Talladega Superspeedway
NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 1, 2005 (05-119)
Talladega Superspeedway Welcomes Thousands Of Boy Scouts,
Cub Scouts This Weekend For History-Making 2005 Alabama Encampment
TALLADEGA, Ala. - Thousands of Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts, Venturers and
leaders will make history this weekend at Talladega Superspeedway by
participating in the largest Boy Scout Encampment ever held in Alabama. The
Greater Alabama Council of Boy Scouts of America will present "Race To
Scouting - 2005 Alabama Encampment" Nov. 4 - 6 in celebration of its 95th
Anniversary of Scouting and the 75th Anniversary of Cub Scouting, with
events scheduled throughout this weekend in the infield and some portions of
the 2.66-mile superspeedway's grandstands.
Scouts, Venturers and leaders will begin arriving mid-day Friday, Nov.
4 to start setting up their campsites within the Red and Blue Zones and
triangle spectator viewing area of the infield, which has been divided into
six "subcamps." The subcamps are named after several of the facilities
owned by Talladega Superspeedway's parent company, International Speedway
Corporation, with Talladega Superspeedway, Michigan International Speedway,
Kansas Speedway, Richmond International Raceway, Darlington Raceway and
Daytona International Speedway represented. The Green Zone on the north end
of the infield is designated for Cub Scout family camping.
Councils from throughout the state have worked together to put together
an exciting weekend for the Scouts, with activities in cooperation with over
100 companies and vendors to include:
- World's Largest Pine Wood Derby Racing
- The Golden Flake SNACKSCAR 500 (feet) Prime Pedal Kart race
- Birmingham Barons pitching booth offering photos with mascot Babe Ruff
- Family movies shown on two big screens Friday night
- Order of the Arrow Indian Village featuring a Pow Wow on Saturday,
Native American dances and crafts
- Exhibits and demonstrations by Summit Tree Stands, Pradco
lures, Knight and Hale Game Calls, Skeeter Boats, the Alabama Hunting and
Fishing Conservation
Alliance featuring 60 lanes for competition Shooting
Sports, professional outdoorsmen Tim Horton and others, Carry-Lite decoys,
"Cave Rat" Cain from Troop
121 in the Black Warrior Council on exploring caves and
protecting the cave environment, local Volunteer Fire and Rescue officials
and Police Explorers
- Live musical entertainment providing a variety of music including Rock,
Bluegrass and Bluegrass Gospel
- Displays of military vehicles, the National Guard's climbing wall, and a
performance by the Marion Military Institute drill team on Saturday
- A stage show finale with a short concert and fireworks show Saturday
evening
- Religious services on Saturday and Sunday mornings
- Scouting and camping merchandise available from the National Scout Shop,
Coleman and other vendors
- Food service vendors with pizza, hot dogs, barbecue, catfish, drinks and
other goodies
Officials with the Greater Alabama Council of Boy Scouts of America
said they chose Talladega Superspeedway for this history-making event not
only because the track's enormous size and many amenities were so
well-suited for a gathering of this magnitude, but the track's own rich
history of hosting world-class racing events provided a unique and exciting
backdrop for participants. Since the theme for Scouting's national
recruitment effort over the next few years is "Race to Scouting - Fun at
every turn!" the location is a natural fit.
"This will be the largest gathering of Scouts in the history of our
state," said Ronnie Holmes, Scout Executive for the Greater Alabama Council.
"The Greater Alabama Council is excited to be the host council for this
historical event. On behalf of the youth we serve throughout the state,
Scouting salutes Grant Lynch and his team at Talladega Superspeedway for
giving so many young people and Scouting families the opportunity to
experience a Scouting activity of this size."
Talladega Superspeedway President Grant Lynch said he has been looking
forward to the event, and embraces the opportunity to welcome the thousands
of Scouts, Venturers, leaders and family members for a visit to NASCAR's
Most Competitive Track.
"Some of the participants may have visited our racetrack before, but
for many of them, it will be their first time here," Lynch said. "We always
enjoy showcasing our facility, but we particularly enjoy welcoming young
people who are experiencing the uniqueness of it for the first time. We
think they will have an exciting, fun weekend and hope that it also creates
an interest in racing for those who have never been able to spend time at a
racetrack."
If you are a Scout and would like to attend the event or you would like
to find out how you can join a Scouting program in your community, visit the
Greater Alabama Council Website at www.1bsa.org or phone 1-888-490-8955 for
information.
Plans are in the works for the most exciting year yet at Talladega
Superspeedway in 2006, and don't forget that the holidays are just around
the corner! Cross your favorite race fans off your shopping list first by
purchasing them gift certificates to NASCAR's Most Competitive Track. The
first opportunity to use the certificates will be for the 2006 Aaron's Dream
Weekend set for April 28-30. The new 3-day race weekend format features two
NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series practices and The Birmingham News Qualifying for
the NASCAR Busch Series on Friday, April 28, The Birmingham News Qualifying
for the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series and the Aaron's 312 NASCAR Busch Series
race on Saturday, April 29 and the Aaron's 499 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series race
on Sunday, April 30. To order tickets, call 1-877-Go2-DEGA (1-877-462-3342).
For our hearing impaired guests, please call TDD 1-866-ISC-TRAK
(1-866-472-8725). Tickets also are available online at www.racetickets.com,
or in person by visiting the Talladega Superspeedway Ticket Office from 8
a.m. - 5 p.m. CDT, Monday - Friday. Kids age 11 and younger are admitted
free of charge on Friday and Saturday of race weekend. For news and other
information on Talladega Superspeedway, check out the track's web site at
www.talladegasuperspeedway.com.
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Contact:
Kristi R. King
Director of Public Relations
Office: (256) 761-4705
Cell: (256) 223-0370