The fuzz are ready to roll

The fuzz are ready to roll in the Five-0 and when the green flag waves team Rollin Coal will put the pedal to the metal for a good cause.

Officers with the Coal City Police Department are trying something new and it won’t be long before they get the call to start the engine on car 900, their entry in the upcoming Law Enforcement Torch Run Five-0 Racing event to benefit Special Olympics Illinois.

Coal City Police officers Brandon Larson and Mike Imhof have stepped up to put their driving skills to the test in the race that includes over 20 law enforcement agencies including the Grundy County Sheriff’s Office and Illinois State Police.

This is Coal City’s first year participating and Larson will be behind the wheel for the inaugural race on Saturday, July 22.

The Five-0 is a stock car race that puts law enforcement officers in race vehicles customized for their department.

Coal City’s entry is a Ford Crown Victoria that was purchased and modified for their use by Bob and Debbie Davis, the owners of Bob’s Advanced Auto & Tire.

“Bob’s Auto has gone above and beyond for the police department,” Police Chief Chris Harseim said.

Not only did the business provide the vehicle, it has prepped the vehicle for racing from stripping out the interior and taking out all of the glass windows to installing a roll cage and welding all the doors together.

The officers have also had an opportunity to work on the car and the two drivers have also gotten some practice time in on the track.

Apparently driving a race vehicle takes a bit of getting used to, there is a lot of left turns, breaking and accelerating and that’s after they make their way into the car through the window—Dukes of Hazard style.

In order to enter the race each participating car must raise $500 for Special Olympics. The more money raised the higher starting position the car receives. Of course, Coal City is looking to be at the head of the pack.

To date, the team has raised just under $3,500 of a $7,000 goal, and is one of the top on-line fundraising teams.

Individuals, businesses or organizations looking to support team Rollin Coal and Special Olympics Illinois can make an on-line donation at soill.donordrive.com. Click on events calendar at the top of the page and then Five-O on the calendar. This will bring up the Five-0 page, then click on “find a team” and Rollin Coal will show on the page.

Haseim and Rollin Coal would like to see some local residents in the stands on July 22, at the Grundy County Speedway. Qualifying begins at 5:45 p.m. and the green flag waves at 7 p.m.

Admission is $15 for adults, $12 for seniors [age 65 and older], $5 for students [ages 12-17] and those 11 and younger are free. The speedway is located 8890 N. Route 47, Morris.

All funds raised go to support Special Olympics Illinois, a not-for-profit organization that offers athletic competition for more than 55,000 athletes with disabilities.

Special Olympics was created by the Joseph P. Kennedy Foundation and the first Special Olympics competition was held at Soldier Field in Chicago in 1968 under the guidance of Eunice Kennedy Shriver.

Today there are more than 6 million athletes and unified partners across 170 countries involved in Special Olympics.

The Coal City Police Department has been a long time supporter of the program and has participated in various events including the annual Law Enforcement Torch Run.

Larson and Imhof are volunteering their time to participate in the Five-0 Racing event.

Harseim expressed his appreciation to the officers for their volunteerism and support provided by the Davis’ and the staff at Bob’s Advanced Auto & Tire.

“Bob has done so much, he and his wife and their whole crew. We are very thankful for that, we would never have the time to do this if it wasn’t for their support,” Harseim said.

Racing for the Grundy County Sheriff’s Office with be deputies Chad Hrechko and Kenneth Unland.