(MASHPEE) – More than 100 drivers got behind the wheel on Saturday, September 7, 2019 for the 19th Annual Seaside Le Mans – The Race for the Cape Cod Community to raise $600,000 for several Cape Cod charitable organizations.
Seaside Le Mans features Formula One race karts competing on a ¼ mile outdoor track throughout Mashpee Commons. Dozens of companies and individuals competed during the endurance race – while raising critical money for several worthy causes.
Bourne resident, Congressman Bill Keating, was this year’s Grand Marshal for the Seaside Le Mans, which has raised more than $7 million for Cape Cod charitable organizations since its inception.
“This event zeroes in on the challenges right here in the Cape Cod area. All of your participation, all of your support, goes right here to Cape Cod,” said Keating.
The congressman said the work of all five beneficiaries will have a big impact on the lives of Cape Codders.
“We’re focusing on very important needs in our area,” he said.
Keating praised DeWitt Davenport, CEO of The Davenport Companies, which organizes and underwrites the event, for remaining committed to the cause for the last 19 years.
Davenport said the first running of the Seaside Le Mans in 2001 came just 4 days after the attacks of September 11th.
“As a result of that, we talked about ‘unity for our community.’ We also have each year gone forward with a tribute to our Armed Forces,” he said.
This year’s Seaside Le Mans featured a flyover by a U.S. Coast Guard helicopter and a presentation of the colors from the Civil Air Patrol Color Guard.
The 2019 beneficiaries included Cape Cod Healthcare, Cape Wellness Collaborative, Children’s Cove, Heroes in Transition and the Mass. Audubon Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary. Each organization has a specific focus for the funds received and is challenged to match the donation. A full description of how each organization will use the money can be found at www.seasidelemans.org/beneficiaries.
With kart sponsorships, matching funds and the Drivers Cup Fundraising Challenge, this year’s race raised $600,000.
The Davenport Companies works in partnership with The Cape Cod Foundation to manage the sponsorship donations and with X1 Boston to manage the race.
In addition to money raised from the racing teams, volunteers took part in the annual “bike build” where 300 hundred children’s bikes were assembled, then donated to a dozen local organizations.
A new attraction for 2019 was the Family Fun Zone, with games for all ages.
Here are the results from the event that raised $600,000 for Cape Cod charitable organizations.
1st Place: C.C. Construction / Barrows Excavating
2nd Place: Advantage Truck Group / Robert B. Our (kart seats were donated to first responders and driven by Mashpee Police)
3rd Place: Cape Cod Commercial Linen Service / E.F. Winslow Plumbing & Heating (both companies are 19-year sponsors)
Bank Cup Winner:
Cape Cod Five
Fastest Lap:
Tracy Volkswagen / A & E Forms / Axial Benefits Group
Sportsmanship Award:
South Shore Kind
Drivers Cup Fundraising Challenge:
Norm Hodge
Established in 1956, The Davenport Companies remain family owned and operated. The South Yarmouth-based operation has evolved into a real estate holding and investment company with businesses in the hospitality, services and real estate industries. For more information on The Davenport Companies, please visit www.thedavenportcompanies.com or contact Matt Pitta at 508-760-9293.
