CNHI
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.