MOTOR SPORTS PROGRAM NEEDS FUNDING

Larry Harrison has big dreams that involve big spending.

Harrison, who owns Old South Lawncare and is a former narcotics officer,
directs the Motorsports Academy of South Carolina to reach at-risk children
with the message to remain drug-free.

He's been visiting high schools, churches and other organizations since
1992 with a Mini-Cup car, reaching more than 75,000 children a year as he
travels across the state.

Harrison is excited about an upcoming camp, which is new for the academy
and will run Monday through July 20. It will be held at the Church of
Harvest on U.S. 378, and Harrison said it has been his "goal for many years."

An office, located on North Lake Drive, and a race track in Gaston were
donated to the academy. The old Columbia Speedway dirt track will require
renovations, Harrison said, and he needs volunteers to do cleanup, help
paint and provide supplies.

But his ultimate goal is an after-school program that he hopes to start in
the fall.

"One of the problems we've had is keeping up with the kids ... making sure
they stay drug-free," Harrison said. He wants continuous involvement with
the students, so their progress can be tracked.

He says the upcoming camp will "solidify educational points" as instructors
focus on the relationship between math and racing.

Gina Barton, program director of Motorsports Academy, says the number of
students attending the camp is limited to 20.

A special needs car is also in process but may not be ready until
September, depending on funds.

"No one has addressed the fact that the school will not exist without
donations," Barton said.

Barton says the program's strong points are its mentoring program, which
encourages the children in careers related to racing, and the focus on
teamwork.

The students do all the work on the Mini-Cup cars, which are half the size
of stock cars, and learn to be part of a pit crew, she said. "They learn
... what it's like to be a driver who has to rely on his team."

Saxe Gotha Elementary fifth-grader Jamie Griffin, 11, says he's the first
student mentor in the program.

"Larry thought I was a good driver, so he picked me for his Motorsports
Academy to be a mentor," he said. "I'll teach them how to stay in school
and how to race. It'll keep them off of drugs." Jamie's is the son of Beth
and Bo Griffin of Lexington.

Harrison says the camp, for children ages 8 to 18, will be effective
because of the greater opportunity for "personal contact."

The academy's teaching staff consists of two volunteer certified teachers,
three teaching assistants and four professional drivers. They see
approximately 1,500 students come through the program yearly.

To get involved by donating or volunteering, contact Gina Barton at (803)
951-1666, or e-mail MASCRacing@aol.com for information.