Sports
Related Photos
-
Eric Williams
Discussion
Zachas pull winning ticket for Gordon's Corvette
$100 gets Shumway residents 2007 Corvette
Tom Zacha bought a raffle ticket, never dreaming of actually winning the grand prize, and now seven months later he's riding around in a 2007 Z06 Corvette that was previously owned by NASCAR driver Jeff Gordon.
"On April 4 my wife Sandy and I were watching the April Texas pre-race show on television and something came on about the raffle," said Zacha, who lives in Shumway. "I thought it would be neat and the money goes for a good cause."
The 2008 Corvette Raffle, sponsored by The Jeff Gordon Foundation, gives away the keys and title to a Corvette owned by Gordon. Proceeds from the sale are used to support the mission of The Jeff Gordon Foundation, which seeks to improve the lives of children facing life-threatening and chronic diseases by supporting pediatric medical care and initiatives that address the emotional needs of these children.
"We just decided to go ahead and purchase a ticket over the internet for $100," said Zacha. "It's a good donation, that's what I was thinking at the time. Gordon contributes a lot of money towards children's charities and gives financial help to seriously ill children. Sandy and I have been very lucky. We've raised two sons and have never faced this kind of adversity, so we wanted to do something for others who have.
"I've been a Jeff Gordon fan since he started in the cup series back in 1993-94. I'm kind of an on and off NASCAR fan. When the Daytona 500 was on TV years ago, I always watched it. I've gone to several races. I've been to Talladega about five times, the Brickyard in Indianapolis, the Charlotte Motor Speedway and now to Texas. I've also been to Gateway to watch truck and Busch races."
Zacha admits he's always loved cars.
"I've always been a car person. My first car was a 1968 Chevy Nova. I've always been what they call a motor head. I have a 1995 Chevy pickup and my wife has a 2004 Trailblazer. I've always looked at Corvettes, but never had the urge to own one.
"Sandy also likes NASCAR and has for some time as well. But she's a Mark Martin fan, not a Gordon fan. Martin is driving for Hendrick Motor Sports as well as Gordon next year."
After being notified they won the Corvette, Zacha and his wife got to fly to the Texas Motor Speedway to meet Gordon and receive the keys and title to the Corvette.
"He's going to pay for the license and title registration for the first year," said Zacha. "The sales tax I have to pay and I assume there also will be an income tax.
"We paid our own air fare down to Texas. They invited us down for the presentation. They would have given us tickets for all three races, but we elected to just go to Sunday's race. We got to sit in the upper suite of the track and we got pit passes and VIP parking. They also set up the lodging for us."
The Zachas met privately with Gordon before receiving the keys to the Corvette.
"He's a very humble person," said Zacha who is retired from the Illinois Department of Transportation, but still works part time for Artcraft Press, a small printing company. "I couldn't believe how small he is."
The sticker price for the Corvette . . . $78,175.
"We had it shipped by truck and the trucker handed me the keys," said Zacha. "I asked. 'where do you put the key' and he said, 'in your pocket.' You don't actually need a key to start it because there is a button you press inside.
"We're going to hang onto it for a while. I want my two sons to be able to drive it. We enjoy getting out and driving it, but there's some value there. We're not sure what we'll do yet. Right now we're just going to enjoy it."
Millie Lange can be reached at 217-347-7151 ext. 123 or millie.lange@effinghamdailynews.com.
- Sports
-
-
Cumberland cross country lacks experience, has potential
The Cumberland Running Pirate cross-country teams will look to rebuild this year after a solid, but not stellar, 2009 season that saw the Pirates finish seventh in IHSA regionals.
-
Hearts make statement with opening win
For one team, it was a confidence-builder. For the other, it was a good test of a new offense. When the final point hit, Effingham had defeated crosstown rivals St. Anthony two sets to one in the season volleyball opener for both squads.
-
Strong pitching leads St. Anthony to a win
Ben Hecht’s two straight hits allowed in the top of the first inning that led to an early St. Elmo run were an aberration. A moment’s lapse in an otherwise strong pitching performance.
-
Local horses win at DuQuoin State Fair
Three of the richest events at the recently completed DuQuoin State Fair harness racing meet went to locally-based horses, led by an encore performance by Illinois State Fair champion Powerful Charger.
-
Eagles rally for win in season opener
Newton built a 26-7 lead through the first 32 minutes of Saturday afternoon’s season opener against Prairie Central only to see the Hawks score three consecutive touchdowns for a one-point lead with less than seven minutes to play in the game.
-
St. A wins, Effingham falls in soccer
The St. Antony Bulldogs were victorious in their season opener, beating Lincoln 1-0 in the opening game of the St. Anthony Bulldog tournament Friday night.
-
Bulldog tough
The St. Anthony soccer team is on the rise. Head coach Scott Demers thinks so. The Bulldogs, who struggled to win more than two games in seasons past, finally broke through in 2009 and finished with an 8-8-1 record. That was Demers’ first season, and for his second season he thinks the Bulldogs can achieve even more.
-
Effingham soccer gears up for Charleston tourney
Seniors on his roster is one thing Effingham soccer coach Kurt Roberts is not lacking. The Hearts have 11 seniors on their 18-person roster, but it’s experience at the varsity level Effingham is mainly lacking with Logan Arney — a two-year letterwinner — supplying most of it.
-
Hearts golf team goes deep
Effingham boys’ golf coach Jeff Schafer is excited about the possibilities for his team this season. Despite losing Pat Viverito and Cody Hartke to graduation and Colby Glover’s decision not to play this year, Schafer said this year’s Hearts could be the deepest team he’s had in his 11-year tenure.
-
Upperclassmen to lead EHS girls' golf
Effingham girls’ golf coach Jerry Trigg isn’t ready to base too much on just two tournaments played to start the 2010 girls’ golf season.
- More Sports Headlines
-
Cumberland cross country lacks experience, has potential
