Colorado's Gateway Canyons Hosts the World Race 2011 New York to Paris
Gateway Canyons Resort, in southwestern Colorado, is welcoming the auto drivers of the 'World Race 2011 New York to Paris', an event that replicates the 1908 original, and takes cars and drivers around the world.
Gateway, CCO - February 17, 2011 - New York, San Francisco, Beijing, Moscow, Prague, Berlin and Gateway Canyons all have at least one thing in common: they're stops on the 'World Race 2011 New York to Paris', the round the world auto race which will begin in Times Square and eventually finishes under the Eiffel Tower. On April 23, the Gateway Auto Museum, renowned for its multi-million dollar collection, will host a gala dinner event for the drivers in the race and special guests from regional car clubs. World Race drivers will overnight in the luxurious accommodations at Gateway Canyons before moving on to their eventual final destination of Paris, France.
The race, which begins April 14, will travel west from New York to San Francisco, then embark by sea to the second leg of the course in Asia, Russia and Europe. Teams of drivers in 26 cars are tested for their endurance and driving skills, and are slated to arrive at the Eiffel Tower on July 11.
The 'World Race 2011 New York to Paris' commemorates The Great Auto Race of 1908, a record-breaking epic test of man and machines that covered 22,000 miles over the course of 169 days. That race was won by George Schuster Sr. of Buffalo, New York, and the American automobile he drove, the Thomas Flyer. The 2011 event will cover 23,000 miles and a wide assortment of cars will motor through 12 countries. The stop in Gateway promises to be among the most memorable, however, when the Colorado canyon country is at its scenic springtime peak, and as the resort rolls out the red carpet for car enthusiasts.
John Hendricks, most widely recognized as the founder of the Discovery Channel, is also the founder and owner of Gateway Canyons. Hendricks has boundless interest and enthusiasm for cars too, and the Gateway Auto Museum houses his personal collection. "Douglas Grimes, the organizer of the international component of the race, met John by happenstance at an Educational Travel Community conference," explains Tammy Anderson, Director of Lodging and Guest Experience at Gateway Canyons. "As they got to talking about their mutual passion for automobiles and touring, the conversation ultimately led to the race and to Gateway Canyons." Grimes is the president of MIR Corporation, a Seattle-based tour operator specializing in Asian and European adventure travel.
Gateway Canyons and the Gateway Auto Museum are a natural fit for the participants of 'World Race 2011 New York to Paris', providing stunningly scenic driving routes into and out of the resort, and one of the finest auto collections in the nation for this appreciative audience. The resort will host the cars, drivers and local auto buffs at a celebratory dinner at the museum on April 23, where guests will enjoy three featured speakers, fine dining, a firsthand look at the $10 million dollar rare and historic auto collection, and sumptuous overnight accommodations.
Jerry Price, executive director of the race, is also the owner of Price Team Racing. He'll be driving a Corvette in 'World Race 2011 New York to Paris', a vehicle which runs on propane, butane, gasoline, ethanol, methane and alcohol. In addition to this one of a kind Corvette, vehicles include a 1967 Volkswagen Beetle, a 1929 Ford Model A Speedster, and a 2010 Toyota Highlander hybrid-- the only vehicle in the world that can run on natural gas. The first New York to Paris race visionaries set out to prove the viability of long distance auto travel at a time when the technology was brand new. The 'World Race 2011 New York to Paris' has a similarly high goal: to prove the viability of sustainable and alternative fuels.
“Much like the 1908 race proved the automobile could travel around the world, the 2011 race will prove new technology will improve the human race,” says Price. "I'm honored to be in the 102nd anniversary of The Great Race-- the 'World Race 2011 New York to Paris', and look forward to the challenges of the race and the experience of traveling the world." Price has been a lifelong proponent of alternative energy, and his interest in it has punctuated both his career and his avocations. Price has converted numerous vehicles to sustainable fuels, and will share his knowledge and enthusiasm for this technology in his role as one of three featured speakers at the Gateway Auto Museum dinner event. Other speakers include Jeff Mahl, great grandson of George Schuster, and Mike Ryan, a veteran Hollywood stunt driver with over 500 feature films, television shows and commercials to his credit.
Guests are invited to be a part of the 'World Race 2011 New York to Paris' and its stop at Gateway Canyons on April 23. The resort is offering the World Race Package, which includes admission to the Gateway Auto Museum, tickets to the festive dinner event and a night's accommodation starting at $110.00 per person, double occupancy. Tickets for just the gala dinner are $32.00 per person.
Gateway Canyons is planning some additional memorable highlights for 'World Race 2011 New York to Paris' participants when they visit. Plans are being finalized now for a fly-over from Gateway Canyons Air Tours and the Cessna Caravan plane that offers scenic air tours to guests at the resort.
About Gateway Canyons
Gateway Canyons is a premier retreat destination with 54 rooms, state-of-the-art meeting facilities, full amenities, breathtaking scenery, a range of outdoor activities, and the Gateway Colorado Auto Museum. Located one hour southwest of Grand Junction on Colorado Scenic and Historic Byway 141, this destination is easily accessible. Frequent flights are available from Denver, Dallas, Phoenix and Salt Lake City at the full service Grand Junction Regional Airport. Private planes may arrive in Grand Junction or Montrose. Rental cars and shuttles are available. For more information, call 866-671-4733 or visit http://www.gatewaycanyons.com/press-room for an online press kit, press releases, and downloadable photographs.
Media Contacts:
Tammy Anderson, Director of Lodging and Guest Experience
Gateway Canyons
970-931-2647
Tammy (dot) Anderson (at) gatewaycanyons (dot) com
or
Vicky Nash, Public Relations Representative
Resort Trends, Inc. - media communications for the travel & tourism industry
970-948-4923
Vicky (at) ResortTrends (dot) com
Gateway Canyons
43200 Hwy 141, PO Box 339, Gateway, CO 81522
Toll Free: 866-671-4733
Main Office: 970-931-2458
Fax: 970-931-2823
http://www.gatewaycanyons.com
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