5-12-10 —     As the countdown continues for the kickoff of the Lake Cumberland Grand

Prix Offshore Super Series (OSS) powerboat race on June 4-6, volunteers are

finalizing plans to help handle the logistics of the largest and most

exciting event of the summer season in Somerset and Pulaski County, the Lake

Cumberland region, and Southern Kentucky.

    Some of the biggest, loudest, and fastest boats on the OSS racing

circuit capable of traveling at speeds of 200 miles per hour will converge

on Lake Cumberland for a exciting three-day weekend event of great

entertainment, including a free southern rock and blues concert by Devon

Allman‹the son of legendary singer/songwriter Gregg Allman of the Allman

Brothers Band‹a "Parade of Boats" on opening day and, of course, the best in

offshore racing.

    During race days on June 5 and 6, traffic coming in and leaving the

official site of the race course at Waitsboro Recreation Area, located off

U.S. 27 just past Traffic Light 29, will be limited due to activities

surrounding the race. There will be no public parking for spectators at

Waitsboro Recreation Area, the premium site to view the race from land or

water.

    "We strongly encourage spectators to use one of the designated parking

areas in and around the race site," said Larry Combs, event coordinator and

director of business services for The Center for Rural Development, the home

of Race Village. "Shuttle service will be provided from four different

parking sites for a small fee to allow spectators and families to enjoy the

race with the least amount of traffic headaches."

    A shuttle service will run both days of the race from designated parking

lots at the following locations: The Center, located a short distance north

of the race course on U.S. 27 at Traffic Light 15; the North and South

Campuses of Somerset Community College on Monticello Street; and Southern

Elementary School, located behind the Somerset Mall on Enterprise Drive.

    There is a charge for riding the shuttle each day, and there is a

discounted price for children ages three through 12. Children under

three-years-old can ride for free. The shuttle service will make continuous

stops at the designated parking lots throughout both days.

    Each rider will receive a colored wristband, which gives them access to

race viewing areas and transportation to and from the race site at any time

during the day.   

    There also will be designated areas at and near Waitsboro Recreation

Area for spectators to view the race from land and from private boats in the

water near the race course. Those plans are being finalized, and details on

those spectator areas will be released soon.

    Additionally, race teams will unload their boats from a secured boat

launching ramp at nearby General Burnside Island State Park. The boat

launching ramp at the state park will be closed to the public during the two

days of racing.

    All of the opening activities on June 4 will take place at Race Village

on the grounds of The Center. Before a free evening concert by Honeytribe

fronted by Devon Allman, race teams and their powerboats will be on full

display in a spectacular "Parade of Boats" as the caravan of boats heads

north up U.S. 27 in Somerset from The Center and back again.

    The race teams, fresh off their first OSS race of the year in Biloxi,

Miss., will be at Race Village on opening day to sign autographs, have

photographs taken with racing fans, and relax before they head to the race

course the next day.

    A variety of sponsorship packages for the Lake Cumberland Grand Prix are

still available, including basic packages ranging from $1,000 to $2,500

sponsorships to premium packages that include three levels of sponsorships

from gold ($5,000), platinum ($10,000) to diamond ($25,000).

    "We also have Lake Cumberland Grand Prix Finish Line Friends for those

businesses who want to donate goods or services for the race," Combs said.

    "Becoming a sponsor for the OSS Race not only shows support for the

event, but it shows support for Lake Cumberland and the surrounding

counties," added Jeff Crowe, president and CEO of TOUR SEKY, and race

sponsorship coordinator. "We are asking all businesses in the Lake

Cumberland Region to get on board and show their support for the community."

    For more information on the race, contact Larry Combs at The Center at

606-677-6000 or via e-mail at lrcombs@centertech.com.

    To become an official race sponsor, contact Jeff Crowe at TOUR SEKY at

606-677-6095 or via e-mail at jcrowe@tourseky.com.

    Volunteers and vendors may sign up to help with the race by visiting

Lake Cumberland Grand Prix Web site at www.lakecumberlandgrandprix.com to

fill out online participation forms, or contact the Somerset-Pulaski County

Chamber of Commerce at 606-679-7323 to sign up for service opportunities and

register to participate in the event.