Purdue University - Debris Yearbook (West Lafayette, IN)

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More than just a race Side shows highlight week before Grand Prix classic The Grand Prix race climaxed a week full of partying and festivities that psyched everyone up for the BIG day. Picnics. TG’s, keg-gars. pig roasts, and bar specials were only a few ways Purdue found to kick off the greatest spectacle in college racing. “Who are you voting for? was the most popular conversation starter of the week. Twenty-eight candidates from housing units and organizations competed for the title of 1985 Purdue Grand Prix Queen. The queen candidates Cary Marsxeiak. sophomore, and Jennifer Spewak. freshman, both of Alpha Gamma Delta rejoice after learning that they placed first in the Les Filles Prix bed race. put on a fashion show in the North Union Ballroom two weeks before crowning. The purpose of the event was to expose candidates and to get the people involved. Perhaps the most candidate recognition came from the posters distributed all over campus, from fraternity houses to local drugstores. Before voting. students were spotted in front of store windows comparing candidates. On April 25. Slayter Hill was overcome with spectators cheering their favorite candidate as Annie Ross, a junior representing Alpha Chi Omega sorority, was crowned 1985 Grand Prix Queen. Glamourous Life was the theme of the Grand Prix Girl Fashion Show preceding the coronation. Twenty-five Grand Prix Girls and twenty Promoters acted as representatives for the event. Freshman Kris Jones. 1985 Grand Prix Girl. said. Grand Prix would not have been possible without the help of the Grand Prix Girls and Promoters. We did everything from coordinating events, to the fashion show, to selling programs. Highlighting the week of partying were four days of rides and games at the Grand Prix carnival. Golf, racquet-ball and tennis tournaments, and the Distance Classic included Purdue's sports enthusiasts in the activities. On race day. sprint races, a pit stop competition, and the Grand Prix parade served as opening acts for the main event. Another event preceding the race was the Les Filles Prix Bed Race. The Les Filles Prix gave Purdue women an opportunity to also be Grand Prix winners. One hundred twenty-eight teams of five girls each raced beds along the track to the theme of Rock Around the Track” in which contestants dressed as rock stars. Alpha Gamma Delta (alias The Go-Go's”) took first place based on spirit, costume, and coordination. Even without its famed race. Grand Prix week provided entertainment for all. —Julie Weltz I A. Taylor A Taylor Five and ten kilometer races comprise the Eighth Annual Distance Classic, held on April 27. Students, faculty, and the general public took part in the event Members of Ann Tweedale's team race for a spot in the finals. Four girls push a bed while the fifth team member rides. Taylor Grand Prix 25

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Yes, some people actually do take a break from partying to monitor the progress of their favorite kart. Phi Kappa Psi fraternity members keep track of their driver. Wild Bill Goode, during the race. Grand Prix Queen Annie Ross smiles and waves to spectators during the Grand Prix parade that kicks off the race. A. Taylor 24 Grand Prix

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The fast track Kart racers go for the gold Plugs checked. Sprockets oiled. Straps fastened. The moment had come. Weeks of practice, cases of beer, and long nights of repair all faded away as thirty-three karts assumed their starting positions. Impatient engines roared with anticipation. A hush swept through the 30,000 spectators. Drivers drew one last breath. Gentlemen, start your engines,” yelled 1985 Grand Prix Marshall Bobby Unser. The green flag waved as both the track and the crowd erupted. The one thought that junior Doug Wright, driver for Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity, had on his mind was to get ahead one kart at a time. That is precisely what he did. Wright dominated 107 of the 160 lap race to win the 28th Purdue Grand Prix. I knew no one could beat me. confided Wright about his second attempt at the trophy. He knew his kart, the track, and he knew his goal — and he achieved it. McCutcheon Racing’s Jerry Culp followed eleven seconds behind Wright, followed by Sigma Nu fraterni- ty's Scott Kerestes in third place. Grand Prix’s main purpose is to raise money for student scholarships. Profits from the race and its surrounding events go to the Purdue Alumni Scholarship Fund. All karts must go through technical inspection in order to practice, qualify, or race. The 1985 race saw no major accidents with over twenty of the starting thirty-three karts running through the finish line. First place was determined by a computerized scoring system, aided by about thirty students. Throughout the race, a scoreboard displayed the top five kart positions based on input from each kart team. After approximately three grueling hours, the suspense was over. The black and white checkered flag signaled the end of the race as Doug Wright drove under it with a sigh of accomplishment and relief. —Julie Weltz Stunned by his finish, winner Doug Wnght waits for final confirmation of his long awaited victory. A Taylor m m 26 Grand Prix