The roar of engines ripped through Cordova once again as the Big Blue Mile Shootout returned last weekend.
“The Fastest Mile in Seward County” on June 4 and 5 saw dozens of muscle and sports cars race through Cordova, reaching upwards of 200 miles per hour. Friday featured a new “twist” race, where drivers of all makes and models competed to see who could consistently hit a target speed. Saturday's events were traditional half mile and mile sprints to the finish.
The fifth edition of the race was the most anticipated to date, said co-organizer Todd Grantski, as last year's event was cancelled because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“It's great seeing everyone again,” Grantski said, as racers arrived at Grantski Enterprises in Utica June 3 for a tech inspection prior to the race. “There's a little smack talk about whose car is the best but it's all about the friendships you make. It's a family.”
Grantski said the event planners waited as long as possible last year before ultimately cancelling the event. They even had an alternate plan laid out that would increase safety for drivers and limit spectators, however, the overall situation of the pandemic in the area left cancellation as the most plausible option.
The group began accepting driver registrations in February and hoped to have 40 drivers. Grantski said “just shy” of 40 signed up and arrived in Cordova.
One of those was Centennial High School graduate Jason Duryea. Duryea made the trek from his residence in Mead, Colorado, with his 2011 Chevrolet Grand Sport Corvette. He said his goal for the weekend was to hit 200 miles per hour but was just happy to be back on the road, putting his car to the test against drivers with similar passions.
“It's just a friendly competition,” said Duryea.
A classmate of Grantski's, Duryea said he has raced in all five Big Blue Mile Shootouts. Once last year's event was cancelled, Duryea said he immediately anticipated the 2021 edition.
“I called Todd every month for the last 18 months if we're doing it,” he said. “I was probably one of the first five to sign up.”
The event usually lasts one day but this year, Grantski said a new race was added Friday night in order to stretch the event over two days and allow spectators and drivers to spend more time in the area. The “twist” event this year followed more of an open class format and allowed racers of all skill levels to see how their vehicles would do on the track.
“It opens up the doors to anyone,” he said. “You don't have to have a Corvette, you don't have to have a hopped up Mustang...it's open to anybody. I would love to see more local people race.”
The heart of the Big Blue Mile Shootout extends beyond fast cars and heart pumping adrenaline. Proceeds from free-will donations at community dinners during the weekend, an auction of banners signed by racers and even regifting of prize money benefit area volunteer fire departments. Grantski said the hope is that departments use the funds to help purchase equipment to continue to provide life saving services to those in need.
“If we can provide something to help them...if we can raise money, that's doing our part,” he said. “At some point in time, everyone will have to make that call to the local fire department and they're there.”
