Burnin’ Rubber for Arts Education

Photo by Dave Happel

Region’s Businesses Race to Raise Funds for Nonprofit ArtsQuest During SteelStacks Grand Prix June 14-16; Teams Can Sign Up for the Event Starting Today

BETHLEHEM, PA—As a former karting and micro-sprint car driver, Jeff Horvath of BELFOR Property Restoration was excited to learn about the SteelStacks Grand Prix, the go-kart race that takes place at SteelStacks each June.

Two years ago, he entered a team in the Le Mans-style race, with the goal of enjoying a great teambuilding experience with his colleagues. After a strong showing in 2017, last year the team took the checkered flag, topping 34 other corporate groups that had their sights set on finishing first.

“I have been a patron of Lehigh Valley Grand Prix in Allentown since it opened, and I happened to see an advertisement for the SteelStacks event when I visited the facility,” says Horvath, Manager for BELFOR. “I was instantly interested in being part of this exciting day.

“The secret to our victory on race day was that our team loves auto racing. Most of us are current or prior drivers, so we took the fierce competition seriously. While it’s great fun, it’s also a highly competitive event, with drivers such as IndyCar Series star Marco Andretti and IMSA’s Corey Lewis taking part in previous years.”

This year, Belfor will once again field a team for one of the most unique fundraisers in the region. Taking place on a temporary, half-mile track constructed by Lehigh Valley Grand Prix exclusively for the event, the SteelStacks Grand Prix brings together a Who’s Who of the Lehigh Valley’s corporate community for a day of action-packed go-kart racing on the Saturday, June 15, of Father’s Day Weekend. The public can also get in on the action by watching the event from the trackside grandstands, as well as taking part in the public racing sessions June 14 and 16. Over the past two years, the event has generated more than $30,000 to support ArtsQuest’s free music and arts education programming for the region.

“The SteelStacks Grand Prix offers unique exposure to the Lehigh Valley community and beyond,” Horvath says. “This event is an awesome opportunity to meet other local businesses and the public, plus have a great time with your team. The most important element, however, is the charitable piece and partnership with ArtsQuest.”

The SteelStacks Grand Prix is presented by Lehigh Valley Grand Prix and Barry Bartakovits, Jim “The Judge” Stocklas and Anna Anthanasiou, along with media partner Service Electric Cable TV & Communications. Among the businesses already confirmed to take part in the Corporate Racing Challenge are Adams Outdoor Advertising of the Lehigh Valley, Bazella Group, BELFOR, Boyle Construction, Chevy 21, L & L Construction, Levan Associates, Inc. and The Bayou Boys Hospitality Group. Proceeds from the event support ArtsQuest’s free festivals for the region including Musikfest, as well as the nonprofit’s arts education programming at the Banana Factory and SteelStacks, which now reaches more than 6,000 students annually.

“This is truly unique to be able to offer companies from all over the region the opportunity to compete against each other on a professional outdoor karting track,” says Mike McCreary, owner of Lehigh Valley Grand Prix, which spends a five days setting up the temporary race track at SteelStacks. “With the need to expand for more teams in year three, the new track layout will be our biggest and most technical yet. It is a blast to see the participants ditch their work outfits and become their own version of Mario Andretti when the helmet goes on.”

Experience the Thrill of Competitive Go-karting – Sign Up for the SteelStacks Grand Prix!

Local businesses and corporations that want to participate in the Corporate Racing Challenge can contact ArtsQuest Sr. Director of Business Development Nicole Dotta at ndotta@artsquest.org or 610-332-1334. Every business that sponsors a car receives a five-person team in the event, as well as a variety of other great benefits:

– Friday night kickoff party
– Fully-catered lunch on race day
– Team photos
– Team t-shirts
– Signage surrounding the track
– Tickets for family and friends for the public racing session June 16

For more information on the Grand Prix, visit www.steelstacks.org/grandprix.