Tuesday, July 9, 2003
Gary Davidson, Public Information Officer
Terry Roberts, Director of Marketing/Public Relations, New Smyrna Speedway (386-427-4129, Ext. 306)
Alison E. Evans, Vice President of Public Relations, Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranches (1-800-765-3797)

Due to the inclement weather and adverse track conditions at the New Smyrna Speedway, the charity school bus race to benefit the Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranches was postponed and rescheduled for Saturday, Sept. 13.

 

TICKETS ON SALE FOR 2nd ANNUAL CHARITY SCHOOL BUS RACE

Just when you thought it was safe to return to the track……..They’re b-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-c-k.

Volusia County Sheriff Ben Johnson and a host of other celebrity drivers will careen around the New Smyrna Speedway next month in what promises to be an action-packed 2nd annual charity school bus race to benefit Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranches. Florida Attorney General Charlie Crist will serve as grand marshal for the Aug. 9 race. Advance tickets are on sale now for $10. “The community really responded to last year’s event and showed their support for the Youth Ranches and the work they do for Florida’s young people,” said Sheriff Johnson. “We’re hoping for an ever bigger and better event this year. The race will be exciting and competitive, and it’s all for a very good cause."

Sheriff Johnson will defend his title from last year’s race, a heart-stopping battle that was settled when a crash at the beginning of the last lap around the ½-mile asphalt oval knocked the sheriff’s closest competitor out of the race. Other celebrity drivers scheduled to take part in this year’s race include at least two other Florida Sheriffs, a local police chief, a state legislator, a T.V. sportscaster and one ringer – NASCAR driver Mike Skinner. The charity event will be part of a full slate of stock car racing action at the New Smyrna Speedway on S.R. 44 and S.R. 415 in Samsula.

Other celebrity drivers scheduled to take part in the charity race along with Sheriff Johnson are Osceola County Sheriff Charlie Aycock, Brevard County Sheriff Phil Williams, Daytona Beach Police Chief Dennis Jones, state Rep. Pat Patterson of DeLand and WESH-TV sportscaster Buddy Pittman. Additional drivers will be announced prior to the race. “We have always supported efforts to serve the needs of our young people,” said Robert Hart, owner of the New Smyrna Speedway’s sanctioning body, FASCAR. “We’re proud to be a part of this event and hope it will continue for a very long time.”

A charitable, non-profit corporation, Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranches provides a wide assortment of community-based residential care, family counseling, camping programs and foster care to neglected, abused and at-risk children throughout Florida. The statewide program includes a network of four residential child-care campuses and two youth camps for underprivileged children, including the youth camp in Volusia County near Barberville. Last year’s inaugural bus race raised more than $8,000 for the Youth Ranches. “Sheriff Johnson takes the challenge of preventing juvenile delinquency very seriously. As sheriff, he has been a very faithful friend to the children we serve,” said Roger O. Bouchard, Jr., president of the Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranches. “The school bus race is just one example of his support for the Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranches. Since he’s the defending champion, I can promise you it will be another incredibly exciting event.”

The speedway has pledged half the proceeds from the sale of advance tickets, which are on sale now through the Sheriff’s Office. Children under the age of 12 will be admitted free. Information on obtaining tickets can be obtained by calling (386)-323-3536 in East Volusia or (386)-822-5097 in West Volusia.