MASPEE – Local businesses and area residents are turning out for the 2018 Seaside Le Mans in Mashpee on Saturday.
The fast-paced annual event features Formula One European style racing karts provided by X1 Boston. The four hour endurance race runs on a quarter mile track that winds around corners and under a footbridge at Mashpee Commons.
“Before the sun rises that day we have hordes of volunteers waiting to build a track out of hay bales and shrink wrap,” Event Director Kelsey Ellis said.
“It’s a quarter mile track and it’s through the streets and part of a parking lot of Mashpee Commons.”
“It’s like a real Formula One Track with a pedestrian overpass, there’s an infield with activities, you can see the race from outside the infield, and there’s something to do for the whole family.”
The Seaside Le Mans was created to bring local businesses and area residents together to raise money to support Cape Cod communities.
Over $6 million has been raised through sponsorships since the race began in 2001. All proceeds are donated to The Cape Cod Foundation, which distributes 100 percent of the funds gathered each year to listed beneficiaries.
“It’s free to attend which is really the great thing about it. We invite the whole community to come out and cheer on your neighbors that are racing with you and see what the local beneficiaries are up to and get more information about their missions,” said Ellis.
The Davenport Companies of South Yarmouth developed the idea for the Seaside Le Mans following a corporate team-building exercise at the X1Boston indoor racing facility. Based on how great the experience at X1Boston was, Seaside Le Mans organizers figured it would be a unique way to raise funds on the Cape.
“The company was trying to think of an idea for a fundraiser where we could get other companies involved in philanthropy in a fun way,” explained Director of Communications Beth Patkoske.
“I think a lot of times people don’t have the chance to experience something like that, so we wanted them to experience a way of fundraising that’s really fun, that they can connect with, and that they would want to follow along with year after year.”
The Davenport Companies also cover all operation and promotional costs for the event while local business sponsor local driving teams.
Beneficiaries for the 2018 event include the Alzheimer’s Family Support Center of Cape Cod, Cape Cod Healthcare, Cape Cod Children’s Place, Cape Cod Theatre Company Home of the Harwich Jr. Theatre, and Dream Day on Cape Cod.
Spectators can enjoy the race for free and can check out children’s activities and other entertainment venues surrounding the Mashpee Commons.
Each kart team has six drivers with sponsors choosing their own team.
By TIM DUNN, CapeCod.com News Center
About CapeCod.com NewsCenter
