ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Friday, April 11, 1997 TAG: 9704110013
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: LESLIE TAYLOR THE ROANOKE TIMES
A Roanoke Valley organization that helps people in crisis has found a fast-paced way to raise money.
TRUST, a Roanoke Valley crisis center, is known for its zany fund-raising stunts.
The organization's former executive director once lived for three days in a race car parked inside Tanglewood Mall. He once climbed a billboard at Oak Grove Shopping Plaza and stayed there for three days. On one of those days, he solicited pledges by offering to wear pantyhose for a few hours.
TRUST's latest fund-raising maneuver seems tame by comparison. But it is no less elaborate.
On May 4 in downtown Roanoke, 30 to 40 go-carts encased in fiberglass race car-style bodies will speed around the City Market building in downtown Roanoke.
It's the "TRUST 500."
"No one in Roanoke has ever done this before," said Janice Dinkins, TRUST executive director. TRUST borrowed the idea from a drum and bugle corps in Canton, Ohio, that has held similar races for 12 years.
TRUST hooked into race-car-themed fund-raisers three years ago. In 1994, the organization - with sponsorship from Advance Auto Parts - held an event featuring Winston Cup drivers and their cars. NASCAR memorabilia were auctioned, raising $15,000 for TRUST. A similar event was held last year, raising about $9,000.
This year "we decided to get away from that, do something different," said Dave Franklin, assistant advertising director for Advance Auto, sponsor of this year's TRUST 500, "and hopefully raise more money."
Teams from Roanoke-area companies and out-of-town companies that do business in the Roanoke area will race the cars. Each company pays $2,500 to participate. That covers the cost of the car ($920), an entry fee and a tax-deductible donation to TRUST.
So far, 31 companies have entered the race. The number could reach 40 before race day, Franklin said.
The cars are small, squat vehicles, just big enough for an adult 5-feet-8 to 6 feet tall to squeeze into. The cars - shipped this week from Fort Wayne, Ind. - are powered by 5-horsepower motors. They can go up to 40 miles per hour.
The half-mile race route will begin near Center in the Square on Campbell Avenue, U-turn at Williamson Road, come back along Campbell, loop around the City Market building, turn right on Campbell, U-turn at Jefferson Street and come back up Campbell. The farmers' market area will serve as the pit.
The companies will race in four heats throughout the day. The final race will determine the winner.
TRUST 500 may be promoted as a fun event for a worthy cause, but some are in it for the love of racing - and winning.
So to discourage any enhancement of motors (apparently boring out the pistons can bring the engine up to 8 horsepower), teams will draw for motors the day before the race. Only then will teams be able to install the motors in their cars and have a chance to take a few pre-race practice laps. The motors will then be removed from the cars and impounded in the back of a tractor trailer overnight. They'll be brought out again on race day.
"We want to make sure the race is fair," Franklin said.
For more information about TRUST 500, call TRUST at 344-4691.
LENGTH: Medium: 69 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: JANEL RHODA THE ROANOKE TIMES. Dave Franklin of Advanceby CNBAuto Parts lifts the fiberglass body of one of the go-carts that
will zip around the City Market area May 4. color.