By Gallego H.R. No. 477 76R8997 GMW-D R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, The second annual Big Bend Open Road Race is being 1-2 held on April 15-17, 1999, and this challenging test of man and 1-3 machine is indeed worthy of special recognition; and 1-4 WHEREAS, Sponsored by Rodger Ward's Classic Auto Racing 1-5 Society (C.A.R.S.), the three-day event takes place in the 1-6 counties of Pecos and Terrell and is a round trip race between the 1-7 cities of Fort Stockton and Sanderson; and 1-8 WHEREAS, During the race, 60-plus miles of Texas State 1-9 Highway 285 are transformed into the fastest highway in Texas; the 1-10 terrain of this road is wide and forgiving and features many 1-11 challenging curves and long straightaways, making it an ideal place 1-12 for full-throttle excitement; and 1-13 WHEREAS, The race's participants and their vehicles must meet 1-14 all the necessary safety requirements and are grouped into one of 1-15 five classes: the Unlimited Division, which features no speed 1-16 restrictions, the Grand Touring Division, the Grand Sport Division, 1-17 the Super Sport Division, and the Touring Division; and 1-18 WHEREAS, The 150 expected drivers represent almost three 1-19 times the number of competitors in last year's inaugural race; in 1-20 the 1998 event, Derek Eastty of Austin was the winner, setting the 1-21 speed record of 165.178 miles per hour with an average time of just 1-22 over 21 minutes 29 seconds while driving a 1984 Chevrolet Corvette; 1-23 and 1-24 WHEREAS, Other highlights of the extravaganza include a car 2-1 show and an awards banquet; the event has united the counties of 2-2 Pecos and Terrell, and through the cooperation of these 2-3 communities, as well as the Texas Department of Transportation and 2-4 local law enforcement, this spectacular race promises to be a treat 2-5 for all those in attendance; now, therefore, be it 2-6 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 76th Texas 2-7 Legislature hereby commemorate the second annual Big Bend Open Road 2-8 Race on April 15-17, 1999, and extend to the event's host, 2-9 organizers, and participants sincere best wishes for a highly 2-10 successful race.