High-performance sports cars will be pushing their limits as part of the first-ever Sun Valley Road Rally next month.
The rally, a fundraiser for the Blaine County Community Drug Coalition, offers drivers the opportunity to ignore the speed limit along a stretch of state Highway 75 north of Ketchum.
In partnership with the Blaine County Sheriff's Office and Sun Valley Auto Club, the drug coalition, led by Executive Director Terry Basolo, spent the past few months working on an application to the Idaho Transportation Department.
Two weeks ago, Basolo received the green light for the event. Volunteers are now signing up drivers looking for an adrenaline rush while helping a good cause.
Sun Valley Auto Club owner Dave Stone, who helped come up with the idea for the rally, said that they are hoping to get around 30 cars entered in the rally and raise over $75,000. The goal of the drug coalition is to decrease alcohol and drug use among the youth of the Wood River Valley.
The rally costs $1,500 for one run and $2,500 for two runs on the course. Registration deadline is July 13.
Stone said one car will go at a time, starting at Cathedral Pines, just on the northern side of Phantom Hill, and head south toward the Sawtooth National Recreation Area headquarters. He said participating cars will have two miles to drive as fast as they want and then one mile to slow down.
Blaine County Sheriff Walt Femling said the highway will be closed in 15 minute intervals to allow the cars to have the road to themselves. Between runs, the asphalt will be swept clear of any debris.
"I think this will be a really fun event," Femling said. "It's not a race or all about speed, but doing this for the kids and supporting a great cause."
Spectator tickets are $20 per person or $50 for a family of four. More information can be found at www.blainecountycdc.org or by calling (208) 928-7117.
Jon Duval: jduval@mtexpress.com
