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(Northbrook, Ill., Feb. 10) - Funds raised at a gala dinner Saturday featuring Giro d'Italia winner Andy Hampsten amounted to more than $20,000 to help Save the Northbrook Velodrome, organizers of the event announced today.

Ninety supporters attended the $100-per-plate dinner at E.J.'s Place in Skokie, Ill., and thousands more were raised in a raffle sponsored by Turin Bicycles of Evanston, Ill. and via a silent auction at the event, with all funds equally matched by the "Velodrome Angel." The dining room and cost of the prime rib dinner were donated by the restaurant, and attendees were treated to a night of colorful stories from Hampsten, Team Sports head Tom Schuler, and U.S. Postal Service riders Robbie Ventura and Kenny Labbe.

Pete Janunas, president of organizers Northbrook Cycle Committee, also announced that with funds raised at the dinner, nearly $225,000 has been contributed toward resurfacing and other improvements needed at the facility. "It was great to have these legends in cycling come out to help us," Janunas said. "Their support and the support of our event sponsors shows just how important the Northbrook Velodrome is to the history of cycling in America."

The Northbrook Park District Ed Rudolph Velodrome is in danger of closing after this season unless improvements are made. The Northbrook Park District, which owns the facility, has offered to fund half the project, charging the local cycling community with raising the remainder. The Northbrook Cycling Committee is coordinating these efforts, and has created a reserve fund administered by a CPA who has volunteered his time.

After dinner, each of the invited guests spoke about what the Velodrome meant to them, and told stories of their early years on the Northbrook track. In the Turin Bicycles raffle, Jeff Whittemore of Evanston won a custom Waterford track racing frame, and Billy Dwyer, Julie Dewerd, Peter Duthie, Ian Schneller, and Scott Norman each took home a pair of top-of-the-line Lake CX303CF shoes.

For more information, check out www.northbrookvelodrome.com