On Saturday, May 19, corporate leaders will trade in their business suits for racing uniforms as they make a run for the US Bank Gold Cup at the 24th Annual Mini Corvette Challenge presented by Houchens Industries to benefit Junior Achievement of South Central Kentucky.
The parking lot of the Knicely Conference Center will be transformed into a mini-racetrack as area teams race their custom-tooled and detailed Corvette go-carts competing for the coveted Gold Cup and bragging rights for the year as they raise money and awareness for Junior Achievement. The green flag will wave at 10 a.m., when a field of local teams will compete in multiple heat races to determine their positions in the final championship cup races that will begin approximately
at 1 p.m.
Race teams consist of up to nine team members: minimum of two but up to four drivers, three pit crew members and two team assistants. Teams are required to make a designated pit stop during the event to switch drivers and change a tire offering the opportunity to match both driving and technical skills with other teams to capture the checkered flag.
“This longstanding event exemplifies the commitment of local businesses and corporate sponsors towards Junior Achievement within our community,” said Drew Martin, President of Junior Achievement of South Central Kentucky. “By participating in this event, we are able to implement programs into the schools so that students can become financially literate and workforce ready. Even though only one team may win the gold cup, the real winners are all the students who are able to benefit from these programs.”
One of JA’s largest fundraisers, The Mini Corvette Challenge has raised more than $700,000 for Junior Achievement programming since its introduction in 1995. Houchens Industries is this year’s presenting sponsor along with cup sponsors, U.S. Bank (Gold Cup), General Motors Assembly Plant (Silver Cup), and Commonwealth Broadcasting (Bronze Cup). ESPN 102.7 will provide live race play-by-play of the cup races. Admission to the event is free to the public. In addition to the race, families can enjoy a variety of children’s activities and inflatable games.
More about Junior Achievement of South Central Kentucky
Junior Achievement (JA) stands strong in bringing the real world into the classroom through hands-on programs on money, jobs, and business ownership. JA is the world’s largest non-profit organization dedicated to giving young people the knowledge and skills they need to own their economic success, plan for their future, and make smart academic and economic choices. JA programs are delivered by corporate and community volunteers, and provide relevant, hands-on experiences that give students from kindergarten through 12th grade knowledge and skills in financial literacy, career and workforce readiness, and entrepreneurship.
JA’s unique approach allows volunteers from the community to deliver the curriculum while sharing their experiences with students, giving them a real-life perspective on a working adult in our community. The symbolic “JA kit” comes packed with everything volunteers need – a detailed and user friendly teaching guide, workbooks, worksheets and game boards, all clearly labeled and ready to use. Embodying the heart of JA, volunteers transform the key concepts of the lessons into a message that inspires and empowers students to make smart academic and economic choices.
Today, JA USA reaches more than 4.8 million students per year in 109 markets across the United States, with an additional 5.2 million students served by operations in 100 other countries worldwide. Locally, JA of South Central Kentucky impacts more than 10,700 students during a school year. Through 447 classrooms in the six-county service area, the demand for Junior Achievement continues to grow.
Unique events like the Mini Corvette Challenge allow Junior Achievement to provide additional K-12 classrooms with financial and economic literacy programs in our community and those surrounding. For more information about the Mini Corvette Challenge, visit.
