die hard DPS students salute Delhi's die hard spirit The Rock confirms Bruce Willis for GI Joe 2 Weather doesn't curb die-hard Elgin Road Race

Weather doesn’t curb die-hard Elgin Road Race participants

ELGIN — Steve Fowler of Elgin called Saturday morning’s downpour a “soft water rinse” for his gleaming 1935 Chrysler Airstream, but most of the participants of the annual Elgin Road Race Car Show were not as upbeat about the weather’s effects on the event.

Sitting under a tent on the grounds of Sherman West Court on Larkin Avenue, Daymond Waschow — wearing a ’57 Chevy ball cap, said there were “darned few” registered cars for the show due to thunderstorms earlier that day. “I don’t think we’ve had more than 20,” he said.

The Elgin Road Race Car Show and Parade Laps, hosted by the Fox Valley Chapter of the Model T Ford Club, is in its 39th year. It is held annually in honor the Elgin National Road Races that ran from 1910 to 1933.

While the event usually attracts at least 75 classic and antique roadsters for the show and parade laps of the original eight-mile race course, it might be hard to imagine today that in 1910 more than 50,000 people came to Elgin for the race.

According to Maurice Dyer, president of the Elgin Historical Society and “official keeper of race history,” the nature of auto racing changed dramatically after World War I for several reasons, leading to the end of public roadway racing and the demise of the Elgin races.

Cars became faster, and roads became more widely used, Dyer said, leading to today’s closed-circuit racetracks which, he said, “are much safer for spectators and drivers.”

The weather may have weeded out the less-enthusiastic, but it couldn’t dampen the spirits of die-hard car buffs such as Bob Scheitlin of Elgin. Decked out in turn-of-the-century-style knickers and a sporty racing cap, he was eager to take his 1931 Model A out for parade laps later that day.

The eight-mile course — which includes Highland Avenue, McLean Boulevard and Route 20 — is nothing for Scheitlin, who has driven his car on trips to California and Florida. “I love driving it,” he said, adding “it’s a perfect car.”

This is the second year the event was held on the grounds of Sherman West Court, a 112-bed skilled-rehabilitation facility. “We hope it gives us exposure in the community,” said Jorie Gustafson-Langlois, marketing representative.

DPS students salute Delhi’s die-hard spirit

CHANDIGARH: An enthralling dance-drama performance 'Tarikh-e-dilli', celebrating the completion of 100 years of New Delhi as a national capital of modern India, was presented by Delhi Public School (DPS) students on Saturday.

The performance was part of the annual day celebrations of the school, which started today and will continue till August 22. A state-of-the-art auditorium in the school called ''Rajiv Gandhi Hall of Excellence'', was inaugurated to celebrate Akshay Urja Divas, the birthday of former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi.

The function was attended by minister of rural development Jairam Ramesh, minister of information and broadcasting Ambika Soni and minister of parliamentary affairs Pawan Kumar Bansal.

The show commenced with the rendition of a melodious song 'Swagatam hai aapka aagman hai aapka' by the school choir. An audio-visual presentation of the school report portrayed special moments and milestones achieved by the school in the recent past.

Then came the show stopper of the day, 'Tarikh-e-dilli', a dance-drama celebrating a multi-cultural, cosmopolitan metropolis representing the spirit of Delhi with the support of grand sets, excellent light design, impressive film and vibrant costumes. The mega production was directed by school principal Reema Dewan and choreographed by Papiha Desai.

Jairam Ramesh, while addressing the gathering, congratulated the parents and the students for being the part of an institution that provides quality education and prepares children for tomorrow. He also commended the schools thoughtful selection of the theme for their annual day celebrations.

Principal Reema Diwan, in her address to the gathering, said, ''Tarikh-e-dilli' is our tribute to a city that manifests the diversity of this great nation - a city that truly represents the India of today steeped in rich tradition yet marching ahead with a die-hard spirit.''

The Rock confirms Bruce Willis for 'G.I. Joe 2'

Bruce Willis has reportedly agreed terms to star in Paramount Pictures' currently-untitled G.I. Joe sequel.

The Die Hard star was rumoured to be in negotiations for the film earlier this week, and co-star Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson has now confirmed his involvement.

"Welcome brother Bruce Willis to the cast of G.I. Joe," Johnson tweeted this weekend. "What an honour."

Willis will now portray the first G.I. General Joe Colton opposite returning stars Channing Tatum and Ray Park.

Johnson will star in the film as Roadblock opposite several other newcomers including Elodie Yung as Jinx, Adrianne Palicki as Lady Jaye, RZA as the Blind Master, Joseph Mazello as Mouse and Rome star Ray Stevenson as Firefly.