As the Lake Cumberland region gets ready to host the biggest event in speed boat racing, volunteers are needed to pitch in and help with nearly every aspect of the event—from keeping boats out of the way during race time on the water to helping with parking and traffic—when OSS racing series returns to South Central Kentucky for the 2010 Lake Cumberland Grand Prix.

This year’s race will be held on June 4-6 at Waitsboro Recreation Area, located off of U.S. 27 in Somerset, on this end of Lake Cumberland in one of the most challenging courses on the OSS racing circuit.

The 4.3-mile course, shaped as an upside down U shape in the bend of the lake, will test the skills of some of the top drivers on the circuit as high-speed powerboats capable of reaching speeds of 200 mph hit the waves of Lake Cumberland.

Just a short distance away from the race course, The Center for Rural Development will serve as the official site for Race Village.

Many of the community events leading up to the start of the race and the final awards ceremony will be held in the south parking lot and on the grounds of The Center. Race Village also will serve as command central for OSS drivers to meet-and-greet visitors when they are not on the water racing.

“This is a great event for the Lake Cumberland area, and we need volunteers who are willing to step up and assist us in different areas of service that will make the 2010 Lake Cumberland Grand Prix the best event possible,” Jack Keeney, executive director of Somerset-Pulaski County Chamber of Commerce and coordinator of volunteers, said.

 “We are honored the OSS racing series is returning to Lake Cumberland for the second consecutive year,” he added, “ and The Center for Rural Development will serve as the office site for Race Village.”

In addition for the need for community volunteers, a variety of sponsorships are available for businesses and companies in the Lake Cumberland area to support the event. The packages include different levels of giving and promotional benefits.

“This race is like NASCAR on the water. We need the business community to get involved in the Lake Cumberland Grand Prix and help support this event,” event coordinator Larry Combs, director of business services for The Center, said. “The race will provide a great opportunity for a business or company to obtain maximum exposure in Lake Cumberland’s target market during one of the biggest—if not the biggest—events to take place in South Central Kentucky this summer.”

For more information on sponsorships, contact Combs at The Center at 606-677-6000 or e-mail lrcombs@centertech.com.

Volunteers and vendors are encouraged to visit the 2010 Lake Cumberland Grand Prix Web site at www.lakecumberlandgrandprix.com or contact the Somerset-Pulaski County Chamber of Commerce at 606-679-7323 to sign up for service opportunities or to register to participate in the event.