community! As a life long resident, I am very vested in this worthwhile undertaking. $50,000 is a huge help to those in our community! As it is the local businesses and organizations that pay to sponsor cars in the event, so your reference to the “elite” makes no sense. The organizations and businesses decide to participate and who gets to drive.
By Karen
May 13, 2008 7:04 PM | Link to this
This is a group of people that believe they are “the elite”. I no longer participate because of their attitude. Yes, some are very considerate and actually concerned about everyone in the community. The WIVES are the ones that are there to show off their latest bauble and could care less about anyone that does not meet what they consider their “club mentality”. Just appreciate what they do for the community and “fuuget about them”!!
By Racer
May 13, 2008 6:48 PM | Link to this
I am on one of the race teams, and it is not individuals that purchase these cars, it’s businesses in Springfield.
It is FREE to attend the race AND there are free events for the childre on Saturday and Sunday from 12-4 at the Kuss Center.
Stop complaining and come out and watch or sit at home and be bored!!!
By johnson
May 13, 2008 4:23 PM | Link to this
I agree with the positive people and can also tell who they are by the way they “spell” !
My mother, wheel chair confined, in a nursing home, had a hoot last year when I picked her, drove downdown, to watch what the city is doing.
She enjoyed, I enjoyed it. I just want to know what the hours of operation are so we don’t miss anything like last year.
By johnson
May 13, 2008 4:18 PM | Link to this
Does anyone know the time of day for any of these events ? What time does all begin ?
By common man
May 13, 2008 3:48 PM | Link to this
this is event for the special people in our community… do you think the every citizen has the cash to sponser a car? it is an elite event that the commoners can watch and spend their money watching the elite have fun…does the rotary pay the city rent on the street?
By common man
May 13, 2008 3:48 PM | Link to this
this is event for the special people in our community… do you think the every citizen has the cash to sponser a car? it is an elite event that the commoners can watch and spend their money watching the elite have fun…does the rotary pay the city rent on the street?
By sandy
May 13, 2008 10:51 AM | Link to this
The first individual to post is no worthy of a reply; but I would like to ask the Springfield News & Sun just one question: how did that individual’s name make it past the censors?!?! Concerning the event itself — which is what we were asked to comment on in the first place — I think it’s great. I love the fact that our city has community events such as this.
By cranic
May 13, 2008 10:36 AM | Link to this
First of all you sound ignorant, talking about this kind of stuff when you cant even spell. If You want to hear something sickaning, it is the fact that your trying to keep all this racism crap going. Last year I seen Black people, white people, and even a few mexicans having a good ol’ time together.
By bob
May 13, 2008 10:33 AM | Link to this
Obviously the first poster is just attempting (and failing) to be funny. I was there last year, and didn’t see any “Whites Only” signs…
This is a great annual downtown event that supports scholarships and people with disabilities.