2nd Annual Coweta Grand Prix set for April 20 in Newnan

From Special Reports

The thrill of racing will return to downtown Newnan on April 20, 2024, when the second annual Coweta Grand Prix is presented by Yamaha Motor Manufacturing Corporation of America.

With proceeds to benefit the Coweta Community Foundation, this exhilarating event will support local students through the Yamaha Downhill Dreams Academy, where youth will have the opportunity to build and race their own cars.

According to the Foundation, this event is one “where passion meets STEM education, instilling leadership values and fostering teamwork, creating champions on and off the track!” The event is not just for youth, as there is an adult division as well.

Formerly known as the Soap Box Derby, the Coweta Grand Prix is being held in conjunction with the Rock & Road Festival that day, which will include the Rock & Road Criterium, Tour of Coweta, a Rock & Road Car Show, and other fun family-friendly events.

Kristin Webb, CEO of the Coweta Community Foundation, said, “We had so much fun last year as kids throughout the community partnered with Yamaha’s product design engineers to design custom racing cars, and we know this year’s race will be even bigger and better.”

“There’s nothing like the look on a young person’s face when their design heads down the hill in the race,” said Bob Brown, Vice President of Finance and Operations Support at Yamaha. “It’s the same kind of Yamaha joy our people feel when assembling our products and the people who take them out into the wild get. It’s that rush. STEM activities for young people with the Yamaha Downhill Dreams Academy make engineering meet fun.”

For more details on race rules, and to view the video from last year’s race, visit cowetagp.com.