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2001 Little 500 features bicycling, documentary premiere
April 11, 2001
EDITORS AND NEWS DIRECTORS: Media credentials and infield passes are required for the Mini 500 and Little 500 races, and will only be issued to working members of the news media. For more information, contact Kevin Gray at 812-856-5682 or keagray@indiana.edu
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- The dogwoods and daffodils are in bloom in Bloomington, a sure sign that Indiana University's Little 500 Weekend can't be far behind.
This year's Little 500 events, on April 19-21, will include the men's and women's bicycle races, the Mini 500 trike race, and the premiere of a documentary chronicling the Little 500's storied past.
Attendees at this year's Little 500 races at Bill Armstrong Stadium will see the massive renovation job that has been undertaken since last year. The north grandstand and press box have been removed to make way for improved seating similar to that which has been built on the south side of the track. Temporary seating has been installed to accommodate those attending this year's races.
The weekend's festivities will begin April 19 with the annual Mini 500 Trike Race at 7:30 p.m. in IU's Assembly Hall. As always, the Mini 500 is an event for everyone to have a good time without the pressures that are present at the Little 500 races. Each year, the race involves high spirits, strong pride and some downright wacky costumes as teams compete on tricycles. This year is sure to be no different.
April 20, the second day of the weekend's events, will feature the women's race. Defending champion Kappa Alpha Theta, the most successful team in the 13-year history of the women's race, will try to win an unprecedented fourth title. The race will begin at 4 p.m.
On April 21, the fun will begin with a free public screening of Free Wheels: The Fifty Year History of the Little 500, a documentary highlighting the race's storied past. The film, which was directed and produced by IU alumnus and 1989 Little 500 champion Kyle Harnett, will premiere at 10 a.m. in the Hoosier Room at Memorial Stadium on 17th Street.
At 2 p.m., the men will take the track in the 51st annual men's race. Last year's champion, The Cutters, will make a run at their seventh race victory.
The events of the weekend serve an important purpose in uniting the IU and Bloomington community, bringing to light a rich history and tradition. The primary purpose of these events is to support the educational endeavors of IU students, said Heather Anderson, director of the IU Student Foundation. The events are focused on raising money for scholarships, a goal that often is overlooked.
All Little 500 events help the IU Student Foundation to give away $45,000 annually in scholarships to IU students. Although different scholarships have different criteria, all of the scholarships are given in the spirit of helping students who help themselves. These awards typically are given to students who are working their way through college.
All tickets for Mini 500 and the men's and women's races are available at any TicketMaster location or through the IU Student Foundation's Web site at http://www.iusf.bloomington.com/. For more race ticket information, call 812-855-RACE.
(Kevin A. Gray, 812-856-5682, keagray@indiana.edu or Jonathan Purvis, 812-855-0523, jpurvis@indiana.edu)