NEW CASTLE — The green flag will drop next week when several local business compete to raise money and support the Hancock County Boys and Girls Club.
Hancock County’s first mini-corporate challenge, Racing for our Kids Future, a go-kart competition, is set to take place Wednesday at New Castle Motorsports Park.
The event, in conjunction with the Hancock County Boys and Girls Club, will feature four 20-minute heats and runs from 5 to 8 p.m.
“This is an opportunity for local businesses to share a friendly competition to support a program for our local youth,” said Jerry Rogers, club event chair of the New Castle Motorsports Park. “This event offers a real racing experience with qualifying, pit stops and a race at one of the top facilities in the United States.
“Experienced drivers such as current sprint car driver C.J. Leary will participate as well as baby boomers racing wannabes who can to pretend to be a racer for an evening.”
The Newcastle Motorsports Park is owned and operated by Indy 500 veteran Mark Dismore of Greenfield, who raced at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway during the late 1990s into the early 2000s. He finished third in the Indy Racing League IndyCar Series in 1999.
“Mark has always lived in Greenfield,” Rogers said. “His family owns Comet Kart Sales. Greenfield is kind of the mecca for go-karts in the United States, and it’s because of Comet Karts.”
During the 1970’s, Greenfield played host to an annual kart race at Riley Park that was popular among community members. Dismore also participated in the event.
“The Boys and Girls Clubs of Hancock County would like to resurrect the go-kart event’s popularity,” Rogers said. “There is no facility in the United States more qualified to hold the event than New Castle Motorsports Park.”
Rogers and others involved with planning the event wanted to bring something new and fresh to the community. Several businesses use the same fundraisers, like golf outings, to raise money.
“I did fundraising for 25 years,” Rogers said. “I joined the Boys and Girls Club board this year. To me, I tried to look at the biggest assets of the community. I remember the go-kart race was a very popular event.”
Fifteen local businesses are expected to participate with four drivers per team. Those involved include Ninestar Connect, Greenfield Banking Co., Kemper CPA, Dellen Auto, Inskeep Ford, Dave Sego Builders, Dr Pepper, Farm Bureau Insurance, Service Master, Ro’s Bar and Grill, Miller Eads Electric, Brand and Morelock, Team Apple, Gray Auto and the Greenfield Daily Reporter.
Wayne Addison will emcee the event, and track announcer Larry Hines will call the race. Local Indianapolis 500 photographer, Randy Ballinger will take official qualifying photos of each team.
Fans are welcome bring lawn chairs and cheer on the teams.
The Grand Champion will win the Dismore Traveling Trophy to be displayed in its business for an entire year.
“I just thought it would be good every year for someone to keep bragging rights,” Rogers said.
On Sept. 19, the track will host the Pro Am Dan Wheldon Memorial. IndyCar drivers Scott Dixon, Tony Kanaan, Marco Andretti, Josef Newgarden and several others participate in the annual event.
[sc:pullout-title pullout-title=”If you go” ][sc:pullout-text-begin]
What: Racing for our Kids
When: Wednesday, Aug. 26 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Where: New Castle Motorsports Park, 5816 South County Rd 125 West, New Castle
Who: Hancock County’s first mini-corporate challenge, in conjunction with the Hancock County Boys and Girls Club will invite 15 local business to compete for the Dismore Traveling Trophy.
Rain date: A makeup day, in case of bad weather, will be Thursday, Aug. 27.
Information: Jerry Rogers at 317-442-3318 or Mike Adams at 765-987-8090.
[sc:pullout-text-end]
