August 8, 2007

Coopersville Summerfest Burn Out Contest screeches into Berlin Raceway

MARNE MI – The general public's opportunity to put the pedal to the metal and show off your best burnout is coming up this Friday night, August 10, when Berlin Raceway will host the Coopersville Summerfest/Del Shannon Memorial Car Show's first annual Burn Out Contest.

The Burn Out Contest, sponsored by Berlin Raceway and the Greater Coopersville Jaycees, will take place after the Del Shannon Memorial Car Cruise in Coopersville. Those who wish to participate will leave from the parade and head straight to the track in neighboring Marne, just five miles east of Coopersville. Anyone is invited to attend to participate in either burning out or judging. Muscle cars, trucks, wagons, compact cars - all are welcome! Gates open at 7 p.m. and the event begins at approximately 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $2 plus a donation of one non-perishable food item for Coopersville Cares, a non-denominational food and clothing pantry, or $3 without a food item. Pit passes are $10; there is no additional fee to participate other than purchasing a pit pass.

Trophies will be awarded to the top three places. The top three finalists will be selected by a panel of judges, and the overall winner will then be chosen based on crowd enthusiasm.

The Burn Out Contest was originally scheduled to be held in the large parking lot at Arby's in Coopersville, but was moved to Berlin Raceway for safety reasons.

Coopersville Summerfest is an annual week-long hometown celebration that features such events as the Del Shannon Memorial Car Show and Car Cruise, both sponsored by the Jaycees, Kids Triathlon, Miss Coopersville Pageant, Talent Show, community-wide yard sales, free concerts by the Community Jazz Band and the Scottville Clown Band, fireworks, Demolition Derby and Mudd Bogg Races. The event, which began on Monday and runs through Saturday, August 11, anticipates a crowd of 100,000 visitors for Saturday's finale. For more information on this family-friendly volunteer-driven celebration, please visit www.coopersville.com.

Berlin Raceway's regular stock car racing resumes on Saturday, August 11 with a 4-in-1 show presented by Arbor Mortgage, with Coors Light Late Model, Engine Pro Super Stock, De-Jay Slick Truck Pro Stock and the visiting Wolverine Outlaw Midget Series. It's also Trucker Night with Big Rig Races and the first annual Bike Show presented by Davidson Express, with more than 100 motorcycles expected to attend and prizes awarded in 17 judging categories. Live music from Rhythm Cult will entertain bikers and fans from 3 to 6 p.m. The Bike Show runs from noon to 6 p.m. and racing begins at 7 p.m. Tickets are $12 for adults, half price for kids age 6 to 12 and free for kids 5 and under. Pit passes for those 16 and over are $25.