Purdue University - Debris Yearbook (West Lafayette, IN)

Page 23 text:

 . i PAU1 Z»w»d The Grand Prix Carnival is an event sponsored by the Purdue Grand Pnx Foundation these two students try the«r tuck at tossing dimes into glasses tor prizes Surrounded by her sisters of Kappa Kappa Gamma. Kathy Lambert holds her boquet of roses and a trophy after being crowned the 1988 Grand Prix Queen in the Armory • P 19 Grand Prix

Page 22 text:

Inside the victory circle. Steven Daugherty of Tarkmgton Hall receives a congragulatory kcss from tho 1988 Grand Pnx Queen. Kathy Lambert, a junior in the School of Nursing Setting tl he 1 Pace Student involvement continues ... ppropriately referred to as The Greatest Spectacle in College Racing. Purdue Grand Prix made its 31st running on April 23. Nearly 30,000 people viewed the race, watching trackside or on television. as a total of 23 karts qualified and went on to do their best dunng the 160 lap race An event of this magnitude required support from students, faculty and the community to ensure the overall success that was achieved. Some of the students responsible for the continued prosperity included the members of the Purdue Grand Prix Foundation The foundation is a non-profit organization run completely by the students The ultimate goal of the foundation senior board members and their supporting junior boards is to raise money to provide scholarships for Purdue students. The senior and junior boards work together to cover the wide spectrum that involves the one week of race festivities Ranging from Ladies' Events . which supervises the queen events and fashion show, to Scoring, which is crucial to the actual race, the Grand Prix boards dutifully fulfill these jobs. As a unit, the Foundation plans activities, promotes the race, executes the plans, and most importantly raises money for the scholarship given away yearly Stephanie Gesse, president of the foundation, said. Teamwork and managing the foundation are like a business. Both are keys to successful planning for the race and the fund raising Working on the Grand Prix senior board, members get a chance to gain valuable insight and a practical business sense The variety of people working for a common goal and strong alumni support are two points that Gesse believes make the foundation not only successful but unique to Purdue. In addition to the senior and junior boards, the involvement of other students is needed to take on such an immense task. Any large production calls for the support of many, and when it comes to the racing spectacle of the year, enthusiastic Boilermakers do not hesitate to volunteer Forty men and women are selected after interviews to become GP Promoters and GP Girls. These enthusiastic students' main goal is to promote and advertise any event dealing with Grand Prix. They deliver table talks to housing units informing them of upcoming events like the Grand Slam Tennis Tournament and the Snowball Showdown. They work to generate interest among the campus and faculty to promote the race and the Grand Prix ideal of Students Helping Students. Other duties required of the GP Girls and Promoters are fund raising events. escorting VIPs during the race, chaperoning underpriviledged children to the carnival and blowing up over 3.000 balloons to be let go before the official start of the race. The involvement of people is never ending in the attempt to reach the foundation goals of raising money for scholarships and sponsoring an exciting race. Grand Pnx must ensure the safety of the spectators and the drivers alike. The safety and security committee in conjunction with the track-workers carry out important responsibilities Safety and security members not only check the karts and supervise the race, they also act as crowd control during race day. The trackworkers are trained in first aid and with basic fire skills in case of an accident involving one of the karts Both of these groups are in the most dangerous position because of their close involvement with the karts and the track. If this were not enough, they also assist in set up. help in the pits and report any unsafe procedures on track conditions. Part of Grand Prix's outstanding safety record can be accounted for because of the skill and motivation these students possess Probably the most visible of the students involved are the queen candidates. These women are first nominated by their housing units or organizations. After a campus vote, ten finalists are selected The finalists are interviewed by drivers and crew members, and along with the campus votes already tabulated a winner is chosen The queen was crowned two days before race day in the Armory. A fashion show was performed by the GP Girls and Promoters, and the scholarships were awarded After the awards ceremony the ten finalists were escorted on to the stage. Once the court was announced, the coronation of the queen took place She was Kathy Lambert, a junior from Kokomo. Indiana, representing Kappa Kappa Gamma Sorority. With so much involvement of the campus. Grand Prix exhibits the importance of students helping students. From the fund raising to generate scholarships, to the undertaking of an intricate race, the foundation and the many students who contribute their time have completed an amazing task Time, dedication, and organization is evident. Before the drivers start their engines. Grand Prix and all those involved have set the pace for a successful year. A tradition of the race is the releasing of over 3.000 balloons by the Grand Prix Promoters and Grand Pnx Girls The balloons fly over the track before the engines are started b y ROBYN O T 18 Grand Prix

Page 24 text:

Before the official start of the Grand Prix Race, the drivers are given some rules and regulations by the racing officials to ensure a safe and thrilling race One of the side attractions to the race, is the Les Prix, a bed race entered by various female teams Qualifications are a week before the race, the finalists compete on race day With a view from the budge over the track, the karts competing .n the 31st running of Grand Prix The Greatest Spectacle m College Racing. make their first lap. 20 Grand Prix