1-1                          SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 475
 1-2           WHEREAS, The second annual Big Bend Open Road Race is being
 1-3     held on April 15 through 17, 1999, and this challenging test of man
 1-4     and machine is indeed worthy of special recognition; and
 1-5           WHEREAS, Sponsored by Rodger Ward's Classic Auto Racing
 1-6     Society (C.A.R.S.), the three-day event takes place in the counties
 1-7     of Pecos and Terrell and is a round-trip race between the cities of
 1-8     Fort Stockton and Sanderson; and
 1-9           WHEREAS, During the race, 60-plus miles of Texas State
1-10     Highway 285 are transformed into the fastest highway in Texas;
1-11     the terrain of this road is wide and forgiving and features many
1-12     challenging curves and long straightaways, making it an ideal place
1-13     for full-throttle excitement; and
1-14           WHEREAS, The race's participants and their vehicles must
1-15     meet all the necessary safety requirements and are grouped into
1-16     one of five classes:  the Unlimited Division, which features no
1-17     speed restrictions, the Grand Touring Division, the Grand Sport
1-18     Division, the Super Sport Division, and the Touring Division; and
1-19           WHEREAS, The 150 expected drivers represent almost three
1-20     times the number of competitors in last year's inaugural race;
1-21     in the 1998 event, Derek Eastty of Austin was the winner, setting
1-22     the speed record of 165.178 miles per hour with an average time
1-23     of just over 21 minutes 29 seconds while driving a 1984 Chevrolet
1-24     Corvette; and
 2-1           WHEREAS, Other highlights of the extravaganza include a car
 2-2     show and an awards banquet; the event has united the counties of
 2-3     Pecos and Terrell, and through the cooperation of these communities,
 2-4     as well as the Texas Department of Transportation and local law
 2-5     enforcement, this spectacular race promises to be a treat for all
 2-6     those in attendance; now, therefore, be it
 2-7           RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas,
 2-8     76th Legislature, hereby commemorate the second annual Big Bend
 2-9     Open Road Race on April 15 through 17, 1999, and extend to the event's
2-10     host, organizers, and participants sincere best wishes for a highly
2-11     successful race.
2-12                                                                   Madla
2-13                                  ______________________________________
2-14                                          President of the Senate
2-15                                       I hereby certify that the above
2-16                                  Resolution was adopted by the Senate
2-17                                  on March 24, 1999.
2-18                                  ______________________________________
2-19                                          Secretary of the Senate
2-20                                  ______________________________________
2-21                                           Member, Texas Senate