MADISON, Ill. - Are you a lifelong devotee of the Redbirds and want to show up the Cubs' fan next door? Tired of hearing "Rock, Chalk, Jayhawk" from the co-worker in the cubicle next to you as you wear your Mizzou black and gold?
Then do something about it.
Gateway International Raceway is conducting six Rivalry Night events on its eighth-mile dragstrip this season. After the success of the Guns and Hoses and Faster Pastor Rivalry Night events last year, GIR Vice President and General Manager Lenny Batycki said it was time to expand the program, which is free for race participants.
"Everyone who participated in our Rivalry Night events last year left here asking one thing: When's the next one?" he said. "We decided to keep those two as permanent fixtures to the program and then add four more that will probably rotate from year to year.
"It's a great time to not only settle any friendly grudges you may have, but to come to Gateway and see what we're about. Not everyone can say they have raced on an NHRA-sactioned dragstrip. By participating, you can not only have that experience, but have a great time in the process."
Faster Pastor, won last year by Dr. Jim Walker of Hazelwood (Mo.) Baptist Church in a 1992 Ford Econoline van, will run on Aug. 5, with the Second Annual Guns and Hoses Challenge being held Sept. 9. The defending winner, Bob Sampson of the Pine Lawn (Mo.) Police Department walked away with the Mayor John Hamm trophy and intends to put his title on the line this year.
The Rivalry Night schedule kicks off April 8 with College Night. On May 20, it's Cards vs. Cubs night, with fans of the Redbirds pitted against the supporters of the Small Bears. All participants must wear gear of their favorite school or team and prizes will be awarded for best overall appearance.
June 10 will see mini-vans and SUVs take to the track for Soccer Mom night. It's an opportunity for moms all over the area to jump in their vehicle and, instead of hauling kids to games, haul some butt down the dragstrip. And on July 8, it's MoDoT vs. ILDoT in the King of the Road Challenge. Who rules the road? The Illinois Department of Transportation or its Missouri counterpart?
"All these events are intended to not only be fun events, but to introduce people to our track and to our sport," Batycki said. "We look forward to not only having a lot of participants, but a lot of spectators out to watch the fun."
For event details, monitor GatewayRaceway.com over the course of the 2008 season.
Then do something about it.
Gateway International Raceway is conducting six Rivalry Night events on its eighth-mile dragstrip this season. After the success of the Guns and Hoses and Faster Pastor Rivalry Night events last year, GIR Vice President and General Manager Lenny Batycki said it was time to expand the program, which is free for race participants.
"Everyone who participated in our Rivalry Night events last year left here asking one thing: When's the next one?" he said. "We decided to keep those two as permanent fixtures to the program and then add four more that will probably rotate from year to year.
"It's a great time to not only settle any friendly grudges you may have, but to come to Gateway and see what we're about. Not everyone can say they have raced on an NHRA-sactioned dragstrip. By participating, you can not only have that experience, but have a great time in the process."
Faster Pastor, won last year by Dr. Jim Walker of Hazelwood (Mo.) Baptist Church in a 1992 Ford Econoline van, will run on Aug. 5, with the Second Annual Guns and Hoses Challenge being held Sept. 9. The defending winner, Bob Sampson of the Pine Lawn (Mo.) Police Department walked away with the Mayor John Hamm trophy and intends to put his title on the line this year.
The Rivalry Night schedule kicks off April 8 with College Night. On May 20, it's Cards vs. Cubs night, with fans of the Redbirds pitted against the supporters of the Small Bears. All participants must wear gear of their favorite school or team and prizes will be awarded for best overall appearance.
June 10 will see mini-vans and SUVs take to the track for Soccer Mom night. It's an opportunity for moms all over the area to jump in their vehicle and, instead of hauling kids to games, haul some butt down the dragstrip. And on July 8, it's MoDoT vs. ILDoT in the King of the Road Challenge. Who rules the road? The Illinois Department of Transportation or its Missouri counterpart?
"All these events are intended to not only be fun events, but to introduce people to our track and to our sport," Batycki said. "We look forward to not only having a lot of participants, but a lot of spectators out to watch the fun."
For event details, monitor GatewayRaceway.com over the course of the 2008 season.
