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