Josh Barnett - Sports Editor

For the third consecutive year, the Red Bull Drive Search program is continuing its pursuit to directly address the lack of American presence at the pinnacle of motor racing: the Formula 1 World Championship. The mission is both to discover the "diamond in the rough," lacking the knowledge and contacts needed to embark on a career in racing, and to scout promising young racers with great potential and limited funding. The long-term goal of the program is to have a steady group of three to six American drivers in Europe groomed to break into Formula One and ultimately compete for the World Championship

Open Qualifying: From March 15 through June 13, Competition Racing in Lawrenceburg plays host to Open Qualifying for the 2004 Red Bull Driver Search. Drivers between 13 and 17 years, both male and female are eligible to compete.

Run Offs: Four drivers will progress from Competition Racing to the Run Offs where they will join up to 300 qualifiers who
have excelled at other Open Qualifying locations. The racers will contest in 125cc go-karts at two outdoor go-cart facilities in August.

Scouted Racers: While the go-kart Open Qualifying is taking place, "undercover" scouts will be scouring the ranks of junior U.S. racing formulas in search of talented young drivers who will be invited to attend the Semi Finals.

Semi Final: The karters, who have been selected from the Run Offs, and the scouted drivers will go head to head for a place in the Final.

Final: Up to eight drivers will be selected to travel to an undisclosed circuit in Europe where the 2004 Red Bull Driver Search Final will take place.

This month marks the beginning of an extraordinary opportunity for countless young American drivers with a world title in their dreams. For more information about the Open Qualifying at Competition Racing please call (812)-539-4949 or (513)-564-8080.

Josh Barnett - Sports Editor

Batesville High School will be the site of this year's annual 40 & 8 All-Star game. This year marks the 50th year the game has been played.

The 40 & 8 All-Star game is set up where 12 players (boys and girls) are selected to two different teams, Tri-County and Ripley County. They get a chance to play with some different teammates and against some different competition.

The purpose of the game is to raise money to give scholarships to students who are going to go to college to become a nurse. Each student signed up will receive a $1,000 scholarship.

The games are going to be played on April 10 with the girls game starting at 6:00 pm.