To learn more about the organization, please go to www.bandimere.com and click on the "Race to Read" logo

"Race to Read"®, a six-week reading program conducted by Bandimere Speedway, is designed to encourage literacy by providing an exciting race-themed incentive.  While the program is designed primarily for elementary age students, "Race to Read"® can also be customized to fit most any special education requirement.

"Race to Read"® is a six-week program that concludes two weeks prior to the speedway's season-opening event, the Checker Auto Parts "Night of Fire & Thunder, scheduled for a Saturday in mid-May.  Complimentary tickets for the reader and one accompanying adult to the event are offered as one of the many popular prize incentives during the reading program.

"Race to Read"® has its roots at Jefferson County's Rooney Ranch Elementary School in Lakewood, Colorado, where it helped kick-off the school's inaugural year in 1995.  The response by the school community was tremendous and prompted many contacts from other schools interested in establishing the program for their students.  In 1996, the program was expanded to five schools with the same positive response.  The 2004 program hosted 58 schools which included nearly 28,000 students.

"There are a variety of good reading programs being used today in the schools, however, one that uses a race theme and race cars, not only gets the students excited, both boys and girls, but also helps meet the program's goal - more reading!  By having the opportunity to earn FREE tickets to our popular season-opening event, parents also get involved as they motivate their kids to reach that goal," claims Tami Shrader, the program's coordinator.