Lime Rock Stages Successful Special Olympics Karting Challenge

The competition is close in the 4th Annual Karting Challenge to benefit Special Olympics Connecticut at Lime Rock Park. (Photo: Lime Rock Park)

The 4th Annual Karting Challenge to benefit Special Olympics Connecticut at Lime Rock Park was better than ever this year.

For the first time the Karting Challenge was a two-day event with four-hour endurance races scheduled on Tuesday and Wednesday. Approximately 30 teams of four drivers competed against each other to raise money for Special Olympics Connecticut during the two days. Each driver had four 15-minute racing sessions on Lime Rock’s autocross course.

Awards were given to the top three finishers in each race.

Special Olympics Connecticut is a non-profit, charitable organization that provides year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for individuals with intellectual disabilities. Special Olympics provides opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills, and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community.

During the Crystal Rock Pro-Am Sprints Presented by Mohegan Sun, race car driver Shawn Hawthorne of Brookfield, will dedicate the proceeds from his race to Special Olympics Connecticut. He will also solicit donations at a booth during the event on Friday, Saturday and Monday.

To learn more about Special Olympics Connecticut visit www.soct.org or call 203-267-6566.

Director of Marketing and Sales William McMinn (far right) accepts a special recognition award for Lime Rock Park from organizers of the Special Olympics Karting Challenge. From left to right are: Raymond Hadden, a Special Olympic athlete and Global Messenger, Steve DeWitte of Special Olympics Connecticut and Johan Schwartz of Endurance Karting, the supplier of the karts used in the challenge. (Photo: Lime Rock Park)