By Diana Morse | Special to The Morning Call
August 26, 2007
LET THE KART RACING BEGIN!
The remarks were corny, but the sentiments were sincere.
“I’ll steal the line I used from the Velodrome re-naming ceremony held last week [Friday, Aug. 10],” stated Ellen Kern of State Rep. Pat Browne’s office during remarks Saturday morning, Aug. 18, welcoming Allentown-based Lehigh Valley Grand Prix: “The Lehigh Valley Grand Prix gets our hearts racing!”
Allentown Mayor Ed Pawlowski seconded the motion with “The opening of the Lehigh Valley Grand Prix gets Allentown racing ahead!”
The new indoor kart racing facility on S. 10th Street hosted a grand opening celebration the weekend of Aug. 18-19. An 11 a.m. ribbon-cutting ceremony was attended by more than 70 guests Saturday morning.
During the celebration, several notable guests suited up to try their hand at racing, including Lehigh County Executive Don Cunningham and Pawlowski, who raced to beat one another to the finish line.
Owners Chris Cooper and Mike McCreary, accompanied by racetrack mascot Cairo, were on hand to welcome guests, including Stars of Karting championship competitor Zack Skolnick.
The brightly lit facility houses 30 karts capable of racing up to 45 mph around a quarter-mile road course, with special areas designated for parties and corporate events.
For the celebration, checkered tablecloths were decorated with balloons in the track’s colors of vibrant lime green and fire-engine red. Guests waiting for their turn at the starting line cheered on their favorite cars from the expansive trackside viewing area, or tested their skills with arcade games.
Among racers and guests were Nathan Kline; Mike Ondra and Ron Jerdon of Ondra Huyett; Joyce Marin, Allentown Economic Development Corp.; Buddy Lesavoy; Lee McCreary, and Janet Boore, Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce.
Following the races, guests were invited to enjoy an outdoor barbecue catered by Conway’s BBQ of Allentown.
Source: Source: Morning Call | August 26, 2007