Cheri Harman, driving for Outback Steakhouse, speeds through a curve in the race for the bronze medal at the 2003 Junior Achievement Mini Corvette Challenge at Beech Bend Park on Saturday. Outback won the bronze, Saturn of Bowling Green the silver and U.S. Bank won gold. Miranda Pederson/Daily News

Three … two … one … and theyre off. That was the sound Saturday at the ninth annual Mini-Corvette Challenge at Beech Bend Park and Raceway. Hundreds of residents, race fans, supporters and pit crew members gathered in the chilly afternoon air at the park to watch their own version of Talledaga or the Daytona 500 at the event that benefits Junior Achievement of Warren County, the local chapter of a non-profit organization that teaches children in the United States and over 100 other countries the economics of life through lessons about free enterprise. Twenty-six drivers, clad in their snazzy outfits bearing the name of their sponsors, roared around the haybale-lined oval track. The event, which has been held downtown for years, was moved to Beech Bend this year and fans and supporters didnt seem to mind at all. Marty Scruggs of Bowling Green said he loves racing and comes out every year to the event. No racing for me, but I love NASCAR and racing in general, Scruggs said. Its the excitement, competitive spirit and the wrecks, of course, that draw me in. Scruggs said the event was nearly as exciting as NASCAR. He said he had seen a couple of wrecks and fender benders and no one was injured, so it was a good day. Dean Wegley of Bowling Green is retired from the General Motors plant and knew some of the people racing and wanted to come out to show his support for them. Its just fun to come out and see the mini-Corvette race and then real Corvettes drag racing right behind them, Wegley said. Its real competition. Willie Kirby of Bowling Green had never been to a challenge before and he decided to see what it was all about. Its pretty nice they get a little aggressive around those curves, he said. Kirby said he saw one wreck, but no one was injured. He said he would definitely come to the event next year. Keith Reynolds of Bowling Green said the event was fun, but didnt believe it was as exciting as when it was downtown where there are more hills to race on. Im here just as a spectator, Reynolds said. I like stock racing so I decided to come out and see what this was all about. Even Warren Countys Sheriff Jerry Peanuts Gaines showed up at the event. Ive been around racing my whole life, Gaines said. You cant beat it they got the drag racing going on and the mini-Corvette challenge. To see them race its interesting and exciting. Gaines added that its also a good place to do a little politicking. The event also featured childrens activities including an inflated moon walk for jumping, an appearance by Broadway the Clown and a safety display by Bowling Green Municipal Utilities. Winners of the race were U.S. Bank claiming the gold award, Team Martin— Saturn of Bowling Green claiming the silver award and Outback Steakhouse claimed the bronze award.