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Local hospitality lures racers nationwide |
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Wednesday, 13 August 2008 |
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"I’ve already gotten calls from drivers who said the only bad thing about the weekend was leaving.”
-- Joe Shown
SORC organizer
By MICHELLE ZLOMKE
Chief Managing Editor
When registrations for the 2009 Sandhills Open Road Challenge open in early October, it will only take two weeks to fill the 120 available spots. According to organizers, the event has become a premiere activity for racers nationwide due to atmosphere provided by area residents.
“The community outshines everything we do,” said organizer Joe Shown. “You come to Arnold and you are a rock star. People don’t get excited other places like they do around here.”
Shown is both a founding organizer and a racer, so has experience with events across the country.
“Overall, I’m not sure we’ve ever had a better event,” Shown said. “I’ve already gotten calls from drivers who said the only bad thing about the weekend was leaving.”
Fellow racer and friend Gary Patterson of Las Vegas, praised the people of the area during Friday’s parade and car show.
“This is clearly the one race that stands out,” Patterson said. “There is the best attitude in the community. You come back each year and it’s like a big family reunion.”
This year’s SORC plans included a drivers’ barbecue in Broken Bow, a new grudge match in Thedford, shootouts near Callaway and the road race near Arnold.
Shown said it’s rewarding to see more communities become involved in the events.
“The idea was to make this an event to benefit the whole area,” Shown said. “Arnold and the Custer County area has always been a great host.”
Patterson, who has helped organize the SORC each year, said he’s been pleased that the organization has contributed so much to back to the communities through grants and scholarships.
“I couldn’t be happier,” Patterson said. “It’s very rewarding to see the people and the enthusiasm. It’s rewarding to see all the fruits of all the hard work in the community.”
Both the community and the event have enticed Ken Hodges and his navigator, Les Peterson, to participate. The two came from Julesburg, Colo., to race a 2007 Vette.
“I came up here three years ago to watch,” Hodges said. “I said, ‘I’ve got to do this.’ When you’re a car nut, this is where you’ve got to go. People all over say this is one of the best.”
Hodges said he often tells people of the unique hospitality of the local residents. He and Peterson stayed in the home of L.V. and Ruth Conner.
“Everybody just really opens up,” Peterson said. “It’s just a really great atmosphere. |
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Last Updated ( Thursday, 21 August 2008 )
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