Purdue Grand Prix

With the Purdue Grand Prix held each year on the school's West Lafayette, Ind., campus, greek organizations help build and race go-karts in the name of charity.
Money from donations and tickets benefit the Purdue Grand Prix Foundation, a non-profit organizations that conducts the kart race and related events to raise money for student scholarships. Last year, the Foundation awarded 18 scholarships totaling more than $5,000 dollars thanks to support from students as well as national corporations like Ford, Coca-Cola, and Kimberly Clark.
Though greeks are a major part of the Grand Prix - 13 different fraternities participated in the 2003 event - the event is open to all members of the student body. The 50-miles, 160-lap race is billed as "The Greatest Spectacle in College Racing," a reference to the Indianapolis 500. In May, 33 drivers competed in the event, with Timothy O'Brien from Wiley Hall taking first place after leading for the final 68 laps.

The Competition

Nicholas Watt, a Delta Chi from Naperville, Ill., took fifth place and was an example of the kind of time, effort, and money necessary to compete in the annual event. Drew Kessler '01, a Kappa Sigma, also competed in the event.
"They practice for two or three months, build their own cars, and go through months of practice," said Andy Robinson, Purdue's Director of Greek Life. "They can spend anywhere from $4,000 to $5,000 on the car itself. It's big deal for some."
You don't have to be a gearhead to enjoy Purdue's "Gala Week."
For others, the week-long event is a chance to have fun for a good cause.
'Gala Week,' which features "Jazz on the Steps," and ROTC Hall of Fame induction, a Purdue Bands Showcase and other events, is a chance for alumni and actives to get together and enjoy each other's company, with or without the race. "It's just a big party for everyone," Robinson said. "The regular members party hard before finals."