Charity Takes a Central Place at the CENTRIX Financial Grand Prix of Denver
Event Expands Charitable Activity, CENTRIX Pledges Profit Donation
CENTENNIAL, Colo., Aug. 6 -- Just as at the last two runnings of the Grand Prix, local and national charities are found at the heart of the 2004 CENTRIX Financial Grand Prix of Denver. Together, the Grand Prix of Denver Foundation and title sponsor and co-owner, CENTRIX Financial, have significantly expanded the event's charitable activities this year.
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Along with the return of the beloved Mini Grand Prix charity go-kart race, the Foundation commissioned five unique pieces of art from local artists to be auctioned off, with proceeds benefiting local and national charities. In addition, CENTRIX Financial Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Robert E. Sutton, announced that the company would donate any profits from the Grand Prix to selected charities and non-profits.
"Long ago I learned that what is important in life is not what you get out of it, but what you put into it. This community has embraced myself, my family and this company, we are committed to giving back in any way we can," said Sutton. "When we came to the Grand Prix last year it was in large part due to its tremendous charitable focus, it is a focus that has always been held by CENTRIX as well. I am proud to commit to donating of any profits we realize from the Grand Prix back to the community."
The Hole in the Wall Gang, Boys and Girls Clubs of Metropolitan Denver and the Auraria Foundation Scholarship Fund will be the major beneficiaries of this year's charitable activities. In addition, several other local charities will receive targeted grants.
The Foundation's charity activities kicked-off in early July with the commissioning of five paintings from Daniel Arensmeier, Kevin Weckbach, Quang Ho and Ron Hicks. Each was asked to create a piece that captured their interpretation of the Grand Prix and its energy. The five pieces were first displayed as part of the Grand Prix installation at the Cheery Creek Shopping Center, and then traveled to five of Denver's top restaurants as part of the International Restaurant Tour. All five artworks will be auctioned off with proceeds going to the Foundation's chosen charities.
This year's Mini Grand Prix will take place on Saturday August 7th, on a scale replica of the Grand Prix track built in the Auraria Campus parking lot. The event is open to the public from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. A $500 charitable donation is required for participation in the race, and all proceeds will again go to the Foundation. Additionally, for the first time, the Mini Grand Prix track will be open to the public from August 9th through the 15th. For $25 anyone eight years old or older (under 18 requires adult consent) can run 10 laps of the track. All proceed will go to charity. The Mini Grand Prix track is run in conjunction with the Track at Centennial.
The Grand Prix has also launched programs with the Make-A-Wish Foundation and Downtown Aurora Visual Arts (DAVA) at this year's event.
About CENTRIX Financial, LLC
CENTRIX Financial, founded in 1990, is a capital management and financial services firm that develops and manages products and investment strategies focused on the auto finance industry. With agreements with nearly 7,000 auto dealers and over 200 financial institutions, CENTRIX has underwritten nearly 200,000 loans totaling over $2.0 billion since 1998. The Company's extensive motorsports programs include its position as the Official Auto Finance Company of NASCAR, it co-ownership of the CENTRIX Financial Grand Prix of Denver and relationships with Rahal Letterman Racing and others.
About CENTRIX Financial Grand Prix of Denver, LLC (CFGPD)
CFGPD is a wholly owned subsidiary of Denver-based financial services and management firm, CENTRIX Financial. CFGPD was created, and has been contracted by Champ Car, to provide management services for the 2004 CENTRIX Financial Grand Prix of Denver.
For further information, please contact Brandon Borrman, CENTRIX Financial Corporate Communications, +1-303-225-3585, bborrman@centrixfinancial.com.
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