There will be plenty of excitement, fun and education during an event Tuesday in Seymour planned by police and a state organ donation organization.
The Seymour Police Department, Indiana Criminal Justice Institute and Indiana Donor Network have partnered to offer a unique event for the community.
United States Auto Club sprint and midget car drivers Tyler Courtney, Kevin Thomas Jr. and Zeb Wise will participate in a course competition from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday at Freeman Municipal Airport.
It will feature the drivers participating in two road courses that officers train on throughout the year in Seymour police cruisers.
Parking is available at 1061 N. A Ave.
The public will get a close view, as there will be concrete barriers and bleachers on site.
There also will be a USAC midget replica car at the event, and the drivers will be available for autographs.
The Indiana Donor Network also will present information about organ donation and provide opportunities for the public to win tickets to the Big Machine Vodka Brickyard 400 race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The Monster Energy NASCAR cup race is scheduled for Sept. 8.
Logan Miller, who is a 2013 graduate of Seymour High School, works for the Indiana Donor Network and said the day will be a lot of fun that will raise a lot of awareness.
“These are not random drivers, but big names in dirt track racing,” he said.
Miller is right.
Wise, 16, recently beat out NASCAR racing star Kyle Larson in a midget race in Pennsylvania and is fourth in points for the USAC series.
Courtney is third in USAC sprint and first in the USAS midget series, while Thomas Jr. is fourth in sprint and fifth in midgets.
“These guys race against each other all the time, so there is going to be some fun competition,” Seymour Police Cap. Carl Lamb said.
The drivers also give Miller the opportunity to promote organ donation through the Indiana Donor Network’s Driven 2 Save Lives campaign.
“There are eight people in Jackson County who need an organ donor right now,” he said. “There are 1,300 in our state, and 22 people die each day waiting for an organ donation.”
That’s why the event also will be used to promote awareness of the issues.
Lamb said the event also creates the opportunity to share with the public various efforts the department is pursuing. He said the department is reminding people to properly use seat belts and safety around school buses.
The department received funding this week for overtime associated with school bus traffic violations, so the timing is perfect, Lamb said.
“It’s a big day of fun and education,” he said.
Lamb, a dirt track racing fan, said the experience will be a fun one because the drivers will be out of their element on the two courses.
“They’re used to turning left, but these guys will have to turn right, which will be a little out of their realm,” he said.
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What: Seymour Police Department, Indiana Criminal Justice Institute and Indiana Donor Network dirt car driver course and education day
When: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: Freeman Municipal Airport; parking at 1061 N. A Ave., Seymour
Details: United States Auto Club sprint and midget drivers Tyler Courtney, Kevin Thomas Jr. and Zeb Wise will race two different courses in Seymour police cruisers. The public also will have an opportunity to win Brickyard 400 tickets and learn about organ donation and police initiatives.
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