MADISON, Ill. - Police officers and firefighters from 15 area communities participated in the first-ever Guns and Hoses Challenge at Gateway International Raceway on Sept. 11. Bob Sampson of the Pine Lawn (Mo.) Police Department won the event and the (Madison, Ill.) Mayor John Hamm trophy. That event was the first of several "Rivalry Nights" to be presented by GIR.
"Thanks to Mayor Hamm and to all of the first responders from the bi-state area for supporting our inaugural Guns and Hoses event at Gateway International Raceway," GIR General Manager and Vice President Lenny Batycki said. "History was made and tradition was started with this event. We appreciate so much what these first responders do for all of us and to get the chance to provide them a little drag racing fun is a pleasure for us to do."
With the first one in the books and a success, Batycki wasted little time announcing the second "Rivalry Night": Faster Pastor. This event will pit local clergy against one another on the one-eighth mile dragstrip on Oct. 9. The winner will receive the Midwest Racing Ministries Trophy.
Batycki said these events and the ones planned for 2008 will provide good-natured competition between racers as well as attracting folks who may not otherwise attend weekly events at the track. "Rivalry nights are meant to bring a college gameday-type atmosphere to special events at GIR," he said. "It is an event based much more on bragging rights than speed, horsepower, or motorsports. Racing in their personal street cars on our short, one-eighth mile drag course, makes the fun quick and easy, so participants can get back to talking more 'trash' to each other in the pits."
For more information on Faster Pastor and other "Rivalry Night" activities, contact Jason Dukes at 618-482-2400 or via e-mail at jdukes@dovermotorsports.com.
"Thanks to Mayor Hamm and to all of the first responders from the bi-state area for supporting our inaugural Guns and Hoses event at Gateway International Raceway," GIR General Manager and Vice President Lenny Batycki said. "History was made and tradition was started with this event. We appreciate so much what these first responders do for all of us and to get the chance to provide them a little drag racing fun is a pleasure for us to do."
With the first one in the books and a success, Batycki wasted little time announcing the second "Rivalry Night": Faster Pastor. This event will pit local clergy against one another on the one-eighth mile dragstrip on Oct. 9. The winner will receive the Midwest Racing Ministries Trophy.
Batycki said these events and the ones planned for 2008 will provide good-natured competition between racers as well as attracting folks who may not otherwise attend weekly events at the track. "Rivalry nights are meant to bring a college gameday-type atmosphere to special events at GIR," he said. "It is an event based much more on bragging rights than speed, horsepower, or motorsports. Racing in their personal street cars on our short, one-eighth mile drag course, makes the fun quick and easy, so participants can get back to talking more 'trash' to each other in the pits."
For more information on Faster Pastor and other "Rivalry Night" activities, contact Jason Dukes at 618-482-2400 or via e-mail at jdukes@dovermotorsports.com.
