Published: June 30, 2008 09:58 am      

Local club co-hosts weekend event

A very different group will take over Saturday at the local fairgrounds off U.S. Route 150 on the heels of the Vermilion County Fair.

These clubs won’t be showing livestock or competing with projects that hearken back to agricultural roots. Instead, they’ll spend the day bonding over bikes — motorcycles, that is.

The first half of the third annual Dash for Cash Charity Event — the show and entertainment portion — will return to Danville at a new location. Previously, the Vermilion County Airport was the site of this part of the two-day motorcycle event. Danville’s Speed Mastaz is one of four clubs hosting the fundraiser, which continues Sunday with races at US 41 Raceway Park in Morocco, Ind.

“We’re a not-for-profit group,” Tim “Soup Bone” Dockery, the Danville club’s president, said. “Any profit we make is split up between the hosting clubs. We donate our share to charity.”

Last year, that profit amounted to $15,000. Members of the Speed Mastaz selected three charities to benefit this year: Danville Area Community College’s Child Development Center, Boys & Girls Club and Your Family Resource Connection’s homeless shelter.

The bikes that members of the club ride look built for speed as well as show. Todd Hutchins, Speed Mastaz member, named Suzukis, Kawasakis and Hondas as among the most popular. Their Asian origins account for the affectionate nickname they’re given — Rice Rockets.

“These are bikes meant for racing,” Hutchins said. “They don’t save on gas. We get around 20-40 mpg depending on the modifications we have.

“We don’t go fast, though,” he added, “except at the track.”

The show portion of the charity event is open to all types of bikes. There are special classes for Harley Davidsons, old school bikes from the ’70s and ’80s and sport bikes like this club rides.

“All bikes are welcome,” Dockery said, “any size, any type.”

The show follows two hours of trick riders from 1-3 p.m. Saturday. There will be live entertainment kicking off at noon that includes R&B, rap and jazz followed by a dance at 8 p.m. Admission for the day is $10.

“Most of our members are family people,” Dockery said. “Kids under 12 get in free. This event is about family, friends and fun.”

The quarter-mile race Sunday at the US 41 Raceway with awards and cash prizes in a variety of classes. Admission to the track is $15 with varying entry fees for the different race classes. Top prize of the day is $1,500 for first in the Quick 16. The track opens at 8 a.m. EDT with the races starting at noon.

The local club expects lots of campers to arrive at the fairgrounds starting Thursday night.

“There should be between 300-500 riders coming for this,” Dockery said. “We meet people from everywhere.”

For more information, call Dockery at 597-9539.