Amador County – Second Generation, a local organization that raises money to support youth livestock programs at the Amador County Fair this year will offer the chance to win the driver’s seat of a championship-caliber Destruction Derby car.
The Second Generation Dinner and Raffle’s grand prize will give the winner the driver’s seat of a 1977 Chrysler Cordova built by local champion Chris Gascon, and a chance to drive in the 2012 Amador County Destruction Derby.
Second Generation was started in 2008 by auctioneer Seth Seever and several others, including his girlfriend, Erin Lawrie. They both raised livestock as children, and helped start Second Generation to save the Amador County Fair.
Coming off a record fundraising year, they found something epic: Chris Gascon, of Gascon Racing, an eight-time winner of the Calaveras County Derby, donated construction of the car, complete with his winning designs. Seever said it has the Mopar engine that Gascon won four derbies with, and utilizes the front-crash qualities of the Cordova favored by his father.
Gascon said he could win with this car. The raffle winner drives the in the 2012 Amador Derby, but the car goes back to Gascon Racing. Gascon also will invite the driver to his property for some driving tips.
Seever saw the newly designed vehicle for the first time Wednesday at Merzlak Signs. Kam Merzlak donated the labor to design the car to give back to youth livestock. Second Generation helps supplement auction earnings for youths in their sales at the Fair. It has helped more than 600 kids in local 4-H, FFA and Grange clubs.
Merzlak said for a couple of years he bought livestock. With lean times last year he donated 4 signs for the Dinner and Raffle, which raised $23,000. This year, he designed the Gascon car, something he has always wanted to do.
Merzlak said “the Derby is the biggest event at the Fair, and this is one of the most unique raffle ticket prizes I’ve seen in Amador County, ever.” He said the vehicle construction has a good $5,000 value.
Seever said “this never happens. Gascon never builds cars for anybody, period.” He said if it does well in the raffle, Gascon may do it again next year.
It was discussed to auction the race opportunity, but Seever’s girlfriend, Erin Lawrie pushed for the raffle. She said it gives everyone a chance to drive a champion’s car and would help raise more money.
The Second Generation Dinner and Raffle is June 23, the fourth Saturday in June. Auction tickets are $20 each, and the raffle is during the dinner. Donations are tax deductible, in partnership with the Amador Community Foundation.
Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
